Ultimate Birdwatching Australia - Tropics to Outback

Darwin & Kakadu National Park - Private Tour

Day 1: Darwin. On arrival in Darwin, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your downtown accommodation. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 2: Fogg Dam. After pickup in Darwin, your first stop is Fogg Dam Reserve, known for its year-round water coverage which assures its position as an important feeding and roosting site for a wide variety of waterbirds & savanna wood-land birds - including Forest and Azure Kingfishers, Magpie Geese, spoonbills, egrets, ibis, herons, Whistling, Black & Brahminy Kites and cormorants. 

The next stop is the picturesque Leaning Tree Lagoon, often covered in water lilies, making it a favourite for photographers and birdwatchers. Here, you can capture the iconic Comb-crested Jacana before enjoying lunch. The final destination is Cooinda for the renowned Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu. This pristine billabong is teeming with wildlife, including Saltwater Crocodiles, White-bellied Sea Eagles, and over 280 bird species such as Magpie Geese, Plumed Whistling-Ducks, Black-necked Storks, and Azure Kingfishers. The cruise offers an unforgettable opportunity to observe this diverse ecosystem up close. 

Accommodation: Lords Private Camp

Day 3: Kakadu National Park. This morning at Lord's private campsite, you'll have the chance to observe early morning birds in the savanna woodland, including Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Little Corellas, Blue-winged Kookaburra and with some luck, the Great Bowerbird near its bower. After breakfast, you'll head to the southern end of Kakadu National Park, known for its ancient ridges formed by volcanic activity. These ridges divide woodlands and lead to pristine waterfalls and plunge pools. A one-kilometer walk through sub-monsoon rainforest leads to Maguk Falls, where you can enjoy an optional refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters. The area is also home to unique plants like the Salmon Gum and Yellow Bladderwort orchid. Birdwatchers may also spot the Rainbow Pitta, Black-breasted Buzzard, and other species during the visit.

Accommodation: Lords Private Camp

Arhhem Land - Private Tour

Day 4: Arnhem Land: Today, you have the privilege to visit Aboriginal Lands which Lords Kakadu & Anrhemland Safaris have a special permit to visit. Departing the Northern region of Kakadu National Park, cross Cahill's Crossing on the East Alligator River and enter Arnhem Land.

A 15-kilometre (10-mile) scenic drive to the Gunbalanya Aboriginal community provides some of the best driving views in the Top End with floodplains, billabongs & the Arnhem Land escarpment. This is an ideal environment to encounter the beautifully coloured Rainbow-bee Eaters, Long-tailed Finches, Whistling Kites, various kingfishers along with many waterbirds including Yellow-billed Spoonbills, egrets, ibis, herons and Magpie Geese.

Upon arrival at Gunbalanya, the group will visit the Injalak Arts Centre. Here you will meet and watch traditional local artists in action. Established in 1989, Injalak Arts is an Aboriginal organisation supporting the production of quality Aboriginal art. Today, Injalak artists produce authentic art inspired by ancient dreamtime stories, images from nearby rock art galleries and an unbroken link between the present generation of Kunwinjku people and their ancestors.

The area includes the flood plains of the East Alligator River that are covered by water from December to April and a rocky sandstone plateau rising to 200 metres above the plains. The stone country of the Arnhem Land plateau was laid down 1650 million years ago and today provides habitat for species such as the Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, Brolga, numerous species of duck, heron, wood-land birds, Black & Brown Falcons, Sandstone Thrush, Channel-billed Cuckoos and Pheasant Coucals. The group returns to Darwin at approximately 5:00 pm. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Cairns & Daintree - Private Tour

Day 5: Cairns. On arrival into Cairns, you will be transferred by private vehicle to your Cairns accommodation.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 6: Daintree & Cape Tribulation.  A visit to the Daintree isn't complete without seeing where the 'rainforest meets the reef' at Cape Tribulation. This is one of the best spots to observe the iconic Southern Cassowary as well as the Leaden flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Pied Monarch, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Shinning Flycatcher, and Azure Kingfisher.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the surroundings of Kingfisher Park, your accommodation for the next two evenings. There are many resident birds at the lodge including Noisy Pitta, Red-browed Finch, Macleay's, Yellow-spotted and Graceful Honeyeaters, Pale-yellow Robin, Little Shrike-thrush, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Black-faced & Spectacled Monarch, Cicadabird and Spotted Catbird. 

