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3-week “The Best of Australia” (extensions and custom-made trips also available) Guide: TBA Our standard itinerary kicks off in Sydney. The Blue Mountains near this beautiful city hold the range-restricted Rock Warbler in addition to other attractive species such as Spotted Quail Thrush. Lush montane forests near the city are home to the Superb Lyrebird, often accompanied by the aptly named Pilotbird. The next stop is Melbourne. The famous Werribee Treatment Plant lies on the city’s outskirts beyond which lies the impressive ‘Great Ocean Road’, an excellent site for the endemic Rufous Bristlebird and Southern Emu Wren. From Melbourne, we venture into the outback. The enigmatic Plains Wanderer is found around the town of Deniliquin and we visit the Hattah Kulkunye National Park in the heart of the Mallee country to search for the Mallee Emu Wren, Striated Grasswren and Regent Parrot. Little Desert and Wyperfield National Parks hold other Mallee specials like Malleefowl and Red-lored Whistler. After returning to Melbourne through the Grampian Mountains, we can fly across the Bass Strait to Tasmania. The island of Tasmania, originally known as Van Dieman’s Land is home to 12 endemic bird species and is also an excellent place to view Australia’s unique mammal fauna such as Common Wombat, Tasmanian Devil and Spotted and Eastern Quoll. After soaking up Tasmania’s scenery we take a 2.5 hour flight to the subtropical city of Brisbane. Brisbane is the gateway to the renowned Lamington National Park situated in impressive high rainfall forest. Here we search for Albert’s Lyrebird, Regent Bowerbird and Magnificent Riflebird among a host of other specials. From Brisbane, another flight gets us up to the city of Townsville, situated at the southern end of the wet tropics. A mix of dry country, coastal and forest birding is to be had including Great Bowerbird, a wide range of Honeyeaters and potential for the enigmatic Ground Cuckooshrike. The forests of the wet tropics are home to 12 endemics including two species of Bowerbird, the alluring Victoria’s Riflebird, Grey-headed Robin and Chowchilla. Our tour ends in Cairns when we take a day trip out to a coral cay on the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. This is our chance to see Common Noddy, Sooty and Black-naped Tern, Brown Booby, Lesser Frigatebird and with luck a Tropicbird or two. There will also be an opportunity to snorkel, dive, and experience the wonders of the diverse reef ecosystem. The tour ends in the city of Cairns. Our tours to Australia are often tailor-made depending on the interests and needs of clients. In addition to the standard itinerary above we can arrange tours or extensions to other birding hotspots in Australia. These include outback Queensland, The Red Centre, Uluru (Ayre’s Rock) and Alice Springs, Cape York, Kakadu National Park and the Kimberleys, and the south-west around Perth.
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Itinerary: Duration: TBA Limit: 4-12 Date: 10-30 October 2009, similar dates in 2010 and 2011 Start: TBA End: TBA Price: on request Price_Includes: Meals Accommodation Guiding fees All transport while on tour Price_Excludes: International flights Items of a personal nature, e.g. gifts Laundry Personal insurance Gratuities
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© 2008-2010 Birding Ecotours · www.birdingecotours.co.za was updated March 2010 |
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