NEW! 'Grand Tour' - Queensland, Tasmania and South-eastern Australia

 

Australia is nearly impossible for the birder to 'do' thoroughly in one visit, the vast distances and logistical issues requiring a great investment of time to cover all regions of interest. With this in mind we offer the chance to join a fabulous Grand Tour combining our 'Queensland' and 'Tasmania and South East Australia' itineraries, to maximise in a single visit, your experience of the natural beauty and diverse wildlife that Australia has to offer. 

This outstanding itinerary takes us to some amazingly significant areas, many with World Heritage status. Beginning in Queensland, The Atherton Tableland is a fertile plateau which contains several small remnants of protected rainforest, classified by BirdLife International as one of Australia's Important Bird Areas, with several endemic birds and mammals. Perhaps a highlight will be our visit to The Great Barrier Reef, the largest, most spectacular coral reef system in the world. We are birding here, though giant clams, turtles and an array of colourful fish can be seen as we pass through its coral gardens. At the end of the Queensland itinerary, we transfer by internal flight from Cairns to Melbourne to join our 'South East Australia and Tasmania' tour, and enjoy a further wealth of wildlife and birding opportunities. Of particular interest to the general naturalist, we seek key mammals and marsupials as well as birds. This tour takes place in the Australian spring, with pleasant temperatures, longer days and migratory birds arriving from their northern winter grounds.

Should you choose the 'Grand Tour', there are significant price savings, as you only need one international transfer to visit both locations.

Also, we are happy to extend your holiday before or after, and arrange flights to any destination as part of your trip. To design the bespoke ANZAC holiday of a lifetime, contact our office!

HEATHERLEA PRE-FLIGHT SERVICE

Enjoy a complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Read more about our famous Pre-flight Service including car parking in the UK, VIP Lounge and destination Bird Guide here!

Day 1:      22nd November 2025                  Depart London
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we board our flight to Cairns.

Day 2:     23 November                          Arrive Cairns
We arrive in Cairns and head to our base for the next three nights. Our accommodation is situated on The Cairns Esplanade which is a renowned location for waders and other coastal species. We have some free time to settle in and explore, before meeting in the evening for a welcome dinner and orientation. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Harbourside, Cairns

Day 3:     24 November                          Cairns area
We will meet again this morning for breakfast before taking a walk along The Esplanade to look for local specialties like Varied Honeyeater, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Mangrove Robin, Torresian Kingfisher, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove and Olive-backed Sunbird. If the tide is right, we will be able to see several different shorebirds out on the extensive mudflats here, such as Far Eastern Curlew, Great Knot, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Terek Sandpiper. There should also be Gull-billed Tern, Australian Pelican, Eastern Osprey and maybe an Eastern Reef Egret or two. Nearby botanic gardens and parklands encompass fresh water lakes, mangrove line water ways and Pandanus- and Feather Palm-swamp forest, as well as beautifully manicured lawns and plantings, which are home to numerous bird species. It’s here we will look for Black Butcherbird, Cicadabird, Brown-backed Honeyeater, Australian Brush-turkey, Australasian Darter, Azure Kingfisher, Radjah Shelduck, Magpie Goose, Bush Stone-curlew, Helmeted Friarbird, Large-billed Gerygone and Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Late in the afternoon we’ll visit a local park to see whether the resident pair of Rufous Owl is in residence. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Harbourside, Cairns

Day 4:     25 November                        Great Barrier Reef
Today’s activity will involve a group tour that departs from Cairns and heads out to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef. Here we will have the opportunity to do a bit of snorkelling or just enjoy the vista that makes up this amazing natural wonder. We will also make a stop at Michaelmas Cay where there are thousands of breeding terns, noddies and boobies. We will be looking for Brown Booby, Great Crested, Sooty, Bridled, Lesser Crested, Black-naped & Roseate Terns, Common & Black Noddies, Great & Lesser Frigatebirds and a variety of shorebirds like Ruddy Turnstone, Pacific Golden Plover and Grey-tailed Tattler. Birds that are seen less often include such rarities as White-tailed & Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Masked & Red-footed Boobies. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Harbourside, Cairns

