924 Australian Wildlife Journeys

Australian Wildlife Journeys

Australian Wildlife Journeys is a group of expert independently Introduction...... 3 owned and operated wildlife tourism operators, who have Operator Experiences...... 6 joined together to raise awareness of Australia as a world class destination for authentic and sustainable encounters with Arkaba...... 6 wildlife in their natural habitats. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours...... 8 Members of the group have a passion and commitment to Exceptional Kangaroo Island...... 10 provide in-depth information about Australia’s diverse wildlife species, and are dedicated to the conservation and regeneration Exmouth Diving Centre...... 12 of Australia’s natural heritage. Goin’ Off Safaris...... 14 Central to these touring experiences is the guarantee of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort...... 16 knowledgeable high-quality guiding, interpretation, and Lords Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris...... 18 hospitality that connects visitors with nature, fosters learning and respects local communities and environments. Oz Whale Watching...... 20 Premier Travel Tasmania...... 22 SEIT Outback Australia...... 24 The Maria Island Walk...... 26 Wildlife Coast Cruises...... 28 Seasonal Viewing Calendars – Iconic Species...... 30 Signature Experiences of Australia...... 44 Plan Your Trip...... 46

Lady Elliot Island NEW SOUTH WALES 1 Oz Whale Watching 10 VICTORIA 2 Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours 3 Wildlife Coast Cruises

TASMANIA 4 Premier Travel Tasmania There’s nothing like 5 The Maria Island Walk

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 6 Australia’s wildlife Arkaba Exmouth• 9 7 Exceptional Kangaroo. Australia’s natural beauty and unique wildlife is a major drawcard for international More than half of the world’s cetacean species: whales, dolphins and porpoises, are 12 Island Uluru• 11 visitors, and with good reason. Our country is blessed with some of the most intriguing found in Australian waters. The world’s largest population of Humpback Whales, mammals within the animal kingdom, more than 80 per cent of which are found estimated to be more than 30,000 individuals, travel along the coast of Western 8 Goin’ Off Safaris nowhere else on Earth. Australia every year to breed in the warm waters on their migration from Antarctica. This is mirrored on Australia’s east coast where over 20,000 Humpback Whales make a Of the 828 bird species found on our continent, around 45 per cent are only found similar journey. WESTERN AUSTRALIA here. In fact, it has recently been determined that no other continent has contributed so greatly to the evolution of birds, with most of the world’s species having Australian We also have the most reptiles and lizards of any nation, with 869 species, 93 per cent 9 Exmouth Diving Centre ancestry. of which are unique to our continent. A highlight for many visitors is to spot the largest living reptile and apex predator, the Saltwater Crocodile, found in abundance in the And the life in the waters surrounding Australia is simply extraordinary. Our coral reefs northern parts of the country. NORTHERN TERRITORY include the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on earth and one of the most complex ecosystems. On Australia’s west coast, the Ningaloo Marine Park is the With so many species spread across stunning and diverse habitats including tropical 10 Lords Kakadu and. 6 world’s largest extensive fringing reef, home to the graceful whale shark, and 50 per rainforests, coral reefs, coastal heaths, wetlands and swamps, sandy deserts, and Arnhemland Safaris cent of the Indian Ocean’s coral species. Along the southern Australian coastline, 85 per Eucalypt woodlands, it is little wonder why Australia is recognised across the globe as a cent of fish, 90 per cent of echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers) and 95 wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. 11 SEIT Outback Australia 8 1 per cent of molluscs are considered endemic, with new species being discovered every Australian Wildlife Journeys invites you to join us, let us share our knowledge with you, day. Our oceans support over 5,000 species of fish, more than half of the shark and 7 and help you discover why there’s nothing like Australia’s wildlife. QUEENSLAND ray species in the world, six of the seven known species of marine turtles, and tens of thousands of species of invertebrates. 12 Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort 2 3

4 5 Rainbow Bee Eaters Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby Arkaba

Arkaba’s luxury homestead is nestled at the foot of the Elder Range on a remote 60,000-acre private wildlife conservancy that is dedicated to the Quick Facts preservation of Australia’s unique wildlife. Just ten guests experience this FEATURED TOURS: piece of ancient landscape in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges. Craggy sandstone bluffs, stunning gorges and dry creek beds lined with River Red The Arkaba Walk Gums are characteristic of the region, with many visitors describing the Duration: 4 days/3 nights. area as the quintessential Australian outback experience. Operates: Mid March to Mid October. The blend of semi-arid to temperate habitats within the Flinders Ranges Max Group Size: 10, Private Available has encouraged a huge diversity of wildlife and plant life, with about 1,200 Three Day Safari recorded plant species and around 300 bird species. The Flinders Ranges Duration: 3 days. is one of the best locations in Australia to see macropods due to the year- Operates: Year Round. round pockets of water and limited population of dingoes. The largest Shared Group Size Maximum: 10,. living marsupial, the Red Kangaroo, is in very healthy populations, as are Private Tours Available Western Grey Kangaroos and Common Wallaroos, which are uniquely adapted to the rocky out-crops of the ranges. REGION: The Flinders Ranges is also famous for being home to Australia’s largest Flinders Ranges, South Australia Red-barred Dragon Mulga Parrot population of the endangered Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby, with Brachina Gorge providing guaranteed sightings of this incredibly rare and beautiful ACCESS: species. Birdlife is also varied with a large population of Emus, Ringneck, 5 hour drive from Adelaide or. Mulga, Red-rumped and Elegant Parrots, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Black 1.5 hour private charter flight from. Goshawks, Black Kites and Rufous Whistlers. Adelaide Airport (ADL). Commercial flights from Adelaide to. The Arkaba team immerses you in the story of the land through Whyalla and Port Augusta available. knowledgeable and inspiring field guiding, sharing not only the region’s with Regional Express (Rex) Airlines unique wildlife, but stories of the indigenous inhabitants, early explorers and pioneer settlers. The Flinders Ranges has an Aboriginal history dating CONTACT: back tens of thousands of years making it a place of immense cultural +61 2 9571 6399. significance for the Adnyamathanha people. Guided walks take an [email protected] interactive and interpretative approach and feature species identification and tracking the rich array of wildlife that calls this region home.

