Birding in Australia

This Page introduce you main birding spots in Australia

ATTENTION: Although I basically introduce easily approachable or well-maintained spots where you do not need to care the danger, appropriate preparation is needed if you visit remote or desert country.

‚PDBirding spots

NEW@SOUTH WALES
Centennial Park

@Near Sydney. Public bus service is available from the Sydney central station or Town Hall area. Tawny Frogmouth, Musk Duck, Red-rumped Parrot, Rufous Night Heron... etc. Avoid weekend or public holiday while many picnickers visit.

Home@Bush Bay

@Catch a train of suburban line (toward west) from the Central station and get off at the Concord West. Approx. 15 minutes walk from the station. Although you can enjoy birding throughout the year, summer is the best season. Shorebirds, Chestnut Teal, Royal Spoonbill, Brown Honeyeater, White-fronted Chat... Casual meals are available inside the park.

Royal National Park / Lady Carington Drive

@Get off at Loftus station (south coast line), walk along a tramway about 40 minutes. Car is much better to access to the park (entrance fee A$ 7.50). A Kiosk is located in the park but generally expensive. You may be better to carry your meal. Around the car park, I heard that security is a bit problem. So, better to carry your property with you. Avoid the weekend or public & school holidays. Grey Goshawk, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Topknot Pigeon, Wonga Pigeon, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Rainbow Lorikeet, Crimson Rosella, Azure Kingfisher, Rose Robin (winter), Eastern Yellow Robin, Black-faced Monarch (summer), Leaden Flycatcher (summer), Rufous Fantail, Variegated Fairy-wren, White-throated Treecreeper, Lewin's Honeyeater, Red-browed Finch, Satin Bowerbird, Green Catbird, Superb Lyrebird....

Curra Mores

@No public transportation. Heath birds are mainly seen. In winter, albatrosses are sometimes seen. Main species are: Black-browed Albatross (winter), White-bellied Sea-eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Brush Bronzewing, Crimson Rosella, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Southern Emu-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Red Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater, Tawny-crowned Honeyeater and Beautiful Firetail.

Mt. Keira Ring

@Although walkable from downtown Wollongong, it is better to go up to the summit by a car. Grey Goshawk (white morph), Australian King Parrot, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Yellow Robin, Black-faced Monarch (summer), Rufous Fantail (summer), Crested Shrike-tit, Logrunner, Red-browed Treecreeper, Satin Bowerbird, Green Cartbird, Superb Lyrebird....

Barren Ground

@Drive southward from Wollongong, turn right at Albion Park and pass through Macquarie Pass. From Robertson, follow the road toward Jamberoo for another 20 minutes. The highlight here is Ground Parrot. Others are Common Bronzewing, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Eastern Bristlebird, Flame Robin, Golden Whistler, Rufous Whistler, Grey Shrike-thrush, Southern Emu-wren, Variegated Fairy-wren, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Rock Warbler, Pilotbird, White-naped Honeyeater, New Holland Honeyeater, Eastern Spinebill, Beautiful Firetail and Superb Lyrebird.

Capertee Valley

@Follow the Great Western Highway to Lithgow. After passing through Lithgow, follow a road toward Capertee. In the town of Capertee, turn right for the road to Glen Davis. The road is half unsealed, though it is normally no problem to drive by 2WD car.
@Birding along the road. Wedge-tailed Eagle, Common Bronzewing, Wonga Pigeon, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Little Lorikeet, Swift Parrot (winter), Turquoise Parrot, Shining Bronze-cuckoo, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike,Red-capped Robin (winter), Flame Robin (winter), Scarlet Robin (winter), Hooded Robin, Jacky Winter, Spotted Quail-thrush, Red-browed Treecreeper, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater (summer), Diamond Firetail, Double-barred Finch, Zebra Finch, Plum-headed Finch (summer), Dusky Woodswallow (summer)

Back Yamma State Forest

@Approachable from both Parkes and Forbes. However, the access is probably easier from Parkes. Drive a road toward Eugowra about 15km. Find a sign board of "Back Yamma East" for turning right. The road is unsealed and is probably inaccessible by 2WD after heavy downpour. Summer is more attractive while winter is better to check robins. Main species are Painted Button-quail, Common Bronzewing, Peaceful Dove, Turquoise Parrot, Rainbow Bee-eater (summer), Red-backed Kingfisher, Red-capped Robin, Scarlet Robin (winter), Gilbert's Whistler, White-browed Babbler, Speckled Warbler, Western Gerygone, Southern Whiteface, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Diamond Firetail and Dusky Woodswallow.

