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  • 10 + 10 + 5 Days
  • 1 - 20 (25) Oct 2026
  • Availability: min. 6
  • Comfort

Birding and Wine: the Heart of Australia

Bird-watching from rainforest to the red desert

Explore Australia like never before, on our extensive tour down-under. We’ll journey from the temperate rainforests of Lamington with their specialist birds such as Regent and Satin Bowerbirds to Cairns to search for the surprisingly elusive flightless Southern Cassowary. We’ll head to the Atherton Tablelands and do an Eco Cruise on the Daintree River estuary, and we’ll combine birding and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. This three-week journey has it all. And of course, when in Australia, we should sample some of the country’s finer vintages along the way! If you prefer, you can choose to only join us on the first ten days, or the second ten days. Finally, if you want to see the true, hot, red heart of Australia, you can add the ‘Red Center’ extension to Alice Springs.

 

Included
  • All transport in-country, excluding flights
  • All accommodations
  • All meals from evening day 1 to morning day 20 (package dependent)
  • All park entry fees
  • All activities mentioned in itinerary
  • All guiding fees
Excluded
  • International flights
  • Domestic flights (will be booked by operator and invoiced to client)
  • Insurance
  • Visas
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Tips & souvenirs
  • Additional services, e.g. laundry

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival in Brisbane

    Welcome to Brisbane, third largest city in Australia and its most biodiverse! We'll pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel after what has probably been quite a long flight. Relax, freshen up, and join us for dinner and introductions in the evening, because tomorrow morning we're heading out on our birding aventure.

  • Day 2: Into the hinterlands

    After breakfast at the hotel, we visit a local reserve to familiarize ourselves with Australian birdlife. Birds such as Mangrove Gerygone (warbler), Leaden Flycatcher, Spangled Drongo, Rufous Whistler, Sacred, Azure and Collared Kingfisher, Red-backed & Variegated Fairywren are possible. From here, we'll head to Lamington National Park, with a stop at Sharp Park to look for the egg-laying monotreme, the unique Platypus. Lamington National Park is located at ~3,000 ft altitude and upon arrival we check in to our comfortable accommodation, after which we can go birding around the grounds or relax and enjoy the facilities.

  • Day 3: Lamington National Park

    We’ll spend the day birding in the cool temperate rainforest of Lamington NP, targeting specialist birds including Regent and Satin Bowerbird. The amazing Regent Bowerbird frequents the lodge grounds, while we can observe Satin Bowerbirds at an active bower. Albert’s Lyrebird is a distinct possibility too. After dinner there will be the option to look for nocturnal animals including mammals (possums, bandicoots and pademelons), Tawny and Marbled Frogmouths and Boobook Owls.

  • Day 4: Brisbane to Cairns

    After some final birding around the lodge, we pack up and head back down the hill to Brisbane via wetlands, grasslands and woodlands. Possible species 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 Lorikeets, Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin and many more. We then take a flight to Cairns located in the tropical north of Australia. Time permitting, we’ll check out the shorebirds along the esplanade.

  • Day 5: Walking with Dinosaurs

    The tropical habitats surrounding Cairns contain some of Australia’s richest bird- and wildlife. One of the main targets of the day will be the endangered Southern Cassowary. This large, flightless, dinosaur-like creature can be surprisingly elusive! We will then head into 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 as well as a good chance to view Victoria’s Riflebird. After dinner we’ll look for mammals such as Sugar Gliders, Striped Possums and Bandicoots.

  • Day 6: Atherton Tablelands

    We’ll visit the spectacular Curtain Fig Tree, with chances of Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Spotted Catbird, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Lewin’s and Macleay’s Honeyeater, Large-billed Scrub-wren, Arafura Shrike-thrush, 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 there is a chance of Golden Bowerbird, particularly in fruiting trees, as well as Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Spotted Catbird, Lewin’s and Bridled Honeyeater and the rainforest specialists: Fernwren, Emerald Dove, Chowchilla, Atherton and Yellow-throated Scrub-wren, Mountain Thornbill, Brown Gerygone and Pale-yellow Robin. In the afternoon we bird the tropical gardens and streamside forests of the lodge. At night there is a chance of Sooty Owl.

