Australia has long been known as the ‘Land of Parrots’ with scores of bright, iridescent birds distributed across the continent. There are 56 species of the parrot found in Australia, which includes cockatoos, lorikeets, rosellas, ringnecks and budgerigars.
Cockatoos are famed for their beautiful crests which are used in courtship. The iconic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a common sight across Eastern and the South-East of Australia, Kangaroo Island and East Gippsland where they often congregate in noisy flocks. Just as spectacular are the large black cockatoos of Australia. The northern forests of Arnhem Land provide abundant opportunities to see the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, whilst Kangaroo Island is home to a subspecies of the Glossy-black Cockatoo, where 350 individuals remain, feeding on the seeds of mature casuarina trees.
The haunting and mournful calls of the Yellow-tailed Black cockatoos are relatively common in the south-east area of Australia, with viewing opportunities across Gippsland and Maria Island. Perhaps the prettiest of all is the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, with it’s scarlet, yellow and white head crest and beautiful orange-pink underwing. They can be seen in wooded areas or near pockets of water in the arid interior, especially around Uluru & Red Centre. In this region, Budgerigars can be seen in immense flocks following areas of rainfall and plant growth.
Rainbow Lorikeets are plentiful across the eastern and northern parts of the country, largely feeding on flowering eucalypts and banksias. Crimson, Eastern Rosellas are also familiar species that can be seen on the south-east and eastern coast, whilst the alluring King Parrot resides in the cool, wet forests of eastern Australia, with Gippsland providing terrific opportunities to see the vivid scarlet breast . Green Rosellas are unique to Tasmania which is also an important region for the endangered Swift Parrot, where it breeds in the Summer months and can be seen on Maria Island.
Australian Ringnecks are found in several different forms across the southern interior, with the Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges and Uluru & Red Centre all providing habitat for these birds with distinctive golden collars, whilst the Mulga Parrot is found in similar scrub-plain especially across the Flinders Ranges. Much further north, a highlight for visitors to the open forests and grasslands of Kakadu & Arnhem Land and the Wet Tropics outside of Cairns is great for seeing the fluorescent Red-winged Parrot searching for seeds and berries.
The World Heritage Wet Tropics area including the Daintree and Tablelands area, is a prime spot for seeing the endemic subspecies of the Double-eyed Fig Parrot and Crimson Rosella as well as the Scaly-breasted and Little Lorikeet.
Search for birding tours including Parrots, using the seasonal viewing opportunities calendar further down the page.
From $1,220 USD
5 days/ 4 nights
5 Day Birdwatching North Queensland
From $1,220 USD
5 days/ 4 nights
This World Heritage Listed area is the world's oldest continually surviving rainforest and where the world’s songbirds emerged. With more than 450 Avian Species recorded (more than half of Australia's total bird count), including 12 Endemics, it’s Australia’s twitching mecca!
The Wet Tropics stretch from Townsville to Cooktown, encompassing approximately...
From $1,090 USD
3 days/2 nights
Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching
From $1,090 USD
3 days/2 nights
Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
There are opportunities to observe waders and seabirds including Little Pied and Black Cormorants, Grey and Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared...
From $479 USD
Day Tour - Tasmania
1 Day Birdwatching Mt Field National Park
From $479 USD
Day Tour - Tasmania
Mount Field National Park is the oldest in Tasmania and one of the most diverse. You will have the opportunity to try and spot 11 out of the 12 Tasmanian endemic species.
Highlights include the Tasmanian Native Hen, Scrubtit, Yellow Wattlebird, Black Currawong and Tasmanian Thornbill across this park featuring ...
From $2,060 USD
3 days/2 nights
Kakadu Birding Tour
From $2,060 USD
3 days/2 nights
The World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park is one of the most pristine environments left on the planet and the combination of soil floodplains, paper bark swamps, savannah woodlands, monsoonal rainforests and river mangroves make this one of the world’s great birdwatching sites.
There is an immense concentration of birds,...