Emus Common Wallaroo Shingleback Lizard Arkaba Woolshed

6 7 Echidna Walkabout

Flame Robin East Gippsland Nature Tours

The state of Victoria is blessed with an abundance of wildlife in its diverse habitats. East Gippsland is one of the few regions in the world that has Quick Facts a large unbroken chain of forest stretching from the alps to the sea. The diversity of ecosystems ranges from magnificent lush rainforests, coastal FEATURED TOURS: heathlands, giant eucalypt groves, pristine rivers and estuaries, through Wildlife Journey to white sandy beaches, providing sanctuaries for numerous bird species. The Gippsland Lakes region is protected by the International Ramsar Duration: 4 days/3 nights. Convention on wetlands, and is a key habitat for waterbirds. Operates: September to Late May. Shared Group Size Maximum: 8. This region is amazingly rich in fauna with 50 native mammal species; Private Tours Available. including two monotreme species, the Platypus and Echidna; 17 species Region: East Gippsland, Victoria of Kangaroos, Wallabies, Possums, Gliders, Koalas, and Wombats; and 19 amphibians and 36 reptile species, including the Lace Monitor and Great Ocean Road Diamond Python. Duration: 3 days/2 nights. The grasslands and low woodlands around the You Yangs are home to Operates: Year Round. more than 200 bird species, as well as being a key habitat for Eastern Grey Shared Group Size Maximum: 8. Kangaroos, possums and Koalas. Inland from the coastal landscape of Private Tours Available. Region: Great Ocean Road, Victoria Koala Short-beaked Echidna the Great Ocean Road, the cool, wet hinterland rainforests are home to kangaroos and wallabies, possums, Echidnas, and myriad birdlife; while Kangaroos and Koalas IN THE WILD the tall eucalypts forests of the Great Otway National Park are alive with Duration: Full Day. vividly coloured parrots and cockatoos, as well as 38 species of butterfly. Operates: Year Round. Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours has been providing high quality nature Shared Group Size Maximum: 10. and wildlife experiences in these regions for small groups of travellers for Larger Groups & Private Tours Available. almost 25 years. With an enduring passion for wildlife and dedication to Region: Melbourne, Victoria protecting nature, their vision is to bring people and wildlife together for mutual benefit and ensure the free-living future of Australian wildlife. ACCESS: Guests contribute to projects that actively helps wildlife; for example, Melbourne (MEL) weeding to save the local Koala population; collecting a discarded fishing net; or helping guides record birds for atlas submission. CONTACT: +61 3 9646 8249. [email protected]

Lace Monitor King Parrot Superb Lyrebird Great Ocean Road – The Twelve Apostles

8 9 Exceptional

Glossy Black Cockatoo Rosenberg’s Goanna Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third-largest island, and more than one third of it is protected as National and Conservation parks. Half the native Quick Facts bushland remains just as it was when British explorer Matthew Flinders named it in 1802, providing a natural habitat for a rich variety of animals: FEATURED TOURS: Kangaroo Island Kangaroos; Tammar Wallabies; Short-beaked Echidnas; Kangaroo Island in Style Southern Brown Bandicoots; possums; and bats, which can be seen all Duration: 2 days/1 night. year round. Many of the island’s plant and animal species are either Operates: Year Round. threatened or exist nowhere else in Australia, such as the sooty dunnart, Shared Group Size Maximum: 12. which is unique to Kangaroo Island. Larger Groups & Private Tours Available Hundreds of rare Australian Sea-lions gather on the long sandy beachfront Flinders Chase Focus at the Seal Park Conservation Park, one of the only places in the world Duration: Full Day. where you can wander within metres of the animals as they laze on the Operates: Year Round. beach. Shared Group Size Maximum: 12. The island is home to more than 260 bird species, including the rare Glossy Larger Groups & Private Tours Available Black Cockatoo, an endangered species found only on the island. The region is also famous for its honey which comes from the only remaining Island Life Australian Sea-lions strain of pure Ligurian Bees in the world. Duration: Full Day. Operates: Year Round. Multi award-winning tour operator Exceptional Kangaroo Island has Shared Group Size Maximum: 12. been introducing guests to Kangaroo Island’s unique wildlife since 1990, Larger Groups & Private Tours Available offering small group and luxury private four-wheel drive touring, as well as special interest programs, which promise good food, good wine and Kangaroo Island Birding Tour wildlife in the wild. Exceptional Kangaroo Island takes its responsibility Duration 1-3 days. to the environment, its guests and its community seriously, which is Operates: Year Round. reflected in the company achieving advanced ecotourism accreditation Group Size Maximum: 12. and developing an operational code of ethics. They will create an itinerary Private Only for you celebrating the best that Kangaroo Island has to offer. REGION: Kangaroo Island, South Australia ACCESS: Kingscote (KGC) - 20 minute flight from Adelaide Airport (ADL) or 90 minute drive & 50 minute ferry from Adelaide to Penneshaw CONTACT:. +61 8 8553 9119. Short-beaked Echidna Kangaroo Island Kangaroos Tammar Wallaby Remarkable Rocks [email protected]

10 11 Exmouth Diving Centre

Fringing Western Australia’s north-west coastline, World Heritage- listed Ningaloo Reef Marine Park is one of the world’s largest and most Quick Facts magnificent fringing coral reefs. This intricate reef system stretches for more than 260 kilometres, and at some points, is only metres from FEATURED TOURS: beautiful secluded sandy beaches. Whale Shark Swim The reef is home to a myriad of marine life, including the largest fish ever Duration: Full Day. found, the Whale Shark. Ningaloo is the only place in the world where Operates: March – late July. visitors can swim with Whale Sharks every day from March to August, Group Size: 20 swimmers (2 groups of 10). when the plankton rich waters draw them close to the reef in search . & 3 observers. of food. Private Charter Available

Humpback Whales are also in abundance, with more than 30,000 whales Humpback Whale Swim migrating to the area from June to November. Manta Rays cruise along the Duration: Full Day. reef between April and November; while in October and November, turtles Operates: August – late October. are seen in huge numbers, with Green, Loggerhead and Hawksbill Turtles Group Size Maximum: 10 swimmers. beginning their mating season and nesting on the beaches along the (2 groups of 5) & 15 observers. coastline. Hot January nights sees turtle hatchlings wriggling out of the Private Charter Available Whale Shark Cape Range National Park sand and racing down to the ocean. With a bio-diversity of around 300 species of coral, an assortment of Ningaloo & Muiron Islands Snorkel or Dive uniquely coloured nudibranchs, and more than 500 different species Duration: Full Day. of fish, the warm pristine waters of Ningaloo Reef are an impressive Operates: March – December. destination all year round. Available on Request January & February. Group Size Maximum: 25. As the region’s original eco-tourism operation, Exmouth Diving Centre has Private Charter Available been taking guests to experience the aquatic treasures of Ningaloo Reef for more than 20 years. The company specialises in small group tours for REGION: Whale Shark swims, Humpback Whale swims and whale watching, and Exmouth, Western Australia scuba diving and snorkelling. Their long- term commitment to preserving the area has contributed to the team of guides providing guests with the ACCESS: region’s best places for diving and snorkelling, along with reliable and Learmonth Airport (LEA) – 2 hour flight. exciting interactions with the local wildlife. from Perth Airport (PER)

CONTACT: +61 8 9949 1201. [email protected]

Baby Turtle Humpback Whale Manta Ray Ningaloo Reef

12 13 Great White Shark Goin’ Off Safaris

South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula is Australia’s ultimate temperate aquatic playground, featuring striking coastlines, vast sand dunes, rugged offshore Quick Facts islands, secluded coves and incredible marine encounters. FEATURED TOURS: The pristine waters are a sanctuary for some of Australia’s most unique and curious marine creatures including dolphins, Giant Cuttlefish, Port Lincoln Wildlife Encounters Leafy Sea Dragons, and Southern Right Whales. The region has become Duration: 4 days/4 nights. renowned for offering opportunities to interact with these wild marine Operates: Year Round. creatures, such as swimming with Australian Sea Lions; or cage-diving Group Size Maximum: 12, Private Only with Great White Sharks. Southern Eyre Peninsula Birdwatching Within the region are several national parks protecting native fauna and Duration: 3 days/2 nights. flora. The rugged limestone cliffs of the Eyre Peninsula are a sanctuary Operates: Year Round. for Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagles and numerous other seabirds. Group Size Maximum: 12, Private Only Venturing further inland, the region is home to distinctive rock formations, and a variety of plants and animals, including Western Grey Kangaroos, REGION: Emus, Koalas, and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats. The Southern Eyre Eyre Peninsula, South Australia Peninsula alone is home to 270 species of birds and around 1,900 native ACCESS: Australian Sea-lion plant species within a variety of habitats. Port Lincoln (PLO), 40 min flight from Adelaide Airport Goin’ Off Safaris offers a range of tours that will help you discover the (ADL) secrets of this region’s stunning landscapes that only the locals know about. Owner, David Doudle, is a fourth-generation farmer, and has spent CONTACT: 30 years exploring the local area. He and his team’s knowledge of the area +61 428 877 488 . and the longstanding relationships they have with the local communities, [email protected] make touring across the region with Goin’ Off Safaris an unforgettable experience. A central focus for the company is designing custom itineraries based on what guests are especially looking for, and delivering a personal service which provides great memories. The team is passionate about preserving the region and are ambassadors in keeping the environments pure, pristine and sparsely populated, to ensure that guests can enjoy these experiences and exceptional habitats well into the future.

