Australia: Enigmatic Wildlife Tour (EWT)

​Australia is a land like no other, where the creatures that roam its immense landscapes are almost unworldly. Iconic macropods like kangaroos and wallabies bound across the sun-baked plains, their powerful legs carrying them effortlessly through the parched savannas, while the koala, with its dozy eyes and plush ears, clings to eucalyptus trees in a serene, tree-top world of its own. The platypus, an evolutionary oddity, glides effortlessly through the waters with its duck-like bill and beaver-like tail, an enigmatic mix of nature’s creativity. On the shores, the dingo howls under the moonlight, a reminder of the wild spirit of the land. Under the cover of dark we seek out critters adapted to the country’s night. The adorable Striped Possum or Kreftt’s Glider, a small marsupial with the ability to glide through the trees, come to life, foraging under the cover of darkness. Long-snouted bandicoots dig deep into the forest understory, wombats graze plains like giant rodents, and Tasmanian Devils and quolls, carnivorous marsupials, prowl for their next meal with incredible stealth. These creatures, and many more, are masters of nocturnal survival, using their heightened senses, specialized hunting skills, and camouflage to thrive in the shadows of the Australian night. While mammals – and not birds – are the focus of this trip, we shan’t ignore the feathered wonders and in the ancient rainforests, the colorful, chattering cockatoos and lyrebirds paint the air with their vivid feathers and sweet songs. Our extension to Western Australia promises the best of mammal-watching and birding that the state offers. We combine visits to the coastal heath, giant Karri tree forests and drier interior of Dryanda for a smorgasbord of ozzie-endemic delights. Alongside a great selection of WA’s endemic bird species we search for the Critically endangered Western Ringtail Possum, church-mouse-like Honey Possum, and if we are really lucky at Dryandra, the delightful Numbat! Returning to Perth we base ourselves in Freemantle where our final day will be a dude trip to the stunning Rottnest Island where we conclude with what has been dubbed the cutest animal on Earth, the cartoonesque Quokka! Each of Australia’s animals carries the essence of the land—mysterious, untamed, and beautifully unique—making the country a living testament to the wild wonders of nature.