We begin our tour based on a beach-front hotel near the cosmopolitan town of Cairns, Queensland. We’ll bird the area’s variety of habitats that together, make the region world-renown for its avian diversity. We’ll be on the lookout for species such as the Lovely Fairy Wren, Laughing Kookaburra, and the stunning Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. We’ll visit wetlands like Hasties Swamp in search of Royal Spoonbills, Black Swans and the Great Crested Grebe. We will spend two nights in the heart of the Atherton Tablelands, and visit a region famous for the stunning Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, and we’ll likely find the massive Australian Bustard as we bird the nearby fields. En route to the coast, we’ll have the magical experience of birding the Daintree River by boat at dawn. Within the first week, you will have explored the jungles, wetlands, scrublands, fields, forests and coast of this unique region. We’ll keep a special eye out for the very rare Southern Cassowary.

We’ll also have the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at a local Bat Rehab Center to learn about the important conservation work done there, and to see incredible Flying Fox Bats up-close and personal. You’ll have free time in the time charming village of Kuranda to peruse the handicraft markets before we board the Sky Rail, for a spellbinding yet educational journey through the lush, jungle canopy.

After our time in Queensland, we’ll travel south, all the way down to the island State of Tasmania, one of the most beautiful regions of Australia. We will first land in Hobart, the charming capital of Tasmania, then bird several local hotspots where literally all 12 of the island’s endemic species of birds can be found. We’ll search for such species as the Yellow Wattlebird, the Green Rosella, the mischievous Black Currawong, and the highly sought-after Forty-spotted Pardalote.

Then we head north into the highlands of Cradle Mt. National Park. Along the way, we should see a few marsupials as well, like the Bennet’s Wallaby, the Tasmanian Pademelon, Wombat and with luck, the infamous Tasmanian Devil. We’ll no-doubt also encounter the egg-laying Echidna en route, as well as the oddest mammal in the world, the Duck-billed Platypus. We end the trip in classic Aussie style by having a fun-filled BBQ our last night of the trip, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Tasmanian highlands.

This trip is designed to thrill the avid birder and novice naturalist alike, and to give everyone a well-rounded, first-hand experience of unique natural wonders that can only be found in the Land Down Under!

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 - Tue, Nov 2: Depart the States

Group departs the U.S. (the 3rd is lost; day regained on return).

Day 2 - Thu, Nov 4: Arrive Cairns, Bird the Esplanade, Waterfront Dinner

Meet your Wild Latitudes staff and local Queensland guide at Cairns Airport, transfer to Cairns Beach Resort, then bird the Cairns Esplanade for species like Australian Pelican, Little Tern, and Royal Spoonbill.

Day 3 - Fri, Nov 5: Birding Cairns Hotspots & Local Greenspaces

Full day birding nearby greenspaces and hotspots, targeting birds like Sahul Sunbird, Helmeted Friarbird, Sulfur-crested Cockatoo, and Laughing Kookaburra.

Day 4 - Sat, Nov 6: Bird the Coast to Mossman

Bird north along the coast with multiple stops en route, focusing on waders, seabirds, shorebirds, and wetland species.

Day 5 - Sun, Nov 7: The Daintree River (Sunrise Cruise) & More

Sunrise birding cruise on the world-famous Daintree River, looking for a wide variety of species including the Papuan Frogmouth.

Day 6 - Mon, Nov 8: Wildlife & Birds of the Mt. Carbine Region

Travel through the Mt Carbine region and Atherton Tablelands, watching for Eastern Grey Kangaroo, Agile Wallaby, and Mareeba Rock Wallaby, plus specialties like Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher and Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.

Day 7 - Tue, Nov 9: Wildlife & Birds of the Atherton Tablelands

Continue birding the Atherton Tablelands for Great Crested Grebe, Australasian Darter, Spectacled Monarch, Azure Kingfisher, Brown Treecreeper, and more (including Double-eyed Fig Parrot).

Day 8 - Wed, Nov 10: Bird Our Way Back to Cairns

After breakfast, bird several locations on the return to Cairns—final stops depend on remaining target species.

Day 9 - Thu, Nov 11: Sky Rail to Kuranda & Handcraft Markets

Ride the Sky Rail through the rainforest to Kuranda, with time to enjoy attractions like the Butterfly Garden, Aviary, Venom Zoo, and the famous Handcraft Markets.

Day 10 - Fri, Nov 12: Fly from Cairns to Hobart, Tasmania

Travel day to Tasmania with a morning flight to Hobart. Settle into your waterfront-area hotel near the Salamanca Markets for locally made crafts and souvenirs.

Day 11 - Sat, Nov 13: Birding Local Hotspots (Hobart)

Visit Hobart’s Salamanca Markets, then bird local hotspots while looking for Tasmania’s endemics, including the sought-after Forty-spotted Pardalote.

Day 12 - Sun, Nov 14: Birding Our Way to Queenstown

Scenic drive on the quiet western road to Queenstown with birding en route for Tasmanian Scrubwren, Green Rosella, Yellow Wattlebird, and Strong-billed Honeyeater; arrive in Queenstown.

Day 13 - Mon, Nov 15: Travel North to Cradle Mountain

Drive to Cradle Mountain National Park (World Heritage site), arriving with time to settle in and explore in the park before nightfall.

Day 14 - Tue, Nov 16: Free Day to Hike & Explore Cradle Mountain

Free day for hiking and exploration at Cradle Mountain, with chances for Wombats, Tasmanian Pademelon, and Platypus.

Day 15 - Wed, Nov 17: Cradle Mountain Morning, Then On to Mole Creek

Spend the morning in Cradle Mountain, then travel to Mole Creek; look for Forest Raven and Black Currawong, and enjoy dinner at the Tassie Tiger Pub with its thylacine-themed memorabilia.

Day 16 - Thu, Nov 18: Trowunna Wildlife Park & Evening Surprise

Behind-the-scenes tour of Trowunna Wildlife Park & Rehab Facility, known for work helping bring the Tasmanian Devil back from the brink, followed by a surprise dinner location—Aussie-style.

Day 17 - Fri, Nov 19: Travel Home

Breakfast, then transfer to Launceston Airport to begin the journey home.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Double-occupancy lodging
• Ground transportation
• Breakfasts and lunches
• Excursions and park fees
• Guiding services

YOUR GUIDE

A true lover of the natural world, Steve Robertson has been a student of nature his entire life. First, as a little boy, who caught every creature he could for the mini zoo he kept in the garage, then later as an adult, leading scientific research expeditions into some of the most remote regions of the world, searching for rare species in such places as Tasmania, Madagascar and the upper Amazon Basin. With degrees in Wildlife Biology, advanced biology & education, Steve has worked in the field of Environmental Education for over 30 years. From 1998 to 2017, he served as the Education Director for the Audubon Society of Portland, creating a number of innovative programs including International Ecotours, a program that has won hundreds of accolades from around the country. During his time with Audubon, Steve personally designed and led Ecotours to over 20 countries, spanning six continents.