Tasmania Birdwatching 2010
| Accmdated: | Yes |
|---|---|
| No.of days: | 9 |
| Ex: | Launceston / Launceston |
| Departure: | 20th - 28th February, 2010 |
| Price: | $3,000pp $3,000pp |
| Deposit: | $300pp |
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FULLY BOOKED
A special birdwatching tour to Tasmania with emphasis on seeing all 12 endemic species of birds. This tour has a specialised Birdwatching guide who will lead the group. This tour is based on 3 to 3.5 star accommodation where possible and twin share arrangment. Wherever possible, we will try to match you with another twin, however if this is not possible, a single supplement will be due.
Trip Overview
Starting from Launceston we travel to our first destination at Cradle Mountain. Here we will explore the northern end of this World Heritage National Park with walks around Dove Lake. The vegetation of the park ranges from rainforest to grassland providing habitat for a range of mammals and birds. Ten of Tassie endemic birds can be found in the park as well as Tasmanian Devils, Spotted-tailed and Eastern Quolls and Platypus. Picturesque Strahan on MacQuarie Harbour and the mining town of Queenstown are visited on the way to Lake St Clair. There will be opportunities for walking and birdwatching around the lake.
We will arrive in Hobart with plenty of time for birdwatching in the afternoon. If the weather is clear, we will go to the top of Mt Wellington for impressive views over the city and the Derwent River. There will be a free day in Hobart with the opportunity to explore the city or take a tour. There are several options for trips to Port Arthur including sightseeing at Port Arthur and a three hour eco-adventure cruise along the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Peninsula. Cruise along the highest seacliffs in the Southern Hemisphere with dolphins, hundreds of seals and abundant birdlife. Another option is a day-trip to Melaleuca in the South West Wilderness flying over the pristine, rugged mountains of this World Heritage Area. At Melaleuca there is the opportunity to see Orange-bellied Parrots at the bird observatory. For further information and options, see www.tasmancruises.com.au/ and www.paravion.com.au/
Details of Trip
Birds that we hope to find.
As we drive from Launceston we will be on the lookout for Blue-winged Parrots which are regularly seen in this area including Cradle Mountain. Bassian Thrush, Pink Robin, Olive Whistler and Scrubtit can be found in the forest at Cradle Mountain but Flame Robin, Striated Fieldwren and Crescent Honeyeater prefer the exposed moorlands.
Watch out for the aggressive Black Currawongs at Lake St Clair, they will pinch your lunch if you are not careful! Here we have another chance to see endemics such as Tasmanian Native-hen, Green Rosella and Dusky Robin.
Fan-tailed Cuckoos, Flame Robins and Forest Ravens are all common on Mount Wellington. Fern Tree at the base of the mountain is considered one of the most places to find Scrubtit. Tasmanian Scrubwren are abundant and Pink Robin breed here. Strong-billed Honeyeater are often seen.
Many of the endemics can found at Peter Murrell Reserve but we will be chasing Forty-spotted Pardalotes. This tiny, incospicuous endemic feed in the tops of white gums. On the ferry crossing to Bruny Island we will be on the lookout for Black-faced Cormorants and Short-tailed Shearwaters. Little Penguins and Short-tailed Shearwaters both nest on Bruny. Swift Parrots can also be found here. Our last days travelling through Hobart and Freycinet National Park will allow time to find any species that we have missed.
Birds endemic to Tasmania
Tasmanian Native-hen, Green Rosella, Dusky Robin, Tasmanian Scrubwren, Scrubtit, Tasmanian Thornbill, Yellow Wattlebird, Black-headed Honeyeater, Strong-billed Honeyeater, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, Forty-spotted Pardalote and Black Currawong.
OUR BIRD GUIDE The bird-leader will be Allan Richards who is long-time member of Birding NSW and an experienced leader of club outings and previous OTT tours. Allan is very familiar with the birds of the area and will assist with the identification.
BOOKINGS Can only be confirmed with the payment of $300 Deposit. Final payment falls due 45 days before departure. Cheques are to be made payable to 'Outback Track Tours Pty Ltd'. We also accept VISA MASTERCARD. All credit card transactions over $250.00 will attract a 3 percent fee. TRAVEL INSURANCE We strongly recommend travel insurance against loss of possessions accident and cancellation through unforeseen circumstances. Insurance is available at the office if you require it. PLEASE NOTE This is a fully accommodated tour. Limited space is available for single supplement for an extra cost. If weather road conditions or other circumstances necessitate a change in itinerary the decision to make such changes is solely that of the Tour Guide.
Included
INCLUDED IN FARE: Travel by airconditioned OTT 4WD vehicle. All meals unless specified denoted as B - breakfast; L-lunch; D-dinner. All National Park entrance fees. Ferry Crossing to Bruny Island. Any additional flights cruises side excursions are optional extras. Twin Share Accommodation. Price is based on twin share. Single Supplement is available. If no other twin share is available, a single supplement will have to be paid.
Minimum Passengers
12
Itinerary
SAT 20 FEB LAUNCESTON
Meet your crew at 9.30AM for pick up at Launceston. We birdwatch at a few spots along the way to Cradle Mountain at the northern end of Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area.
CABINS CRADLE MOUNTAIN (LD)
SUN 21 FEB CRADLE MOUNTAIN
Today we enjoy birdwatching in Cradle Mountain National Park. It is Tasmania’s best known National Park and a World Heritage area. There are spectacular mountain peaks, deep gorges and crystal clear lakes. CABINS CRADLE MOUNTAIN (BLD)
MON 22 FEB LAKE ST CLAIR
There will be a visit to the waterfront town of Strahan, a popular holiday town on the Macquarie Harbour. We continue on our way to picturesque Lake St Clair where we will stay. Lunch at own expense. ACCOM LAKE ST CLAIR (BD)
TUE 23 FEB LAKE ST CLAIR
Today we visit the tranquil Lake St Clair, with a depth of over 200 meters, it occupies a basin gouged out by glaciers more than 20,000 years ago. Enjoy an optional boat trip on Lake St Clair to the end of the lake and walk back to the lodge through very old forest. ACCOM LAKE ST CLAIR (BLD)
WED 24 FEB HOBART
We will travel from Lake St Clair to Hobart. We will arrive in plenty for birdwatching at a few locations around Hobart such as Mt Wellington or Fern Tree. ACCOM HOBART (BLD)
THU 25 FEB HOBART
A free day to explore Hobart with the option of taking a full day tour to Port Arthur. ACCOM HOBART (B)
FRI 26 FEB BRUNY ISLAND
We will stop for birdwatching at Peter Murrell Reserve near Kingston before enjoying a ferry ride across to beautiful Bruny Island. We hope to find Short-tailed Shearwaters and other waterfowl breeding on Bruny Island. It is a peaceful and beautiful retreat. This sparsely populated island is renowned for its varied wildlife, including fairy penguins and many reptile species. ACCOM BRUNY ISLAND (BLD)
SAT 27 FEB FREYCINET PENINSULA
We leave Bruny Island to travel back through Hobart to Freycinet Peninsula. We will have plenty of time to look for any birds that we have missed so far on the trip. ACCOM FREYCINET (BLD)
SUN 28 FEB LAUNCESTON
Sadly this is the last day of tour. There will be a morning walk to Wine-glass Bay before we board the coach to travel back to our final destination, Launceston. We will drop off at CBD Hotels as required. (BL)
