Lord Howe Island is roughly 600km off the Australian coast and is a sub-tropical seabird covered island. Unlike most seabird islands it is inhabited and accessible! This tour offers the opportunity to see thousands of seabirds – from the comfort of land, with the option of seeing them from the water as well. Home to a number of subspecies, the highlight for most is the Lord Howe Island Woodhen; once extremely difficult to see, this species is now readily detectable across the island as a result of successful conservation efforts to protect it.
We are aiming to run the trip when the birdlife is at its peak, after the Black-winged Petrels have arrived and most species are on nests or have recently had chicks. Whilst birding will be the focus of this tour, you will also be soaking in the breathtaking landscapes, and learning about the broader natural history and conservation aspects of the island. There will also be an element of flexibility to the itinerary, dependent on weather and an opportunity to rest during the heat of the day. Your guide for this tour, Steve Davidson, was a natural choice to lead this tour. He has navigated the island before and has a passion for its conservation. He is looking forward to guiding the group through the discovery of landscape, sea and some very special bird species.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
THE INALA ADVANTAGE
This small group tour includes expert specialist guides from Inala Nature Tours, experienced in locating land and sea species and interpreting the unique ecology of Lord Howe Island. All accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), entrance fees, and cruises are included, ensuring a comprehensive and hassle-free wilderness experience focused entirely on wildlife observation and natural history.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is ideal for dedicated birders, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts seeking rare Australian endemics in remote wilderness settings. This tour is suitable for people of medium to high fitness levels. Much of the tour will be conducted on foot, usually distances of 3km or less, however many walks traverse high elevation. Please contact Inala if you would like to discuss your suitability.
Temperature: Daytime temperatures range from 25-30°C with warm and subtropical conditions. Nights are only slightly cooler, dropping to 18-20°C. Expect plenty of early morning activity, with breaks around midday. Warm temperatures are usually tempered by the coastal breeze.
Rainfall: This period falls within the drier time of year for the island, however rainfall should be expected. The region is naturally subtropical, and occasional light showers are possible. Warm and humid conditions are typical.
Sunshine: Expect abundant sunshine with clear blue skies most days. UV levels are very high—sun protection is essential. Early morning and late afternoon light is excellent for photography.
Lord Howe Island Woodhen, Black-winged Petrel, White Tern, Grey Ternlet (Noddy), Kermadec Petrel, Providence Petrel, Flesh-footed Shearwater, Masked Booby, White-bellied Storm Petrel, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Song thrush (introduced but rare in Australia).
Chances are you’ll have seen a Lord Howe Island Woodhen before you arrive at the accommodation, and you will get plenty of opportunities to see them daily. The trip will start with an easy walk near the accommodation to help everyone get their bearings. Lagoon Beach, Ned’s Beach and Stephen’s Reserve are all within walking distance and will provide numerous opportunities for bird watching and photography. We will enjoy a welcome dinner andorientation tonight.
Accommodation: Lord Howe Island (en suite room). Meals included: D.
Straight into the adventure, we will hike the Malabar track to North Bay (3km return, 200m elevation). The vistas from the top provide the opportunity to see the entire island, as well as nesting Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Sooty Terns, Grey Ternlets, Common Noddy and Black Noddy. Thousands of seabirds including Masked Boobies will be flying around circling, fishing, and returning to nests. The sea cliffs of Lord Howe Island are unique within Australia but will remind many of the seabird cliffs of the northern hemisphere.
Accommodation: Lord Howe Island (en suite room). Meals included: B,L,D.
We will spend the day in the lowland forests, searching for Lord Howe Island Woodhen, Pied Currawongs (endemic subspecies), Australian Golden Whistlers (endemic subspecies), Emerald Doves, Song Thrush, and potential vagrants such as Long-tailed Cuckoo.
Accommodation: Lord Howe Island (en suite room). Meals included: B,L,D.
Visiting Ball’s Pyramid is a highlight of a trip to Lord Howe Island and provides us the opportunity to see many of the pelagic species the island is famous for. Kermadec Petrels are common in various morphs, White-bellied Storm Petrels can be seen dancing on the water (multiple morphs present), Flesh-footed and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters are abundant whilst Red-tailed Tropicbirds circle the pyramid. Grey Ternlets are present in their thousands, as schools of silver drummer are visible on the water’s surface and offshore bottlenose dolphins ride the wake during our trip. Providence Petrels and Little Shearwater may still be present if we are lucky. A night walk will provide the opportunity to explore the nesting seabird colonies
as individuals return from sea.
Accommodation: Lord Howe Island (en suite room). Meals included: B,L,D.
A day at the beaches will provide the opportunity to see more Sooty Terns than you could ever imagine. Nesting birds are abundant as are photographic opportunities! White and Sooty Terns are on nests and have babies, Common and Black Noddies have babies, whilst other continue to collect nesting material throughout the day. Black-winged Petrels are undertaking display flights and fly past at speed. A number of shorebirds are also present and can be seen on each of the beaches.
Accommodation: Lord Howe Island (en suite room). Meals included: B,L,D.
We will spend more time today searching for birds we’ve missed and provide photographers the opportunity to improve on their image collection for the tour. An afternoon out at Clear Place will provide a relaxing opportunity to watch the seabirds flying by in the sun and a night walk will provide the opportunity to explore the nesting Black-winged Petrel colony as individuals return from the sea.
Accommodation: Lord Howe Island (en suite room). Meals included: B,L,D.
Some morning birding may be viable depending on flight times.
Accommodation: none. Meals included: B.
Accommodation as per the itinerary, specialist guide and transport, meals, entrance fees and activities as mentioned in the itinerary.
International and domestic airfares, alcoholic beverages, snacks, internet, laundry or other items of a personal nature.
Remoteness: Please note that for much of this tour we will be birding in a wonderful yet remote part of Australia. If you have medical conditions or health concerns, it is important you make us aware of these in advance of this tour. This doesn’t necessarily preclude you. We just need to be well-informed. Â
Island accessibility and fitness: Much of this tour will be conducted on foot, as the island is quite small. The Malabar Track, and Clear Place tracks are undulating, steep and uneven in places. They are not hard tracks (3km or less), but Malabar is 200m high. In December it is hot, even early in the morning so please take this all into account when considering if this tour will be suitable for you.
The itinerary: Whilst we aim to follow the itinerary as planned, please note that the itinerary provided should only be used as a guideline. Depending on individual trip circumstances, weather, and local information, the exact itinerary may not be strictly adhered to. The guides reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary as they see fit.Â
There are terms and conditions relating to payments, cancellations, refunds, insurance and responsibility for our tours.
Inala Nature
320 Cloudy Bay Road, Lunawanna
South Bruny Island 7150
Tasmania, Australia
Phone:Â +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.
