Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching

Day 1:

Guests will be collected from their accommodation or the Port Lincoln Airport by their personal Goin' Off Safaris guide.

We start our ornithology journey by travelling to Port Neill where we look for sea birds on the eastern coast of the Eyre Peninsula. Driving back through Port Neill we will be looking for Ruddy Turnstones and the endangered Hooded Plovers known to nest on the beaches in the area. Heading off the main road and onto an access track we will stop at Rogers Beach before visiting a Crested Tern Colony at Lipson Cove. A picnic lunch on the beach will provide an opportunity to stop and watch the birdlife.

In the afternoon we travel to Mikkara Station for a late afternoon Koala and Bird Walk. Mikkira is a privately owned working farm, Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary. In the cool of the evening Koala's start to wake from their afternoon sleep and move around to feed.

Western Grey Kangaroos come out onto the flat to graze and an abundance of birdlife can be seen. The area is home to a range of bush birds including Port Lincoln Parrots, Golden Whistlers and an occasional Scarlet Robin, Blue-Breasted Wrens, Western Yellow Robins, White-Browed Babblers, honeyeaters, Black-faced Cuckoo Shrikes and Emus. Guests will then return to Port Lincoln with an evening free for various dinner options within walking distance.

Overnight Accommodation: There are various levels of accommodation available including the Port Lincoln Hotel (4 star) or South Point Private Beach House.

Day 2:

The first stop is Billy Lights Point, where a small fringe of coastal mallee and sheltered bays provide habitat for both waterbirds and bush birds. Pied, Little Pied and Black Cormorants, Grey Teal and Chestnut Teal Ducks, Osprey, White-Bellied Sea-Eagle, Sooty Oyster Catchers, Pied Oyster Catchers, Striated Pardalotes, Western Yellow Robins, Superb Blue Wrens, Blue-Breasted Wrens, White-Browed Babblers, New Holland Honeyeaters, Brown-Headed Honey Eaters and Rock Parrots can all be found on this walk.

The next stop is at Big Swamp where a bird hide is available for viewing Black Swans, Grey Teal Ducks, Chestnut Teal Ducks, Pink Eared Ducks, Musk Ducks, Black Winged Stilts, Banded Plovers, Cape Barren Geese and migratory Common Greenshanks in summer. Following this birdwatching session at the hide, we will head to lunch in Coffin Bay at 1802 Coffin Bay Oyster Bar & Grill.

Guests wil enjoy a 1 hour tour with Pure Oysters Coffin Bay Owner Chris Hank, learning about the Pacific and the Native Angasi Oyster from his oyster-processing shed, with the opportunity to sample these magnificent Oysters.

Following this we meander out to the Coffin Bay National Park, which offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in South Australia, ranging from ancient granite, limestone and sandstone cliffs to long beaches bordered by white sand dunes.

There are plenty of lookouts for spectacular views; there is an abundant of birdlife (150 different species in the park) and wildlife, four-wheel driving tracks as well as a sealed road for more comfortable conditions. There are plenty of stops for photographic opportunities and you get to breath in the fresh aromas of sea air and stretch out on one of Eyre Peninsula’s best and picture perfect, golden sandy beaches.

Within the park there are several active Osprey Nests and White-Bellied Sea-eagles can often be 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, Emu, Wedge Tailed Eagle. Guests will stop along the way at a known location for Southern Emu-Wrens and look for a small remnant flock of Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo.

Overnight Accommodation: There are various levels of accommodation available including the Port Lincoln Hotel (4 star) or South Point Private Beach House.

Day 3:

Morning viewing is at the small coastal hamlet of Tulka where waders, Black Swans and numerous Seabirds can be seen from the bird hide. This is another known location for Southern Emu-Wrens near a well first dug by Captain Matthew Flinders when he explored the area in 1802.

Traversing through to the Lincoln National Park, the tour follows Matthew Flinders journey through the Wilderness area of Memory Cove. Rugged cliffs provide an opportunity to view Osprey and White Bellied Sea-Eagles and to keep a look out for Whistling Kites and Swamp Harriers.

In beautiful Memory Cove birds encountered include Purple-Gaped Honeyeaters, Striated Pardalotes, Spiney-Cheeked Honeyeaters, Dusky Woodswallows, Australian Pipits, Western Yellow Robins, Blue Breasted Wrens, and White-Browed Scrub Wren. After a magical three days of birdwatching across the Southern Eyre Peninsula, the tour returns to Port Lincoln in time for a late airport departure.

Your Guide: Fran Solly

Fran Solly who has been a keen birdwatcher for more than 30 years. She has recently completed training to contribute to the local scientific database through bird surveys, which are conducted across the Peninsula. Fran is also a professional photographer and she started her photography journey as a bird photographer to document the Birds of Southern Eyre Peninsula. A selection of Fran’s photographs can be found in the recently updated Birds of Southern Eyre Peninsula Field Guide or visible here. 

Key Details

Group Size: Minimum of 2 guests, maximum of 6 guests
Pick-up and Drop Off Point: Port Lincoln Airport or Port Lincoln accommodations 
Pick-up and Drop-off Time: Upon arrival or 9:00am - Upon departure or 5:00pm.
Inclusions - touring with professional, local and experienced guides, airport transfer and all transport in luxury 4WD Land-Cruiser, Oyster Tour & Tasting, all National Park & other entry fees, Daily Continental breakfast, Daily lunches, beverages, local wines & beer, birds of Southern Eyre Peninsula Pocket Guide book
Private Touring: Available at additional cost - please enquire with your group size & interests.
Languages: Translation services for private tours available in Mandarin.

Recent Testimonials

"I was privileged to be on a 3 day Bird Safari with Fran Solly as our guide. 76 species sighted, stunning scenery and time to take photos. Highly recommend this tour to people who like bird watching as well as photographers." - Annette, Australia

"Fantastic trip, Fran Solly was our guide and she did an amazing job. Finding plenty of birds for us. Morning tea and lunch provided was excellent." - Pam, Australia

"Lunch and Mandy took our senses on an incredible journey. From amazing coastline to spine-tingling interaction with the wildlife topped off with cuisine that would be the envy of any top restaurant." - Ian & Cheryl, Texas