Raptor Photogaphy Hide

The Inala Raptor Photography Hide is a truly world class photographic experience. It's a place where photographers can comfortably "hide", ready to capture the ultimate photo of the native birds and wildlife in the Inala Nature Reserve.

The Raptor Photography Hide was developed and constructed under consultancy with environmental scientists, builders, glass manufacturers and several leading professional photographers. Everything has been carefully designed to optimise your experience with minimal impact on our visiting raptors. Conservation and the well-being of wildlife and plants on the Inala property is always our highest priority.

Many years of planning and significant expenditure has resulted in this innovative hide with precisional positioning and all of the features for the comfort of our valued clients and precious visiting raptors.

Raptor Photography Hide facilities
The Raptor Photography Hide has the following features:

1) Fully enclosed walkway and purpose built hide (allowing you to access and exit the hide without disturbing the birds).
2) The pinnacle of glass technology. This premium grade photography glass is mainly found only in some of the top birding photography hides in Europe. The interior provides crystal clear viewing to the outside with minimised glare and reflection for the photographer while the special exterior lining reduces the ability for the raptor to see inside the hide whilst also lowering the chance of bird strike and risk of injury to birds.
3) Dark internal floor and walls to minimise reflection.
4) Room for you to set up your own tripod
5) Positioned to face South for best light/reduced shadows at all times of day.
6) The hide has plenty of space for your equipment and includes seating, desk, bench, power points, free wifi and heating for your comfort while enjoying this wonderfully unique experience.
Birds you might see 

The birdlife at Inala is world famous and we have an incredible selection of raptors living and breeding nearby. Depending on the time of year, you may see: White-bellied Sea Eagle, Wedge Tailed Eagles, Grey Goshawk (White Morph), Brown Goshawk, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier. (Ocassional visits from Collared Sparrowhawk)

Whilst raptors are a focus, there are also many small birds flying by and feeding in the open field. We have also installed a custom-made mossy table at eye level outside the hide where small birds are also frequently seen, Including Superb Fairy-wren, Flame Robin, Scarlet Robin, Dusky Robin, Green Rosella, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, and Beautiful Firetail.

Current hire costs for the Raptor Photography Hide

The Raptor Photography Hide can be booked for either a 2-hour slot or a full day.

$150 per 2 hour time-slot for on-site guests
$200 per 2 hour time-slot for walk-in Inala guests
$300 for a full day booking for on-site guests
$400 for a full day booking for walk-in Inala guests. (7:30AM - dusk)

An on-site guest is someone who is staying at one of the three Inala cottages.

Cost includes the use of hide facilities for 2 hours for 1-4 people. Maximum of 4 people in the hide during the 2 hour time slot.  This is for your comfort.
Time-slots can be further extended on the day if there are no other conflicting bookings, please discuss this with the office staff on your arrival.
Although we cannot guarantee that raptors will be present during your chosen booking time, we do put out road-kill in key locations near the hide to encourage raptors to feed here. Many of the local raptors include Inala in their daily schedule.

Note: If you are a commercial operator (run tour groups, film crews, professional photographers etc) please contact us for our commercial rates.

Additional FAQ's

When is the best time of year to book?
On Bruny and in the valley where the Inala Conservation Reserve is located, there is raptor activity year round and all the species mentioned above, nest within or very near to the reserve.  Activity can fluctuate during Spring/breeding season when the female is likely sitting on her nest or when the male may be choosing to hunt for live prey.  Autumn/Winter is an excellent time of year for many of the raptors to be seen, and at the fledging point in the season you may be fortunate enough to see fledged raptor chicks flying with and learning from their parents before they depart for their own new territories.

How does it work on the day?
When you arrive at the Inala Carpark you will be met by the property manager who shows you to the photography hide, points out key features and leave you to settle in.  The property manager will then place some roadkill in perfect location in the field so that if any raptors choose to land and feed on the carcass, you will have the perfect angle to view them and take images.  You spend your booked time in the hide choosing to come and go as you wish down the covered walkway.

Where does the roadkill come from?
Sadly there is a lot of roadkill in Tasmania, we are part of state wide efforts to help reduce that through signage and community education.
Holding all the required permits - we move an already sadly deceased wildlife from the busy road right outside Inala; where the raptors (and quolls) would very likely be hit by cars while feeding; to a safe place within the reserve where they can then feed without stress or injury, and we have the wonderful added bonus of being able to view them discreetly from the hide.   We are able to view the same wild raptor feeding on the same wild food source in the same territory where they hunt every day, but instead of feeding in a unsafe location, they are now feeding a few meters away in a safe place.
The Inala team are always stopping and moving roadkill off the road all over Tasmania into safe locations away from the traffic and the powerlines.  This allows us to give respect to the deceased animal, increase the road safety for drivers, prevent the secondary deaths of feeding carnivores & raptors and very importantly allows us to check the pouches of the female roadkill in case we can still help save an orphaned joey.

How to book the Raptor Photography Hide

If you would like to book the Raptor Photography Hide, please contact us and let us know:

  1. Which date/s you would like to book the hide
  2. Which time-slot/s you would like to book the hide (earliest possible time 7.30am in summer, 8am in winter)
  3. If you would like us to book you any accommodation or tours during your stay.

We will then send you a confirmation of your booking and an invoice which can be paid by card or bank transfer. We look forward to meeting you at Inala and sharing this very special place with you.

Book the Raptor Photography Hide 

Consider Adding Accommodation to your time at Inala Bruny Island

Inala Cottage
The Inala Cottage offers 3 bedroom accommodation in the Inala Nature Reserve on Bruny Island which can sleep up to 7 people. Boo
Book Now
Nairana Cottage
The Nature Reserve on Bruny Island provides excellent habitat for the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote, Swift Parrot, Eastern Quoll and many raptor species.
Book Now
Lyenna Cottage
Lyenna Cottage on Mickey’s Bay, is a beachfront property in a tranquil and secluded location on South Bruny Island. It offers the ultimate "off-grid" experience with accommodation for up to 4 people. 
Book Now
Subscribe to our Newsletter:

Inala Nature
320 Cloudy Bay Road, Lunawanna
South Bruny Island 7150
Tasmania, Australia

Travel Vault policy certificate number:
EV2203UKFI0166

Phone: +61 3 6293 1217

Inala Nature acknowledge and pay respects to the palawa people as the traditional and original owners, and continuing custodians of this land, lutruwita, and acknowledges Elders - past and present. Inala Nature Tours and the Inala Foundation Inc are located on lunawanna- alonnah, also known as Bruny Island, the traditional land of the Nuenonne people.

chevron-downcross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram