A Trip For Twitchers

Lodges visited

4

ITINERARY

Twitchers Trip

Suggested duration

12 nights, plus a night or two at your arrival or departure destination if desired.

Find out more

To enquire about cost or book, contact your trusted travel planner or agent. Or you can DIY by contacting each lodge direct using the link below.


Australia’s environment is one of the most diverse on earth and its landscape is one of the oldest. Its flora and fauna have evolved in isolation for 45 million years, untouched by the upheavals of the world’s continental plates. Twitchers are spoilt for choice with over 800 species of birds - many of these endemic to Australia – enabling the country to stake a strong claim to be the world’s greatest hotspot of bird endemism. Many of the species are easy to observe due to their charismatic and colourful physiques and beautiful song.

From adelaide, 4.5hr drive to arkaba or arrange to arrive via scenic flight.

1 Arkaba Flinders Ranges, South Australia (3 NIGHTS)

A private wildlife conservancy, Arkaba’s true luxury lies in the fact that its 60,000 acres is shared by just a small number of guests. Located in the grand landscape of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, expert staff showcase the ancient geology, diverse bird and wildlife, offering the chance to better understand the conservation challenges that Australia faces.

What will I do there?

  • Over the last 3 years Arkaba has confirmed sightings of 10 new bird species including the Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis), Spotted Nightjars (Eurostopodus argus) and the Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcites (chrysococcyx) basilis).
  • Bushwalk along the dry bed of the Arkaba Creek and soak up the sounds and smells of the bush and abundance of birdsong.
  • Arkaba appreciates that birds are important environmental indicators. For those keen to learn more of the challenges Australia faces in saving its diversity of birdlife, join Field Guides to track a radio collared feral cat or set up trip cameras that monitor key sites across the property.

1 Arkaba Flinders Ranges, South Australia (3 NIGHTS)

A private wildlife conservancy, Arkaba’s true luxury lies in the fact that its 60,000 acres is shared by just a small number of guests. Located in the grand landscape of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges, expert staff showcase the ancient geology, diverse bird and wildlife, offering the chance to better understand the conservation challenges that Australia faces.

What will I do there?

  • Over the last 3 years Arkaba has confirmed sightings of 10 new bird species including the Stubble Quail (Coturnix pectoralis), Spotted Nightjars (Eurostopodus argus) and the Horsfields Bronze Cuckoo (Chalcites (chrysococcyx) basilis).
  • Bushwalk along the dry bed of the Arkaba Creek and soak up the sounds and smells of the bush and abundance of birdsong.
  • Arkaba appreciates that birds are important environmental indicators. For those keen to learn more of the challenges Australia faces in saving its diversity of birdlife, join Field Guides to track a radio collared feral cat or set up trip cameras that monitor key sites across the property.

4.5hr drive to adelaide airport, 4hr flight to darwin airport, connect to 20min private flight to private airstrip, 15min hosted drive to bamurru plains.

2 Bamurru Plains Top End, Northern Territory (3 NIGHTS)

Bamurru Plains is an extraordinary wild bush luxury experience on the edge of the Mary River floodplain, adjacent to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The Top End floodplains are home to prolific birdlife (236 species). Waking at dawn to the cacophony of magpie geese, whistling kites, blue-winged kookaburras is the perfect start to a day’s safari.

What will I do there?

  • Magpie Geese (called Bamurru in one of the local Aboriginal languages) nest in staggering numbers throughout Autumn.
  • Don’t miss the plumed-whistling ducks, white-bellied sea eagles, comb-crested jacanas and black-necked storks as they probe and scour the wetlands.
  • A cruise on the Sampan Creek offers the chance of sighting a great-billed heron. Other rare species include the grey goshawk and the red goshawk.

2 Bamurru Plains Top End, Northern Territory (3 NIGHTS)

Bamurru Plains is an extraordinary wild bush luxury experience on the edge of the Mary River floodplain, adjacent to Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory. The Top End floodplains are home to prolific birdlife (236 species). Waking at dawn to the cacophony of magpie geese, whistling kites, blue-winged kookaburras is the perfect start to a day’s safari.

What will I do there?

  • Magpie Geese (called Bamurru in one of the local Aboriginal languages) nest in staggering numbers throughout Autumn.
  • Don’t miss the plumed-whistling ducks, white-bellied sea eagles, comb-crested jacanas and black-necked storks as they probe and scour the wetlands.
  • A cruise on the Sampan Creek offers the chance of sighting a great-billed heron. Other rare species include the grey goshawk and the red goshawk.

