Australia

A land of unique birdlife, ancient wisdom, and exquisite vintages

TIME-LIMITED DISCOUNT! Book before 28 February 2026 for our 2026 trip and get a 500 dollar discount per traveler by using the code OZ2026 during the booking process on WeTravel. 

 
Australia is a land of superlatives—biologically, geologically, and culturally—and this 25-day birding itinerary is designed to bring you into contact with the full richness of its avifauna, ecosystems, and deep-rooted heritage. From subtropical Brisbane to the tropical rainforests of far north Queensland, the mallee scrublands of South Australia to the spinifex deserts in the heart of the outback: We move through a wide range of habitats that support an exceptional diversity of endemic species and regional specialties.
 
We begin on the East Coast, in Brisbane, and ascend into the cool, forested ranges of Lamington National Park, home to Albert’s Lyrebird and Regent Bowerbird. From there, we head north to tropical Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands, where Southern Cassowary, Victoria’s Riflebird, and a rich assortment of honeyeaters, monarchs, and fruit-doves await. A Daintree River cruise adds a chance for Papuan Frogmouth and Great-billed Heron, while a day at sea brings us to the seabird colonies of the Great Barrier Reef. 
 
We then fly south to explore dry-temperate South Australia and Victoria. From the wine country of the Barossa Valley to the Mallee woodlands of Gluepot Reserve and the riverine plains around Deniliquin, this leg features highly localized birds such as Malleefowl, Black-eared Miner, and Plains-Wanderer. 
 
We finish in the spectacular red deserts of central Australia, birding around Uluru and Kata Tjuta for grasswrens, chats, and parrots.
 
Birding is complemented by meaningful cultural experiences: a guided walk with a Kuku Yalanji elder in the Daintree, rock art and bush food in Uluru, and visits to botanical gardens and conservation reserves that reflect both ecological and cultural values.
 
Throughout the trip, you’ll enjoy local food and excellent wine—especially in the Barossa and Yarra Valleys—along with comfortable accommodations set in stunning natural surroundings. Whether you’re drawn by the continent’s birdlife, its iconic landscapes, its Indigenous heritage, or its wine-making traditions, this is a chance to experience Australia at its most diverse, complete, and rewarding.
2026 Departure
USD 16 890

/person sharing

single supp. USD 2 780

TIME-LIMITED DISCOUNT!
Book before 28 February 2026 for our 2026 trip and get a 500 dollar discount per traveler by using the code OZ2026 during the booking process on WeTravel. 

2027 Departure
USD 17 660

/person sharing

single supp. USD 2 890

If you’d like to join us for only part of the journey, get in touch and we’ll make you an offer. The trip can be divided into East Coast (Day 1-11) and/or South Coast (Day 11-20). The Red Centre can only be booked in conjunction with the South Coast leg, or as part of the full trip.

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Itinerary

Please note that while the general itinerary is set, hotels and daily activities may slightly differ depending on circumstances.

  • Day 1: Arrival in Brisbane

    Welcome to Brisbane, Australia’s third-largest city—and its most biodiverse. After what was likely a long journey, you’ll be transferred from the airport (BNE) to our hotel. Take some time to relax and settle in before we come together for a welcome dinner and introductions. The adventure begins tomorrow.

  • Day 2: Into the Hinterlands

    After breakfast, we’ll visit a nearby reserve where we’ll start getting to know Australia’s remarkable birdlife. Among the many possibilities are Mangrove Gerygone, Leaden Flycatcher, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Whistler, Sacred, Azure and Collared Kingfisher, Red-backed and Variegated Fairywren, Brahminy Kite and White-bellied Sea-Eagle. On our way to Lamington National Park, we’ll stop at Sharp Park to look for the egg-laying monotreme, the unique Platypus. Birding here may also produce Grey Goshawk, Figbird, Yellow Oriole, Noisy Friarbird, and a wide array of honeyeaters and finches. Lamington sits at roughly 3,000 feet and offers a welcome shift to cool, temperate rainforest. We stay at a very comfortable lodge, making it a great place to recover from your long journey. After checking in we can go birding around the grounds or relax and enjoy the facilities.

  • Day 3: Lamington National Park

    Today is devoted to the bird-rich rainforest of Lamington, where we’ll look for regional specialties such as Regent and Satin Bowerbird, Green Catbird, three species of Scrub-wren, White-throated Treecreeper, Black-faced, White-eared and Spectacled Monarch, Eastern, Pale-yellow and Rose Robin, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous and Grey Fantail, Spotted Pardalote, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Red-browed Finch, King Parrot and Crimson Rosella. The spectacular Regent Bowerbird is known to frequent the lodge grounds, and we’ll be able to observe Satin Bowerbird at an active bower. Albert’s Lyrebird is also a distinct possibility. After dinner, we venture out in search of nocturnal wildlife—possums, bandicoots, pademelons, Tawny and Marbled Frogmouths, and Southern Boobook.