Port Lincoln Parrot Osprey Koala Coffin Bay National Park

14 15 Lady Elliot Island

Humpback Whale Picasso Trigger Fish Eco Resort

Lady Elliot Island is a coral cay located on the southern tip of Australia’s World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. The island is Quick Facts only 42 Hectares (100 acres) in size, small enough to walk around in 45 minutes. It’s located within a highly protected ‘Green Zone’ of the Marine FEATURED TOURS: National Park, providing a sanctuary for more than 1,200 species of marine Great Barrier Reef Day Tour life. Duration: Full Day, Operates: Year Round The island is regarded as one of the best diving and snorkelling sites along the Great Barrier Reef, due to its location and outstanding water clarity, Multi-Day Stay Activities which is perfect for admiring the abundant corals, turtles, manta rays, reef Snorkel Safari, Scuba, Glass Bottom Boat,. sharks and a vast array of tropical fish that live here. Guided Snorkel, Nightstalk, Reef Walk and Birdwatching Tour. Lady Elliot Island is known as the ‘Home of the Manta Ray’ and these giant ‘kites of the sea’ can be seen feeding around the island throughout the REGION: year, and in larger numbers during the winter months. Three species of sea Lady Elliot Island (Southern Great Barrier Reef), turtles frequent Lady Elliot Island throughout the year: Hawksbill, Green Queensland and Loggerhead Turtles. Green and Loggerhead Turtles nest on the island from November through to March, with the tiny hatchlings making their ACCESS: Manta Ray Leopard Shark brave journey to the ocean from February to April. Scenic Flights available from Gold Coast, Brisbane, Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort has just 41 modest accommodation rooms, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and is world renowned for the range of best-practice environmental CONTACT: measures it has implemented, which include the construction of a Hybrid Solar Power Station, waste water treatment plant, composting technology, +61 7 5536 3644. re-Greening revegetation/weed-eradication program with over 4,000 [email protected] trees planted, as well as operation of jet drive outboard motors and an extensive citizen science program of reef monitoring. The Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Management team acts as a steward of the island’s incredible marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and has received many awards highlighting its success as an environmental champion and industry leader in preserving one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

Green Sea Turtle Red-tailed Tropicbird Brown Booby Aerial of Lady Elliot Island

16 17 Lords Kakadu &

Magpie Geese Black-necked Stork Arnhemland Safaris

Kakadu National Park, in Australia’s Northern Territory, is one of the world’s most magnificent natural reserves. With 280 bird species, 77 mammals, 50 Quick Facts species of freshwater fish, more than 10,000 insect species, 1600 species of flora, 132 reptiles and more than 50,000 years of Indigenous history and FEATURED TOURS: culture, the area is a World Heritage-listed for both its natural and cultural Three Day Peek Kakadu significance. Duration: 3 days/2 nights. The wetlands of Kakadu are a bird-watcher’s paradise, with areas such as Operates: May – late October. Yellow Water billabong attracting many enthusiasts due to the immense Group Size Maximum: 12, Private Only. concentration of birds, especially in the dry season, including Magpie Region: Kakadu, Arnhem Land Geese, Whistling Ducks, Great Egrets, Royal Spoonbills and Black-winged Stilts. Top End Luxury Lodges Duration: 5 days/4 nights. One-tenth of all Saltwater Crocodiles in the Northern Territory are found Operates: May – late October. at Kakadu. Along these vast floodplains, it is common to see Melaleuca Group Size Maximum: 12, Private Only. forests that provide habitat for Agile Wallabies and nesting sites for birds Region: Kakadu, Arnhem Land such as the Black-necked Stork (Jabiru). Lords Kakadu and Arnhemland Safaris is a family-owned, award-winning Lords Safaris, Davidsons and Bamurru Azure Kingfisher company that has been connecting guests to the Top End’s remarkable Duration: 6 days/5 nights. natural beauty and indigenous culture for more than 25 years. Historically, Operates: May – late October. the Lord family were pioneers of the Kakadu region. Owner, Sab Lord, was Group Size Maximum: 12, Private Only. raised on a buffalo and crocodile hunting station, and his appreciation of Region: Kakadu, Arnhem Land the wilderness is linked back to his earliest childhood memories. Since then, his team have been key advocates in protecting and preserving Private Charter/Special Interest Kakadu and Arnhem Land, one of the most untouched wilderness areas (Kimberleys also available) of Australia. The team’s passion for the region is irresistible, as is the Duration: 3 days – 14 days. connection with the land and the indigenous communities that call the Operates: May – late October. area home. Group Size Maximum: 12, Private Only. Region: Kakadu, Arnhem Land or the Kimberley The company only offers private luxury four-wheel drive touring, so you and your group will be the only guests on board. It has special permission ACCESS: granted by traditional owners to visit areas of the Northern Territory Darwin (DRW) inaccessible to other tour companies. CONTACT: +61 438 808 548. [email protected]

