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Birdwatching in Western
Australia A
directory of Western Australian birdwatching tours, birdclubs, freelance-guides,
bird-orientated accommodation and reference information.
Accommodation Birding
Specific Accommodation
Broome Bird Observatory,
http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com
The Observatory is open all year round; please check for best viewing and tour
times. All overnight guests and tour participants can be met in town for a fee.
Facilities include a natural history library, video and slide room, display panels
and marked trails. Bookings and bird
watching itineraries are available for groups. Broome Bird Observatory is a self-funding
non-profit facility. Email: bbo@tpgi.com.au.
Eyre
Bird Observatory
http://www.eyrebirds.org/
Eyre Bird Observatory is situated in the wilderness of Nuytsland Nature Reserve,
nestled among the mallees (small multi-stemmed gum trees) and sand dunes 50 km
from Cocklebiddy Roadhouse (on the Eyre Highway) and one kilometre from the sea
to the south.
The observatory and its
surrounds provide a sense of isolation and adventure and a base from which to
relax and watch birds or simply appreciate nature in a wilderness setting.
Accommodation
is simple and comfortable with a peaceful and timeless atmosphere. contact:
Allan Burbidge Email:
austecol@cygnus.uwa.edu.au
Christmas Island
Christmas Island's National Park in the Indian
Ocean is so unique and diverse it is often called Australia's Galapagos
by many naturalists.
The "Christmas Island Airforce" (as the multitudes of birds are nicknamed),
keep the locals company, swooping and gliding on the up drafts over the
cliffs of the settlement with the Indian Ocean as their backdrop. Many
species are quite inquisitive and birdwatchers can be rewarded with some
truly special sightings
The island is large enough to have developed its own unique rainforest
ecology, with seven of the thirteen land birds being endemic to the island.
Expect to see the rarest and largest booby bird in the world, the Abbott's
Booby as well as the elegant Golden Bosun and Silver Bosun, the endangered
Christmas Island Goshawk, the Greater Frigatebird and the rarer and slightly
larger Christmas Island Frigatebird. Others include Christmas Island Thrush,
the Brown Booby, Christmas Island Swiftlets and the Christmas Island Imperial
Pigeon.
Christmas Island also boasts world class diving, snorkelling and fishing
in crystal clear waters. The Island has a diverse cultural make up that
is reflected in the number of temples scattered around the island and
in the rich range of dining experiences.
Christmas Island boasts a range of accommodation from lodge style and
self-catering to hotels/mini resorts.
For more information please check out our web site on www.christmas.net.au
or if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us as follows:
Christmas Island Tourism Association
cita@christmas.net.au
Phone + 61 8 9164 8382
Fax: + 61 8 9164 8080
P.O.Box 63
Christmas Island, WA 6798
Charnigup
Farm Bed and Breakfast
Charnigup is set on 100 acres of bush and farmland 23 kms east of Albany.
We offer AAA**** accommodation for up to four adults in a separate wing
consisting
of two bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin), lounge with mini kitchen, bathroom and
undercover
parking. A gas BBQ, gazebo and delightful gardens are available for guest
use. Our
very comfortable home was built by us from environmentally sound materials
and is
positioned to embrace beautiful views across rural countryside to the
ranges.
Charmaine and Nigel are members of Birds Australia, passionate about
wildflowers
and nature-lovers in general. While we are by no means experts on birds,
we are
learning, and encourage them into the garden. Frequent visitors include
Red and
White-tailed Black Cockatoos, Splendid- and Red-winged Fairy-wrens,
Red-eared Firetails, Golden Whistlers, Scarlet-, White-breasted- and
Western Yellow Robins.
Elegant Parrots and Western Rosellas also make their home here.
We are very fortunate to be centrally positioned to access the nature
reserves
and national parks of Two Peoples' Bay - home of the Noisy Scrub Bird (25
kms),
Waychinnicup, (55 kms), Porongurups (16 kms) and Stirling Ranges (50 kms).
The coastline around here is also home to many waders and other seabirds,
and we can direct visitors to the best points for observing these types of
birds.
The elusive Ground Parrot and Rock Parrot have been sighted in these
areas!