January,February,December, East Gippsland
East Gippsland is a wonderful destination to visit during the summer months, particularly if you're on the lookout for birds. The region has an enormous diversity of birdlife. One of the main reasons for this diversity is the mix of habitat types, including Eucalyptus woodlands, temperate rainforests, agricultural areas, wetlands and coastal habitats, too.
Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours' Summer Highlights
1. On the East Gippsland Wildlife Journey we stay in a homestead overlooking the Snowy River Valley at Orbost, and one of the highlights here is hearing the owls’ deep hoots from the accommodation, or finding them in one of their daytime roosts,” he says. “They just stare at you unflinchingly with their piercing golden eyes, and you realise you’re in the presence of a formidable predator.”
2. One of the most famous residents is the Satin Bowerbird, which nests until February, renowned for its practice of building and decorating a bower to attract females, with bright blue coloured objects.
3. Brilliantly coloured male Scarlet Honeyeaters migrate southward to East Gippsland in late spring and are scattered over the region following the nectar of Eucalypts and other large forest trees. Black-faced Monarchs are another migrant at this time, typically seen foraging for insects among foliage, or catching flying insects on the wing.
4. Flowering forest trees are irresistible to a variety of species including Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland, Yellow-faced, Tawny-crowned, Blue-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters.
Bushbirds | Emu, Laughing Kookaburra, Sacred Kingfisher, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing |
Parrots | King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella, Rainbow Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo |
Raptors | White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle |
Seabirds | Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Short-tailed Shearwater |
Songbirds | Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Eastern Whipbird, Flame Robins, Grey Shrike Thrush |
Waterbirds & Waders | Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills |
East Gippsland is a large region of Victoria, so although you will be able to find some of these species on your own as you visit various national parks, the best and most efficient way to tick these off your list is to join an expert tour guide. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours have been operating in the region since 1993, so they know exactly where to go.
March,April,May, East Gippsland
One of the world’s most amazing songbirds, the Superb Lyrebird, is in full voice at this time. These birds reside in East Gippsland year round but early breeding season brings out their best. During May, males can be heard singing loudly from specially-constructed dancing mounds used to attract females. Males with complex songs featuring the largest number of mimicked sounds are successful breeders.
At this time of year it is normal to hear the lyrebird’s perfectly-imitated calls from Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Golden Whistlers, Pied Currawongs, Eastern Whipbirds and Laughing Kookaburras, all coming from the same location on the ground. Patience and a quiet approach will usually reveal a singing, dancing male Lyrebird with it’s remarkable lyre-shaped tail feathers.
Eastern Yellow Robins, Jacky Winters and Rose Robins can be seen at this time along with the Beautiful Firetail. Dusk and early evening provides the opportunity to see Australia’s largest owl species, the Powerful Owl, which preys upon animals such as possums, gliders and rodents.
September,October,November, East Gippsland
Australia has 12 native cuckoos and East Gippsland is home to six of these, all of which have distinctive songs. September and October in the forests of East Gippsland can be almost deafening with these calls including the piercing, repetitive whistle of the Shining Bronze Cuckoo, the rising trill of the Fan-tailed Cuckoo, the frenzied feminine squeal of the Brush Cuckoo and the high-pitched ‘chew’ of the Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo.
The springtime brings out beautiful wildflowers and flowering eucalypts, with Red and Little Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, New Holland, Yellow-faced, Tawny-crowned, Blue-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters particularly active. It is also a peak time to see Eastern Yellow Robins, Scarlet Robins, Jacky Winters and the radiant pink breast of the slender Rose Robin.
Iridescent parrots are a magnificent sight flying across the lush forests of the region including the King Parrot, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Rainbow and Musk Lorikeets, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Galahs and the iconic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Beautifully coloured songbirds compete for the attention of visitors with the Crested Shrike Tit, Golden Whistler, Red-browed Finch, Beautiful Firetail, Mistletoe bird, Superb Fairy-wren and Spotted Pardalote ever popular.
January,February,December, Eyre Peninsula
Bushbirds |
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon |
Seabirds |
Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
“Summer is the nesting season for Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Red-capped Plovers so we explore several local beaches on the peninsula at this time, whilst keeping a lookout for the migratory Common Greenshank after their enormous flights from the Northern Hemisphere.