Saltwater Crocodile Agile Wallaby Airboat Arnhem Land

18 19 Humpback Whale Oz Whale Watching

For those who have visited Sydney, it is little surprise that the city is consistently ranked as one of the world’s top tourist destinations. The Quick Facts sparkling waters of Sydney Harbour and stunning skyline is regarded as one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. What is FEATURED TOURS: surprising is the diverse wildlife viewing opportunities at Sydney’s Lux Whale Watching doorstep. Duration: 4 hours. Sydney has more marine species than any other harbour in the world Operates: Mid May – Mid November. and is a prime location to observe Humpback Whales migrating from Group Size Maximum: 10. Antarctica to the Great Barrier Reef each year. Further out to sea, where Private Charter Only the continental shelf drops off, the region is one of Australia’s best pelagic birding sites, with an abundance of albatross, petrels, gannets and Get Wild in Sydney Harbour shearwaters. Duration: 7 hours. Operates: Year Round. Oz Whale Watching is passionate about connecting visitors to the Group Size Maximum: 16. abundant and diverse aquatic and birdlife around Sydney Harbour. They Private Charter Only will take you to see the amazing migration of Humpback Whales just beyond Australia’s largest city aboard their luxurious vessels. Their success Sydney Harbour Pelagic Birdwatching Humpback Whale Fluttering Shearwater rate in seeing whales is approximately 90-95%, so sightings are almost Duration: 7 hours. guaranteed. Operates: Year Round. The company’s philosophy that every visitor’s journey is unique, and this Group Size Maximum: 10. is reflected in the experience provided by their team. Being a boutique Private Charter Only operation, their objective is not to get as many people on-board as possible, but in providing a quality experience that caters to different REGION: guests with different needs. During each whale-watching cruise, you’ll Sydney, New South Wales learn interesting facts about whales and their habitat through a full live ACCESS: commentary. Sydney (SYD) Protecting the natural elements in the extraordinary urban environment is also a cause close to the team’s heart, with the company taking a lead CONTACT: in developing environmental plans and carbon management programs +61 2 9518 7813. within the industry. [email protected]

Campbell Albatross Humpback Whale Wandering Albatross Boat interior

20 21 Premier Travel

Green Rosella Forester Kangaroos Tasmania

One third of Tasmania’s land mass is national park and UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, providing an extraordinary diverse habitat for Quick Facts an abundance of native Australian wildlife. This natural wonderland supports a population of mammals, birds, frogs and reptiles, many of FEATURED TOURS: which are found only in Tasmania. There are 33 native terrestrial and 41 8 Day Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter marine mammals which are known to occur in Tasmania, with the region Duration: 8 days/7 nights. renowned as a prime spot for marsupials including quolls, bandicoots, Operates: October – late May. bettongs, potoroos, kangaroos, wallabies, pademelons and wombats. More Shared Group Size Maximum: 12. than 60% of all species found across Tasmania’s alpine region are found Private Tours Available Year Round nowhere else on Earth. Premier Travel Tasmania is a leading provider of premium small group 6 Day Private Tour Tasmania’s Wilderness & Wildlife tours, tailor-made private tours and specialty self-drive adventures, and Duration: 6 days/5 nights. has been offering intimate encounters with nature across Australia’s Operates: Year Round. ‘island state’ for more than 20 years. During this time, Premier Travel Group Size Maximum: 16. Tasmania has gained international recognition through service excellence, Private Only cultural awareness and responsible travel practices. 4 Day Private Tour Tasmanian Wildlife Encounter Eastern Quoll Short-beaked Echidna The company’s aim is to share Tasmania’s diverse flora and fauna, pristine Duration: 4 days/3 nights, Operates: Year Round, Group wilderness, rich heritage, gourmet food and wine, and local characters Size Maximum: 16, Private Only with you. The team consists of local guides who know Tasmania intimately and share their stories in a meaningful way. At the core of the company’s 1 day Wildlife Encounter ethos is to preserve Tasmania’s endemic wildlife and their natural habitats, (Mt Field, Bruny Island or Hobart) and it makes major contributions towards research to save the world’s Duration: Full Day. largest carnivorous marsupial, the Tasmanian Devil, from habitat loss and Operates: Year Round, Private Only. disease. Larger Groups Available Guided tours are available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish REGION: and Asian languages on request. With Premier Travel Tasmania, you’ll be travelling with a local operator whose knowledge and expertise will make Tasmania your stay in Tasmania the best experience possible. ACCESS: Hobart (HBA) or Launceston (LST)

CONTACT: +61 3 6231 4214. [email protected]

Tasmanian Devil Platypus Tasmanian Pademelon Cradle Mountain

22 23 SEIT Outback

Black-breasted Buzzard Black Kite Uluru Australia

The Red Centre is considered the spiritual heart of Australia, with incredible desert landscapes and iconic landmarks such as Uluru, Kata Quick Facts Tjuta, and Kings Canyon captivating countless visitors. FEATURED TOURS: The Anangu people of Uluru have been the traditional custodians of this ancient land for many generations, balancing the intricate relationship SEIT Track the Red Centre Extended between people, plants, animals and the landscape. Archaeological Duration: 4 days/3 nights. evidence shows Aboriginal people have lived in Central Australia for at Operates: Year Round. least 30,000 years. Shared Group Size Maximum: 11. The area is an important habitat for Red Kangaroos, Common Wallaroos Private Tours Available and numerous raptors and bush birds including Black Kites, Black Breasted SEIT All (Uluru/Kata Tjuta) Buzzards, Brown Falcons, Nankeen Kestrels, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Pied Duration: Two 5 hour tours (sunrise & sunset) Butcherbirds, Crested Bellbirds and Chiming Wedgebills. Reptiles are also Operates: Year Round. abundant with Thorny Devils, Sand Goannas, Central Netted Dragons, Shared Group Size Maximum: 11. Long-nose Water Dragons and Blue-tongued Lizards commonly seen. The Larger Groups and Private Tours Available Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a sanctuary for 21 mammals, 73 reptiles and 178 birds with many of these animals being culturally significant, Mt Conner 4WD Adventure Major Mitchell Cockatoo Sand Goanna often referred to as ancestral creatures in Aboriginal legends. Duration: Full Day. SEIT Outback Australia is a small group tour company that offers visitors Operates: Year Round. educational and immersive experiences in and around Uluru-Kata Tjuta Shared Group Size Maximum: 11. National Park. Larger Groups and Private Tours Available The acronym SEIT stands for Spirit, Emotion, Intellect and Task, which REGION: perfectly describes the company’s philosophy to touring. This is derived Uluru & Red Centre from a promise that visitors will leave with a better appreciation of life in the outback and a new found understanding of the inextricable ACCESS: connection between the wildlife, the land and the culture in Central Ayers Rock (AYQ) or Alice Springs (ASP) Australia. CONTACT: SEIT Outback Australia’s guides hail from all parts of the globe, but have one thing in common - they speak from experience and from the heart. +61 8 8956 3156. Touring in small groups with a maximum of eleven people is key to SEIT [email protected] Outback Australia’s operation, allowing for a more personalized and interactive experience as you explore this unique environment far away from the crowds.