15min transfer to private airstrip, 20min private flight to darwin airport, connect to 1hr flight to kununarra, 2hr drive to el questro homestead or arrange to arrive via scenic flight.

3 El Questro Homestead The Kimberley, Western Australia (3 NIGHTS)

In the middle of almost one million acres of Wilderness Park and 100km from the nearest town, the luxury of the El Questro Homestead sits in stark contrast to Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley landscape. Perched on a cliff top, with vistas of one of the most strikingly beautiful locations, the Homestead is a relaxed and exclusive retreat catering for a maximum of 18 guests.

A selection of must do’s

  • The variety of ecosystems in the park attract 100 different bird species including, Rainbow Bee Eaters, Pheasant Coucols, dancing Brolgas and even the once near extinct Gouldian Finch.
  • Spend an afternoon at the Zebedee Thermal Springs – A magical place to relax and rejuvenate after a busy morning birding and climbing through the gorges.
  • The Little Pied Cormorant is the smallest Australian cormorant and is fairly common on El Questro waterways. It can be seen sitting on exposed rocks along the route of the Wandjina boat in the Chamberlain Gorge. Their nest is a small, shallow structure of sticks and it breeds throughout most of the year.

3 El Questro Homestead The Kimberley, Western Australia (3 NIGHTS)

In the middle of almost one million acres of Wilderness Park and 100km from the nearest town, the luxury of the El Questro Homestead sits in stark contrast to Western Australia’s rugged Kimberley landscape. Perched on a cliff top, with vistas of one of the most strikingly beautiful locations, the Homestead is a relaxed and exclusive retreat catering for a maximum of 18 guests.

A selection of must do’s

  • The variety of ecosystems in the park attract 100 different bird species including, Rainbow Bee Eaters, Pheasant Coucols, dancing Brolgas and even the once near extinct Gouldian Finch.
  • Spend an afternoon at the Zebedee Thermal Springs – A magical place to relax and rejuvenate after a busy morning birding and climbing through the gorges.
  • The Little Pied Cormorant is the smallest Australian cormorant and is fairly common on El Questro waterways. It can be seen sitting on exposed rocks along the route of the Wandjina boat in the Chamberlain Gorge. Their nest is a small, shallow structure of sticks and it breeds throughout most of the year.

2hr drive to kununurra airport, 1hr flight to darwin airport, overnight in darwin. next day, 2.5hr flight to cairns, 3hr 4wd drive to mt mulligan lodge or arrange to arrive via scenic flight.

4 Mt Mulligan Lodge Northern Outback, Queensland (3 NIGHTS)

Mt Mulligan Lodge offers modern laid-back luxury in the untamed and rugged outback environment of Northern Outback Queensland. Captivating views of the weir and the imposing ridges of Ngarrabullgan (Mount Mulligan), provide the ideal backdrop for frequent opportunities to sight rainbow lorikeets, red-winged parrots, kookaburras and friar birds to name a few species.

What will I do there?

  • Glide along the weir aboard a kayak and become part of the daily rhythm as Little Pied Cormorants dry their wings after deep diving for food and other water birds go about their business.
  • Observe the azure kingfisher in its natural habitat. Never far from water this species prefers low hanging branches, so it can dart into the water for its prey.
  • In the evening, as the sky darkens to a deep indigo and the last rays of sun slip beyond the horizon, listen for the calls of the tawny frogmouth and marvel at the night sky lit by thousands of stars.

4 Mt Mulligan Lodge Northern Outback, Queensland (3 NIGHTS)

Mt Mulligan Lodge offers modern laid-back luxury in the untamed and rugged outback environment of Northern Outback Queensland. Captivating views of the weir and the imposing ridges of Ngarrabullgan (Mount Mulligan), provide the ideal backdrop for frequent opportunities to sight rainbow lorikeets, red-winged parrots, kookaburras and friar birds to name a few species.

What will I do there?

  • Glide along the weir aboard a kayak and become part of the daily rhythm as Little Pied Cormorants dry their wings after deep diving for food and other water birds go about their business.
  • Observe the azure kingfisher in its natural habitat. Never far from water this species prefers low hanging branches, so it can dart into the water for its prey.
  • In the evening, as the sky darkens to a deep indigo and the last rays of sun slip beyond the horizon, listen for the calls of the tawny frogmouth and marvel at the night sky lit by thousands of stars.

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