Tropics to Outback Photography Safari

Arkaba Safari - Shared

Day 1-3: Arkaba Conservancy. Following a transfer from Adelaide, arrival is at the 60,000-acre Arkaba Conservancy, set amidst ancient mountain ranges. 

Thrilling expeditions, like the Ridge-top Safari Drive and Dundee Track, are conducted in open-top 4WD vehicles. These drives provide crucial wildlife viewing across diverse habitats, specifically aiming to spot species and landscapes of interest. Highlights include viewing Common Wallaroos on rocky outcrops and the chance to encounter colonies of the endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby on the Elder Range.

Arkaba is a renowned haven for bird enthusiasts. Riparian vegetation along creek-beds is alive with parrots, corellas, and honeyeaters, while open spinifex grasslands host grasswrens and Black-shouldered Kites. The seasonal Arkaba Hide offers a subtle vantage point for photogaphing species like Elegant and Mulga Parrots. Complementing the drives, short guided walks with expert field guides enhance the conservation focus, offering tailored insights into local species and photographic opportunities across the stunning landscape.

Accommodation: Arkaba Homestead | Meals: BLD

Mungo Outback Journey - Private Tour

Day 4: Arkaba - Melbourne. Take a transfer from Arkaba to Adelaide before an afternoon flight to Melbourne. 

Accommodation: Melbourne Airport  | Meals: B

Day 5: Mildura. Fly from Melbourne to Mildura in the morning. Start near the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, where an abundance of water in an otherwise semi-arid region provides terrific wildlife viewing. Before venturing into the outback, explore the Murray River and its billabongs, where parrots, cockatoos, and other birds often gather from the desert to feed and drink.

In the afternoon, travel into the arid lands toward Lake Mungo, entering the vast Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Walk along the ancient, fossilised Willandra Creek and watch the sunset over Lake Mungo while learning about the region's deep history and spotting desert wildlife such as kangaroos and parrots. The evening concludes with dinner at Mungo Lodge.

Accommodation: Mungo Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 6 - 7: Mungo National Park. Over the next two days, explore Mungo National Park, a region of immense significance to both human and wildlife history. Spanning over 1,110 km², the park surrounds the ancient, now-dry Lake Mungo, inhabited by Aboriginal people for at least 50,000 years. Eroded dunes beside the lake reveal the oldest known human living site on earth and megafauna skeletal remains, marking the area as a World Heritage Site.

Exploration includes walks and drives through diverse habitats, from mallee woodlands to saltbush expanses. Abundant Emus, Pink Cockatoos, and occasional Cockatiels are present, along with chats and arid-land fairy-wrens. The Crested Bellbird is often heard and sometimes seen. Raptors such as Spotted Harriers, Black Falcons, Grey Falcons, and Wedge-tailed Eagles are known to nest in the area. The journey culminates with a drive across the dry lake bed to the lunettes, tracing 50,000 years of Aboriginal history through the landscape.

Day 8: Mildura to Cairns. After an optional early morning bird walk, a final breakfast is enjoyed at Mungo Lodge before departing the desert for Mildura airport for the flights up to Cairns via Melbourne or Sydney.

Accommodation: Pullman Cairns (Deluxe Harbour View Room) | Meals: B

Wildlife Photography Safari Far North Queensland - Shared or Private Tour

Please note the Wildlife Photography Safari Far North Queensland can be booked as a shared itinerary over the following dates or alternatively as a private departure:

• 7-11 September 2026

Day 9: Daintree & Cape Tribulation. The Daintree is an ancient tropical rainforest spanning 120,000 hectares, making it the largest portion of tropical rainforest in Australia. Several quiet nature trails are explored, providing opportunities to experience the natural scenery and endemic wildlife within the National Park. Access to private property increases the chance of encountering a wild Southern Cassowary, a key target species for the day.

During the hottest part of the day, when wildlife is less active, a swim in one of the many freshwater rainforest creeks offers a refreshing experience amidst the tropical surroundings. As the day progresses, a spotlighting session provides an opportunity to observe nocturnal wildlife.

Wildlife sightings in the Daintree and Cape Tribulation may include Southern Cassowary, Eastern Osprey, Boyd's Forest Dragon, Papuan Frogmouth, Green Tree Snake, Saltwater Crocodile, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Shining Flycatcher, Ulysses Butterfly, White-lipped Tree Frog, Bennett's Tree Kangaroo, Striped Possum, Azure Kingfisher, Little Kingfisher, and Australian Scrub Python.

Accommodation: Kingfisher Park Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 10: Daintree River, Julatten & Mt Lewis. Our day begins with a private boat cruise on the beautiful Daintree River. Observing wildlife on a quiet, clean, solar electric boat with zero impact on the environment is a huge advantage for wildlife photographers. We have a 99% success rate for spotting crocodiles, excellent bird watching opportunities and other wildlife possibilities such as snakes, frogs and fish and bats. Daintree River wildlife sightings may include the Great-billed Heron, Little Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Shining Flycatcher, Radja Shellduck, Black-necked Stork, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Saltwater Crocodile, Spectacled Flying-fox Green Tree Snake, Water Dragon and butterflies.

