Western Australia is Australia’s largest state, covering almost 1 million square miles and comprising the western third of the continent (which is an area larger than Western Europe). More than 500 bird species have been recorded here, including 18 endemics and many other sub-species, near endemics, migratory and other highly sought-after species. This tour concentrates on the south-western ‘corner’ of the state where most of the endemics can be located. The south-west of Western Australia is also one of the world's biodiversity ‘hotspots’, with some of the richest and most unique plant and animal life on earth. There are about 13,000 species of plants in Western Australia, many of which are yet to be formally named. Although primarily a birding tour, this trip will also provide opportunities to see some unique mammals and flora.
Warm conditions - temperatures averaging in 20 degrees (Celsius) in September.
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our: Tasmanian Endemic Birds and Wildlife Tour
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our: Tasmanian Endemic Birds and Wildlife Tour
Western rufous bristlebird, Baudin's black cockatoo, Black-throated whipbird, Carnaby's black cockatoo, Gilbert's honeyeater, Noisy scrubbird, Red-capped parrot, Red-eared firetail, Red-winged fairywren, Western corella, Western fieldwren, Western rosella, Western spinebill, Western thornbill, Western wattlebird, Western whistler, White-breasted robin
Today has been set aside as an arrival day so you are free to arrive at any time that suits your travel plans. You are to make your own way to the hotel in the city and we will meet at the hotel at 7.00pm for a brief orientation and welcome dinner. Please note that no activities have been planned for today but if you plan to arrive early and would like advice on options for the day please do contact our office.
Accommodation: Perth (en suite rooms)
Meals included: D
This morning after an early breakfast we travel to the southern coastline of Western Australia. Today is a long travel day but we will stop en route to bird. We will visit the Darling Range in search of the first of the endemics with Western Wattlebird and Gilbert's Honeyeater. We continue to Williams and a stop at the Beaufort River to look for Pink-eared Duck, Elegant Parrot, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Rufous Songlark, White-winged Triller and a chance of Painted Buttonquail and Black-tailed Native-hen.
We continue to Kojonup and then to Rocky Gully where we will look for Western Corella and Baudin's Black Cockatoo. We will travel to Mt Barker and then stop at Porongurup for more chances of Baudin's Black Cockatoo and Scarlet Robin. We hope to arrive at Cheynes Beach in time for a first look for Noisy Scrubbird.
Accommodation: Cheynes Beach (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
This morning we will take a pre-breakfast walk to look for Noisy Scrub-bird and Western Bristlebird. After breakfast, we will spend the morning looking for Western Whipbird (nigrogularis), White-breasted Robin, Red-winged Fairy-wren, Splendid Fairy-wren, Western Wattlebird, Western Spinebill, Red-eared Firetail, Southern Emu-wren, Brush Bronzewing, Brown Quail, Sooty Oystercatcher and Pacific Gull. Lunch at Cheynes Beach.
After lunch, we will look for Rock Parrot along the beach and then visit the very scenic Waychinicup Inlet for more chances of Red-winged Fairy-wren, Red-eared Firetail, Southern Emu-wren, Gilbert's Honeyeater, Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Baudin's Black Cockatoo, Swamp Harrier, White-bellied Sea-Eagle. There are also good chances during the day for Southern Brown Bandicoot and several reptiles and with luck Quokka and Bush Rat. After dinner, we will take a spotlighting trip in search of Spotted Nightjar and Tawny Frogmouth with chances of a few mammals, frogs or reptiles.
Accommodation: Cheynes Beach (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
We will spend the early morning at Cheynes Beach if needed, and then travel to the Stirling Range where we will spend the morning looking for Emu, Hooded Plover, Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Elegant Parrot, Regent Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin, Restless Flycatcher and chances of Crested Shrike-tit, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Little Eagle, Rufous Songlark, Southern Emu-wren, Western (Rufous) Fieldwren and Square-tailed Kite. This is also a great place to view wildflowers.
After lunch, we will go to Albany for more chances of Red-winged Fairy-wren, White-breasted Robin, Western Rosella, Red-eared Firetail and chances of Buff-banded Rail, Fairy Tern, some shorebirds and if time permits some seabirds. If needed, we have the option of visiting Two People's Bay which is a good backup site for Western Bristlebird and Western Whipbird (nigrogularis). Return to Cheynes Beach with another chance to spotlight for nocturnal birds and mammals after dinner.
