The wild dolphin feeding experience at Tin Can Bay represents one of Australia’s most reliable and intimate wildlife encounters. Wild bottlenose dolphins visit the shoreline at the Tin Can Bay Marina, seeking interaction with humans in a natural behaviour that has continued for over three decades.
This extraordinary phenomenon involves multiple generations of dolphins, with mothers teaching their calves to participate in the feeding program. Strict environmental protocols ensure the dolphins’ health and natural behaviours are maintained while providing visitors with unforgettable close encounters.

From May through November, the waters off Rainbow Beach become a highway for migrating humpback whales traveling between Antarctic feeding grounds and tropical breeding areas. This annual migration involves over 30,000 whales, making it one of the world’s largest mammal migrations.
The whales often travel close to shore, making Rainbow Beach one of Queensland’s premier land-based whale watching destinations. Many whales can be observed directly from the beach, while professional whale watching tours provide closer encounters and expert interpretation. 

Grey Nurse sharks love our region as much as we do – so much, in fact, that fifty per cent of these endangered sharks spend most of their pregnancy hanging out at Wolf Rock, just off Rainbow Beach. The Great Sandy Marine Park is one of only two areas in the world that now has designated Grey Nurse shark areas to protect them and their habitat.

Come dive with Grey Nurse sharks, rays, turtles and more off our coastline. From May to October divers at this site can see and hear whales on their annual migration. Make the most of your time and go with a guide to spend more time swimming with the fishes than looking for them! 

A turtle that breathes through its bum? 

Yep, here in the Gympie Region it’s for real.  We call it the Punk Turtle, but officially, its known as the Mary River Turtle because that’s where you’ll find it, in our magnificent Mary River. This turtle is endangered and listed as critical priority for conservation, but find a quiet spot on the riverbank or take a kayak out for a paddle from one of our launch points and you may just get lucky and find one enjoying the warmth in a sunny spot.

They’ll tell you they see them everywhere, but even Mary Valley locals admit, that our cheeky little platypus can sometimes be hard to spot. For your best chance, we recommend the Amama Walk, near Amamoor.

In the shade of hoop and bunya pines, stroll through a majestic rainforest with moss-carpeted rocks and a pretty, cascading waterfall. It’s here in Amamoor Creek where, if you’re very quiet and very lucky, you may just catch a glimpse of one of these secretive little guys. Dusk or dawn is best for spotting and, look for bubbles on the water’s surface.  This often gives them away.

For a lesser known twitching spot we suggest Mudlo National Park, just near the town of Kilkivan in our west. This remnant vineforest once covered many nearby coastal ranges and plants occur here close to the limit of their normal range, studded with hoop and bunya pines reaching through the tree canopy. It’s also home to the rare large-leaf chainfruit.

And if rare is your thing then we challenge you to spot a Cooloola Monster while visiting the unique ecosystems that make up the Cooloola National Park. This rare primitive insect has little known about it, lives only in small part of our region, and was discovered in 1980. 

The Tin Can Bay Foreshore walk just happens to be in a RAMSAR Wetland and within the Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve. These great credentials make Tin Can Bay a wonderful nature and bird lover’s destination. With over 150 species sighted so far – including the rare black breasted Button Quail and Southern Emu Wren, the foreshore is a great place to bird watch, providing a range of habitats for an excellent twitching experience

We’re used to the unmistakable sound of the Queensland Lungfish taking a breath in the Mary River – it sounds like a ‘gasp’!  But, it’s well known to have given the unassuming river user (okay, and some locals) quite the fright. This living fossil has remained unchanged for over 100 million years and is only found in the Mary and Burnett rivers. Having one of these amazing and quite large protected creatures rising to the surface next to your kayak is fairly common in our neck of the woods even though the species is listed as vulnerable.  You may also see our cheeky platypus and many varieties of birds as you journey along our waterways.

Several sea turtle species visit the region’s waters, with green turtles and loggerhead turtles occasionally observed in near-shore areas. Nesting occasionally occurs on remote beaches, though this is rare and subject to strict protection protocols.

Kangaroo and Wallaby Encounters

Eastern grey kangaroos and various wallaby species inhabit the region’s grasslands, forest edges, and cleared areas. Early morning and late afternoon provide the best viewing opportunities when these marsupials are most active.

Different species prefer different habitats, with red-necked wallabies favouring forest edges while eastern grey kangaroos prefer more open grasslands.

Echidna and Other Native Mammals

Short-beaked echidnas, one of only two egg-laying mammals in the world, can be encountered throughout the region’s forests and heathlands. These unique animals are most active during cooler weather and can often be observed foraging for ants and termites.

And catch our other local mammals who live in the region:

• Sugar Gliders – Nocturnal marsupials in forest areas
• Brushtail Possums – Common in both forest and urban environments
• Bandicoots – Small marsupials in undergrowth areas
• Flying Foxes – Large fruit bats in seasonal roosts
• Various Bat Species – Important pollinators and insect controllers.

Reptile and Amphibian Diversity

The region supports numerous reptile species adapted to various environments. Goannas (monitor lizards) are commonly observed, ranging from small species to impressive lace monitors over two meters long. Water dragons inhabit creek systems and are often observed basking on logs or rocks near water. Various skink and gecko species provide important pest control in both natural and urban environments.

Freshwater systems support several frog species, with seasonal breeding choruses creating impressive natural soundscapes. Some species are found only in specific habitats, making the region important for amphibian conservation.

Koala Spotting in Natural Habitats

The region’s eucalyptus forests provide excellent koala habitat, with several locations offering reliable koala viewing opportunities. Wild koalas can often be observed in trees along forest roads, particularly during cooler parts of the day when they are more active.

Koala activity varies seasonally, with breeding season (September to February) providing increased activity and vocalisation. Visitors should observe from a respectful distance and never attempt to touch or feed wild koalas.

Bird Watching Paradise

The region supports over 300 bird species across its diverse habitats, making it a premier bird watching destination. Different environments attract different species, allowing birders to observe various communities within short distances.

The region provides habitat for several rare and endemic species including glossy black cockatoos, powerful owls, and various honeyeater species. Seasonal variations bring different species, making year-round bird watching rewarding.

Dugong Encounters

The seagrass beds of Tin Can Bay occasionally support dugongs, large marine mammals related to manatees. These gentle giants feed on seagrass and can sometimes be observed from shore or during boating activities.

Ray and Shark Species

The bay waters support various ray species including stingrays and shovelnose rays. Small reef shark species occasionally visit shallow areas, providing exciting but safe wildlife encounters for snorkelers and divers.

Butterfly and Bird Migrations

Seasonal butterfly migrations create spectacular natural displays, with various species moving through the region during specific weather conditions. The migrations often coincide with flowering plants, creating excellent photography opportunities. Seasonal bird migrations bring various species through the region, with spring and autumn providing excellent opportunities to observe species not normally resident in the area.

Breeding Seasons

Various species’ breeding seasons create unique wildlife observation opportunities, from the calling of frogs after rain to the increased activity of mammals during mating seasons.