At Charlesworth Bay Beach Resort in Coffs Harbour, our stunning coastal retreat is home to more than just our guests. From playful dolphins in the surf to brush turkeys wandering our gardens, the resort is alive with local wildlife wonders. Every corner has a story, and each visit reveals something new for nature lovers and families alike.
Starting this fortnight, we’re launching a series of posts exploring the Wildlife Wonders at Charlesworth Bay Beach Resort. Each post will focus on a different creature—some familiar, others surprising. Grab your binoculars and your curiosity as we start our wildlife journey!
🦃 Meet Our Local Residents: The Australian Brush-Turkeys
You might notice some large, bold birds wandering around the gardens and paths — these are our native Australian Brush-Turkeys or bush chooks
One of the most noticeable residents around the resort is the Australian Brush-Turkey (Alectura lathami), often called a bush chook. These bold birds are commonly seen strutting along our gardens, paths, and even carparks.
Brush turkeys are part of the megapode family, famous for building huge nesting mounds instead of sitting on their eggs. They are about the size of a chicken but with longer legs and a more upright stance. Their striking appearance—black feathers, bare red head, and bright yellow (or sometimes blue) wattle—makes them easy to spot. Their tails fan out like a lyrebird’s, though shorter and stiffer.(Environment and Heritage, 2021)
They’re not overly afraid of people and can be quite bold, especially in suburban areas. You’ll often see them strutting around carparks, picnic areas, or even resort grounds, perhaps you’ve had a few encounters here at Charlesworth Bay!. They forage for insects, fruits, and seeds, scratching through leaf litter like mini bulldozers.
Fun Facts
- The males do all the mound work — the females simply inspect it and decide whether it’s suitable for egg-laying.
- Once the chicks hatch, they’re entirely independent — no parental care whatsoever. They dig themselves out of the mound and are on their own from day one.
- They’ve adapted really well to urban areas, especially on the east coast, because gardens provide perfect materials for mounds.
If you’re visiting Coffs Harbour and staying at Charlesworth Bay Beach Resort, keep an eye out for these cheeky locals. They’re just one of many species you might encounter during your stay.
Stay tuned for our next post.