A visit to Big Swamp provides sanctuary for Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks and Black Winged Stilts and at Mikkira and Lincoln National Park, Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Common Bronzewings, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters and White-Browed Scrubwrens abundant. Pallid Cuckoos also migrate to the peninsula over the Summer."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally
Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
March,April,May, Eyre Peninsula
Bushbirds |
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon |
Parrots | Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo |
Raptors | Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon |
Seabirds | Gannets & Boobies: | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Bowerbirds: | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Starlings: | Treecreepers: | Friarbirds: | Flowerpeckers: | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper| Stone Curlews: | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
“A small flock of remnant Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos aggregate post breeding during the Autumn and Port Lincoln (Australian Ringneck) Parrots, Australian Magpies, Galahs, Red Wattlebirds, Black-Faced Cuckoo-shrikes, Masked Lapwings, Western Whistlers and an occasional Scarlet Robin can be seen across Port Lincoln National Park and Mikkira.
It's always a joy to showcase the rugged cliffs along the Great Australian Bight to view Osprey and White Bellied Sea-Eagles along with other raptors including kites and Swamp Harriers. In beautiful Memory Cove, birds that may be encountered include Purple-Gaped Honeyeaters, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters, Dusky Woodswallows, Western Yellow Robins, Blue-breasted Fairy-wrens and White-Browed Scrubwrens.
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally
Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
June,July,August, Eyre Peninsula
Bushbirds |
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon |
Parrots | Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo |
Raptors | Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon |
Seabirds | Gannets & Boobies: | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Bowerbirds: | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Starlings: | Treecreepers: | Friarbirds: | Flowerpeckers: | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
"We take guests out to Big Swamp over this season, to see a wide variety of waterbirds, with many commencing their nesting season. Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks, Black Winged Stilts, Banded Plovers and Cape Barren Geese are all possible encounters.
Across Coffin Bay National Park, there are active Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagle nests, with pairs often seen fishing along the cliffs and sandy white beaches. The area is also home to Caspian Terns, Hooded Plovers, Red Capped Plovers, Red Necked Stints, Golden Whistlers, Masked Lapwings, Emus and Wedge-tailed Eagles. There is also a chance to see the elusive Southern Emu-Wren and a remnant flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally
Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
September,October,November, Eyre Peninsula
Bushbirds |
Ratites: Emu | Kingfishers: Sacred Kingfisher | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing, Crested Pigeon | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Galah, Rock Parrot, Port Lincoln Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mulga Parrot, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: Osprey, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Swamp Harrier | Falcons: Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon |
Seabirds |
Gannets & Boobies: Australasia Gannet | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Pacific Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red Wattlebird, Singing Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Blue-headed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Spotted Scrubwren, White-browed Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Inland Thornbill, Weebill | Robins: Southern Scrub-robin, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin | Whipbirds: Western Whipbird | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Western Whistler, Grey Strikethrush | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Willie-wagtail, Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Grey Currawong, Australian Magpie, Magpie-lark, Dusky Woodswallow | Ravens & Crows: Australian Raven, Little Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: Rufous Treecreeper | Babblers: White-browed Babbler | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Pink-eared Duck, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover, Banded Plover, Grey Plover, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron,Eastern Reef Egret, Eastern Great Egret | Cranes & Relatives: Dusky Moorhen, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
"White-bellied Sea Eagles and Osprey nest along our spectacular coastal cliff habitats and rocky offshore islands, with young typically fledging late in Spring.
It's an amazing time to spot many of our bushbirds in the national parks, including Striated Pardalotes, Western Yellow Robins, Western Whistlers, White-Browed Babblers, Red Wattlebirds, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes, New Holland Honeyeaters, Brown-Headed Honey Eaters along with Port Lincoln and Rock Parrots. We also spend some time looking for some of the rarer species including Scarlet Robins, Diamond Firetails, Southern Emu-wrens and Western Whipbirds and the migratory Wood Sandpiper and Latham's Snipe."