  • Day 4: Brisbane to Cairns

    After some final birding around the lodge, we head down to Brisbane through wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. Species may include Magpie Goose, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Shoveler, Australasian Grebe, Glossy, White and Straw-necked Ibis, Australasian Darter, Black-necked Stork, Rainbow, Scaly-breasted and Little Lorikeet, Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and many more. We fly to Cairns in the tropical north of Australia. Time permitting, we check the shorebirds along the esplanade.

  • Day 5: Into the Atherton Tablelands

    The tropical habitats surrounding Cairns contain some of Australia’s richest bird- and wildlife. Our main target is the endangered Southern Cassowary. This large, flightless, dinosaur-like creature can be surprisingly elusive! While looking for the Cassowary, we should also encounter Black-faced Monarch, Graceful and Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, and Green Pygmy-Goose. We then ascend into Cairns’ hinterland: the Atherton Tablelands, where we may see Brolga and Sarus Crane. After a delightful days’ birding, we will arrive at the Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge, hidden in lush, tropical highland rainforest in the beautiful waterfalls and crater lakes district. The lodge has nearby Platypus, Brush Turkey mounds, and Tooth-billed Bowerbird bowers, and there is a good chance to view Victoria’s Riflebird. After dinner we search for mammals such as Sugar Gliders, Striped Possums and Bandicoots.

  • Day 6: Atherton Tablelands

    We visit the spectacular Curtain Fig Tree, with chances of spotting Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Spotted Catbird, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Lewin’s and Macleay’s Honeyeater, Large-billed Scrub-wren, Arafura Shrikethrush, Black-faced, Spectacled and Pied Monarch, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Grey-headed Robin and more. We then head to wonderful Mount Hypipamee. Around the picnic area, we look for Golden Bowerbird, particularly in the fruiting trees, as well as Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Spotted Catbird, Lewin’s and Bridled Honeyeater. We also look for rainforest specialists such as Fernwren, Emerald Dove, Chowchilla, Atherton and Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Mountain Thornbill, Brown Gerygone and Pale-yellow Robin. Other birds we’ll encounter include Australian Brush Turkey, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Superb Fruit-Dove, Black Butcherbird, Green Oriole and Noisy Pitta, amongst others. In the afternoon we bird the tropical gardens and streamside forests of the lodge. And at night, we have a chance to see Sooty Owl.

  • Day 7: Atherton to Mossman

    We spend the morning birding and photographing the beautiful lodge grounds and the surrounding areas of farmland, creeks, woodland and rainforest which offer an array of tropical bird species. Within the lodge grounds we may see Victoria’s Riflebird and Spotted Catbird on the feeders. In the afternoon we meet our Indigenous Kuku Yalanji guide, who will conduct a traditional welcome ceremony. While we meander through lush rainforest dotted with traditional huts, our guide demonstrates traditional plant use, identifies bush food, and shares Indigenous methods for making bush soaps and ochre paint. His enchanting narrative of the rainforest highlights the Kuku Yalanji’s special relationship and connection with this unique tropical environment.

  • Day 8: Daintree River and National Park

    This morning’s Daintree Eco Cruise is bound to be a highlight of the trip. We will see Estuarine Crocodiles and birds including Papuan Frogmouth, Azure and Little Kingfisher, Radjah Shelduck, Double-eyed Fig-parrot, Large-billed Gerygone and a good chance of Great-billed Heron. After our boat trip, we stop for brunch at the Croc Café right near the river where they serve their famous crocodile hamburgers. After brunch, we cross the Daintree River by ferry, and head into Daintree Rainforest National Park. The Daintree NP is one of the oldest rainforests in the world and the sheer size and complexity of it is simply mind-boggling: In some locations there are more tree species in a single hectare than in the entirety of the United Kingdom! We spend the afternoon scouring this amazing habitat for Shining Flycatcher, Bar-shouldered Dove, Pacific Koel, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Hornbill Friarbird, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Varied Triller, Rufous Shrikethrush, Spectacled Monarch, Yellow Spotted and Dusky Honeyeater and more.