We can possibly arrange for you to meet birding 'pros' of our
acquaintance.
We have a bird list for the property as well as for the Albany region,
copies are available to guests.
Please contact: Charmaine Hickman
Charnigup Farm Bed & Breakfast 68 Mawson Road Napier Albany
W.A. 6330
Ph/Fax (08) 9844 3441. International: Ph/Fax +61 8 9844 3441.
Email: charnigup @wn.com.au
Web
Page :
www.charnigup.com.au
Coraki
Holiday Cottages
16 Nanarup Road
Lower King Albany Western Australia 6330
Ph: (08) 9844 7068 Fax: (08)
9844 1468
Email: coraki@albanyis.com.au
Web Site:
http://www.corakicottages.com.au
A birdlovers paradise - right on the shores of Albany's beautiful Oyster
Harbour. Coraki Holiday Cottages offers a choice of accommodation types,
all being fully self-contained and privately spaced to openly enjoy the
abundant birdlife found within the grounds and on the water. Two
People's Bay is within a 15 minute car drive where the very rare Noisy
Scrub bird is found, while Cheynes Beach & Waychinicup is a 40 minute
drive. Red Ear Firetail Finch, Golden Whistler, Jacky Winter, White
Breasted Robin, Western Thornbill, Red Capped Parrot are just a few of
the birds that can be spotted within our grounds. Graham & Rebecca
Freeman invites you to experience all that is unique and picturesque at
their stunning waterside retreat. Happy Birding!
Birdwatching Clubs and Other Interesting Sites Frank
O'Connor's Birding Western Australia http://members.iinet.net.au/~foconnor
Information about Perth pelagic boat trips (May to September), WA birding sites, WA species and recent sightings. A must for every visitor to WA.
Email: foconnor@iinet.net.au
BAWA, Birds Australia Western Australia (Inc)
http://www.birdswa.com.au
is the state branch of Birds Australia (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union).
The WA Group has monthly meetings, frequent excursions, runs several projects
connected with bird research and conservation, and publishes a quarterly newsletter,
Western Australian Bird Notes.
Turnstone Discovery Tours
http://turnstonenaturediscovery.com.au
Birds of Western Australia
http://members.westnet.com.au/archive/

Local Guides, Day Tours and Charters
Kimberley
Birdwatching Wildlife & Natural History Tours,
Offers the most authoritative birdwatching and wildlife tours in north
Western Australia covering the Broome and Kimberley region.
Your
guide George Swann is a professional ornithologist and authority on migratory
shorebirds. Based in Broome George has been in the Kimberley for the past 10 years
gaining valuable knowledge of the bird life of the Kimberley region. He can help
novices and experienced birders with identification and the status of species. We
specialize in exclusive birdwatching and wildlife tours with the emphasis being
birds, and you don't have to be knowledgeable to join our trips. We take a maximum
of six people (10 by prior arrangement for special group bookings) travelling
in an air-conditioned 4WD, fitted with R.F.D.S. HF radio and satellite phone.
Our tours also cover Flora,
Fauna, Reptiles,
Amphibians and Lepidoptera. We
offer a wide range of tours from 3 hours to 14 days and are happy to tailor a
tour to suit your specific requirements. Short
Tours These short tours run from 3 hours to a full day birdwatching in and
around the Broome region. These tours cover the Broome shores, mangroves, Pindan
woodland, saltmarsh, coastal vine thickets and freshwater swamps and lakes. Roebuck
Bay and 80 Mile Beach play host to 850,000 trans-equatorial migrant waders that
winter or pass through the region as passage migrants and rank amongst the Top
5 wader wintering sites in the world. Birds to be found in the Broome region include
Yellow Chat, Yellow Wagtail, Grey Falcon, Asiatic Dowitcher, Redshank, Mangrove
Golden Whistler and of course our endemic Kimberley Flycatcher. Day
trips can also be taken to the Dampier Peninsular, Geikie & Windjana Gorges
in the West Kimberleys. Please contact us for a full information package.
