Cameron and Kimberly Beard are the owners of a property located approximately 35km north-west of Cairns. The property is a wildlife-friendly sanctuary and a residence. It is Cameron and Kimberly’s intent for the property to continue in these purposes and to create an oasis for native wildlife. Cameron and Kimberly are also considering using the property for wildlife rehabilitation in future.
The property covers 1.2 hectares and contains a house and fruit orchard, with 18 varieties in total. Vegetation is typical of sub-tropical, northern Australia and includes a variety of native grasses and eucalypt species. Dry, arid eucalypts populate one side of the property, while on the other side a creek corridor comprises of remnant subtropical rainforest. The seasonal creek serves as a vital water source for local wildlife. Over the past three years, Cameron and Kimberly have planted more than 400 native trees ranging from bush tucker varieties to wildlife-attracting species.
A diverse array of wildlife is known to inhabit the property including striped possums (Dactylopsila trivirgata), dingoes (Canis dingo), lace monitors (Varanus varius), northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus), short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica), northern bettongs (Bettongia tropica), agile wallabies (Macropus agilis) as well as various snakes and lizards. Bird life is abundant and includes rifle birds (Plitoris spp.), satin bowerbirds (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus minor), grey (Accipiter novaehollandiae) and brown (A. fasciatus) goshawks and parrots.