  • Day 9: Back to Cairns

    We spend a final morning birding the rainforests of Daintree, picking up any species still needed—and no doubt seeing more of the ones we’ve seen on previous days. Then it’s time to head back to Cairns via the scenic coastal route, along palm-fringed, white sandy beaches. Just before we arrive in Cairns, we visit the extensive Cattana wetlands looking for the elegant Comb-crested Jacana and the elusive White-browed Crake, and a variety of waterfowl. We finish the day at the foreshore with its coastal mudflats and mangroves to scan for Shining Flycatcher, Mangrove Robin, Large-billed Gerygone, Collared Kingfisher, Striated Heron, Varied Honeyeater and Olive-backed Sunbird. We should also see Rainbow and Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Australian Swiftlet, Spangled Drongo, Metallic Starling and Figbird.

  • Day 10: Birds of the Great Barrier Reef

    Today’s excursion to the Great Barrier Reef will no doubt be another highlight of the tour. A visit to Michaelmas Cay, a small coral sand island, reveals large breeding colonies of Sooty, Greater Crested, Lesser Crested Terns and Common Noddies. Silver Gull, Ruddy Turnstone, Bridled, Black-naped and Roseate Terns and Brown Boobies have also been observed nesting, albeit in smaller numbers. There’s also always a chance of Red-tailed Tropicbird and Blue-footed Booby, and we may also spot Minke Whale on the way to the Cay or back. The boatride takes just over an hour on a comfortable catamaran. And because the journey is between the shore and the reef, the waters are calm. For those interested in observing the colorful underwater life (there are many species of colorful fish and various types of coral to be seen here), there is snorkeling equipment on board that you can use at no extra charge. There is enough time to go birding and snorkeling if you want to do both. We return to Cairns at the end of the day.

  • Day 11: Cairns to Adelaide via the Botanical Gardens

    If you are only attending the East Coast portion of this tour, today we will take you to Cairns airport (CNS) for your departing flight. In that case, your tour ends after breakfast. If you only join the South Coast leg of this tour, you need to arrive in Adelaide (ADL) some time today, an we will arrange a transfer (included) for you to our hotel. In that case, your tour starts with dinner this evening. Those who are on the full trip will spend a couple of hours exploring the beautiful botanical gardens of Cairns, where we may be lucky enough to pick up some birds that have eluded us thus far. Then it is time to pack up and fly across the country to Adelaide, on the south-central coast of Australia. Upon arrival, we check into our comfortable hotel and head out to the Adelaide Botanical Garden, where we get to acquaint ourselves with an entirely new set of birds, since the climate here is dry-temperate, as opposed to the tropics we just left behind. Species we may see this afternoon include Eastern and Adelaide Rosella, Brown Thornbill, Superb Fairywren, Long-billed Corella, Grey Currawong, Musk Lorikeet and Australian Wood-Duck.

  • Day 12: Hills, Wine Regions and Rivers

    We start our day exploring the Adelaide Hills, home to Crescent, Yellow-faced, White-naped, Purple-gaped and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Golden Whistler, Brush Bronzewing, White-throated Treecreeper, Striated and Yellow Thornbill. If we are lucky, we may even find the elusive Crested Shrike-tit and stately Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo. This is also a good place to see Koalas! At a small but excellent wetland reserve, we search for Baillon’s, Australian Spotted and Spotless Crake. We then check the shores of Lake Alexandrina for Cape Barren Goose and Freckled Duck. After lunch we head to the Riverland area, across the Barossa Valley. This is one of Australia's premier wine regions, famous for its bold reds such as Shiraz. For those interested we can visit some of the local cellar doors for a tasting. We’ll then follow the Murray River to look for waterbirds, raptors, and parrots.

  • Day 13: Into the Mallee

    An early start takes us to BirdLife Australia's Gluepot Reserve by sunrise, right in time to search for the range-restricted trio of the endangered Black-eared Miner, the rare Striated Grasswren en the subtly beautiful Red-lored Whistler. The Gluepot Reserve with its vast expanses of mallee (short, multi-stemmed eucalyptus trees) habitat with Spinifex (porcupine) grass is a prime example of private nature conservation efforts in Australia, and the rangers will provide a behind-the-scenes experience especially for us. Besides the previously mentioned trio, we also stand a good chance here of coming across other specialists of this area, including Chestnut Quail-thrush, Southern Scrubrobin, Gilbert’s Whistler, White-eared Honeyeater, Shy Heathwren, Splendid Fairywren and more. As for mammals, we can see Western Grey Kangaroos here. After lunch we drive eastward to the township of Ouyen. At sunset, we check a nearby area for Malleefowl feeding along the rural roads.

