The open road in Australia can be full of surprises, and for one adventurous family, their journey turned into an unforgettable wildlife encounter that brought traffic to a standstill. Dominick Hawkes, a 32-year-old father, along with his partner Bianca and their three-year-old daughter Margaux, embarked on a road trip that would lead them to a rare and 'amazing' find on a rural Aussie road, one that many locals and tourists alike can only dream of witnessing.


Dominick and his family had travelled over 1,000 kilometres from Mackay to Queensland's Mission Beach, an area known as cassowary country, in hopes of spotting the large, prehistoric-looking bird. After several days of fruitless searching and numerous bushwalks through the rainforest, Dominick's persistence finally paid off.


'I really wanted to show my daughter a cassowary,' Dominick shared in an interview. 'I was going on bush walks and every rainforest hike, even if it was for five kilometres, to try to find one.' His dedication was about to be rewarded in the most unexpected way.


On the fourth day of their quest, an adult male cassowary and his two chicks appeared right on the road in front of them. 'They just showed up... it's like a shock and awe moment,' he recalled. But in the excitement, his daughter Margaux missed the initial sighting. Determined to capture the moment, Dominick grabbed his long lens camera and leapt out of the car to document the rare encounter.

As he focused on the cassowaries, other vehicles began to arrive, and soon both lanes were blocked as the birds calmly 'observed' their surroundings in the middle of the road. The traffic jam they caused lasted about twenty minutes, with motorists patiently waiting as Dominick tried to guide the birds off the road to safety.

Dominick, originally from Canada, has a deep-seated love for wildlife, inspired by his childhood in the Badlands and his admiration for the late Steve Irwin. 'They're the most amazing Jurassic-looking things and you'll never see it anywhere else,' he said, expressing his fascination with cassowaries.


Cassowaries are indeed a symbol of Australian wildlife, but their numbers have dwindled, leading to their classification as an endangered species. The Wet Tropics Management Authority estimates there are only about 4,000 adult cassowaries left, with habitat loss due to land clearing for development being a significant threat.

Fortunately, the family's wildlife adventure had a happy ending. Margaux later caught sight of one of the birds near their accommodation, making their journey a resounding success. 'They're amazing creatures... I'm so pleased we saw them,' Dominick said, his voice filled with the joy of sharing this experience with his daughter.

In related news, SDC member @Marcy1 shared a close encounter with a cassowary last January! 'I was caught against a fence & he came towards me. I just froze & took photos hence the closeup,' Marcy1 wrote.

This story serves as a reminder of the wonders that can be found when exploring Australia's diverse landscapes and the importance of protecting its unique wildlife. It also highlights the patience and respect that Australians and visitors have for these natural treasures, even when it means a little delay in their travel plans.

Have you ever had a memorable wildlife encounter on your travels? Or perhaps you've been lucky enough to spot a cassowary in the wild? Share your stories with us in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your own adventures and the incredible animals you've met along the way!