04 Jun 2028 - 17 Jun 2028 (14 days)
AUD13,600 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour Leader: Tyler Davis
Tour Price (Per person): AUD13,600 (USD9,280 * GBP7,207)
Single Supplement: AUD2,100 (USD1,433 * GBP1,113)
Flight costs: AUD290 (USD198 * GBP154)
Pricing notes : *All prices are estimated, and dates may change*
03 Jun 2029 - 16 Jun 2029 (14 days)
AUD14,200 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Local Leader
Tour Leader: Tyler Davis
Tour Price (Per person): AUD14,200 (USD9,689 * GBP7,525)
Single Supplement: AUD2,300 (USD1,569 * GBP1,219)
Flight costs: AUD320 (USD218 * GBP170)
Pricing notes : *All prices are estimated, and dates may change*
Australia is a vast continent harbouring many remarkable endemic birds and bizarre wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This relaxed-paced journey focuses on two of the most rewarding and varied corners of south-eastern Australia: the sandstone ranges, mallee woodlands, riverine plains and box-ironbark forests of Victoria, followed by the cool forests, alpine country and wild coastlines of Tasmania. It has been designed for travellers who want a rewarding Australian bird and wildlife experience without the intensity or long target-list pressure of a more conventional birding tour.
Beginning in Melbourne, we travel west to the dramatic landscapes of Grampians National Park (part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape), before continuing through the Wimmera wheatbelt to Ouyen and the superb mallee habitats of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park. We then cross the Murray River to Deniliquin and the Hay Plain for one of Australia's most extraordinary birds, the critically endangered Plains-wanderer. Returning through Bendigo's historic goldfields and box-ironbark country, we’ll search for a multitude of distinctive dry-country wildlife such as Emu, Gang-gang and Pink Cockatoos, Regent Parrot, Australian Ringneck, Bluebonnet, Splendid and White-winged Fairywrens, Southern Whiteface, Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbills, Red-capped Robin, Gilbert's Whistler, Shy Heathwren, Painted Honeyeater, Musk and Purple-crowned Lorikeets, Red and Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Koala and Short-beaked Echidna. This first section also offers a fine sense of rural Australia, from small wheatbelt towns and river red gum country to gold-rush architecture, country roads and wide inland skies.
The tour then continues to Tasmania, where Mount Field National Park, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary and Bruny Island provide a gentle but rich introduction to the island's endemic birds and mammals. Highlights include Forty-spotted Pardalote, Scrubtit, Tasmanian Nativehen, Green Rosella, Yellow Wattlebird, Pink Robin, Platypus, Common Wombat, Eastern Quoll, Tasmanian Pademelon and Bennett's Wallaby. Bruny Island is especially important, offering excellent chances for Tasmania's special birds in a setting of coastal scenery, forest, gardens and private conservation land.
Plains-wanderer; Forty-spotted Pardalote; Scrubtit; Tasmanian Nativehen; Green Rosella; Yellow Wattlebird; Strong-billed Honeyeater; Black-headed Honeyeater; Yellow-throated Honeyeater; Tasmanian Scrubwren; Tasmanian Thornbill; Black Currawong; Pink Robin; Dusky Robin; Olive Whistler; Emu; Gang-gang Cockatoo; Pink Cockatoo; Regent Parrot; Australian Ringneck; Eastern Bluebonnet; Superb Parrot; Musk Lorikeet; Purple-crowned Lorikeet; Splendid Fairywren; White-winged Fairywren; Southern Whiteface; Chestnut-rumped Thornbill; Inland Thornbill; Red-capped Robin; Gilbert’s Whistler; Shy Heathwren; Southern Scrub Robin; Crested Bellbird; Chestnut-crowned Babbler; Painted Honeyeater; Black Falcon; Australian Pratincole; Hooded Plover; Pacific Gull
Platypus; Short-beaked Echidna; Koala; Common Wombat; Tasmanian Devil; Eastern Quoll; Spotted-tailed Quoll; Tasmanian Pademelon; Bennett’s Wallaby; Red-necked Wallaby; Eastern Grey Kangaroo; Red Kangaroo; Western Grey Kangaroo; Black Wallaby; Common Brushtail Possum; Common Ringtail Possum; Sugar Glider; Fat-tailed Dunnart; Long-nosed Bandicoot; Australian Fur Seal
sandstone ranges, dry eucalypt woodland, mallee, River Red Gum riverine country, open grasslands, box-ironbark forest, Tasmanian temperate rainforest, alpine moorland, fern gullies, coastal heath and beaches.
