Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour Leader: Stuart Elsom
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change* Flight cost: Linked tour = estimated Perth to Cairns fair.
Tour price (Per person): AUD5,100 * USD3,246 * GBP2,562 * EUR3,099
Can be linked with: Australia - East Coast 2026
The south-west corner of Western Australia is an ecological hotspot, hosting a remarkably high diversity of endemic plant, animal and bird species. Our short extension concentrates on the region’s endemic species and commences in the state’s capital of Perth, situated alongside the Swan River. We will explore a range of habitats, from the eucalypt forests of the Darling Ranges to the extensive woodlands of Dryandra, the Stirling Ranges, semi-arid mallee woodlands and the rugged windswept heathlands of the south coast. In six days, we hope to encounter 16 of the 17 currently recognised south-western Australian endemic bird species, the unattainable sixteenth species being the recently split, critically endangered and impossible-to-see Western Ground Parrot. Among these 16 ultra-localised species, top of the wish list will be the area’s 3 “megas”: Noisy Scrubbird, Western Bristlebird and Black-throated Whipbird. We also hope to encounter several fabulous mammals such as Echidna, the beautiful but critically endangered Numbat (Banded Anteater), Western Grey Kangaroo, Black-gloved Brush Wallaby, Northern Brown Bandicoot and Southern Right Whale.
Please note that a Rockjumper leader will not accompany this tour unless a minimum of 9 participants are signed up. In the case of insufficient sign-ups, professional and experienced local guides will lead independent sectors of the tour instead.
Emu; Pink-eared, Musk & Blue-billed Ducks; Wedge-tailed Eagle; Painted Buttonquail; Hooded Plover; Banded Lapwing; Pacific Gull; Red-tailed, Short-billed & Long-billed Black Cockatoos; Western Corella; Western Rosella; Elegant, Red-capped & Rock Parrots; Western Ringneck; Noisy Scrubbird; Rufous Treecreeper; Red-winged; Splendid & Blue-breasted Fairywrens; Southern Emu-wren; Western Fieldwren; Western Wattlebird; Western Bristlebird; White-cheeked & Swan River Honeyeaters; Western Spinebill; Scarlet, Red-capped, Western Yellow & White-breasted Robins; Western Whipbird; Crested Shrike-Tit; Red-eared Firetail; Western Thornbill.
Quenda; Banded Anteater; Western Grey Kangaroo; Black-gloved Brush & Tammar Wallabies; Southern Right Whale; Numbat (small chance); Quokka.
Various Eucalyptus woodlands, coastal scrub, wetlands
Warm to hot and cooler at night
1 - 8 with local leader, 9 - 12 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local leader
Moderate. Suitable for most birding / wildlife interest levels. Several long travel days and full days in the field.
Comfortable.
Moderate. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions, but several require dedication, patience and effort.
120-150
Good to very good.
Erik Forsyth went above and beyond to give personal attention to each participant. How does he do it? Lack of sleep and a packed itinerary would challenge the best guide, but he seems to always be positive and light-hearted. Cracking dry jokes and comments – loved it!
Erik Forsyth is a wonderful guy, so enjoyable to travel with. He is knowledgeable, down to earth and quite humorous! We did New Zealand with Erik a few years ago and would definitely go with him on other Rockjumper Trips in the future. Also, we would recommend Erik to others considering him as their leader.
We traveled through strangely beautiful and interesting areas and were able to get great birds – almost all the endemics of the area. Angus was good at finding the birds which often involved traveling to very remote and isolated places for 1 or 2 species. I love Australian birds – beautiful, unique, often loud and delightful. The Lake Argyle cruise was fabulous and the Yellow River cruise was a great break from riding in the van and seeing water birds from a distance.
Erik Forsyth did a great job, and both his remarkable knowledge and his unflagging good humor were indispensable; I look forward to traveling with him again in the future.
It was a fantastic trip. Very satisfying and Angus did a great job : he really showed us the birds and took great care that we had everything we wanted and were able to enjoy our tour.
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