Discover Western Australia endemic birds on this comprehensive 9-day journey through one of the world's most significant biodiversity hotspots. The south-west corner of Western Australia is home to 18 bird species found nowhere else on Earth, along with unique mammals and an extraordinary 13,000 plant species. This tour focuses exclusively on the region's endemic wildlife, from the pristine coastal heathlands around Cheynes Beach to the ancient karri forests and inland mallee woodlands. Beginning and ending in Perth, you'll explore diverse habitats including Stirling Range National Park's spectacular wildflower displays, Fitzgerald River National Park's remote wilderness, and Dryandra Woodland's conservation sanctuary. Led by Inala Nature Tours' expert guides with intimate knowledge of Western Australia's unique fauna, this tour provides the best possible opportunities to see all endemic bird species, the endangered Numbat, rare black-cockatoos, and other threatened mammals that make this region globally significant for conservation.
MAIN SPECIES, HABITATS, AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Western Australia's endemic species showcase remarkable adaptations to the region's ancient landscapes. The coastal scrub around Cheynes Beach harbours both the globally endangered Noisy Scrub-bird and Western Bristlebird, two of Australia's most sought-after species. The tour targets three of Western Australia's black-cockatoo species: endemic Baudin's and Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos (both endangered), plus the inland Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo. Other endemic parrot species include the stunning Red-capped Parrot, Western Rosella and Western Corella, alongside local subspecies of Elegant and Regent Parrot, and the more widespread Purple-crowned Lorikeet. Western Whipbird and Shy Heathwren inhabit dense heathlands, while Rufous Fieldwren and Western Shrike-tit occupy mallee woodlands. We also have a chance of spotting the sought-after Malleefowl, one of Australia's three species of megapode, the masters of temperature control with their massive incubator mounds.
A tour highlight is our visit to Dryandra Woodland. During the day, we'll keep an eye out for endangered Numbat (Australia's only diurnal marsupial carnivore); in the evening, we'll take a tour of a fenced conservation sanctuary, offering close encounters with critically endangered species including Bilby, Woylie, and Boodie. Marine wildlife includes Southern Right Whales migrating along the coast, while wallaby species round out the mammal list. September-October wildflower season transforms heathlands into spectacular carpets of colour.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
This tour includes small group sizes (maximum 6-8 participants with one guide, or 9-12 with two guides), ensuring personalised attention and optimal chances of finding cryptic endemic species. All accommodation is carefully selected for proximity to key birding sites, featuring comfortable en-suite rooms. Inala Nature Tours provides expert specialist guides with experience in Western Australian endemics, supported by comprehensive transport in vehicles suited to accessing remote locations. All meals are included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), with packed lunches for field days allowing maximum time in productive habitats. National park entry fees and special activities including the Dryandra nocturnal sanctuary visit are included.
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our:
Tasmanian Endemic Birds and Wildlife Tour
South-Western Australia - Birds and Wildlife of the Coral Coast & Outback Northern Wheatbelt Tour
Who is this tour for?
This tour is perfect for endemic species enthusiasts seeking all 18 Western Australian birds, mammal watchers wanting to see the rare Numbat and other threatened marsupials, wildflower photographers during the spectacular spring bloom, and conservationists interested in one of Earth's biodiversity hotspots.
Temperature: 15-24°C (September-October), mild spring weather with warm days and cool nights, ideal conditions for walking and wildlife observation
Rainfall: Low to moderate, occasional spring showers possible, generally dry conditions prevail
Sunshine: 8-9 hours daily with clear skies, excellent light for photography and wildflower viewing
Contact us if combining the tour with South-Western Australia - Birds and Wildlife of the Coral Coast & Outback Northern Wheatbelt Tour
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our: Â Tasmanian Endemic Birds and Wildlife Tour
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our: Â South-Western Australia - Birds and Wildlife of the Coral Coast & Outback Northern Wheatbelt Tour
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our: Â Tasmanian Endemic Birds and Wildlife Tour
This itinerary has been designed to adjoin our: Â South-Western Australia - Birds and Wildlife of the Coral Coast & Outback Northern Wheatbelt Tour
Birds: Western Bristlebird, Baudin's and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Black-throated Whipbird, 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.Â
Mammals: Short-beaked Echidna, Western Brush Wallaby, Tammar Wallaby, Western Grey Kangaroo, Greater Bilby, Rufous Hare Wallaby and Brush-tailed BettongÂ
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 6.30pm 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 our biggest travel day, yet we will break up the journey with many great birding stops en route. We will begin with visiting a couple of spots in the Darling Range to search for the first of the endemics, with Western Wattlebird, Western Spinebill and Gilbert's Honeyeater featuring. We continue south to Williams and make stops to try for Western Rosella, Australian Ringneck (subsp semitorquatus ‘Twenty-eight Parrot’), Elegant Parrot, Brown-headed Honeyeater (subsp leucogenys), Rufous Songlark and White-winged Triller. We will head onward to Kojonup and then to the area around Rocky Gully where we will look for Western Corella (subsp pastinator), Red-capped Parrot and Baudin's Black-Cockatoo. We hope to arrive at the beautiful tiny coastal town of Cheynes Beach in time for a first look for Southern Right Whales in the bay and Noisy Scrub-birds in the bush.