Day 5: 26 November                             Cairns to Mossman
Today we travel north along the Captain Cook Highway to the small town of Mossman, our jumping off point for our Daintree River Cruise. Mossman nestles in a patchwork of sugar cane field and backs onto steep and inaccessible rainforested mountains. Here we should get out first opportunity to look for the spectacular Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, a species that migrates south from New Guinea to breed in tropical NE Queensland over the summer. We will enjoy a boat cruise on the Daintree River to look for wildlife and enjoy the river in the later afternoon light. Here we hope to be treated to sightings of Azure & Little Kingfisher, Large-billed Gerygone, Black Bittern Pacific Baza, Varied Triller, Shining Flycatcher, Chestnut-breasted Mannikin, Brown-backed Honeyeater and Fairy Martin, as well as a chance of the rare & localised Great-billed Heron. Additional species we may see in the area include Bar-shouldered Dove, Pacific Koel, Papuan Frogmouth, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Helmeted Friarbird, Dusky Myzomela & White-breasted Woodswallow. Among the reptiles we hope to see include Saltwater Crocodile, Amethystine Python & Common Tree Snake. Accommodation: Mossman Demi View Motel.

Day 6:  27 November                         Mossman to Atheron Tablelands
This morning we climb into the mountains of the Cairns Hinterland for a change of scenery and an opportunity to encounter a new suite of species. On the way to our accommodation in a family-run rainforest lodge, we will visit open woodland habitats and tropical savannahs dotted with termite mounds, a different landscape from the rainforests on the coasts. Birds we hope to connect withtoday include Australian Bustard, Black-necked Stork, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Sulphur- crested Cockatoo, Squatter Pigeon (red-eyed race peninsulae), White-throated Honeyeater, Grey-crowned Babbler, Noisy & Little Friarbirds, White-throated Gerygone, Red-winged Parrot, Great Bowerbird, Cotton & Green Pygmy-goose, Pale-headed Rosella (blue-cheeked race adscitus), Blue-winged Kookaburra, Rainbow Bee-eater, Dollarbird, Golden-headed Cisticola and Yellow Oriole. We also have a chance of encountering the endearing Mareeba Rock-wallaby, a small hill-dwelling species restricted to this area. Agile Wallaby are frequently seen here and we will also keep a lookout for well-camouflaged Frilled Lizards, which bask on tree trunks, boulders and termite mounds. Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges,

Day 7 to Day 9: 28 November – 30 November      Atherton Tablelands
Lying between the Bellenden Ker and Herberton Ranges, the Tablelands area is known for its combination of species-rich upland rainforests and dairy farms, tropical fruit orchards and tea plantations. From our base near the volcanic crater lake of Lake Eacham, we will explore this diverse and beautiful region. With high altitude rainforest, agricultural fields, wetlands and swamps close by, we will be looking at birds like Brolga, Great Crested Grebe, Plumed Whistling-Duck, Nankeen Night-heron, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, White-necked Heron, Black- necked Stork, Buff-banded Rail, White-headed Pigeon, Pacific Baza, Spotted Harrier, Lesser Sooty Owl, the rainforest-inhabiting race lurida of Southern Boobook (a possible future spilt -Little Red Boobook), Tooth-billed Catbird, Fernwren, Bridled Honeyeater, Atherton Scrubwren, Fairy & Brown Gerygones, Mountain Thornbill, Chowchilla, Bower’s Shrike-thrush, Double- eyed Fig-Parrot (Wet Tropics race macleayi), Black-faced, Pied, Spectacled & White-eared Monarchs, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, Fan-tailed Cuckoo and Grey-headed Robin.

Surrounded by high altitude rainforest, our accommodation has a plethora of callers to the gardens and fruiting trees, and regular visitors include birds like Victoria’s Riflebird, Spotted Catbird, Barred Cuckoo-shrike, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Superb Fruit-Dove, Pale Yellow Robin, Macleay’s & Scarlet Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Red-browed Finch, Olive-backed Oriole and Eastern Koel.

Mammals in the area include Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo, Striped Possum, Sugar Glider, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Musky Rat Kangaroo, Green Ringtail Possum, Red-legged Pademelon, Agile Wallaby and Giant White-tailed Rat. Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges

Day 10: 1 December   Atherton Tablelands to Cairns
After spending our last morning in the upland forests, we will make our way back to Cairns via the region known as the Cassowary Coast to look for one of Australia’s most amazing & prehistoric-looking birds, the Southern Cassowary. If our good fortune is in, we should see at least one or two of these stately ratites on the roadside at a coastal rainforest location on our way.  Other birds that we stand a chance of seeing here are Beach Stone-curlew, Lovely Fairy-wren, Macleay’s Honeyeater, White-bellied Sea-eagle and Pheasant Coucal. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Harbourside, Cairns.

Day 11:         2 December                                  Depart Cairns 
Today we say our farewells, ending the tour where we began with one final look for waders along the Cairns Esplanade. We then head to Cairns Airport where we depart on a flight for Melbourne for the next leg of their adventure! Accommodation: Ciloms Airport Lodge.

Day 12:     3 December         Melbourne to Lorne via Werribee
This morning we will travel to the south-west of Melbourne and wend our way through the shorelines and various swamps of western Port Phillip Bay, where we’ll aim to pick up a few wetland and grassland birds like Sharp-tailed, Curlew & Marsh Sandpipers, Red-necked Stint, Red-kneed Dotterel, Black-fronted Dotterel, Red-capped Plover, Pacific Gull, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australasian Gannet, Pied, Little Pied, Great & Little Black Cormorants, Australian Pelican, Crested, Fairy & Whiskered Terns, Australian Shelduck, Red-necked Avocet, Banded & Pied Stilts, Royal & Yellow-billed Spoonbills, White-fronted Chat, Striated Fieldwren, Horsfield’s Bushlark, Brown Songlark, Australian Pipit, Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Golden-headed Cisticola, Zebra Finch, Swamp Harrier, Wedge-tailed Eagle, White-bellied Sea-eagle and Black, Brown & Peregrine Falcons. In the mid to late afternoon, we will venture onto the Great Ocean Road where we will enjoy a picturesque drive along this rugged stretch of the Victorian coastline. We overnight in a small town in the area. Accommodation: The Anchorage Lorne

Day 13:   4 December                                          Lorne
Another day in this beautiful area gives us the opportunity to venture into the Great Otway National Park, an area of cool temperate rainforest with ancient Antarctic Beech, Mountain Ash and tall tree ferns. Birds of these forests include Eastern Yellow Robin, Golden Whistler, Crimson Rosella, Superb Fairywren, White-browed Scrubwren and Satin Bowerbird. We will also visit an area of open coastal heathland where we hope to find the endemic Rufous Bristlebird and the delightful Southern Emu-wren. During the day, we’ll maintain a lookout for Koala. Accommodation: Lorne

Day 14: 5 December                                      Lorne to Halls Gap
Today we leave the coast behind us and make our way inland across the Western Volcanic Plains with their shallow salt lakes, to our destination for the next two nights, Halls gap in the Grampians. This rugged range of sandstone mountains in Victoria’s north-west rises dramatically from the Western Plains and is one of the most scenic areas in the state. Accommodation: Grampians Motel

Day 15:  6 December                                      Halls Gap
Today we have a full day to enjoy the offerings of the Grampians. Tall Eucalyptus forests, fern-lined gullies and dry woodlands are some of the habitats we will encounter as we explore the area for wildlife. In addition to the stunning vistas and waterfalls the area boasts over 200 bird species, well over 800 indigenous plant species and at least 30 mammal species. Today we are sure to enjoy a bounty of memorable sightings as the Grampians are an excellent site for a number of sought after species including Emu, Australia’s national bird, Painted Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler, Black-eared Cuckoo, Little Lorikeet, Long-billed Corella, Zebra Finch and Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Mammals we may encounter include Black and Red-necked Wallaby and Eastern Grey Kangaroo. While in the area we will enjoy a night excursion where we may encounter Brush-tailed and Ring-tailed Possum and, if we are very fortunate, Sugar Glider! Tawny Frogmouth and the impressive Powerful Owl are also possible. Accommodation: Grampians Motel

Day 16: 7 December          Halls Gap to Melbourne and fly to Hobart
Today is a travel day but if time permits, we will enjoy a brief walk before we make our way to Melbourne where we will connect with our flight to Hobart. On arrival we will settle into our hotel in Tasmania’s charming and quaint capital. After dinner, we will offer an optional night tour where we will be sure to see Brush-tailed Possum and Tasmanian Pademelon. Here we will search for Southern (Tasmanian) Bettong and Eastern-barred Bandicoot both of which originally had a south-eastern Australian distribution and now almost exclusively occur in Tasmania. Tawny Frogmouth and Southern Boobook or Morepork are also possible in the reserve. Accommodation: The Old Woolstore Hotel, Hobart

Day 17: 8 December   Hobart and drive to Eaglehawk Neck
We leave this morning to travel up the East Coast to Triabunna, where we will take the short 30-minute ferry ride across to Maria Island, an island with a rich history, a World Heritage Listed Probation Station, fossil cliffs and a great array of wildlife. On the way across to Maria Island, we shall look out for seals, dolphins, orcas and whales. Maria is a fascinating island with a wide variety of bird and mammal species. Of the mammals, we can expect to see Forester Kangaroo, Tasmanian Pademelon, Bennett’s Wallaby and Common Wombat. Maria Island also has an abundant bird assemblage, with 11 of the 12 Tasmanian endemics occurring here. We shall use our time to stroll slowly around the northern part of the island, with some outstanding scenery and the chance of seeing a large number of bird species including Cape Barren Geese, Australasian Pipit and Skylarks on the grazed grasslands and Forty-spotted Pardalote, Swift Parrot, Black Currawongs and several species of honeyeaters in the wooded areas. In the late afternoon, we will head back on the ferry. Accommodation: Lufra Hotel, Eagleneck

Day 18: 9 December      Tasman Island National Park.
Today we intend to explore the wonderful Tasman Peninsula. We will visit some great birding locations within the National Parks which are also incredible geological formations such as The Blowhole at Eaglehawk Neck, the stunning Tasman Arch and the Devils Kitchen viewpoint. We shall venture out the Remarkable Cave with stunning views out to Cape Raoul and to the Salt River Coal Mine where the convicts established Tasmania's first operational mine, and in now a historic site where many of the walls of the buildings and cells still stand. All these sites will give us a lovely selection of birds, with endemic birds such as Green Rosella, Yellow-throated Honeyeater and Yellow Wattlebird likely in some of the forested sites. Other beautiful birds such as Flame Robin, Striated Pardalote, Golden Whistler, Pallid Cuckoo and Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike are all possible on the Peninsula at this time of year. Returning to our accommodation late in the afternoon you have a chance in your free time to walk down to the Tessellated Pavements or visit the Dog Line historic site that stretches across the Neck. Accommodation: Lufra Hotel.

Day 19: 10 December             Hobart and Bruny Island
Today we have a further chance to explore the Tasman Peninsula before heading back towards Hobart, visiting some wetlands and coastal locations enroute such as Marion’s Bay and Orielton Lagoon for a variety of waders and shorebirds. We then make our way to Bruny Island, our home for the next few days of our adventure!

Bruny Island, situated about 40km south of Hobart, is separated from the Tasmanian mainland by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and accessed by a vehicle ferry. The ferry trip takes approximately 15 minutes where we will enjoy some wonderful scenery and possibly Little Penguins or dolphins alongside the ferry. This afternoon we will visit Bruny’s southern coastline to view the second oldest lighthouse in Australia where we will search for species such as Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Olive Whistler and Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo. Here we also have a chance to see the Tasmanian subspecies of Short-beaked Echidna, one of Australia’s two egg-laying mammal (montreme) species. On one of our two nights on Bruny, (depending on best weather conditions), we will visit the Little Penguin and Short-tailed Shearwater colony to view these species at their burrows. We will also take an evening drive in search of Tasmania’s nocturnal marsupials. We are likely to see some species which are now restricted to Tasmania including Eastern Quoll (a relative of the Tasmanian Devil) and Tasmanian Pademelon. Bennett’s Wallaby and Brush-tailed Possum are also common here and rare golden/white colour morphs of both these species can sometimes be found. If we are lucky, we may also see Long-nosed Potoroo and some nocturnal birds like Tawny Frogmouth and Tasmanian Boobook. Accommodation: Explorers Cottages, Bruny Island.

Day 20:  11 December                                             Bruny Island
Today we have a full day to explore Bruny Island, a privately owned 1,500-acre wildlife sanctuary which is home to all 12 Tasmanian endemic bird species, including one of the largest known colonies of endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote. The variety of habitats found on the island provide a whole host of birding opportunities; from coastal beaches, where there is a possibility of finding Hooded Plover, Australian Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, to rainforest areas where we will search for the endemic Scrubtit and Tasmanian Thornbill. We will also make an effort this day to find all the remaining Tasmanian endemics with Strong-billed Honeyeater and Dusky Robin likely highlights. Several hides and platforms have also been built around the property which provide close views of some very special species, including a variety of raptors. If we are fortunate, we may encounter the striking white morph Grey Goshawk that is regularly seen on the Inala Reserve, along with chances of White-bellied Sea-eagle, Brown Goshawk, Brown Falcon and if we are lucky, Wedge-tailed Eagle. We will also take the time to enjoy some interesting flora, including Tasmanian endemic species and relics from the ancient Gondwana Supercontinent. Tonight, we will enjoy another night trip for the chance to see a range of Tasmania’s nocturnal marsupials (including Eastern Quoll and “normal” as well as white morph Red-necked Wallaby and Brush-tailed Possums) as well as searching again for Tawny Frogmouth and Morepork (formerly Southern Boobook). Accommodation: Explorers Cottages, Bruny Island.

Day 21:  12 December                           Bruny Island to Mount Field
Today we depart Bruny Island and spend a bit of time exploring the reserves in the Hobart area including kunanyi (Mount Wellington). This mountain, at a height of 1,270m (around 4,150 feet), affords spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscape on a clear day. Here we will also take a walk through a fern glade with towering tree ferns where we have another chance to see the endemic and rather shy Scrubtit as well as Tasmanian Scrubwren and the stunning Pink Robin. Further endemic highlights we will look for today include Green Rosella, Tasmanian Native Hen, Black Currawong and Yellow Wattlebird. We will also visit a lagoon for the chance to see a variety of waterbirds like Australasian Shoveler, Australian Shelduck and Black-fronted Dotterel before heading to our accommodation for tonight near Mt Field National Park. Accommodation: Curringa Farm, Hamilton

Day 22:  13 December          Mt Field area to Cradle Mountain
This morning we will leave the Mt Field area and travel towards Cradle Mountain National Park. While this will mainly be a day of travel, we will enjoy some lovely scenery and stop en route to bird and stretch our legs. We will arrive at our accommodation close to Cradle Mountain in the late afternoon. After we have settled into our accommodation, we will enjoy an exclusive twilight tour of the local wildlife conservation sanctuary, home primarily to Tasmanian devils, as well as Spotted-tail and Eastern quolls. Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel

Day 23:  14 December                                      Cradle Mountain area
Today we have a full day to explore Cradle Mountain and parts of northern Tasmania. This should provide a good chance to see more of Tasmania’s endemic bird species which we may have missed previously, such as Black Currawong and Yellow Wattlebird. n addition to the great birding, we can view endemic Tasmanian rainforest flora with ancient Gondwanan connections such as Pencil and King Billy Pines, Myrtle and the famous Fagus (Nothofagus gunnii) which is Tasmania’s only deciduous tree. This is also a good area to view Common Wombat and if we are fortunate, we may see Platypus. Tonight, after dinner, there will be the option for a spotlighting tour to try to find some of Tasmania’s nocturnal animals in their natural habitat. Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel.

Day 24:  15 December      Cradle Mountain area to North Coast
We depart the Cradle Mountain area after breakfasting this morning and travel towards Tasmania’s northern coastline. En route we will stop at some additional places where Platypus are seen on a regular basis as well as visiting Narawntapu National Park. The park boasts some impressive marsupial lawns (well grazed areas frequented by marsupials) that hold some of the highest densities of Common Wombat, Tasmanian Pademelon and Red-necked Wallaby in Tasmania and is often referred to as the “Serengeti of Tasmania”. Eastern Grey (Forester) Kangaroos can usually be seen feeding during the late afternoon. After dinner there will be another optional night tour to search for Southern Brown Bandicoot and Long-nosed Potoroo. Accommodation: Hawley House, Port Sorell

Day 25:   16 December                     North Coast to Launceston, Flight to Melbourne, return flight to UK.
If time permits we will visit some wetlands en route where there is a chance to view a number of wetland species including Purple Swamphen, Australian Shelduck, Black-fronted Dotterel and the retiring Little Grassbird. We travel to Launceston after breakfast where we will transfer to our flight home, landing in the UK on Day 26, Wednesday 17th December 2025.

 What's included in your holiday price:

• scheduled return flights from London - Melbourne. Domestic flights from Cairns - Melbourne, Melbourne- Hobart, Launceston - Melbourne, Airport taxes and transfers.
• ground and boat transportation as outlined.
• 22 nights full-board accommodation, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus 2 overnight flights.
• the services of your leaders.
• field trips as specified.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read more....

Free Field Guide! - 'Birds of Australia' by Graham Pizzey is included in your holiday price. One copy per room book.

What's not included in your holiday price:

• personal insurance, drinks and other personal expenses
• visa costs 
• optional tips to local guides/other staff
•  any other costs not specified as 'included'.

More holiday information:

Flights: Many of our guests may choose to spend more time in Australia, heading out before the trip starts and meeting us at the airport or remaining behind after to visit other parts of Australia. We can arrange flights accordingly, please speak to the office for more details.
Visas - Visas are required for all travel to Australia.The requirements for these have been updated in recent years. British citizens can obtain the following types of electronic visitor visa: An online e-Visitor visa direct from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship.There is no visa application charge or service fee for this.
Meals and drinks: Breakfast generally consists of a continental style breakfast with cereal, fruit and yoghurt and tea/coffee. 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.
Weather: The tour runs in late spring, early summer. Temperatures at this time of year can vary and in Queensland particularly, it will be hot and humid with temperatures ranging from 17c at night to 30c during the day. For the other sections of the tour, you can expect comfortable conditions on most days with average daytime temperatures in the mid-twenties. In both Victoria and Tasmania we will be spending time in high country where, in the evening and early morning, minimum temperatures may drop below 10°. On the pelagic we can expect cold conditions due to cold ocean temperatures and wind chill. We may encounter rain although this is typically not a wet time of year (most rainfall occurs in the winter months). Average monthly rainfall in November and December in the region is well below 50mm.
Daily Routine: While this is not a fast paced tour, we will take advantage of the heightened birding and wildlife activity of early mornings and afternoons and enjoy some evening spotlighting excursions. On travel days we will do our best to break longer journeys with comfort stops. Most days will start with an early breakfast followed by an excursion and then a picnic lunch to maximise time in the field. We typically then enjoy an afternoon excursion and have a bit of downtime in the late afternoon/early evening before dinner. Many excursions are optional.
Biting insects and venomous creatures: Although biting insects are not regularly encountered on this tour, mosquitoes (malaria free) may be present at certain places. Wasps and bees occur but are generally not a nuisance. There are a number of species of biting ants (jack jumpers and inchmen) that can inflict painful bites however incidents with these insects on tour are extremely unusual. Venomous creatures are very seldom encountered on this tour. Tasmania has only three species of snake (all venomous) but, as with most snake species, they are not aggressive and seldom seen.
Walking: There is no demanding walking on this tour with the birding/wildlife locations easily accessible on foot. Guests can expect comfortable walking at the pace of a stroll and while walking is mostly on flattish trails and dirt tracks there will be the occasional hill and uneven terrain.
Accommodation: Accommodation is chosen for its proximity to good wildlife viewing areas and are generally in comfortable cabin/bed-and-breakfast type establishments. At most sites we accommodate all guests in en suite facilities but whilst on Bruny Island there may be shared bathrooms. These sites offer us the best chances of the endemic wildlife in the area so we wouldn't want to miss them!