Birding & Wildlife Conservation Journey East Gippsland

Day 1: Melbourne to East Gippsland

Picks ups will commence from your individual Melbourne hotel from 8.00am. Please advise us which hotel you are staying at so we can arrange your pick up. Alternatively, why not let our friendly team help to recommend a hotel for you to stay in Melbourne.

Travel past internationally acclaimed RAMSAR wetlands of the Lakes District of East Gippsland before travelling by ferry to an island sanctuary in the wetlands with a thriving colony of wild koalas. We take a walk through the forest spotting these delightful animals in the wild, and learning about their lives. We may also see echidnas, wallabies and kangaroos and many colourful parrots, honeyeaters and seabirds, which you can help record for conservation purposes.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead, Orbost or similar.

Lunch and dinner provided.

Day 2: Rugged mountain forests of East Gippsland

After a relaxing breakfast we travel into the rugged mountain forests of East Gippsland.

The diverse forests of East Gippsland are the reason that wildlife is so abundant.

Today we will visit both dry and wet mountain forests, visit the famous Snowy River, and walk beside a wilderness creek where the landscape changes dramatically from the sunny, dry slopes to the near-rainforest of the gully. Your Wildlife Guide provides detailed information of the formation of these mighty forests, and helps you search for lyrebirds, parrots, goannas, wallabies and honeyeaters. Birds and reptiles are abundant, but other human visitors are few.

We finish the day with a home cooked meal at the Homestead.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead, Orbost or similar.

Lunch and dinner provided.

Day 3: Explore secluded river estuary on the Wilderness Coast

This morning we will walk and explore in a large lowland (warm temperate) rainforest in search of birds and wallabies. Afterwards, take a discovery walk through a heathland and along a forest-lined river to its estuary in Australia’s coastal wilderness.

Today we will search for sea eagles, cockatoos, kingfishers, swans and huge goanna lizards. We visit a quiet beach with a complex dune system and frequently see beach and ocean-going birds.After lunch take a walk on the nearby rocky headland, peering into rock pools, walking past wind-sculpted coastal shrubs looking at the expanse of the 90 mile beach.

We have a unique conservation opportunity to spend time on a beautiful beach removing ghost net – discarded fishing net from the beach at Cape Conran. You will be provided with the equipment necessary to perform this tasks with your efforts going towards removing this dangerous hazard to marine life.

Our dinner tonight is a picnic in the bush overlooking the beach (weather permitting). On our way back to our homestead we search the plains for wallabies, kangaroos and wombats.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead, Orbost or similar.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 4: Mouth of the Snowy River & Krowathunkooloong to Melbourne

This morning we depart East Gippsland after a final visit to a forest or the coast to look for any species that may have eluded us.

On the way back to Melbourne we visit the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place, an informative Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Bairnsdale. We also search for grey-headed flying-foxes in their daytime roosts beside the river at Bairnsdale – a large colony is usually present in the warmer months.

Return to Melbourne arriving in the late afternoon approximately 5pm. Why not stay longer in Melbourne and have some time to explore, ask our friendly team for suggestions.

Breakfast and lunch provided.

Terms & Conditions
_{*Price per person, quoted in AUD, based on double occupancy. $2,961 for Single. Price includes three night’s accommodation as per itinerary, experienced wildlife guide(s) throughout days 1–4, sightseeing as per itinerary by private, air-conditioned charter vehicle, meals included: daily breakfast, 4 x lunches, 3 x dinners.}