Accommodation: Kingfisher Park Lodge

Day 7: Daintree River, Julatten & Mt Lewis. The Daintree River with rainforest growing right to the water's edge, is renowned for its birdwatching opportunities, particularly the elusive Great-billed Heron and Little Kingfisher. A pre-dawn cruise offers the best chance to observe these birds, as well as other species like the Papuan Frogmouth, Black Bittern, and Azure Kingfisher and is an absolute highlight for birdwatchers in Far North Queensland. In the afternoon, a visit to Mount Lewis provides opportunities to see the Blue-faced Parrot Finches, Victoria's Riflebird, and various fruit-doves. Optional spotlighting can reveal nocturnal species like Barking Owls, as well as possums and bandicoots. 

Accommodation: Kingfisher Park Lodge

Atherton Tablelands - Private Tour

Day 8: Shared Earth Reserve. After checking out of the lodge, Head toward the Atherton Tablelands, gaining exclusive access to the Forever Wild Shared Earth Reserve through FNQ Nature Tours. This 5,000-acre reserve, dedicated to preserving Earth's last wildernesses, features a diverse mosaic of old-growth savanna woodland, lagoons, lakes, and wetlands. With over 220 bird species recorded, it boasts one of the highest avian diversities in Australia, with a single-day record of 98 species. Key wildlife includes the endangered Northern Quoll, Quails, Black Swans, various ducks, Grebes, and large wading birds like Herons and Cranes. Regular sightings also include Laughing and Blue-winged Kookaburras, Bee-eaters, and numerous Honeyeaters, Flycatchers, and Robins.

Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Lodge

Day 9: Atherton Tablelands & Hasties Swamp. The Atherton Tablelands, a high-altitude counterpart to the Daintree Rainforest, offers you the chance to experience freshwater creek trails, mesophyll vine forests, and remnants of volcanic history. Head to Hasties Swamp, a large seasonal wetland, home to over 220 bird species, with a bird hide providing excellent waterbird viewing. Next up is Mount Hypipamee National Park, known for sightings of the magnificent male Golden Bowerbird and Southern Cassowary. Other notable birds include the Eastern Spinebill, Grey-headed Robin, and Tooth-billed Bowerbird. Mount Hypipamee is also ideal for spotlighting, with sightings of Green Ringtail, Herbert River Ringtail, and Brushtail Possums, as well as the elusive Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo. 

Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Lodge

Day 10: Crater Lakes. We will explore several walking trails around Lake Barrine and Yungaburra, targeting species like the Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Spotted Catbird, Victoria's Riflebird, and various honeyeaters. Other notable birds include the Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Monarch, and Grey Fantail. In Yungaburra, the Peterson Creek Wildlife & Botanical Walking Track offers the chance to see a platypus or the rare Lumholtz Tree-Kangaroo, making it a must-visit spot for wildlife enthusiasts. Your guide will bid you farewell at the airport or return to your Cairns accommodation. 

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Mungo - Private Tour

Day 11: Melbourne. Take a morning flight to Melbourne and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Flexible Options Available*

Day 12: Mildura. Upon arrival at Mildura Airport from Melbourne, you'll meet your Echidna Walkabout Wildlife Guide to begin a private outback journey. Mildura, near the junction of the Murray and Darling rivers, surprises with its abundant water in a semi-arid region. Before heading into the outback, you'll explore the Murray River and its billabongs, where parrots, cockatoos, and other birds often gather from the desert for food and water. In the afternoon, you'll travel into the arid lands towards Lake Mungo, entering the vast Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area. Here, you'll walk along the ancient, fossilized Willandra Creek and watch the sunset over Lake Mungo, learning about the region's history and spotting desert wildlife like kangaroos and parrots before settling for dinner at Mungo Lodge. 