Fran Solly, Birding Specialist Guide
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures available seasonally
Home to 270 species of birds and 1900 native plant species, this tour across the Southern Eyre Peninsula traverses coastal dune shrublands, mallee woodlands, sandflats, saltmarsh, subcoastal and clifftops.
March,April,May, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
By the end of the northern tropical summer (locally known as the wet season), native speargrasses have grown up to three metres high, providing delectable seeds for Red-winged Parrots, Double-barred, Star, Crimson and Long-tailed Finches to feed upon. After their migration from southern areas, large flocks of Red-tailed Cockatoos can be heard screeching and flashing their vibrant banded tails over the woodlands as they migrate from southern areas in flocks of up to one hundred birds.
This is the time that various cuckoos are breeding including the Pheasant Coucal, known to build their nests up to two metres above the ground in low shrubs. White-bellied and Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes are also prominent at this time, as is the Dollarbird that feeds on insects before making the flight to the islands of New Guinea to spend the winter.
There are numerous pigeons and doves that are active during the day foraging for seeds including the Bar-shouldered Dove, Peaceful Dove, Pied Imperial Pigeon and the small Diamond Dove.
June,July,August, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
Magpie Geese are spread far and wide over the pristine floodplains at this time, having laid their eggs with a typical clutch of 5-14 eggs. Some males mate with two females, all of which raise the young, unlike other polygamous birds. White-bellied Sea Eagles, Brahminy and Whistling Kites target newly hatched chicks from the skies above, with the best opportunity to see their aerial skills at Bamurru Plains on an airboat ride.
Standing at over a metre tall, the Great Billed Heron is Australia’s largest heron and feeds in shallow water, spearing fish with its long, sharp bill. It will wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim. The alluring Azure Kingfisher also waits patiently along the waterways on its fishing missions. Plumed Whistling, Wandering Whistling and Spotted Whistling Ducks all pluck on tropical grasses in between uttering their high pitched whistles. Other waterbirds popular with photographers across the swamps include the Royal Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis, which at the right angle, takes on a beautiful iridescent green and purple gloss.
September,October,November, Kakadu & Arnhem Land
As the end of the dry season approaches, the shrinking floodplains bring together a higher concentration of waterbirds, providing excellent opportunities to spot Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills, Black-winged Stilts and the Black-necked Storks (locally known as the Jabirus) with it’s amazing wingspan of over 2 metres.
One of the most famous meeting rituals in the bird kingdom is common at this time as Brolgas gather in the wetlands across the region. The courtship dance of the Brolga is an elaborate and majestic event, involving strutting, head-bobbing and bowing, with the mate bowing in return.
Known by a number of names including the Lotus bird and Jesus bird, the Comb-crested Jacana appears like it can walk on water at a distance, although it is really walking on waterlily pads and plants with it’s extraordinary long toes. The Blue-winged Kookaburra changes its diet with the drier conditions, to eat fish, crayfish, snakes, earthworms and small birds, as family groups defend their territory with great vigour.
January,February,December, Kangaroo Island
Bushbirds | Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing |
Parrots | Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Rock Parrot |
Raptors | White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Osprey |
Seabirds | Black-faced Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Short-tailed Shearwater, Crested Tern, Caspian Tern |
Songbirds | Golden Whistler, Scarlet Robins, Grey Shrike-Thrush, Superb Fairy-wren, Brown Thornbill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill |
Waterbirds & Waders | Great Egret, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Royal Spoonbill, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Hooded Plover, Freckled Duck, Black Swan |
“As natural water catchments dry up in the summer months, the Kangaroo Island's birds tend to congregate around fresh inland lagoons, and coastal marine esturaries, where food and water is more accessible. As Kangaroo Island locals, we have some secret locations where we can rely on encounters with Black Swans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, Common Greenshanks and Freckled Ducks, to name a few."
Blair Wickham, Tour Guide
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full Itinerary
March,April,May, Kangaroo Island
Bushbirds | Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing |
Parrots | Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet |
Raptors | Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Osprey |
Seabirds | Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern |
Songbirds | Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Common Greenshank, Ruddy Turnstone, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper |
"As the days begin to cool in Autumn/Fall, the endemic and endangered Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-Cockatoos begin selecting their nesting hollows in large Sugar Gums in preparation for their annual breeding season from April to June. Black Swamp in Flinders Chase National Park comes alive with activity as Cape Barron Geese also choose their nesting territories."