Ph/Fax: 08 9192 1246 International: + 61 8 9192 1246 Kimberley Birdwatching
PO Box 220 BROOME 6725 WESTERN AUSTRALIA Email: info@kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
Broome
Bird Observatory,
http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com
Broome Bird Observatory offers two hour interpretive tours, one day birdwatching
courses and five day bird watching course itineraries. Designed with all levels
of ability in mind the courses aim to introduce people to the best that birding
in Broome has to offer.
The two hour
tours can be an introduction to the Bay the Bush or the Mangroves. The one day
courses allow us to visit some great sites, undertake and join in on counts and
really get to know some of the birds of the North West. The five day courses cover
the spectacle of northward and southward migrations and banding fieldcraft. On
the March/April and September courses we can see up to 150 species in a 70 kilometre
radius and some days 25 species of shorebird are added to the evening bird call.
The banding courses are an ideal way to get hands experience in the field and
cover mist-netting of passerine birds as well as cannon-netting shorebirds. The
courses cover the best that Broome has to offer accompanied by knowledgeable guides
and field researchers. Private tours
of 2 and up to 18 people can be accommodated (dependent on requirements and habitats).
Two hour tours, day excursions and group itineraries can be arranged. Accommodation
on site before and after your itinerary is also available, with Roebuck Bay just
a minute from your door. Advance bookings
are essential Email: bbo@tpgi.com.au
for an up to date itinerary or see our home page. http://www.broomebirdobservatory.com
Birdwatching
Aficionados - Jonny
Schoenjahn
I specialize in customised birdwatching tours and operate
exclusively on request. There are no standard tours or regular schedules. I only
take one booking at a time with a maximum of 4 people. Local areas visited
include Perth and environs, and the south-west corner of Western Australia.
For
further details please check my listing under Western Australian
Tour Operators.
1 Elimatta Way
CITY BEACH, 6015 Western Australia
Phone: 08 9385 9939 International Phone: +61 8
9385 9939
Email: jonnybird@bigpond.com
http://www.users.bigpond.com/jonnybird/
Birding
South West
Birdwatching breaks in the south west of Australia
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Background & History.
We are a small family run Tour company that specialises in birding tours of the
south west. All tours are led by our resident Ornithologist Bill Rutherford,
who's career in nature conservation spans twenty five years and includes
Australia, Africa and Europe.
Transport for all tours is in an air-conditioned, seat-belted mini-bus or
four-wheel drive vehicle. Binoculars & telescopes are available for your use on
trips, as is an extensive reference library. We offer a range of short, medium
and day tours of the top birding spots in Perth and the South West.
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Day Tours.
Birding South West offers a range of half day(4 hours) or full day(10 hours)
tours of the Perth and Coastal plain area. Typically on the 4 hour tour we would
visit 2 or 3 sites, where as the full day tours visit 4 to 6 sites. The exact
locations vary according to season and species availability. Drinks, hot and
cold are provided on the 4 hour tours and lunch, morning and afternoon tea are
provided on the longer day tours.
1. Perth's Wetlands.
2. Perth's Bush birds.
3. Perth's endemics.
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Short Accommodated Tours.
1. South West Endemics.
This three night accommodated tour offers the chance of all of the south west
endemics, as well as a host of endemic sub species. Departing Perth, the tour
travels to Albany via Dryandra Forest. The option of a night at Dryandra does
exist and has been opted for in the past.
2. Arid Country Birds.
A three day tour offering some of the best arid country birding in Western
Australia.
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Contact Details.
1. email Email: calidris@iinet.net.au
2.Phone 08 9284 9285
3. Mobile 0438 910 252
Peter
Taylor’s “Birding
South West"
Based in the tall timber country of Manjimup and
Pemberton, I specialise in the local endemics of south west Western
Australia.
I run half day and full day tours for up to 4
passengers in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle and offer free pick-up from
local accommodation houses.
I am also available for charter.