Thorny Devil Kata Tjuta Budgerigar Flock

24 25 The Maria Island

Spotted Pardalote Walk

World Heritage-listed Maria Island is located just off Tasmania’s east coast and is known for its historic ruins, picturesque bays, rugged cliffs Quick Facts and mountains and amazing fossils. But for many visitors, it’s the island’s remarkable collection of rare birds and animals, largely unaffected by FEATURED TOURS: human presence, that is the highlight. The Maria Island Walk When the island became a national park in the 1970s, a variety of Duration: 4 days/3 nights,. threatened and endangered species were introduced, and it became an Operates: October – late April. island sanctuary, leading to its nickname as ’Tasmania’s Noah’s Ark’. The Shared Group Size Maximum: 10 island is home to all of Tasmania’s endemic birds, including the the Yellow Wattlebird, Green Rosella and one of Australia’s rarest and smallest birds, Maria Island Winter Escape the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote, which has only five remaining Duration: 3 days/2 nights. population groups, of which Maria island is the largest remaining Operates: Selected Dates May – early September. stronghold. Shared Group Size Maximum: 8 The Maria Island Walk was introduced to showcase the island’s many REGION: charms to a new band of travellers that valued authentic wildlife Maria Island, Tasmania encounters in remote and tranquil settings, combined with world-class Common Wombat Cape Barren Goose hospitality. The walk is a ‘soft adventure’ experience, where backpacks are ACCESS: light, the food is gourmet, the wine is Tasmania’s best, and each night Hobart (HBA) there is a comfortable bed. CONTACT: Central to the company’s philosophy is the importance of creating a connection between walkers and guides, and a personalised, intimate +61 3 6234 2999. experience, with a maximum of ten guests led by two professional guides. [email protected] The walk has received widespread acclaim for its environmentally friendly practices, contribution to conservation projects, and leadership in the ecotourism and walking sectors. The team takes great pleasure in offering an authentic Tasmanian experience, bringing to life local history and culture, rare Tasmanian wildlife, and spectacular scenery. Testimony to the success of this unbeatable formula is the string of national and state awards that has made The Maria Island Walk one of the most desired guided walking experiences in Australia.

Fossil Cliffs Tasmanian Native Hen Bennett’s Wallaby McRaes Isthmus

26 27 Wildlife Coast

Southern Right Whale Cruises

Located southeast of Melbourne, Phillip Island is renowned for spectacular coastal scenery, abundant marine wildlife and important seabird colonies. Quick Facts The island is surrounded by contrasting coastal and marine ecosystems - from tranquil mangrove-lined inlets to the wild surf of the Bass Strait, FEATURED TOURS: it boasts long stretches of sandy beaches, fascinating basalt and granite Seal Watching Cruise cliffs and caves, remote crystal blue bays and rugged rocky outcrops. Duration: 2 hours. Abundant marine wildlife can be seen around Phillip Island including Operates: Year Round. Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, the largest colony of Australian Fur Group Size Maximum: 120 Seals on the continent at Seal Rocks, Little Penguins, and three species of whales in winter: Humpback, Southern Right and Orcas. Birdwatchers will Winter Whale Cruise be delighted to see the wide diversity of birds, including raptors, wader Duration: 4 hours. birds, and seabirds, with highlights including White-bellied Sea Eagles, Operates: Selected Dates, June – early August. Wedge-tailed Eagles, Australasian Gannets and the Shy Albatross. This Group Size Maximum: 90 area is thought to support more than 1% of the world’s population of Little Penguin, with up to 26,000 birds; as well as 45,000 pairs of Short-tailed Wilsons Promontory Cruise Shearwaters; Pacific Gulls; and one of the largest breeding colonies of Duration: Full Day. Crested Terns in Victoria, with around 2800 pairs. Operates: Selected Dates September – late April. Australian Fur Seals Australasian Gannet Group Size Maximum: 60 Wildlife Coast Cruises has been showing locals and visitors the spectacular wildlife and coastal scenery around Victoria’s Phillip Island, Seal Rocks, Private Charter/ Special Interest Cruise Westernport Bay and Wilsons Promontory for more than 20 years. A Duration: Custom. long-term ambassador in the field of eco-tourism, Wildlife Coast Cruises Operates: Year Round, Group Size: 50-120 boasts many environmental and tourism accreditations, and offers a range of up close and personal wildlife experiences aboard their comfortable REGION: vessels, enabling you to experience everything that Victoria’s magnificent Cowes - Phillip Island, Victoria waterways offer. ACCESS: The team believes strongly in conservation through appreciation, and are passionate about engaging guests in the experience. The captain and crew Melbourne (MEL), 90 minutes by car. have a thorough knowledge of local wildlife, habitat and history, which is to Cowes from Melbourne shared with guests through engaging commentary and warm hospitality. CONTACT: +61 3 5952 3501. [email protected]