Blair Wickham, Tour Guide
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full Itinerary
June,July,August, Kangaroo Island
Bushbirds | Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing |
Parrots | Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet |
Raptors | Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Osprey |
Seabirds | Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern |
Songbirds | Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Ruddy Turnstone |
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full Itinerary
September,October,November, Kangaroo Island
Bushbirds | Laughing Kookaburra, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing |
Parrots | Crimson Rosella, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Little Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Rock Parrot |
Raptors | Black-shouldered Kite, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Nankeen Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier, Osprey |
Seabirds | Short-tailed Shearwater, Australasian Gannet, Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Great Crested Tern, Caspian Tern |
Songbirds | Superb Fairy-wren, Eastern Spinebill, Red Wattlebird, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Brown Thornbill, Striated Thornbill, Golden Whistler, Australian Magpie, Grey Currawong, Willie Wagtail, Australian Raven, Scarlet Robin |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher, Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover, Common Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Common Greenshank, Short-tailed Shearwater, Ruddy Turnstone |
Duration: 3 Days/2 Nights
Type: Private only
Departs: On request
This three day Kangaroo Island birdwatching and wildlife tour is presented with an indicative itinerary. Opportunities vary throughout the year and each season is slightly different in terms of natural cycles. The experience delivered is customised according to the season and fine-tuned to meet the interests of guests once they arrive on the Island.
Full Itinerary
January,February,December, Maria Island
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Cuckoos & Coucals: Fan-tailed Cuckoo |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Musk Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle |
Seabirds |
Petrels & Sherwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Gulls & Terns: Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull |
Songbirds |
Honeyaters: Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow Wattlebird | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens and Thornbills: Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote | Robins: Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin | Cuckoo-Shrikes: Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Satin Flycatcher | Woodswallows, Magpies & Currowongs: Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong, Dusky Woodswallow | White-eyes: Silvereyes | Swallows and Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Chestnut Teal | Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises and Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret | Oystercatchers: Sooty Oystercatcher, Pied Oystercatcher | Cranes & Relatives: Tasmanian Native Hen |
“The endemic Forty-spotted Pardalote can be seen living in community groups around our wilderness camps, enjoying the flowering White Gums forests. We also keep an eye out for the Black-headed and Strong-billed Honeyeaters around the browntop stringybarks.
A number of migrants from the mainland can be seen on the island including Swift Parrots, Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Satin Flycatchers, Yellow-rumped Thornbills, Tree Martins and Dusky Woodswallows."
Ben Brown, General Manager Operations
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Type: Shared
Available: October - late April
This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.
March,April,May, Maria Island
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Cuckoos & Coucals: Fan-tailed Cuckoo |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Musk Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle |
Seabirds |
Petrels & Sherwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Gulls & Terns: Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull |
Songbirds |
Honeyaters: Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow Wattlebird | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens and Thornbills: Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote | Robins: Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin | Cuckoo-Shrikes: Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Satin Flycatcher | Woodswallows, Magpies & Currowongs: Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong, Dusky Woodswallow | White-eyes: Silvereyes | Swallows and Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Chestnut Teal | Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises and Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret | Oystercatchers: Sooty Oystercatcher, Pied Oystercatcher | Cranes & Relatives: Tasmanian Native Hen |
“Residents of the island that can be sighted in the lead up to winter include Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Cape Barren Geese, Tasmanian Native Hens, Green Rosellas, Grey Fantails, Flame Robins, Golden Whistlers, Eastern Spinebills and the Beautiful Firetail. Pacific, Kelp and Silver Gulls, Crested Terns, Little Pied and Great Cormorants and Australian Pelicans are common sights across our white sandy beaches, feeding on small surface fish, squid, crabs, insects and other aquatic prey. One of the largest eagles in the world with wingspan of 2.3m, the Tasmanian subspecies of the Wedge-tailed Eagle are often seen soaring in pairs around the island's peaks."