cool, fresh winter conditions across south-eastern Australia, with generally crisp, drier weather through inland Victoria and the Riverina, and atmospheric cooler conditions in Tasmania that suit forest, waterfall and coastal scenery particularly well.
1 - 8 with Local Leader / 9 - 12 with RJ Leader & Local Leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Easy to Moderate. Comfortable multi-night stays, some moderate travel days, and one late-night Plains-wanderer excursion. Our Relaxed series of tours are designed to focus on having an enjoyable holiday with a bird and wildlife focus. Where possible; we have reduced or removed long drives, single night stays and poor/rustic accommodation. We have also sought to reduce or remove difficult hikes, narrow/muddy trails and otherwise oppressive environmental conditions. Early starts and night birding are mostly optional, and we will not spend much time searching for difficult and/or skulking species. These tours are not suitable for hardcore birders and listers, or dedicated photographers.
Comfortable city hotels, regional motels and lodge/cottage-style accommodation. Bruny Island accommodation may have limited rooming arrangements.
Easy to Moderate. Most birding is in open woodland, mallee, wetlands, roadsides, reserves & lodge-style grounds. Some mallee and Tasmanian species require patience, and Plains-wanderer can be tricky.
dramatic Grampians scenery, quiet rural towns, Bendigo’s gold-rush architecture, Hobart and kunanyi/Mount Wellington views, Mount Field waterfalls and tall forests, Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, Bruny Island’s wild coastal landscapes and Inala’s Jurassic Garden.
Good to very good for landscapes, kangaroos, parrots, waterbirds, Tasmanian endemics and larger mammals.
I have waited a while before responding. Firstly I should like to say this was one of the best birding trips I have ever been on.(20+ and counting) Before I went I was concerned that 12 clients were too many. However Greg worked extremely hard with Hu and Richard to try to get everyone on every bird. He quickly summed up our respective birding abilities and responded to that with the help he provided. Thankfully there were very few 'narrow jungle paths' where the number inevitably restricted opportunities. I particularly appreciated the regular ebird lists which left me more time to concentrate on the actual birds and not scribbling in my notebook.
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.
Local guide Cat was top notch. Main guide Stuart also excellent. Well planned itinerary to capture the great bulk of the birds. Both guides worked very diligently to make sure everyone saw all the species. Overall fabulous first leg of my three legged trip here in Australia.
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.
Glen was excellent at finding the birds and keeping track of who had not yet seen specific birds. By the end of the tour there were very few birds not seen by all in the group.
Australia, New Zealand & New Caledonia - Bird Families of Australasia 2025 - November 2025
Australia - Tasmania Extension 2025 - October 2025
Australia - East Coast 2025 - September 2025
Australia - Tailormade (Southwest Extension) 2025 - September 2025
Australia - Kakadu & the Top End 2025 - August 2025
Australia, New Zealand & New Caledonia - Bird Families of Australasia 2024 - November 2024
Australia - Tasmania Extension II 2024 - October 2024
Australia - Tasmania Extension I 2024 - October 2024
Australia - East Coast II 2024 - September 2024
Australia - East Coast I 2024 - September 2024
Australia - Kakadu & the Top End 2024 - August 2024
Australia, New Zealand & New Caledonia - Bird Families of Australasia 2023 - November 2023
Australia - Tasmania Extension II 2023 - October 2023
Australia - East Coast II 2023 - September 2023
Australia - Southwest Extension II 2023 - September 2023
Australia - Cape York Extension 2023 - July 2023
Australia - The Queensland Outback 2023 - July 2023
Australia - Tasmania Extension I 2022 - October 2022