Please visit my website for further details!
http://birding-southwest.mysouthwest.com.au
Phone: +61 (0) 8 9772 4788
Mobile: 0428 345 245
Email:
birdingsw@westnet.com.au
Perth
Bird Tours by Zoo
keeper Stuart Andrews
We offer
small group personalized tours specializing in bird watching and nature
photo tours. Our habitat tours, normally 1/2 day or full day, visit as
many different locations as possible. The aim is to see as
many different species of birds in the Perth Region of Western
Australia, travelling up to 100 kms from CBD. We tend to vary our sites to
follow the birds and meet the needs and wishes of our clients.
Longer
inland tours can also be organised by prior arrangement, as are trips to
Christmas Island .
From almost
20 years of working with animals in the Zoo industry, Stuart and his
friends have good animal and bird knowledge. As well as local knowledge
Perth Bird Tours is about creating a relaxed and friendly excursion
so clients can really enjoy their nature experience at their pace.
Please
discover more from our web site:
Phone 08
94561713
mobile
0421961914
International 61 7 94561713
11 Carakine
Grove
THORNLIE
W.A. 6108

Boat & Pelagic Tours
Ashmore
Reef Pelagic Trips ex Broome
For Information Contact:
George Swann of Kimberley Birdwatching
P O Box 220, Broome WA, 6725
Tel/Fax 08 9192 1246 International + 61 8 9192 1246
http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
Email: info@kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
Kimberley
Coastal Birding Cruise
For Information Contact:
George Swann of Kimberley Birdwatching
P O Box 220, Broome WA, 6725
Tel/Fax 08 9192 1246 International + 61 8 9192 1246
http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
Email: info@kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
Australian
Pelagic Home Page A page dedicated
to those with an interest in pelagic bird watching, photography and whale-watching.
Offering some interesting information on what can be seen around oceans of Australia.
Pelagic trips have been departing from a number of ports around Australia for
many years now. For information on these take a look at the Pelagic Directory.
All of these pelagics are operated on a non profit basis and provide much valuable
information about our little known seabirds.
http://users.bigpond.net.au/palliser/pelagic/
Pelgagic
trips from Perth. Contact Frank
O'Connor: Email: foconnor@iinet.net.au
Also see: Frank O'Connor's Birding Western Australia http://members.iinet.net.au/~foconnor

Western Australian Based Tour Operators and Tours
Kimberley Birdwatching,
Wildlife & Natural History Tours,
Offers the most authoritative birdwatching and wildlife tours in north
Western Australia covering the Broome and Kimberley region. Your guide
George Swann is a professional ornithologist and authority on migratory
shorebirds.
Based in
Broome George has been in the Kimberley for the past 10 years gaining valuable
knowledge of the bird life of the Kimberley region. He can help novices and experienced
birders with identification and the status of species. We specialize in exclusive
birdwatching and wildlife tours with the emphasis being birds, and you don't have
to be knowledgeable to join our trips. We
take a maximum of six people (10 by prior arrangement for special group bookings)
travelling in an air-conditioned 4WD, fitted with R.F.D.S. HF radio and satellite phone. Our tours
also cover Flora, Fauna, Reptiles, Amphibians and Lepidoptera. We
offer a wide range of tours from 3 hours to 14 days and are happy to tailor a
tour to suit your specific requirements. Extended Tours: These tours
range from 2 to 14 days or longer throughout the Kimberley region. Most trips
involve camping in the bush, but if preferred accommodation is available at Cattle
Station Homesteads. To the south The Great Sandy Desert, characterized by red
sand dunes and spinifex grasslands. To the north and almost surrounding the Kimberley
an ancient barrier reef. In side this natural boundary lie huge escarpments, plateaux
and rugged ranges that are dominated by open savannah woodland. Large
creeks and rivers are lined by huge melaleucas and eucalypts. Small pockets of
rainforests survive in areas that provide the right conditions. The rivers flowing
north have cut dramatic gorges and falls over sandstone escarpments where
they flow into flooded river valleys lined with mangroves. The diverse habitats
of the Kimberley make birdwatching challenging and exceptional with species such
as Gouldian Finch, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Red Goshawk, Rainbow Pitta, Northern
Rosella, Rufous Owl, Sandstone Shrike-thrush, White-lined Honeyeater, Chestnut-backed
Button- quail and of course not forgetting the Kimberley endemic, the Black Grasswren. As
well as our land based tours with 4WD, we can arrange boat charters discovering
the remote Kimberley coastline and islands, air charters for those who wish to
visit most areas but are short on time. We also conduct 8 day pelagic trips to Ashmore Reef
ex Broome. In 2002 the dates are 14 - 21 October.