Ben Brown, General Manager Operations
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Type: Shared
Available: October - late April
This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.
September,October,November, Maria Island
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Cuckoos & Coucals: Fan-tailed Cuckoo |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Green Rosella, Musk Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle |
Seabirds |
Petrels & Sherwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Buller's Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant | Gulls & Terns: Crested Tern, Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Silver Gull, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull |
Songbirds |
Honeyaters: Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Yellow Wattlebird | Wrens: Superb Fairy-wren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens and Thornbills: Tasmanian Scrubwren, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote | Robins: Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin | Cuckoo-Shrikes: Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Satin Flycatcher | Woodswallows, Magpies & Currowongs: Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong, Dusky Woodswallow | White-eyes: Silvereyes | Swallows and Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Chestnut Teal | Plovers, Dotterels and Lapwings: Masked Lapwing, Hooded Plover | Herons, Ibises and Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Reef Egret | Oystercatchers: Sooty Oystercatcher, Pied Oystercatcher | Cranes & Relatives: Tasmanian Native Hen |
The brightly coloured Swift Parrot arrives from the mainlaind in Spring to nest and feed on our beautiful flowering Tasmanian Blue gums. Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins and Dusky Woodswallows also arrive to breed, with Welcome Swallows building mud nests under the verandahs of the convict settlement buildings at Darlington. We also keep an eye out during the walk and boat rides, for White-bellied Sea Eagles and Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagles which fledge at this time.
Spring is also the time we see the incredible migration of Short-tailed Shearwaters, with Bass Strait and the south east coast of Tasmania coming alive with 18 million individuals, commonly seen from the cliffs and beaches on the island.
Ben Brown, General Manager Operations
Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Type: Shared
Available: October - late April
This four day guided walk across magnificent Maria Island, combines intimate wildlife encounters, fascinating history, pristine white sand beaches, and locally sourced gourmet food.
January,February,December, Tasmania
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon |
Seabirds |
Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: | Babblers: | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
“Little Penguins breed along the coastline during the summer months and we get special access to these incredible seabirds at Bicheno. Along our east coast it's also a terrific time to spot nesting shorebirds, with Kelp Gulls, Pacific Gulls, Silver Gulls, Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Dotterels, Crested Terns and Fairy Terns the most commonly sighted.
A number of migratory waders arrive in Tasmania over the summer months after long journeys from the Arctic Circle including Short-tailed Shearwaters, Eastern Curlews, Curlew Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints and Common Greenshanks. On our inland tours covering the rainforests and sub-alpine regions, Black Currawongs, Green Rosellas, Olive Whistlers and Pink Robins are target species we often spot with our guests."
Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide
Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures
On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.
March,April,May, Tasmania
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon |
Seabirds |
Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whipbirds: | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: | Babblers: | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
“By April, we see millions of Short-tailed Shearwaters leave the Tasmanian coast on their migration flight to the sub-Arctic region around Alaska, along with other migratory waders such as, Ruddy Turnstones, Red-necked Stints, Common Greenshanks and Eastern Curlews also departing at this time.
Beautiful Firetails can be seen feeding on the ground on various seeds, being most prevalent in coastal areas. Although this species is also located on the mainland, it is most prolific in Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands. Another well known endemic is the Green Rosella, Australia's largest rosella. This beautifully coloured bird occurs throughout a wide range of forest types, from the mountains to the coast."
Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide
Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures
On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.
June,July,August, Tasmania
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon |
Seabirds |
Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: | Babblers: | White-eyes: Silvereye |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Hooded Plover, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
“The winter provides fanstastic access to many of our endemic birds in the woodlands and Eucalypt forests, including Forty-spotted Pardalotes, Green Rosellas, Tasmanian Thornbills, Dusky Robins, Yellow Wattlebirds along with Strong-billed, Yellow-throated and Black-headed Honeyeaters. Native Tasmanian Hens also begin breeding in July with hens laying around five eggs and there racous displays are always a treat for guests.
