Australia........ 15th to 30th September 2012
Eastern Highlights
beautiful coastline and rainforests. As a wildlife destination it offers the chance to enter another world of fascinating species, varying
from the exquisite to the bizarre. Our wide ranging eastern itinerary begins in tropical north Queensland and the shorebird show at the
renowned Cairns Esplanade, where amongst the gathering multitude of wader species can be Eastern Curlew, Grey-tailed Tattler, Terek
Sandpiper & Great Knot. We’ll also experience an unforgettable cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, where thousands of seabirds breed on
the sandy ‘cays’. The Atherton Tablelands are a volcanic plateau to the west of Cairns, where marvelous rainforest and dry savannah like
habitats contain Australian Bustard, Golden Bowerbird, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Wompoo Fruit-Dove and Victoria’s Riflebird. However,
what better way to end a tour than at O’ Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat with splendid Regent Bowerbirds, Crimson Rosellas and King Parrots,
or even the Pelagic trip from Sydney- if you opt for the extension.
Days 1 & 2: Evening departure from UK; the next day will be spent in-flight to Cairns.
Days 3-5: After arrival on Day 3 we will transfer to our comfortable hotel in Cairns and later we’ll visit some of the excellent birdwatching sites that Cairns is renowned for: Centenary Lakes and the Botanical Gardens, which have habitats of freshwater lakes, tidal channels and tropical gardens. Amongst an abundance of birds are: Bush Stone-curlew, Tawny Frogmouth, Collared Kingfisher and Double-eyed Fig Parrot. Cairns Esplanade is legendary, where masses of shorebirds and other species gather along the waterfront. Australian White Pelicans, Royal Spoonbills, Grey-tailed Tattlers, Red-necked Stints, Great Knots, Terek Sandpipers and Beach Stone-Curlews are all present. On one day we cruise on the “Ocean Spirit” to Michaelmas Cay, an island on the Great Barrier Reef, which abounds with Sooty Terns, Common Noddies and Brown Boobies. Bridled & Black-naped Terns and Frigatebirds are regularly seen.
Overnight - Cairns
Day 6: After morning birding around Cairns, we’ll travel to the Daintree area for a trip on the river to seek some of its superb birdlife, including Papuan Frogmouth, Black Bittern and Little Blue Kingfisher. Overnight – Daintree
Days 7 - 10: Transfer to the Atherton Tablelands for four nights – with two nights at the superb Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge, which abounds with wildlife, and two nights at Yungaburra. There are many excellent sites with great diversity of habitat. Mount Lewis, Lakes Mitchell, Barrine & Eacham, Curtain Fig Tree, the dry country of Mount Carbine and Hasties Swamp will all yield an array of birdlife, including a number of local specialities and endemics. Red-necked Crake, Plumed Whistling Duck, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Superb Fruit-Dove, Papuan Frogmouth, Lesser Sooty Owl, Noisy Pitta, Red-backed Fairy-wren, Barred Cuckoo Shrike, Atherton Scrubwren, Mountain Thornbill, Chowchilla, Fernwren, Eastern Whipbird, Bower’s Shrike-thrush and Golden Bowerbird are just some of the species present. Mammals include the unique Duck-billed Platypus, Red-legged Pademelon, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Long-nosed Bandicoot.
Overnights – Kingfisher Lodge & Jungaburra.
Days 11 - 13: After breakfast on Day 11 we drive to Cairns Airport and catch a flight to Brisbane. We’ll then drive to the superb O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat for a three-night stay, where King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas feed from the hand and Regent Bowerbirds and possums come to the feeders. However, O’Reilly’s also offers wonderful rainforest birding, with a chance to see eastern specialities, including Owlet Nightjar, Logrunner, Green Catbird, Satin Bowerbird, Red-browed Treecreeper and Superb Fairy-wren.
Overnights – O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
Days 14 & 15: Catch our return flight to the UK via Singapore, arriving on Day 15
Tour ref: AA1233
Cost: £4675
Deposit: £500
Single Room Supplement: £480
Leaders: Peter Scholes
Max. Group: 12 plus Leaders
Includes:
Economy class scheduled return flights, (UK-Australia-UK) domestic flights, accommodation based on twin occupancy, all meals, ground transportation in Australia, national park entrance fees and services of leaders.
Excludes:
Travel insurance, visa fee for Australia, drinks and items of a personal nature.