The choices are endless. Please contact
us for a full information package. Ph/Fax: 08 9192 1246 International:
+ 61 8 9192 1246 Kimberley Birdwatching PO Box 220 BROOME 6725
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Email:
info@kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au
Birdwatching
Aficionados - Jonny
Schoenjahn I specialize in customised birdwatching tours and operate exclusively
on request. There are no standard tours or regular schedules. I only take one
booking at a time with a maximum of 4 people. This means you will be the only
customers on the tour and my attention is focused on your pleasure. All
tours are accommodated in personally selected, quality accommodation. The exception
being tours such as through the Great Sandy Desert in search of the rare Princess
Parrot, where we will camp. My vehicle is a very comfortable, spacy and well equipped
Toyota Landcruiser 4WD. With most tours you have the option to 'fly and drive',
the choice is yours.
The areas I visit include:
- the Kimberley in the North of Western Australia,
- the
South-West corner of Western Australia, in particular Perth - Albany,
- the Kakadu
National Park and the area around Darwin in the Northern Territory,
- far north-east
Queensland and the Iron Range National Park / Cape York Peninsula,
- the interior
of Australia with Ayer's Rock, Birdsville and Strzelecki Tracks, etc.,
- and South East Australia,
in particular Melbourne - Sydney, and Tasmania.
I
conduct special trips into the remote Outback, particularly the many deserts,
or criss-cross through Australia in search of the ten endemic Grasswren species.
If there are particular birds you want to see just let me know. I would be pleased
to work out a unique tour for you. 1 Elimatta Way
CITY BEACH, 6015 Western Australia
Phone: 08 9385 9939 International Phone: +61 8
9385 9939
Email: jonnybird@bigpond.com
http://www.users.bigpond.com/jonnybird/
Interstate Tour Operators visiting Western Australia
Australasian
Ornithological Services Pty Ltd
Australian Ornithological Services (formerly Inland Bird Tours) started in Deniliquin
in the southern Riverina area of N.S.W. 15 years ago. The main focus of those
tours was the Plains-wanderer. While the Plains-wanderer is still our flagship
species we have increased our repertoire to include all States of Australia and
New Zealand, specialising in difficult skulkers and nocturnal birds. We are
the inland specialists for serious birders. We endeavour to ensure that the whole
group see the birds and not just a lucky few. Tour
leader, Philip Maher, is interested in all aspects of natural history. The
Strzelecki Track 2000 trip report and other trip reports can be found at:
http://www.philipmaher.com/main.htm
Patricia
Maher Australian Ornithological Services P/L P.O. Box 385 South Yarra
Victoria 3141 phone/fax: +61 3 98204223 mobile 0417310200 Email: enquiries@philipmaher.com
http://www.philipmaher.com/
Kirrama
Wildlife Tours offers fully accommodated tours in Northern Australia and visits
Western Australia as part of the 'Black Grasswren Tour' (NT + WA) and
the South-Western Endemics Tour.
Please check the web pages for the tour itineraries.
Birding Tours Australia
Birding Tours Australia operates many different trips around Newcastle, The Hunter Valley and Sydney.
We can also organise tours around New South Wales, anywhere in Australia or in fact anywhere around
the world. All our tours can be conducted at a pace to suit your needs from relaxed to extreme, but
all will concentrate on locating as many species as possible across various habitats.
If you have specific destinations within Australia or target species we can
organise a custom tour to accommodate your needs.
Sicklebill Safaris
Sicklebill Safaris
arranges bird and wildlife orientated tours throughout Australia. We specialise
in customised private tours for individuals and small groups either with our
experienced guides or will help you set up your own self guided tours through
our tour arranging service. We regularly visit most of the major birding areas
in Australia including the Eastern Seaboard, The Northern Territory, Tasmania,
Western Australia, and the desert and mallee regions of the south.