Other bushbirds that are popular with visitors at this time include Spotted Pardalotes, Crescent and New Holland Honeyeaters, Brush Bronzewings, Golden Whistlers and Eastern Spinebills and Flame Robins that generally move into lower and more open areas at this time."
Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide
Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures
On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.
September,October,November, Tasmania
Bushbirds |
Kingfishers: Laughing Kookaburra | Pigeons & Doves: Rock Dove, Spotted Dove, Common Bronzewing, Brush Bronzewing | Cuckoos & Coucals: Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pallid Cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo | Frogmouths & Nightjars: Tawny Frogmouth |
Parrots |
Parrots & Cockatoos: Green Rosella, Swift Parrot, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Galah, Long-billed Corella, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, Eastern Rosella, Musk Lorikeet, Rainbow Lorikeet |
Raptors |
Hawks & Eagles: Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea-Eagle | Falcons: Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon |
Seabirds |
Penguins: Little Penguin | Gannets & Boobies: Australasian Gannet | Albatrosses: Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross | Petrels & Shearwaters: Short-tailed Shearwater Gulls & Terns: Caspian Tern, Great Crested Tern, Kelp Gull, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull | Cormorants: Little Pied Cormorant, Black-faced Cormorant, | Pelicans: Australian Pelican |
Songbirds |
Honeyeaters: Crescent Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater | Wrens: Superb Fairywren | Pardalotes, Scrubwrens & Thornbills: Spotted Pardalote, Forty-spotted Pardalote, Striated Pardalote, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Tasmanian Thornbill, Brown Thornbill | Robins: Pink Robin, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin | Whistlers & Shrike-thrushs: Grey Strikethrush, Olive Whistler, Golden Whistler | Monarchs & Flycatchers: Grey Fantail | Cuckoo-shrikes: Black-faced Cuckooshrike | Woodswallows, Magpies & Butcherbirds: Dusky Woodswallow, Grey Butcherbird, Australian Magpie, Black Currawong, Grey Currawong | Ravens & Crows: Forest Raven | Pipits: Australian Pipit | Treecreepers: | Babblers: | White-eyes: Silvereye | Swallows & Martins: Welcome Swallow, Tree Martin |
Waterbirds & Waders |
Ducks, Geese & Swans: Cape Barren Goose, Black Swan, Australian Shelduck, Maned Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Pacific Black Duck, Grey Teal, Chestnut Teal, Hardhead, Musk Duck | Snipes & Relatives: Far Eastern Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Latham's Snipe, Common Greenshank, Red-necked Stint | Oystercatchers: Pied Oystercatcher, Sooty Oystercatcher | Plovers, Dotterels & Lapwings: Pacific Golden Plover, Hooded Plover, Black-fronted Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Masked Lapwing, Red-capped Plover | Herons, Ibises & Storks: White-faced Heron, Eastern Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Royal Spoonbill | Cranes & Relatives: Eurasian Coot, Australasian Swamphen | Grebes: Australasian Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe |
“Spring sees a number of migrant birds arrive after their flight from the mainland across Bass Strait. The calls of cuckoos are prevalent, with Fan-tailed, Pallid and Shining Bronze Cuckoos migrating to our isle, and laying their eggs in the nests of Superb Fairy-wrens, Satin Flycatchers and Yellow-rumped Thornbills.
Welcome Swallows, Tree Martins, Dusky Woodswallows, Striated Pardalotes, Grey Fantails and Silvereyes are other welcome visitors, along with the vividly coloured Swift Parrot that breed at the same time as the flowering of the Tasmanian Blue Gums. Another one of the world's great wildlife migrations occurs between September and April, along Bass Strait and the southeast coast of Tasmania, as the region comes alive with 18 million Short-tailed Shearwaters."
Elise Tardieu, Specialist Guide
Duration: 9 Days/8 Nights
Type: Private, Shared Departures
On the east coast, experience a mix of beautiful eucalypt forests, spectacular coastlines, and tranquil bays, including Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula, Bay of Fires and Cataract Gorge. On the west coast, visit incredible alpine regions, the contrasting east and west coastlines, Cradle Mountain National Park, quaint fishermen villages and old mining towns.