Humpback Whale Shy Albatross Humpback whale

28 29 Seasonal Viewing Calendars – Iconic Species

Great Otway National Park Agile Wallaby

30 31 Arkaba Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Echidna Walkabout Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Nature Tours

Red Kangaroo BV. BV. Koala B B BV BV BV B B

Common Wallaroo Eastern Grey Kangaroos BV BV BV BV B B B Land Mammals Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby

Swamp Wallabies

Emu BV BV N N N N BV Short-beaked Echidnas

Australian Ring-neck Parrot N N N N N

Land Mammals & Monotremes Yellow-bellied & Greater X X X X X X X X X Gliders

Wedge-tailed Eagle N N N N N Birds Grey-headed Flying Fox B B X X X BV BV BV

Rainbow Bee-eater X X X X X X X

King Parrot X X X

Red-capped Robin N N N N N N N

Superb Lyrebird N X X X N

Shingleback Lizard X X X B B B Satin Bowerbirds X X X Birds

Barking Gecko X X X B Cuckoos X X X N N N Reptiles

Painted Dragons X X X X Scarlet Honeyeater X X X

Lace Monitor X X X X Reptiles

*For a more comprehensive list of sighting opportunities in this region, please visit the Australian Wildlife Journeys website. *For a more comprehensive list of sighting opportunities in this region, please visit the Australian Wildlife Journeys website.

KEY Peak viewing/ best time to visit for species Likely sighting chance Moderate sighting chance X No viewing/tour not available N Nesting B Breeding BV Baby viewing KEY Peak viewing/ best time to visit for species Likely sighting chance Moderate sighting chance X No viewing/tour not available N Nesting B Breeding BV Baby viewing

32 33 Exceptional Kangaroo Island Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Exmouth Diving Centre Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Kangaroo Island Kangaroo B B B BV BV BV BV B Whale Shark X X X X X X

Build up of Mass Fish, Tammar Wallaby B B BV BV BV BV Congregation Cods, Mobular Rays, Pelagic Fish

Short-beaked Echidna B B B Manta Ray X X Fish

Land Mammals & Monotremes Koala B B BV BV BV BV BV B B Coral Spawning X X X X X X X X X X

Grey Nurse Sharks X X X X X X Glossy Black Cockatoo N N N N N N BV BV BV

Sharks: Grey Reef, Black Tip, Tiger, Tawny, Lemon, Hooded Dotterel N N N N N N N Hammerhead

N. N. N. Cape Barren Goose N N BV

Birds BV BV BV Humpback Whale X X X X X BV BV BV X X

Scarlet Robin Dugong BV BV X X

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo N N N N Spinner Dolphin Marine Mammals Australian Sea-lion BV BV BV BV BV BV BV BV BV BV BV BV Bottlenose Dolphin

Orca X X X X Long-nosed Fur Seal B BV BV BV BV BV BV BV B B Marine Mammals

Green, Loggerhead and Rosenberg’s Goanna B B B X X X X B BV BV N N N

Reptiles Hawksbill Turtles Marine Reptiles

34 35 Goin’ Off Safaris Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Australian Sea-lions BV BV BV BV X X X BV BV BV Manta Ray Marine Mammals

Black Tip & White Tip Reef Shark B. Koala B B BV BV BV B BV Fish

Leopard Shark Western Grey Kangaroo BV BV BV BV BV BV BV BV

Coral Spawning Land Mammals Southern Hairy-nosed X X X X X X X X X X Wombat

N. N. N. Green & Loggerhead Turtle N N N Osprey N N N BV BV BV

N. Emu N N N BV BV Hawksbill Turtle Marine Reptiles Port Lincoln Parrot N N N N N Birds Rock Parrot N N N N N Humpback Whale Marine Mammals Western Yellow Robin N N N N N N N

Blue-breasted Wren N N Black & Common Noddy N N N N N N N

Crested Tern N N N N N N N Great White Shark Fish Birds Red-tailed Tropic Bird N N N N N

Rosenberg’s Goanna B B B B

Reptiles Migrant Birds: Pacific Golden Plover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone and Grey- tailed Tattler

36 37 Lords Kakadu & Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Oz Whale Watching Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Arnhemland Safaris

Saltwater Crocodile X X X X X Humpback Whales X X X X BV BV BV X

Freshwater Crocodile X X X X X Minke Whales X X X X X Reptiles

Mertens’ Water Monitor X X X X X Marine Mammals Southern Right Whales X X X X X

Agile Wallaby & Wilkins Rock X X X X X Wallaby Shearwaters: Wedge- tailed, Flesh-footed, Hutton’s and Fluttering

Dingo X X X X X Land Mammals Albatross: Black-browed, Campbell, Shy, Indian Yellow- nosed

