The popular Lake Barrine Park near Yungaburra features a deep crater lake surrounded by cool lush rainforest. Part of Crater Lakes National Park, it is a maar — a crater lake formed by two massive volcanic explosions. Here you can take a short stroll to the pair of giant 45m-tall bull kauri trees, stretch your legs on the longer 5km track around the lake looking for rainforest animals, or paddle a canoe on the smooth surface and look for fish, turtles, eels and water birds. A pleasant walk around the lake passes through rainforest characteristic of the area’s red earth environment. The track features secluded forest-fringed views over the water and of wildlife, including saw-shelled turtles and eastern water dragons. The surrounds also feature several bird and mammal species that are endemic to the Wet Tropics. The saw-shelled turtle and eastern water dragon have set up home in the area. Amethystine pythons, whose distinctive colour pattern blends into the forest background, are also found patrolling the water edges. The colourful Boyd’s forest dragon, a lizard that grows to 45cm, can be spotted clinging to narrow tree trunks. Over 130 bird species have been recorded in and around the lake and it is more favourable for water birds than Lake Eacham. They can be spotted at shallow edges on reeds, water lilies and fallen trees that act as natural perches.