  • Day 7: Indigenous Experience

    We spend the morning birding and photographing the wonderful grounds of the lodge and its surrounding areas of farmland, creeks, woodland and rainforest which offers 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‘ll meet our indigenous Kuku Yalanji guide who will conduct a traditional welcome ceremony and will demonstrate traditional plant use, identify bush food and indigenous methods for making bush soaps and ochre paint. The walk meanders through stunning rainforest and passes by traditional huts while your guide provides an enchanting narrative of the rainforest and their special relationship and connection with this unique tropical environment.

  • Day 8: Cruising through Daintree NP

    This morning we take the “Daintree Eco Cruise” which should be a highlight of the trip, to 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’ll stop for a brunch at the Croc Café right near the river where they serve their famous crocodile hamburgers. Then onto Daintree rainforest National Park via the ferry over the Daintree River. The Daintree NP is one of the oldest rainforests in the world and the sheer size and complexity of it is simply amazing: in some locations there are more tree species in a single hectare than in the entirely of the United Kingdom. We will spend the afternoon exploring this amazing habitat. 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 are also on our list of species to find today.

  • Day 9: Coastal Route to Cairns

    Today we spend a final morning birding the rainforests of Daintree, picking up any species still needed and no doubt seeing more of the species we’ve seen on previous days. Then it’s time to head back to Cairns, via the scenic coastal route with its palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Just before we arrive in Cairns, we bird the extensive Cattana wetlands for waterfowl, the elegant Comb-crested Jacana and the elusive White-browed Crake. We finish the day with a visit to the foreshore with coastal mudflats and mangroves to look 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 will no doubt be another highlight of the tour, as we visit the Great Barrier Reef. Michaelmas Cay, a small coral sand island, contains huge breeding colonies of Sooty, Greater Crested, Lesser Crested Terns and Common Noddies. In smaller numbers Silver Gull, Ruddy Turnstone, Bridled, Black-naped and Roseate Terns and Brown Boobies have also been observed nesting. And there’s always the chance of a Red-tailed Tropicbird, Blue-footed Booby or Minke Whale on the way there or back. It’s just over an hour’s ride 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 (many species of colorful fish, and the various types of coral) there is snorkeling equipment on board that can be used at no extra charge; there is enough time to go birding and snorkeling if you want do do both. At the end of the day we return to Cairns.

  • Day 11: From Cairns to Adelaide Botanical Gardens

    If you only want to attend the first 10 days of this tour, today we’ll take you to Cairns airport (CNS) for your departing flight. In that case, your tour ends after breakfast. If you only want to attend the second 10 days of this tour, you’ll need to arrive in Adelaide (ADL) some time today (or optionally a day earlier, and we can arrange a hotel for you if you wish), and we’ll arrange a transfer (included) for you to our hotel. In that case, your tour starts with dinner this evening. Everyone else 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’s 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 to acquaint ourselves with a totally new set of birds, as the climate here is dry-temperate as opposed to the tropics we’ve just left behind. Expect Eastern and Adelaide Rosella, Brown Thornbill, Superb Fairywren, Long-billed Corella, Grey Currawong, Musk Lorikeet and Aust. Wood-duck.

  • Day 12: Hills, Rivers and Wine

    We’ll start our day by exploring the scenic Adelaide hills where we’ll see Crescent, Yellow-faced, White-naped, Purple-gaped & Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters as well as Golden Whistler, Brush Bronzewing, White-throated Treecreeper, Striated and Yellow Thornbill and we may be lucky enough to see the elusive Crested Shriketit and the stately Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. We’ll also stand a good chance of spotting one or more Koalas! At a small but excellent wetlands reserve we’ll look for Baillon’s, Australian Spotted and Spotless Crake. We’ll check the shores of Lake Alexandrina for Cape Barren Geese and Freckled Duck. After lunch we head to the Riverland area, across the Barossa Valley, one of Australia;s premier wine regions, famous for its bold reds like 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

    Today we head off early to arrive at Birdlife Australia’s 'Gluepot' Reserve at sunrise with its vast expanses of Mallee (short, multi-stemmed eucalypt trees) bushland with Spinifex (porcupine) grass in time to search for the range-restricted trio: the endangered Black-eared Miner, the rare Striated Grasswren and the subtly beautiful Red-lored Whistler. This reserve is a prime example of private nature conservations efforts in Australia and the rangers will provide a behind-the-scenes experience just for us. We stand a good chance 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. We’ll see Western Grey Kangaroos here. After lunch we head further east along rural roads to the township of Ouyen. At sunset, we check a nearby area for Malleefowl feeding along the rural roads.

