Australia: Western Australia and Northern Territory

The states of Western Australia and the Northern Territory contain vast tracts of uninhabited desert wilderness and thousands of miles of unspoiled and stunning coastlines, all filled with birds. Starting out in the picturesque city of Perth, we’ll have a full week to explore the remote southwestern corner of the country. Here we’ll seek regional specialties such as Baudin’s and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos, the stunning Red-capped Parrot, and the heathland trio of Western Whipbird, Noisy Scrub-bird, and Western Bristlebird.

After our week in the southwest we’ll head to the heart of the outback in Alice Springs. Here amid the scenic and ancient MacDonnell Ranges, and against a backdrop of outback billabongs and Ghost Gums, we’ll search for birds such as Zebra Finch, Budgerigar, the stunning Mulga Parrot, comical Spinifex Pigeon, and skulky Spinifexbird, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren and Dusky Grasswren. At the Alice Springs wastewater facility there are usually throngs of waterbirds, and sometimes we turn up a surprise like Oriental Plover, Australian Crake or Black Falcon.

Our third stop will be in the humid and lush tropical city of Darwin. Here a rich avifauna, flush with dazzling birds like Rainbow Pitta, Red-collared Lorikeet and Red-headed Myzomela, will keep us well occupied for several days. Our visit coincides with the latter stages of the dry season, and often huge numbers of waterbirds and returning migrant waders crowd the remaining waterholes.

Our final stop will be the remote outpost of Kununurra, in the far northeastern corner of Western Australia. This is the finch capital of the country, with up to ten species possible, including the gaudy Gouldian, scarce Yellow-rumped Mannikin, and pretty Star Finch. Here too we’ll look for sandstone specialties such as White-quilled Rock-Pigeon and Sandstone Shrike-thrush, and will take a very enjoyable boat trip out on Australia’s largest man-made lake to observe thousands of waterbirds and the scarce Yellow Chat. A flight back to Darwin will close out the tour.

This tour can be taken in conjunction with our tour, Australia: Queensland and New South Wales.**