Barrington Tops National Park

@Follow the road toward Gloucester from Scone. Turn left after driving approx. 30km. The road is changed to an unsealed and steep road which passes several streams. (After the heavy downpour, the road should be inaccessible.) This area is the southern limited range of several sub-tropical species, such as Wompoo Fruit-dove, Noisy Pitta and ParadiseRilfebird. Others are Topknot Pigeon, Glossy Black-cockatoo, Rose Robin (summer), Scarlet Robin (summer), Flame Robin (summer), Rufous Scrub-bird, Satin Bowerbird and Regent Bowerbird. Try spot lighting for Sooty Owl and Powerful Owl.

QUEENSLAND
Brisbane Forest Park @One of the best birding spots for Brisbane residents. Drive up about 30 minutes from downtown Brisbane. Although there are several national parks and forest parks inside the park, Miala National Park is the best birding spot. While some of the forest species are summer visitor, early summer is the best season. Grey Goshawk (check at outlook points), Brush-turkey, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Sooty Owl (uncommon), Southern Boobook, Powerful Owl, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Tawny Frogmouth, Marbled Frogmouth (uncommon), Noisy Pitta, Eastern Yellow Robin, Pale Yellow Robin, Rufous Fantail (summer), Logrunner, Green Catbird, Regent Bowerbird and Satin Bowerbird.
Lytton Drive toward Fisherman Island. Park when you see mangrove or tidal flat. Summer is probably the best season while hundreds of shorebird roost or feed. Check here for Asiatic Dowitcher. Other birds are Brahminy Kite, Forest Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Tawny Grassbird, Mangrove Gerygone, Magrove Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater....
Lamington National Park, Mt. O'Reilley's

@From Brisbane, drive toward Beaudesert. In the town of Beaudesert, turn left to Canungra. In Canungra, follow the signboard "Mt. O'Reilley's". The last approach to the national park is very narrow and steep. At Mt. O'Reilley's, there are big parking space, a gift shop with restaurant and also a guest house (comfortable with three meals but is expensive!! AS$ 250-). Avoid from late summer to autumn while less bird is seen. Late winter to early summer is probably the best season to visit. Major species are Wonga Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo, Australian King Parrot, Sooty Owl, Marbled Frogmouth, Noisy Pitta, Rufous Scrubbird, Rose Robin (summer), Pale Yellow Robin, Olive Whistler, Black-faced Monarch (summer), Logrunner, Green Catbird, Satin Bowerbird, Regent Bowerbird, Paradise Riflebird and Albert's Lyrebird.

Giraween National Park

@About 200km southwest of Brisbane. Follow the New England HWY toward south. After passing through Ballandean (about 5km), turn left when you find a sign post of the national park. As an option route, you can access from Stanthorpe via Storm King Dam. Although the road is partially unsealed, the condition is not bad. Avoid weekend because of picnickers and hikers. Australian King Parrot, Turquoise Parrot, Scarlet Robin (winter), Flame Robin (winter), Restless Flycatcher, Spotted Quail-thrush, White-naped Honeyeater, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Diamond Firetail and Satin Bowerbird.

Ravensbourne National Park

@Approachable from via Toowoomba or Esk from Brisbane. A small (only 100ha!) national park. The small national park used to be a famous spot for Black-breasted Button-quail but has not been seen recently. Emerald Dove, Wonga Pigeon, White-headed Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Glossy Black-cockatoo, Rainbow Bee-eater, Southern Boobook, Noisy Pitta, Rose Robin,Crested Shrike-tit, Spectacled Monarch (summer), Black-faced Monarch (summer), Variegated Fairy-wren, Varied Sittella, Green Catbird, Satin Bowerbird and ParadiseRiflebird.

around Eulo (Eulo Bore)