Accommodation: Cheyne Beach (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
We have a final chance to search for Noisy Scrub-bird before travelling to Jerramungup and then east towards the Fitzgerald River NP to look for Western (Mallee) Whipbird (oberon), Shy Heathwren and Western (Rufous) Fieldwren. This is another excellent area for wildflowers. We will also look for Black-fronted Dotterel and Chestnut Teal.
After lunch at Jerramungup we will visit the mallee to the south west where we will visit a Malleefowl mound (may not be active) and look for Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Southern Scrub-robin, White-browed Babbler, Spotted (Yellow-rumped) Pardalote, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren with chances for Banded Lapwing, Crested Bellbird and Square-tailed Kite plus more chances for Shy Heathwren, Western (Mallee) Whipbird (oberon) and Painted Button-quail. There is also a high chance of seeing Western Brush Wallaby. We will stay in this area until late afternoon to search for Malleefowl along the roadside, before travelling back to Jerramungup for dinner.
Accommodation: Jerramungup (en suite rooms). Please note that only classic old-style basic (but clean) accommodation is available here, but this is the only chance for Malleefowl, so please bear with us!
Meals included: B L D
After an early breakfast, we may revisit parts of the Stirling Range before continuing to Gnowangerup, Katanning and Wagin. We will visit several of the lakes near Wagin where the main targets are Banded Stilt, Red-necked Avocet, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-kneed Dotterel, Pallid Cuckoo, Horsfield's Bronze-Cuckoo, Chestnut-rumped Thornbill, Mistletoebird, Red-capped Robin, Mulga Parrot and Hooded Plover. We will arrive in Narrogin in the late afternoon, hopefully with enough time to visit Fox's Lair near our accommodation.
Accommodation: Narrogin (en suite rooms).
Meals included: B L D
We depart after an early breakfast for Dryandra State Forest. We probably will not return until about 22:30. The key targets today include Bush Stone-curlew, Painted Button-quail, Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Elegant Parrot, Rufous Treecreeper, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Western Thornbill, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, Gilbert's Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, White-browed Babbler, Varied Sittella, Jacky Winter, Scarlet Robin, Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, Western Yellow Robin, and Crested Shrike-tit. We will also search for Numbat throughout the day, with the best chance in the late afternoon.
After an early dinner, we will take a walk in an extensive fenced enclosure within Dryandra State Forest where the Department of Parks & Wildlife’s amazing efforts at breeding a variety threatened species has been very successful. We may encounter Bilby, Boodie (Burrowing Bettong), Mala (Rufous Hare-wallaby), Marl (Western-barred Bandicoot) and Mernine (Banded Hare-wallaby). This hare-wallaby is the sole surviving species of sthenurine kangaroos in a safe fox-free environment.
Accommodation: Narrogin (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
We depart early this morning after breakfast. Activities for today depends on what we haven't seen. We have further options for Regent Parrot, Hooded Robin, Crested Shrike-tit, Red-eared Firetail, Baudin's Black Cockatoo, White-fronted Chat, Rufous Songlark, Brown Songlark, Gilbert's Honeyeater, Western Wattlebird and Fairy Tern.
This afternoon will be spent around the Perth wetlands including Herdsman Lake for waterbirds such as Blue-billed Duck, Musk Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Freckled Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Hoary-headed Grebe, Nankeen Night-Heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Buff-banded Rail, Australian Crake, Spotless Crake, Swamp Harrier and Australian Hobby. We then travel to our accommodation in Perth at about 18:00.
Accommodation: Perth (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
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.
Please note: Meals and drinks: Breakfast generally consists of a continental style breakfast with cereal, fruit and yoghurt and tea/coffee. Full cooked breakfast is not generally offered at most locations. Lunch will generally consist of a packed lunch style meal eaten in the field, with sandwich/filled roll, fruit, and a drink. Dinner usually consists of several options for main with the choice of either an appetiser or dessert. Drinks (soft and alcoholic) are generally not included but at lunches and breakfasts juice may be made available.
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.
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
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.