  • Day 14: Even More Mallee

    The amazing Malleefowl builds a 5 ft tall mound of sand and leaves in which it deposits its eggs; the rotting leaves generate heat to incubate the eggs. The birds frequently attend their mound so during our early morning visit to the eastern side of Murray Sunset NP we stand a good chance of coming across more Malleefowl, as well as flocks of Woodswallows and Crested Bellbird, Pink Cockatoo and Regent Parrot. In the afternoon we travel to the town of Deniliquin, a fairly long drive; along the way we visit Australia’s largest ibis colony with 1000’s of Straw-necked and White Ibis; and a few other stops should yield Grey-crowned Babbler, Superb Parrot, Horsfield’s Bushlark and Wedge-tailed Eagle.

  • Day 15: Wandering the Plains and Nighttime Birding

    The area around Deniliquin is one of Australia’s bird-richest inland areas, so we’ll spend all day visiting numerous sites in the region covering riverine woodlands, grassy plains, wetlands and waterways, and dry scrubby habitats. Species targeted during the day include Superb Parrot and Black Falcon; a raft of woodland species including chance of Western Gerygone, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Crested Shrike-tit, White-throated Treecreeper, Diamond Firetail, Grey-crowned Babbler and Gilbert’s Whistler; waterbirds which 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/Black Honeyeaters. Possible mammals include Eastern Grey and Red Kangaroos. After lunch and a siesta, we’ll set off again for further birding and after dark, spotlighting for Plains-Wanderer. The species is in a family of its own and is almost extinct. The birds are rarely seen during the day and therefore the evening will be spent searching for them using a night-vision camera and spotlights. During this evening session we may also see Inland Dotterel, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Eastern Barn Owl and Stubble Quail.

  • Day 16: To the Tall Forests of the Yarra Ranges

    After our late-night adventures, we’ll start not too early in the morning. Australian Bittern and Australian Little Bittern are the targets for this morning, although we’ll most likely hear them, seeing them will be difficult. Afterwards we drive south from Deniliquin, visiting various woodland sites along the way, with further chances of birds like Eastern Spinebill, Varied Sittella, Fuscous & Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Pallid Cuckoo, before reaching the tall, wet forests of the Yarra Ranges, home to an amazing variety of new birds, right outside our rooms.

  • Day 17: Whistlers and White Wine

    We spend most of the day birding the moist hill forests around Healesville which contain extensive stands of Mountain Ash, the world’s tallest flowering tree. Here where we hope to pick up the local specialties: Superb Lyrebird, Pilotbird, Red-browed Treecreeper, Large-billed Scrubwren, Bassian Thrush, Eastern Whipbird, Rufous Fantail, Satin Flycatcher, Golden Whistler, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Pied & 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 we’ll have an opportunity to sample.

  • Day 18: Waders and Waterbirds

    Some further birding in the morning around the grounds of the lodge and surrounds; then it’s time to pack up and head to the south coast where we’ll arrive after lunch. We’ll visit a wader hotspot at Avalon Beach, and the adjacent Western Treatment Plant, one of Australia’s premier waterbird sites, looking for Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Red-necked Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Red Knot, Red-capped Plover, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australasian Gannet, Pied, Little Pied, Great & Little Black Cormorants, Whiskered & Fairy Terns, Pink-eared, 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: The Great Ocean Road

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

  • Day 20: Departure or Extension

    After a decent breakfast it’s time to head to Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport (MEL) for your flight home. Unless of course you're joining our extension the Red Center, in which case you'll be flying deep into Australia's hot interior, to Alice Springs. Time permitting we’ll pay a visit to the arid lands botanical gardens to familiarise ourselves with the local bird species.