@Approx. 800km west from Brisbane in southwestern Queenland. From Cunnuamulla, drive toward Eulo. Park along the road when mulga bush land occurs. Emu, Black Falcon, Diamond Dove, Little Corella, Pink Cockatoo, Mallee Ringneck, Bluebonnet, Bourke's Parrot, Pallid Cuckoo, Red-backed Kingfisher, White-winged Triller, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, Hall's Babbler, White-winged Fairy-wren, White-browed Treecreeper, Singing Honeyeater, Crimson Chat, Masked Woodswallow and Spotted Bowerbird.

around Mt. Isa

@Several birding spots are located near Mt. Isa. Those are Lake Moondarra and Mica Creek. Although some of the road are unsealed, driving by conventional vehicle will not cause any trouble. Check for grasswrens any spinifex bush. Black -breasted Buzzard, Australian Pratincole, Flock Bronzewing, Spinifex Pigeon, Diamond Dove, "Cloncurry Parrot" (Mallee Ringneck), Red-winged Parrot, Crested Bellbird, Dusky Grasswren, Carpentarian Grasswren, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Grey-headed Honeyeater, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Rufous-throated Honeyeater, Red-browed Pardalote, Painted Finch, Pictorella Mannikin and Great Bowerbird.

Townsville Common

Located in east of the Townsville airport.@Wet season seems better than dry season (I have not visited there in the wet season.) Black-necked Stork, Brolga, Radjah Shelduck, Magpie Goose, Cotton Pygmy-goose, Bush Thick-knee, Brown Quail, Pheasant Coucal, Varied Triller, Leaden Flycatcher, Yellow Honeyeater and Olive-backed Sunbird.

Paluma

Drive Bruce Highway northward about 70km. Turn off for the road to Paluma. The road is narrow and winding. Try birding in the rainforest and the forest edge. After birding, you should drop in Ivy's Cottage for seeing birds on your hands! Forest Kingfisher, Sacred Kingfisher, Lesser Sooty Owl, Grey-headed Robin, Pale Yellow Robin, Spectacled Monarch, Black-faced Monarch, White-eared Monarch, Chowchilla, White-cheeked Honeyeater, Spotted Catbird, Golden Bowerbird and Bower's Shrike-thrush.

Lake Eacham National Park From Cairns, drive southward to Edmonton & Gordonvale, then pass through Great Dividing range. On the way, stop at Lake Barrine for brief walk in the rainforest trail. At the Lake Eacham National Park, there is a loop trail where you can see forest birds. Avoid weekend because of many picnickers. Major species are Grey-headed Robin, Pied Monarch, Spotted Catbird, Tooth-billed Bowerbird and Victoria's Riflebird.
around

@100 km northwest of Cairns via Mossman. Kingfisher Park is a birder's paradise where you can see many rainforest birds without moving. The Kingfisher Park also gives you information of birding around the area. Mt. Lewis is located about 12km from there. The road condition is pretty rough and makes you difficult to approach in the wet season. The summit is a one of the few spots for Blue-faced Parrot Finch. Others are Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Bush Thick-knee, Superb Fruit-dove, Emerald Dove, Bar-shouldered Dove, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher (summer), Lesser Sooty Owl, Barking Owl, Pale Yellow Robin, Little Shrike-thrush, Spectacled Monarch, Atherton Scrubwren, Fernwren, Chowchilla, Bridled Honeyeater, Graceful Honeyeater, Yellow Honeyater, Dusky Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Metalic Starling, Spotted Catbird, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Golden Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird and Victoria's Riflebird.

Northern Territory
East Point Reserve

A small park, located suburb of Darwin. Although the park is not so large, monsoon forest birds are seen in the park while shorebirds and mangrove birds are also seen. Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Beach Thick-knee, Little Curlew (summer), Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Pied Imperial Pigeon, Collared Kingfisher, Rainbow Pitta, Rufous-banded Honeyeater, Red-headed Honeyeater and White-breasted Woodswallow.@

