Birding Western Victoria 2010
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| Accmdated: | Yes |
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| No.of days: | 11 |
| Ex: | Sydney to Sydney |
| Departure: | 23rd Oct - 2nd Nov, 2010 |
| Price: | $2,600 $2,600 |
| Deposit: | $250pp |
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Join us for a relaxing fully-accommodated 11-day tour birdwatching along the Great Ocean Road, in the Grampians and at Little Desert National Park in Western Victoria. Fully Accommodated in 3.5 Star Motels / Lodges.
From Sydney we travel along the Hume Highway to Albury. The following morning we will have time for birdwatching in Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park, an important reserve for the endangered Regent Honeyeaters and Turquoise Parrots.
We move on to Geelong where we will have two nights with a full day for birdwatching around the Bellarine Peninsula visiting various habitats including wetlands and coastal heathlands.
Along the Great Ocean Road, many of the stops for the spectacular scenic attractions are also great spots for birdwatching but we will also visit some key sites for birds in the Otway Ranges. A great opportunity for finding the birds of the open oceans, coastal cliffs and beaches and the mountain forests
The Grampians National Park is renowned for its wildflowers but the area is also good for birdwatching. Over 200 species have been recorded in the dry sclerophyll forests where koalas are often seen.
Another highlight of the trip will be our two nights at Little Desert Lodge near Nhill. Set in 117 hectares of natural bushland next to Little Desert National Park, it is a great area for birdwatching. We will have a full day to look for the specialties of the mallee including Malleefowl.
From Little Desert we travel east through Swan Hill and the Riverina back towards Sydney. We will be stopping for birdwatching along the way looking for species such as Regent Parrots and Yellow Rosellas near the Murray River and Superb Parrots through the Riverina.
Trip Overview
BIRDS THAT WE HOPE TO SEE.
Chiltern - Mt Pilot National Park protects 21,600ha of box-ironbark forest that once covered much of north-east Victoria. It is an important refuge for the species of the western slopes including parrots and honeyeaters. Possible birds include Painted Button-quail, Turquoise Parrots, Musk and Little Lorikeets and Regent and Black-chinned Honeyeaters.
At Geelong, we will seek the advice of local birdwatchers for the best areas to find species such as Cape Barren geese, Hooded Plover, Banded Stilt and Purple-crowned Lorikeet.
As well as its spectacular scenery, the Great Ocean Road is also a great area for birds including seabirds such as Black-faced Cormorants, Pacific Gull and Fairy Tern. Brush Bronzewing, Rufous Bristlebird,
Southern Emu-wren and Striated Fieldwren are in the coastal heathland along the cliff-tops. The mountains have the usual birds of the wet coastal forests such as Superb Lyrebirds but we hope to find Blue-winged Parrot, Olive Whistler, Pink Robin.
In the Grampians we will have another opportunity to find the species of the coastal eucalypt forests such as Gang Gang Cockatoos. Hooded, Scarlet and Flame Robins are also possible. In the surrounding open country, parrots such as Long-billed Corellas can be found.
Little Desert is the home to many species of the dry mallee and heathland including Malleefowl, Red-lored and Gilberts Whistler, Splendid Fairy-wren, Slender-billed Thornbill and Purple-gaped Honeyeater. Around the Lodge, Peaceful Dove, Southern Scrub-robin, Shy Heathwren, Western Gerygone and Diamond Firetail have been recorded.
As we travel back to Sydney through the Riverina, there will be chances of seeing more of the species of the inland plains such as Emus and parrots including Major Mitchell Cockatoo, Ringneck and Bluebonnet. We will be on the lookout for raptors including Spotted Harrier, Black and Brown Falcons. On the roadside, it may be possible to see Banded Lapwing.
Details of Trip
BOOKINGS: Can only be confirmed with the payment of $250 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 (extra 3% charge). 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 luxury air-conditioned OTT 4WD vehicle.
- All meals unless specified denoted as B Breakfast, L Lunch & D Dinner.
- All National Park entrance fees.
- Any additional flights, cruises & side excursions are optional extras.
- Note that accommodation is in 3.5-4 Star rating in a selection of motel, lodges in twin share rooms.
Minimum Passengers
12
Itinerary
Day 1 (SAT 23 Oct) SYDNEY - ALBURY
Meet your crew at Central Railway Station (Coach Bay 5) at 0645 for a 0700 departure. We will have a full day travelling via the South Western Freeway to Goulburn, Gundagai to Albury. Cabins: Albury (LD)
DAY 2 (SUN 24 Oct) GEELONG
Bird around Chiltern State Park before travelling on to Geelong where we will stay for two nights.
Motel Rooms: Geelong (BLD)
DAY 3 (MON 25 Oct) GEELONG
Today will be spent birding around Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula
Motel Rooms: Geelong (BLD)
DAY 4 (TUE 26 Oct) GREAT OCEAN ROAD
We start our journey along the spectacular Great Ocean Road birdwatching along the coast and in the Otway Ranges. Motels Rooms: Apollo Bay (BLD)
DAY 5 (WED 27 Oct) GREAT OCEAN ROAD
We continue our journey along the coast. stopping for birdwatching and scenery along the way. Sample some local cuisine with Dinner at own expense.
Cabins: Port Fairy (BL)
DAY 6 (THUR 28 Oct) THE GRAMPIANS
Today we travel north to the Grampians National Park renowned for its scenery and wildflowers.
Motel Rooms: Halls Gap (BLD)
DAY 7 (FRI 29 Oct) THE GRAMPIANS Birdwatching in the Grampians before travelling on to Little Desert National Park. Lodge Near Nhill (BLD)
DAY 8 (SAT 30 Oct) LITTLE DESERT NATIONAL PARK
Birdwatching around the park. Lodge Near Nhill (BLD)
DAY 9 (SUN 31 Oct) SWAN HILL
We leave Little Desert to start our journey back to Sydney. Motel Rooms: Swan Hill (BLD)
DAY 10 (MON 1 Nov) YANCO
A slow drive stopping for birdwatching along the way. Motel Rooms: Yanco (BLD)
DAY 11 (TUES 2 Nov) YANCO - SYDNEY
On our final day for the tour we travel via Wagga Wagga and Goulburn on the Hume Highway. We aim to arrive at Sydney approximatley 5.00-6.00PM. The Coach will drop off at Central - Coach Bay 5. (BL)