Accommodation: Mungo Lodge

Day 13 - 14: Mungo National Park. Over the next two days, you will thoroughly explore Mungo National Park, a region of immense significance to human and wildlife history. Spanning over 1,110 km², the park surrounds the ancient, now dry, Lake Mungo, which has been inhabited by Aboriginal people for at least 50,000 years. The eroded dunes beside the lake reveal the oldest human living site on earth and megafauna skeletal remains, marking the area as a World Heritage Site.

Your exploration will include walks and drives through diverse habitats, from mallee woodlands to saltbush expanses. You will see abundant Emus and often see Pink Cockatoos and occasional Cockatiels in this region along with chats and arid land fairy wrens. The Crested Bellbird is often heard and sometimes seen. Raptors including the Spotted Harrier, Black Falcon, Grey Falcon and Wedge-tailed Eagle are known to nest in the area. The journey culminates with a drive across the dry lake bed to the lunettes, where you'll trace 50,000 years of Aboriginal history through the landscape. 

Accommodation: Mungo Lodge

Day 15: Mildura. After an optional early morning bird walk, enjoy a final breakfast at Mungo Lodge before driving out of the desert to Mildura, with option to connect onwards to Renmark for the optional extension below.

Optional Extension: Murray River Safari or Walk (Mondays) - Shared Tour: Max 10 Guests

Day 15: Renmark. Meet your Murray River Safari guides at Hotel Renmark. Following a brief introduction to the Murray River, you'll board a pontoon cruiser for a scenic 25km cruise upstream, passing old-growth redgum forests and ochre-coloured cliffs. Keep an eye out for Koalas and various birds like Australian Pelicans, Black Swans, Australian Darters and Yellow-billed Spoonbills. You'll then settle into luxurious houseboat accommodations, enjoy lunch, and embark on a cultural walk through river country. 

Accommodation: Luxury Houseboat

The houseboat is your floating accommodation for three nights, moored in spectacular locations. Your bedroom windows offer stunning views of the river and you can watch from your bed as pelicans fly by. In the evenings, relax in the houseboat lounge and share stories with your fellow travellers as your guides prepare evening meals paired with local wines.

Day 16: RAMSAR Wetlands. Rise early to experience birdsong and a sunrise over the incredible Murray River valley, enjoying the vibrant river views and likely spotting Rainbow Bee-eaters catching insects. After breakfast, join a canoe guide for a serene paddle through the Riverland Ramsar Wetland, offering opportunities to quietly observe wildlife like Western Grey Kangaroos, cormorants, darters, ducks, rosellas and Mallee Ringnecks. Keep a careful eye out for goannas and Sacred Kingfishers. In the afternoon, explore the surrounding forests and wetlands on foot, searching for the endangered Regent Parrot, before retiring early after a fulfilling day. 

Day 17: Outback Lakes. After an early breakfast, you'll set off on a driving tour of the great ephemeral lake system on the outer floodplain where spectacular birdwatching includes migratory waders that have travelled from the northern hemisphere, thousands of ducks, pied stilts, red-necked avocets, spoonbills and musk ducks. Expect to see blue-bonnet parrots, emus and their chicks, and magnificent red kangaroos as you drive across the country between the lakes. Return to find the houseboat in a new location opposite the spectacular Bunyip Reach Cliffs above lock 6. 

Day 18: Renmark. After breakfast and an optional stroll on the riverbank, cruise leisurely downriver and transfer through lock 6 on the way to the final mooring and departure point. Celebrate the experience over a BBQ lunch on the top deck, before farewelling the river and returning to the Hotel Renmark at 2 pm, before your transfer to Adelaide.

Please note this section of this itinerary is an additional cost available in March, April, October and November, however, during May through to late September, a four-day walk can be booked as an alternative featuring easy days of hiking along Australia's greatest river.