Tasmania Birdwatching 2011
| Accmdated: | Yes, 3.5-4 star |
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| No.of days: | 9 |
| Ex: | Launceston - Launceston |
| Departure: | 19th - 27th February, 2011 |
| Price: | $3,780pp Twin Share $3,780pp Twin Share |
| Deposit: | $300pp |
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A special birdwatching tour to Tasmania with emphasis on seeing all 12 endemic species of birds. This tour will have an experienced birdwatching guide who will lead the group. This tour spends two nights Cradle Mountain, one night Strahan, two nights Lake St Clair, one night Hobart, two nights at Bruny Island. Accommodation is based on 3.5 - 4 star rating on a twin share arrangement. (see details) Single Supplement is available, $335. Limited Singles are available.
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. On our way from Hobart to Bruny Island we will stop for birdwatching at Peter Murrell Reserve which is considered one of the most reliable places to see the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote. Two nights on Bruny will provide another opportunity to find this endemic and other species that we may have missed. All of the endemics can be found on Bruny Island.
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 at the top of 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 be found at Peter Murrell Reserve but we will be chasing Forty-spotted Pardalotes. This tiny inconspicuous endemic feeds 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. All of Tassie's endemic birds can be found on Bruny. Little Penguins and Short-tailed Shearwaters both nest on Bruny and Swift Parrots can also be found here.
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 Judy Harrington, a committee member of the Birds Australia NSW and ACT regional group and a founder of the BA Discovery Centre at Sydney Olympic Park, where she works as a Park Ranger. Judy is able to inspire and educate both locals and visitors.
Judy 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
Travel by air-conditioned OTT 4WD vehicle; All meals unless specified on brochure denoted as B:Breakfast, L: Lunch & D: Dinner. All National Park entrance fees. Ferry crossing to / from Bruny Island. Any additional flights, cruises & side excursions are optional extras. Twin share accommodation. Price is based on twin share. Single supplement is available please contact the office for details.
Accommodation is varied, however we have tried to maintain consistency throughout, Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (4 star), Lake St Clair Chalets (4 star), Driftwood Strahan Villas (3.5 star), Hobart Best Western (3.5 star), Bruny Island Holiday Retreat Cottages (3.5 star)
Minimum Passengers
11
Itinerary
SAT 19 FEB - LAUNCESTON
Meet your crew at 9.30 am 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.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (BLD)
SUN 20 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. Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Wilderness Village (BLD)
MON 21 FEB - STRAHAN
We will reach the historic waterfront town of Strahan on the Macquarie Harbour in time for lunch. In the afternoon we will birdwatch in nearby heathland. Lunch at own expense.
Accommodation: Driftwood Strahan Villas (BD)
TUE 22 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. Accommodation Lake St Clair Cottages (BLD)
WED 23 FEB - HOBART
Today we will birdwatch around the Lake with time to relax. 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. Accommodation Lake St Clair Cottages (BLD)
THU 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. Dinner at own expense. Accommodation Best Western (BL)
FRI 25 FEB - BRUNY ISLAND
We will stop for birdwatching at Peter Murrell Reserve near Kingston before enjoying a ferry ride across to beautiful and peacefull Bruny Island. This sparsely populated island is renowned for its varied wildlife, including fairy penguins and many reptile species.
Cottages: Bruny Island Holiday Retreats (BLD)
SAT 26 FEB - BRUNY ISLAND
We spend the whole day exploring Bruny Island. We will have plenty of time to look for any birds that we have missed so far on the trip such as Little Penguin and Hooded Plover. Cottages: Bruny Island Holiday Retreats (BLD)
SUN 27 FEB - LAUNCESTON
Sadly this is the last day of tour. We board the coach to travel back across to ferry to Hobart and on to Launceston. Drop Offs at your hotel on arrival in Launceston. (BL)