  • Day 14: More Mallee

    The amazing Malleefowl builds a five-foot tall mound of sand and leaves in which it deposits its eggs—the rotting leaves generating heat to incubate the eggs. The birds frequently attend to their mound, so during our early morning visit to the eastern side of Murray Sunset National Park, we stand a good chance of seeing more Malleefowl, as well as flocks of Woodswallows and Crested Bellbird, Pink Cockatoo and Regent Parrot. On our—fairly long—drive to Deniliquin, we visit Australia’s largest ibis colony, home to thousands of Straw-necked and White Ibis. Other stops along the way should yield Grey-crowned Babbler, Superb Parrot, Horsfield’s Bushlark and Wedge-tailed Eagle.

  • Day 15: Wandering the Plains

    The area around Deniliquin is one of Australia’s bird-richest inland areas, so we will spend all day visiting numerous sites in the region covering riverine woodlands, grassy plains, wetlands, waterways and dry scrubby habitats. We target species such as Superb Parrot and Black Falcon, and a raft of woodland species including Western Gerygone, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Crested Shrike-tit, White-throated Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail, Grey-crowned Babbler and Gilbert’s Whistler. Waterbirds sightings are subject to seasonal fluctuations, but may include Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterel, Wandering Whistling-duck, White-necked Heron, Australian and Spotless Crake, and depending on seasonal conditions White-fronted, Painted, Pied and Black Honeyeaters. Possible mammals here include Eastern Grey and Red Kangaroos. After lunch and a siesta, we set off again for further birding. After dark, we go spotlighting for the monotypic—meaning it is the only species in its genus and family—and nearly extinct Plains-Wanderer. Plains-Wanderers are rarely seen during the day, so we will spend the evening searching for them using a night-vision camera and spotlights. Other birds we may see during this evening session are Inland Dotterel, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Eastern Barn Owl and Stubble Quail.

  • Day 16: Deniliquin to the Yarra Ranges

    After our late-night adventure, we start a little later this morning, looking for Australian Bittern and Australian Little Bittern, which we will most likely hear, but seeing them is often difficult. Afterwards, we drive south from Deniliquin, visiting various woodland sites along the way for further chances of birds like Eastern Spinebill, Varied Sittella, Fuscous and Yellow-tufted Honeyeater and Pallid Cuckoo. We then head into the tall, wet forests of the Yarra Ranges, which are home to an amazing variety of new birds yet again, right outside our rooms.

  • Day 17: Yarra Ranges and Healesville

    We spend most of the day birding the moist hill forests around Healesville, which host extensive stands of Mountain Ash, the world’s tallest flowering tree. We aim to pick up a variety of local specialties here, such as Superb Lyrebird, Pilotbird, Red-browed Treecreeper, Large-billed Scrubwren, Bassian Thrush, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Fantail, Satin Flycatcher, Golden Whistler, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Pied and Grey Currawongs, Brush Cuckoo, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Scarlet, Flame, Pink and Eastern Yellow Robin, Silvereye, Bell Miner and many more. The nearby Yarra Valley is one of Australia’s premier wine regions, famous for its cooler-climate white wines which the wine enthusiasts among us will have an opportunity to sample.

  • Day 18: Avalon Beach and Great Ocean Road

    We take some more time this morning to bird the lodge grounds and surroundings before it is time to pack up and head to the south coast, where we plan to arrive after lunch. Prepare for a whole host of shorebirds and waterfowl today as we visit Avalon Beach and the adjacent Western Treatment Plant, one of Australia’s premier waterbird sites. We look for Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Red-capped Plover, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australasian Gannet, Pied, Little Pied, Great and Little Black Cormorants, Whiskered and Fairy Terns, Pink-eared Duck, Australian Shelduck, Red-necked Avocet, Striated Fieldwren, Golden-headed Cisticola, Eurasian Skylark, Australian Pipit, Swamp Harrier and more. At the end of the day we drive partway down the Great Ocean Road, reminiscent of California’s Big Sur.

  • Day 19: Along the Great Ocean Road

    After an early breakfast in the cute coastal township of Anglesea, we make our way around the spectacularly scenic Great Ocean Road, looking for birds such as Rufous Bristlebird, Southern Emuwren, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Satin Bowerbird, Blue-winged Parrot, King Parrot, Olive Whistler, Tawny-crowned, Yellow-faced and Crescent Honeyeaters, Forest Raven, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Scarlet and Pink Robins, Bassian Thrush, Grey Goshawk, Brush Bronzewing, Black-faced Cormorant, Hooded Plover. Depending on weather conditions there is a chance of viewing albatross soaring over the ocean from a lighthouse viewing platform. In terms of mammals, Swamp Wallaby is a possibility today.