After the cruise and lunch, we leave the coast and head towards the Port Douglas Hinterland through the township of Julatten. On this journey you will observe the transition in our surroundings from tropical rainforest to open savannah. Our wildlife excitement for the afternoon is a visit to Wildlife & Raptor Care Queensland. This is a 'behind the scenes experience, not available to the public. Amber Dahlberg is the founder and coordinator the rehabilitation organisation whereby Amber and her team rescue and rehabilitate, mammals, marsupials, birds, owls and Australian raptors.

At present, the WARCQ facilities comprise a purpose-built 15m care and flight aviary for raptors and birds of prey as well as a treatment clinic and other support services. A raptor prey-breeding facility is also located on-site. Guests will meet Amber and gain insight into her lifelong passion of educating the public through caring for injured and rehabilitated wildlife. Weather dependant, a great place to capitalise on the dusk lighting is Granite Gorge. This nature park is a famous sight to witness the endemic Mareeba Rock Wallaby. The granite outcrops abound riparian grasslands encompassing interesting birding opportunities too, such as the Red-backed Fairywren, Rainbow bee-eaters, Dollarbirds, Tree Creepers and Pardalotes.

Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Lodge | Meals: BLD

Wildlife Photography Safari Far North Queensland - Shared or Private Tour

Day 11: Atherton Tablelands & Crater Lakes. In the higher altitudes of the Tableland vine forests, extraordinary marsupials and monotremes inhabit the lush environment. The guide's local knowledge facilitates memorable encounters with Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos and Australian Platypus, both endangered species that form a primary focus in this region.

The first morning on the Tablelands concentrates on the town of Yungaburra, a favourite destination for wildlife photographers. Several mountain streams here are populated with Australian Platypus, offering excellent opportunities to observe the animals surfacing for air.

After a midday meal, exploration continues to Crater Lakes National Park. Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine are two popular geological attractions, formed when rising lava met underground water, creating explosions that shaped the craters around 10,000 years ago, with depths reaching 65 metres. Crater Lakes provide high likelihoods of observing Red-legged Pademelons, Musky Rat Kangaroos, Saw-shelled Turtles, Giant Eels, and Eastern Water Dragons.

Night-spotting excursions are available at several ideal locations on the Tablelands, offering opportunities to observe nocturnal wildlife. Species that may be encountered include Boyd's Forest Dragon, Leaf-tailed Gecko, Chameleon Gecko, Scrub Python, Lesser-sooty Owl, Barn Owl, Wood Frog, Northern Barred Frog, Green-eyed Treefrog, Lemuroid Possum, Green Ringtail Possum, Herbert River Ringtail Possum, and numerous invertebrates.

Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 12: Atherton Tablelands. The day begins with two walks in Malanda Conservation Park, a vital habitat for the elusive Mapee (Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo). These animals are regularly observed in this small patch of protected forest. Tree-kangaroos remained undiscovered by Western people until 113 years after Captain Cook landed in Australia, due to their remote, tree-canopy habitat and solitary nature, which makes them incredibly difficult to spot. Malanda offers excellent opportunities for photography along the walks. Other wildlife in the area includes Green Ringtail Possums, Boyd's Forest Dragons, Eastern Whipbirds, and Red-legged Pademelons.

After lunch nearby, the journey continues to the Tolga Bat Hospital, a renowned facility for bat conservation. The hospital offers one of Australia's leading ecotourism experiences, with opportunities to observe flying-foxes and hear microbats' echolocation calls using a bat detector. The Tolga Bat Hospital works to conserve bats and their habitat through rescue and landcare initiatives, advocacy, education, and research.

Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Lodge | Meals: BLD

Day 13: Hasties Swamp & Mt Hypipamee. The final day focuses on Hasties Swamp and Hypipamee National Park. Hasties Swamp is a large seasonal wetland renowned for its diverse range of resident and migratory birds. Over 220 species have been recorded, and a large bird hide with informative identification signs provides excellent waterbird viewing opportunities. Birdlife highlights include Magpie Geese, Black Swans, Darters, Cormorants, Pelicans, Swamphens, Moorhens, Coots, Herons, Egrets, Ibis, Spoonbills, Storks (Jabiru), Cranes including Brolga and Sarus Crane, Bustards, Jacanas, Red-backed Fairy-wrens, and Forest Kingfishers, offering excellent opportunities for photography.

After a meal in Malanda, visit Mount Hypipamee National Park, featuring one of the most stunning geological formations on the Tablelands. The park's population of Tree Kangaroos adds to the appeal, making it a memorable stop. The day concludes at the ever-memorable Curtain Fig Tree, an ancient rainforest giant and epic ecosystem survivor. The surrounding forest is alive with birdlife, providing a remarkable final experience in the Atherton Tablelands. The journey returns to Cairns in the late afternoon.