  • Day 21: The Red Center

    We’ll head into the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges for our best chance at some of the tricky species. Prime targets are the tiny Rufous-crowned Emuwren, the elusive Dusky Grasswren, the pleasantly sounding Chiming Wedgebill, Spinifexbird, Crimson Chat, and Painted Finch. We’ll return to Alice Springs to have 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’ll spend the afternoon looking for Black-breasted Buzzard, Slaty-backed, Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbills, Western Gerygone, Hooded Robin and Diamond Dove. We will stake out a waterhole waiting for birds to come and drink on sunset. Here we should see Australian Ringneck, Mulga Parrot, Common Bronzewing, Brown Goshawk, Red-capped Robin, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo and if we’re lucky, Budgerigars and Bourke’s Parrot.

  • Day 22: Dotterels and Dingos

    In the morning we’ll look for much-sought-after Grey Honeyeater and the gorgeous diminutive Red-browed Pardalote. We should also see both Purple-backed and Splendid Fairy-wren. Heading outh we’ll stop a few times to search the road-sides for speciality species including 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 where we’ll do a bit of birding in the grounds of our accommodation before dinner. After dark we are likely to see wild dingos scavenging for food on the short drive to our rooms.

  • Day 23: Uluru, Australian Icon

    Today we watch the sun rise over the surrounding sand dunes while we look for Black and Grey-headed Honeyeater, Rufous Grasswren, Painted Finch and Mistletoebird. We might be lucky enough to see a herd or two of wild camels roaming around. Birds we will be looking for as we drive towards Uluru (Ayers Rock) include Horsfield’s Bronze-cuckoo, Spinifex Pigeon, Masked Woodswallow, Crested Bellbird, Wedge-tailed Eagle and if we are really lucky this is also an area that Princess Parrots have been seen on very rare occasions. After lunch near our accommodation we’ll head to the spectacular outback icon, Uluru (formerly: Ayers Rock) and spend the afternoon there exploring the many trails, waterholes, grassland and mulga scrub around the rock. We’ll 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 highlighting information about the indigenous culture, bush tucker and geography, as well as being a great place to purchase any local souvenirs. Late in the afternoon we will take a short walk to the small but productive sewage ponds where besides the many thousands of Zebra Finches we should also see a selection of waterfowl, Pink Cockatoo and Australian Hobby. There will be the option for a spotlighting walk amongst the sand dunes after dinner.

  • Day 24: Sand Dunes and Anangu Culture

    Up early before breakfast for 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 will make the 50km drive to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), another spectacular outback geological formation where we will spend the morning exploring various walks and roadside locations. We expect to find Redthroat, Peregrine Falcon, Pied Butcherbird, Peaceful and Diamond Dove, Painted Finch, Little Crow and Rufous Whistler. We’ll arrive back at the resort for a late lunch and will have the afternoon set aside to immerse ourselves in the local Aboriginal Anangu culture. Accompanied by a local indigenous guide you’ll see their sacred & beautiful rock paintings, showcasing stories of the Creation time and fascinating markings thousands of years old. Your guide will give you in-depth insight into the cultural significance & history of the area as well as treat you to some local bush tucker foods.

  • Day 25: Departure

    After an incredible three and half weeks, the time has come to say goodbye to Australia, your guides and your fellow travelers. From nearby Ayers Rock Connellan Airport there are (limited) flights to both Brisbane and Melbourne, from where you will be flying back home. We hope to see you again soon!

$6,345

/ person sharing*

Australia: East Coast Birding

For day 1 to 11: Brisbane to Cairns

Single supplement: $1,035

Book here

$6,750

/ person sharing*

Australia: South Coast Birding and Wine

For day 11 to 20: Adelaide to Melbourne

Single supplement: $1,199

Book here

$13,095

/ person sharing*

Australia’s Heart: Full Trip

For day 1 to 20

Single supplement: $2,234

Book here

$4,300

/ person sharing*

‘Red Center’ extension: Uluru

Single supplement: $585

Available as add-on to the South Coast and Full trips, but not to the East Coast trip.

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