  • Day 20: Departure or Flight to Alice Springs

    After breakfast, those not joining the Red Center extension transfer to Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL). Those continuing on fly to Alice Springs and, time permitting, visit the arid lands botanical garden to familiarise ourselves with the local bird species.

  • Day 21: Eastern MacDonnell Ranges and Mulga Woodland

    We head into the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges for our best chance at some of the trickiest species. Prime targets include the tiny Rufous-crowned Emuwren, the elusive Dusky Grasswren, the pleasant-sounding Chiming Wedgebill, Spinifexbird, Crimson Chat, and Painted Finch. We return to Alice Springs for lunch in the famous Olive Pink Botanic Garden, with its resident Grey-crowned Babblers, Western Bowerbirds and many honeyeaters. A short walk here should also yield Black-footed Rock Wallabies. Afterwards we head to a ‘mulga’ (acacia) scrubland where we spend the afternoon looking for Black-breasted Buzzard, Slaty-backed, Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbills, Western Gerygone, Hooded Robin and Diamond Dove. We stake out a waterhole waiting for birds to come and drink at sunset. Here we should see Australian Ringneck, Mulga Parrot, Common Bronzewing, Brown Goshawk, Red-capped Robin, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo and if we are lucky, Budgerigars and Bourke’s Parrot.

  • Day 22: South toward the Center

    In the morning we look for the much-sought-after Grey Honeyeater and the diminutive Red-browed Pardalote. We should also see both Purple-backed and Splendid Fairywren. On our way out we stop a few times to search the roadsides for specialities such as Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Southern and Banded Whiteface, Orange Chat and—if the season is right—Inland Dotterel. After lunch in the field we arrive at the geographical centre of Australia. We will have some time before dinner to bird the grounds of our accommodation. After dark we are likely to see wild dingos scavenging for food on the short drive to our rooms.

  • Day 23: Erldunda to Uluru

    Today we watch the sunrise over the surrounding sand dunes while we look for Black- and Grey-headed Honeyeater, Rufous Grasswren, Painted Finch and Mistletoebird. If we are lucky, we could see a herd or two of wild camels roaming. Birds we will be looking for as we drive towards Uluru (Ayers Rock) include Horsfield’s Bronze-Cuckoo, Spinifex Pigeon,Masked Woodswallow, Crested Bellbird, and Wedge-tailed Eagle. And if we are REALLY lucky, this is also an area where Princess Parrots have been seen on very rare occasions. After lunch near our accommodation we head to the spectacular outback icon, Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock). We spend the afternoon exploring the many trails, waterholes, grasslands and mulga scrub around the rock. We keep an eye out for Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Little and Black-faced Woodswallow, Black-eared Cuckoo, Black-breasted Buzzard, White-winged Fairywren and Cockatiel. There will be an opportunity to visit the Cultural Centre to learn about Indigenous culture, bush tucker and geography. It is also a great place to purchase local souvenirs. Late in the afternoon we take a short walk to the small but productive sewage ponds. Besides the many thousands of Zebra Finches, we should also see a selection of waterfowl here, plus Pink Cockatoo and Australian Hobby. There will be the optional spotlighting walk through the sand dunes after dinner.

  • Day 24: Kata Tjuta and Anangu Culture

    We get up early for pre-breakfast birding and a chance at seeing the elusive Sandhill Grasswren in the sand dunes behind our accommodation. We should also see Budgerigar, Black-faced Woodswallow, Chiming Wedgebill and Black-breasted Buzzard. After breakfast, we make the 30-mile (50km) drive to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), another spectacular outback geological formation. We spend the morning exploring various walks and roadside locations here, in hopes to see Redthroat, Peregrine Falcon, Pied Butcherbird, Peaceful and Diamond Dove, Painted Finch, Little Crow and Rufous Whistler. We arrive back at the resort for a late lunch and have the afternoon set aside to immerse ourselves in the local Aboriginal Anangu culture. Accompanied by a local Indigenous guide, you get to see their sacred rock paintings, narrating stories of the Creation time and fascinating markings that are thousands of years old. Your guide will give you in-depth insight into the cultural significance and history of the area as well as treat you to some local bush tucker foods.

  • Day 25: Departure from Uluru

    After breakfast, we say our goodbyes. Transfers are arranged to Ayers Rock Connellan Airport (AYQ), with limited direct flights available daily to Brisbane and Melbourne.

Focus:
Birds
Other wildlife
Photography
Culture & history
Gastronomy
Other
Physical difficulty:
Walks
Other activities
Drives
Terrain
Altitude
Climate
Comfort:
Lodging
Transport
Meals