Please visit
our website at
www.sicklebillsafaris.com for further information
and feel free to contact us if you have any queries. We are happy to make
suggestions and work with you to set up the best tour possible for your
interests and budget.
Phil and Sue Gregory
Cassowary House, PO Box 387, Kuranda, Queensland 4881
Phone Intl: 61 7 4093 7318 Within Australia: 07 4093 7318
Fax Intl: 61 7 4093 9855 Within Australia: 07 4093 9855
Eddress: sicklebill@optusnet.com.au
WILD WATCH AUSTRALIA
with experienced professional naturalist, Jonathan Munro.
Personalised bird watching and wildlife excursions for individuals and groups. Excursions can be fully
accommodated and are tailored to your interests. Destinations include Cape York, Lakefield and Iron Range,
Georgetown and the Western Gulf Savannah, Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield NPs, Lamington NP, Tasmania,
Victoria and most other notable birding areas within Australia. Clients include well-known international
birding companies, Audubon societies, university and zoo groups and film crews.
Please visit our web site for more details:
Wild Watch Australia http://www.wildwatch.com.au/
email:
info@wildwatch.com.au
or
munro.jonathan@gmail.com.
or
jmunro@wildwatch.com.au
or
jmunro@austarnet.com.au
P.O. Box
707, Ravenshoe,
Queensland
4888
Australia
Phone/fax: (07) 4097 6747 or 4097 7408
International: +(617) 4097 7408
Mobile:
0429 438 064
Alan McBride - Birder
Alan has been
leading bird groups and individuals around Australia and the region
for over 30 years now. His experience in planning and organising
trips, finding the birds and other critters is well grounded. Alan
has led well over 100 trips all around this land. He founded the now
famous deep water pelagics off Wollongong and Sydney and has been on
at least 800 pelagic excursions - enough to not bother with
medication! From a birding perspective he has found a number of
firsts for the region too and has seen over 732 birds in Australia
alone.
Alan leads many trips of shorter duration too ranging from half days
to 4 weeks plus. Whatever your length he will endeavour to work out
a trip so that client wishes are fulfilled.
Contact details:
e-mail:
amcbride1@mac.com
Mob:
+ 61 419 414 860
Fax:
+ 61 2 9973 2306
Outback Track
Tours Pty Ltd
Outback Track Tours has operated tours throughout
Australia for over 30 years. We specialise in
Australian remote outback tours for special interest
groups such as: Birdwatchers, Bushwalkers,
Botanists, Photographers, Artists, native plant
enthusiasts as well as remote 4WD expeditions. Our
guides offer specialist knowledge in flora, fauna
and geology on each tour.
We work closely with Birds Australia and Birding NSW
Clubs to specialize itineraries for their members.
Each year we have different tours, so it is worth
checking back to our website to see what is on
offer.
We operate small group touring (2-20 pax) to remote
and often unknown but spectacular areas of
Australia. We change our schedule of tours every
year as we have a large repeat rate of passengers.
Those that choose to travel with us, choose to
travel Australia with us!
We have a range of extended tours and 4WD Tag-a-long
tours that have experienced guides and fantastic
chefs on board to look after everyone. We often do
private groups for those with specific needs.
Available for Charter - daily to extended Tours.
For more information
www.outbacktracktours.com
Contact details:
PO BOX 358 Balgowlah NSW 2093
Reservations: 1300 88 44 63
Office: 02 9913 1484
Fax: 02 9913 9206
email:
outbacktracktours@aapt.net.au
New
South Wales * Northern Territory * Queensland
* South Australia * Tasmania *
Victoria * Western Australia
If you
have a site that you think would be appropriate to include in Australian
Birdwatching please email info@ausbird.com
Disclaimer:
Although all care has been taken in compiling this directory, the publisher does
not guarantee the standard of the products or the information supplied by any
of the listings. This site
is the property of Klaus Uhlenhut and
has been produced for the benefit of all bird lovers. All
photos in this site are copyright Klaus Uhlenhut 1998
Produced and maintained by Graphically
Speaking. All content, layout & graphics in this site is copyright
Graphically Speaking 1998, 1999 |