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 Black- throated Whipbird (subsp nigrogularis), White-breasted Robin, Red-winged Fairy-wren, Splendid Fairy-wren (nominate subsp splendens), Western Wattlebird, Western Spinebill, Red-eared Firetail, Southern Emu-wren (subsp westernensis), Brush Bronzewing, Brown Quail, Sooty Oystercatcher and Pacific Gull (subsp georgii). After lunch, we will visit the very scenic Waychinicup Inlet for more chances of Red-winged Fairy-wren, Red-eared Firetail, Southern Emu-wren, Gilbert's Honeyeaters, White-cheeked Honeyeater (subsp gouldi), Carnaby's & Baudin's Black-Cockatoo, Swamp Harrier, White-bellied Sea-Eagle & Greater Crested Tern. There are chances during the day for spotting Southern Brown Bandicoot (Quenda) and Southern Right Whale, plus the chance of several reptiles such as King’s Skink and Rosenberg’s (Heath) Monitor. After dinner, we will take a spotlighting trip in search of Eastern Barn Owl, 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 certain species are still being elusive, and then travel toward Porongurup NP and the Stirling Range NP where we will spend the morning looking for Emu, Hooded Plover, Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Elegant Parrots, Regent Parrot (nominate subsp anthopeplus), Red-capped Parrot, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Western Yellow Robin, Scarlet Robin, Restless Flycatcher and chances of Western Shrike-tit (now a full species in its own right) Little Eagle, Rufous Songlark, Western (Rufous) Fieldwren (subsp montanellus), Spotted Scrubwren 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 and a lovely selection of waterbirds and shorebirds. We will return in the late afternoon for our last night at Cheynes Beach.
Accommodation: Cheyne Beach (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
Today we will travel to Corackerup Nature Reserve and the Fitzgerald River NP to look for Western (Mallee) Whipbird (subsp oberon), Shy Heathwren (subps whitlocki) and Western (Rufous) Fieldwren. This is another excellent area for wildflowers. After lunch we will visit the mallee country to the south-west where we will look for Purple-gaped, Tawny-crowned & White-eared Honeyeaters, Southern Scrub-robin, White-browed Babbler, Spotted (Yellow-rumped) Pardalote (subsp xanthopyge), Blue-breasted Fairy-wren and Crested Bellbird, with chances for Banded Lapwing & Square-tailed Kite, plus more chances for Shy Heathwren, Western (Mallee) Whipbird (subsp oberon) and Painted Button-quail. There is also a chance of seeing Western Brush Wallaby. We will search for Malleefowl throughout the area, before travelling to the lovely township of Bremer Bay and spending any available time at birding sites around the coastline trying for Rock Parrot and coastal heath birds such as Southern Emu-wren.
Accommodation: Bremer Bay
Meals included: B L D
After an early breakfast, we will visit some additional sites around Bremer Bay and Fitzgerald River NP for birds such as Shy Heathwren, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-winged Triller and Purple-crowned Lorikeet before making our way north between Jerramungup and Wagin. With salt lakes, forests and further mallee heath giving us many habitat options we shall incorporate many locations depending on the birds we are yet to see. Mistletoebird, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Rufous Whistler, Weebill and Regent Parrots amongst the possibilities. We will arrive in the charming country town of Narrogin in the afternoon, hopefully with enough time to visit Fox's Lair bushland reserve for wild flowers and a good chance of Parrots and Raptors before we settle in to our close-by accommodation.
Accommodation: Narrogin (en suite rooms).
Meals included: B L D
We depart after an early breakfast for the wonderful Dryandra State Forest where we shall spend the entire day without returning to our accommodation until after the night tour. The key targets today include Bush Stone-curlew, Painted Button-quail, Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Elegant, Regent & Red-capped Parrots, Rufous Treecreeper, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Western, Yellow-rumped & Inland Thornbills, Yellow-plumed, Brown-headed, Gilbert's & White-eared Honeyeaters, White-browed Babbler, Varied Sittella (subsp pileata), Jacky Winter, Scarlet, Red-capped, Hooded & Western Yellow Robins, Restless Flycatcher and Western Shrike-tit. We will also search for Numbat throughout the day, with the best chance in the late afternoon. After an early dinner in the field, we will take a guided walk in an extensive fenced enclosure within Dryandra State Forest where the Department of Parks & Wildlife’s amazing conservation efforts at breeding a variety threatened species has been very successful. We may encounter Bilby, Boodie (Burrowing Bettong), Woylie (Brush-tailed Bettong), Mala (Rufous Hare-wallaby) and Quenda (Southern Brown Bandicoot) in the enclosure, and on our return to our accommodation we may see a variety of mammals including Brush-tailed Possum, Short-beaked Echidna, Western Brush Wallaby, Tammar Wallaby and Western Grey Kangaroo. NB. We probably will not return to our accommodation until about 22:30 this night.
Accommodation: Narrogin (en suite rooms)
Meals included: B L D
When we depart Narrogin, the locations we visit as we travel North today will depend on what we haven't seen. We have further options for Regent Parrot, Hooded Robin, Western Shrike-tit, Red-eared Firetail, Baudin's Black-Cockatoo, White-fronted Chat, Rufous Songlark, Brown Songlark, Gilbert's Honeyeater and Western Wattlebird. 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, Australian Hobby and Tawny Frogmouth. We then travel to our accommodation in Perth in late afternoon.
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
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.