Blue-winged Kookaburra X X X X X

Australasian Gannet Magpie Geese X X X BV BV BV X X Birds Petrels: Providence, Wilson’s Brolga X X X X X Cape, Northern Giant, Southern Giant

Comb-crested Jacana X X X BV BV BV X X s Bird Greater Crested Tern

Black-necked Stork X X X BV BV X X

Skua Azure Kingfisher X X X BV BV BV BV X X

Great Billed Heron X X X X X

38 39 Premier Travel Tasmania Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec SEIT Outback Australia Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Tasmanian Devil BV B B B BV BV Thorny Devil X X X X B B B

Central Netted Dragon & B Platypus BV B B B BV Long Nosed Dragon

Tasmanian Pademelon B B B BV BV BV Blue-tongue Lizard X X X X B B B Reptiles*

Forester Kangaroo B B BV BV B B Sand Goanna X X X X B B Land Mammals & Monotremes Common Wombat BV BV B B B Perentie X X X X

Eastern Quoll B B BV BV Black-breasted Buzzard N N N N N N N N

BV. Short-tailed Shearwater BV *migrate to X X X B Wedge-tailed Eagle N N N N N N N N Northern Hemisphere

Tasmanian Wedge-tailed B N N N N N Whistling and Black Kites N N N N N N N N Eagle Birds* Green Rosella B B N N N N Zebra & Painted Finch Birds

Orange-bellied Parrot X X X X X X N N N Budgerigar X X X X X X X X

Little Penguin BV N N N BV BV BV Major Mitchell Cockatoo X X X

Australian Fur Seals B BV BV Black-footed Rock Wallaby Land Marine Mammals* Mammals

*Wildlife sightings and breeding cycles dependent on rainfail *For a more comprehensive list of sighting opportunities in this region, please visit the Australian Wildlife Journeys website. *For a more comprehensive list of sighting opportunities in this region, please visit the Australian Wildlife Journeys website.

40 41 The Maria Island Walk Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Wildlife Coast Cruises Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

B. B. Common Wombat BV BV B B B Australian Fur Seal BV B BV BV

Forester Kangaroo B B BV BV B B B Common Dolphin

B. B. Bennett’s Wallaby B BV BV BV BV BV Bottlenose Dolphin Land Mammals Pademelon BV B B BV BV BV Humpback Whale X X X X Land Mammals

Tasmanian Devil BV BV B B Southern Right Whale X X X X X X X

Orca X X X X X X X Forty-spotted Pardalote N N N N

Cormorants: Pied and Cape Barren Goose N N N N Black-faced

N. N. N. N. Tasmanian Native Hen N N Shy Albatross X X BV BV BV BV

Yellow Wattlebird N N N N Australasian Gannet Birds Birds Hooded Plover N N N N N N Crested Tern N N N

Swift Parrot X X X X X X X N N N N Short-tailed Shearwater X X X X N N

Scarlet & Flame Robins N N N N N Little Penguin N N N N N N

White-bellied Sea Eagle N N N

42 43 Signature Experiences of Australia

Our signature experiences showcase the best quality experiences on offer across Australia. From winery experiences, guided walking and luxury lodges to fishing adventures, wildlife encounters and a round or two of golf.

Luxury Lodges of Australia is an extensive collection of Great Golf Courses of Australia provides access to some Great Walks of Australia offers superb and quintessentially Great Fishing Adventures of Australia provides saltwater, Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia is a collection of independent lodges and camps offering unforgettable of Australia’s leading golf courses, including the country’s Australian walking experiences that engage walkers freshwater and fly fishing enthusiasts the opportunity premium award-winning wineries in Australia’s most experiences in Australia’s most inspiring and extraordinary six World Top 100 course listings: Barnbougle Dunes and in some of the world’s most spectacular terrain. These to indulge in their passion in some of the most diverse renowned wine regions. These wineries are not just locations. These lodges are exclusive by virtue of their Barnbougle Lost Farm, Kingston Heath, New South Wales, walks inspire travellers to explore Australia’s diverse environments the world has to offer. places to sample and purchase wine, but offer a diverse remoteness, their special location and intimate size. Royal Melbourne and Royal Adelaide. landscape by foot, where guests reconnect with nature in and unique range of cellar door, dining and private touring small, intimate groups led by expert guides with a deep experiences. understanding and appreciation of the environment.

44 45 Plan your trip

Australia is a vast land with enormous diversity, so knowing where to start planning your journey can sometimes be overwhelming. With so much to discover, the Australian Wildlife Journeys website is the perfect resource to get started on planning your Australian adventure. You’ll find more details about each of the operators; suggested itineraries; wildlife experiences by destination or special wildlife interest; and information to help you plan your trip. You can contact each operator directly for more information, immerse yourself in our picture and video galleries, and sign up for special offers. Whether you book directly with your chosen operator, or via your preferred travel specialist, our website is a great place to start. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and share your experiences, stories and photos; or find inspiration for your next Australian wildlife journey.

www.australianwildlifejourneys.com www.facebook.com/australianwildlifejourneys @AustralianWildlifeJourneys @AWJourneys

Flinders Ranges

46 47 Websitewww.australianwildlifejourneys.com Icon: www.australianwildlifejourneys.com FacebookAustralianWildlifeJourneys Icon: AustralianWildlifeJourneys Instagram@australianwildlifejourneys Icon: @australianwildlifejourneys Twitter@AWJourneys Icon: @AWJourneys

48 OPERATOR EXPERIENCES