Fog Dam About 60km from Darwin along the Kakadu Highway. Dry season is better. Black-necked Stork, Brolga, Pied Heron, Radjah Shelduck, Magpie Goose, Wandering Whistling-duck, Green Pygmy-goose, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Baillon's Crake, White-browed Crake, Comb-crested Jacana, Australian Pratincole, Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Forest Kingfisher, Red-backed Kingfisher, Rainbow Pitta, Grey Whistler, Shining Flycatcher, Broad-billed Flycatcher, Northern Fantail, Large-billed Gerygone, Green-backed Gerygone, Crimson Finch, Long-tailed Finch, Masked Finch, Yellow-rumped Mannikin and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin.
Kakadu National Park A vast national park which requests you for spending about a week. Major birding points are Waterfall Creek Nature Park, Cooinda, Jabiru, Ubiru, Nohrangie Rock and so on. Some of the roads in the national park are closed in the wet season. Black-necked Stork, Brolga, Pied Heron, Glossy Ibis, Radjah Shelduck, Wandering Whistling-duck, Black-breasted Buzzard, Australian Great Bustard, Partridge Pigeon, Chetnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, Banded Fruit-dove, Red-tailed Black-cockatoo, Varied Lorikeet, Northern Rosella, Blue-winged Kookaburra, White-winged Triller, White-browed Robin, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, White-throated Grasswren, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Silver-crowned Friarbird, White-lined Honeyeater, Crimson Finch, Masked Finch and Great Bowerbird.
Nitmiluk National Park: Edith Falls

Drive northward about 40km and turn right for another 20km to the camp ground of Nitmiluk National Park. Several walking trails which show mostly same species with Kakadu. Varied Lorikeet, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Azure Kingfisher, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Little Shrike-thrush, Shining Flycatcher, Bar-breasted Honeyeater, Banded Honeyeater, Crimson Finch, Masked Finch and Little Woodswallow.

Western Victoria
Hattah/Kulkyne National Park The easiest access is from Hattah, approx. 35km north of Ouyen. Most of the roads in the national park is unsealed and is not accessible after heavy downpour. In summer, it is very hot while few birds call in winter. Major species of birds are Emu, Black-breasted Buzzard, Malleefowl, Black-tailed Native-hen, Inland Dotterel, Pink Cockatoo, Regent Parrot, Yellow Rosella, Mulga Parrot, Bluebonnet, Red-capped Robin, Hooded Robin, Southern Scrub-robin, Gilbert's Whistler, Red-lored Whistler, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Mallee Emu-wren, Splendid Fairy-wren, Striated Grasswren, Shy Heathwren, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater and White-browed Woodswallow.
Wyperfeld National Park About 42km from Hopetoun. Road to the national park is sealed but narrow. Birds in the national park is mostly same with above.
South Australia
Newland Head Conservation Park About 20km south from Victor Harbour. Turn left when you find a signboard. Mainly heath bird is seen while it is a good spot for Hooded Plover. Hooded Plover, Black-browed Albatross (winter), Brush Bronzewing, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Rock Parrot and Singing Honeyeater.
Parra Wirra Recreation Park Better to check a direction while road sign is not friendly around the area. Follow the road toward Gowler. Emu, Brush Bronzewing, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, "Adelaide Rosella" (Crimson Rosella), Scarlet Robin, White-naped Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Crescent Honeyeater and Diamond Firetail
Lake Gillies Conservation Park About 120km west of Port Augusta on the Eyre Highway. Park at a parking space on the highway for birding in the mallee bush. Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Port Lincoln Ringneck, Western Yellow Robin, Crested Bellbird, "Turquoise Fairy-wren" (Splendid Fairy-wrenj, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Rufous Treecreeper, Purple-gaped Honeyeater and White-fronted Honeyeater.
Lyndhurst Desert birds. Follow the unsealed road, Strzelecki Track for searching Thick-billed Grasswren and Chestnut-breasted Whiteface. Emu, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Inland Dotterel, Banded Lapwing, Chirupping Wedgebill, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, White-winged Fairy-wren, Thick-billed Grasswren, Rufous Fieldwren, Redthroat, Chestnut-breasted Whiteface, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Singing Honeyeater and Black-faced Woodswallow.


Urban and suburban birds Rainforest birds
Woodland birds Mallee and desert birds
Savannah birds Waterbirds in Australia
Honeyeaters in Australia Birding in Australia

BACK TO AUSTRALIAN BIRDS
BACK TO MENU

inserted by FC2 system