In two parts for those with limited time. Part I covers the environs of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, southwest Australia, and Alice Springs. Part II begins in Darwin and continues to Queensland (Cairns, Atherton Tableland, Outback Queensland, and O'Reilly's Guest House). Both parts combine for a complete birding tour of Australia. An optional endemic-rich extension to Tasmania follows Part II.
Australia, the "Island Continent," has been isolated since the hemispheres began and is home to one of the most exciting and unusual assemblages of native wildlife on Earth. Of the 94 native families of Australian birds, seven occur only there. Some 370 of the nearly 900 species known from Australia are endemic! There are huge Emus and the awesome Southern Cassowary, tiny fairywrens--among the world's most vividly colored birds--handsome currawongs and odd mud-nest builders, bizarre frogmouths and Australian Owlet-Nightjars, lyrebirds, and strange kingfishers--including the giant Laughing Kookaburra. And there are megapodes, parrots, pittas, fruit-doves, honeyeaters, logrunners, and whipbirds, not to mention the birds-of-paradise and bowerbirds! Among the mammals native to Australia are some of the most peculiar on Earth. A few of the special mammals we may see are Platypus, Koala, several species of kangaroos and wallabies, wombat, echidna, and arboreal possums.
Our tour will take us to wild places in each of Australia's important geographic regions. Indeed, Australia features wonderful birding and wildlife experiences throughout, and austral springtime brings out the best in this continent rich in natural wonders.
We also offer our popular post-tour extension to Tasmania. We will search for all twelve of the endemic birds and the enigmatic Tasmanian Devil amid some of Australia's most beautiful scenery.
Select the KEY INFO tab or click here for our itinerary plus space requests, status, fees, limits, and guides for any departure.
Client comment "I'd had a lifelong dream to visit Australia, and Field Guides has been going there for many years. The guides on our tour, Chris Benesh and Doug Gochfeld, are exceptional birders, great with people, have contacts all over the country and can pull it off without too much discomfort in spite of the long distances! Your office service was seamless and exceptional. Many thanks for a fabulous trip and terrific memories of Australia's extraordinary bird life." J.R., AUSTRALIA
ITINERARIES • TOUR STATUS • DETAILS • SPACE REQUESTS
ITINERARIES • We issue a separate itinerary for each year, typically at least 9 months before that year's first departure. Most itineraries don't vary much year to year, but there may be small or rarely more substantive changes. A sample previous-year itinerary is usually available even if the one for your chosen departure is not. We do not require any deposit for provisional bookings until the itinerary for the departure is ready.
DEPARTURES • We have 4 departures currently scheduled through 2026, with details including limits, guides, fees, and space available listed below.
2025
Sep 26 - Oct 16, 2025 - Part One Guided by: Chris Benesh & Alex Sundvall Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - The itinerary has not been finalized for this tour. The trip has provisionally filled but, if you are interested, we can waitlist you for the trip. As we do not require deposits until the itinerary and price are finalized, we often have folks drop off a tour when the deposit is required, and so space opens up! Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2024=$10850 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO
Oct 14-29, 2025 - Part Two Guided by: John Coons & Cory Gregory Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - The itinerary has not been finalized for this tour. The trip has provisionally filled but, if you are interested, we can waitlist you for the trip. As we do not require deposits until the itinerary and price are finalized, we often have folks drop off a tour when the deposit is required, and so space opens up! Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2024=$8100 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO
2026
Sep 25 - Oct 15, 2026 - Part One Guided by: Chris Benesh & Alex Sundvall Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Provisionally full; waitlist available - The itinerary has not been finalized for this tour. The trip has provisionally filled but, if you are interested, we can waitlist you for the trip. As we do not require deposits until the itinerary and price are finalized, we often have folks drop off a tour when the deposit is required, and so space opens up! Click below to be waitlisted for this tour with no obligation; if you are waitlisted, we will also notify you in case of an added departure of this tour. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2024=$10850 REQUEST WAITLIST OR MORE INFO
Oct 13-28, 2026 - Part Two Guided by: Cory Gregory & Sam Wilson Tour Manager: Karen Turner Tour Limit: 12 Status: Open - Space is still available on this tour, and we are accepting provisional bookings. No deposit is required until you receive the itinerary. Click below to book space. Tour Fee: Fee TBD / 2024=$8100 REQUEST SPACE OR MORE INFO
ABOUT OUR TRIPLISTS • After every tour we issue an annotated triplist of the birds recorded on the trip, illustrated with wonderful images (and sometimes video clips) from the tour's participants and guides.
Enjoy looking through the 8 most recent Field Guides triplists for this tour linked below!