Eastern Australia
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From the rainforests of Queensland to the seabirds of the Great Barrier Reef, and from the Bowerbirds of O'Reilly's to the Lyrebirds of New South Wales, we travel to some of the finest wildlife areas within this amazing biological world-of-its-own. This year, the best time for birds just happens to coincide with a Total Solar Eclipse - so pack your swags and join us down-under!Australia is truly a world apart. Isolated from the rest of the world's land-masses for over sixty million years, here evolution has taken a quite separate path. Most famous perhaps are the continent's two mammal groups: the marsupials and the monotremes, including the peculiar egg-laying Platypus, which we have been lucky enough to see on our previous trips. Even more remarkable, almost half of Australia's 650 or so regular bird species are unique to the region - a greater proportion of endemics than any other country.Journeying from the southern temperate zones to the northern tropics, our Classic Australia tour commences in Sydney, where a visit to the Botanic Gardens and a sightseeing boat trip around Sydney Harbour provide an excellent introduction to the birds of southeast Australia. Climbing up into the beautiful Blue Mountains, Turquoise Parrot, Flame Robin, Superb Lyrebird and the endangered Regent Honeyeater are among specialities, along with rowdy flocks of Yellow-tailed and Glossy Black Cockatoos. Back on the New South Wales coast, the famous Barren Grounds heathland should be near the peak of its spring wildflower displays. The range-restricted Eastern Bristlebird and Pilotbird frequent this habitat and we'll make a special effort to find Ground Parrot - seldom seen, and active only at daybreak and dusk. Leaving Sydney, we next fly north to Cairns. One of Australia's best birding spots, shorebirds are outstanding with everything from Great Knot to Beach Thick-knee. This year, the best time for birds here just happens to coincide with a Total Solar Eclipse. We are based at Mossman, and will go out early one morning to witness this unforgettable natural phenomenon. We continue inland to try for Cassowary, and also to explore the jungles of the Atherton Tablelands, haunt of Golden Bowerbird, Tooth-billed Catbird and Victoria's Riflebird. A dawn cruise on the Daintree River may reward us with Little Kingfisher and Great-billed Heron, whetting our appetites for a fitting finale to our stay in tropical North Queensland: a trip out from Cairns aboard Ocean Spirit, to savour the marvels of Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef, with their breeding seabirds and exuberant marine life. |
© Rebecca Nason
Solar eclipse
Price: £ 6,495
The price includes international and domestic flights London-Sydney, Sydney-Cairns, Cairns-Brisbane and Brisbane-London, accommodation on a full-board basis, ground transportation, boat trips as outlined, all airport and local taxes, tips, bird checklist, local guide fees and the services of the leader/s.
The price excludes travel insurance, Australian visa (ETA) costs (approx. £ 20 through us, see full itinerary), drinks, optional tips to local drivers and other personal expenses. This trip will be operated in conjunction with Limosa Holidays. Principal Leader: Peter Taylor Numbers: Max. 14 clients 
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Flying south to Brisbane, our tour concludes with three nights at the incomparable O'Reilly's Rainforest Lodge - where the birding is superb! Red-necked Pademelons forage on the lawn, and well-stocked feeders (not to mention inattentive birdwatchers with food in their hands!) attract immaculate Regent and Satin Bowerbirds, along with crowds of colourful Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots. Please note: This tour can easily be incorporated into your own private visit to Australia. For those who'd prefer to travel out early and rest up a little ahead of the tour, or stopover in Australia after our tour, we can organise your flights out on almost any day you choose, or leave you to make your own arrangements. Please ask our office for details, or if you would like a 'land only' price for this tour. If you are booking your own flights please contact us first to check that the times fit with the current itinerary. Accommodation: At comfortable motels, lodges and cabins. All rooms en suite except for one night at lovely Glen Davis and two at Kingfisher Park, where bedrooms are separate but bathrooms may have to be shared. Meals: All included in the price. Walking: Easy walking, no more than a mile or two at any one time. Sturdy thornproof walking boots are recommended. Boat Trips: Our tour includes 3 boat trips: a 'must-do' birdwatching and sightseeing trip around Sydney Harbour, a cruise on the Daintree River and an all-day trip out to Michaelmas Cay and the Great Barrier Reef with Ocean Spirit Cruises. Ground Transport: By modern Toyota minibus/es. Coach transfers to and from O'Reilly's, where our birding excursions are on foot and in O'Reilly's own wildlife bus.
Click here for a full, printable itinerary
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