Southern Australia

Hobart to Bruny Island

Sep 30

This morning, you’ll travel to Bruny Island, 40km south of Hobart, separated from Tasmania by the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. The 15-minute ferry crossing often features sightings of Little Penguins or dolphins. At ‘Inala,’ a 1,500-acre wildlife sanctuary, you’ll explore habitats for all 12 Tasmanian endemic bird species, including the endangered Forty-spotted Pardalote, Strong-billed, Yellow-throated, and Black-headed Honeyeaters, Dusky Robin, and Green Rosella. Observation hides provide perfect vantage points for viewing and photographing raptors, and you may spot the striking white morph Grey Goshawk. Likely mammal sightings include Red-necked (Bennett’s) Wallaby and Tasmanian Pademelon, alongside unique flora, including Gondwanan relics.

In the afternoon, you’ll visit Bruny’s southern coastline to see Australia’s second-oldest lighthouse and search for species like Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Olive Whistler, and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. There’s also a chance to spot the Tasmanian Short-beaked Echidna subspecies. After dinner, depending on weather conditions, we will visit the Short-tailed Shearwater (and occasional Little Penguin) colony to view these species at their burrows and will take an evening drive in search of Tasmania’s nocturnal marsupials

Bruny Island Marine Safari & Seabird Viewing

Oct 1

Set out on an exhilarating wilderness cruise along Bruny’s rugged southern coastline, where towering sea cliffs and caves provide sanctuary for Black-faced Cormorants, Shy Albatross, and Australian Fur Seals. Keep an eye out for dolphins, humpback whales, and southern right whales as they migrate through the region. Later, venture into Adventure Bay, where Hooded Plovers nest along the sandy shores. A highlight will be searching for Bruny’s rare “white wallabies,” an almost albino form of Bennett’s Wallaby. End the day with a guided night safari, offering unparalleled opportunities to observe brushtail possums, Tawny Frogmouths, Tasmanian pademelons, eastern quolls (a relative of the Tasmanian devil), Bennett’s wallabies, and other nocturnal creatures

Mount Field National Park

Oct 2

Travel inland to Mount Field National Park, one of Tasmania’s most diverse natural reserves, featuring lush temperate rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and alpine meadows. Take a guided walk through giant eucalyptus forests, where you’ll marvel at some of the tallest trees in the Southern Hemisphere. Visit Russell Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by dense ferns, before searching for the elusive platypus in the park’s crystal-clear streams. In the evening, relax at a charming wilderness lodge nestled near the park’s ancient Gondwanan rainforests.

Cradle Mountain

Oct 3-4

Head north to Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, a UNESCO-listed wilderness area known for its dramatic alpine scenery, ancient glacial lakes, and dense beech forests. Spend two days exploring Tasmania’s most iconic wildlife sanctuary, where you’ll have the chance to encounter wombats grazing in open meadows, Black Currawongs soaring above the peaks, and echidnas burrowing through the undergrowth. As night falls, join a special nocturnal safari in search of Tasmanian devils, spotted-tailed quolls, and eastern-barred bandicoots, offering a rare glimpse into the island’s secretive predators.

On your second day at Cradle Mountain you will continue to search for some of Tasmania’s endemic bird species. This area also offers a good chance to spot the common wombat. You’ll enjoy discovering fascinating plant species, including ancient rainforest varieties and Gondwanan relics such as Pencil and King Billy Pines, Myrtle, and the famous Fagus (Nothofagus gunnii), Tasmania’s only deciduous tree. You’ll also visit the replica of “Waldheim,” the home of Austrian Gustav Weindorfer, whose passion for the area inspired the creation of the national park. Tonight, you’ll return to the National Park, hoping to spot a Tasmanian devil or spotted-tailed quoll.

Cradle Mountain to northern Tasmanian coast

Oct 5

This morning, you will visit a Wildlife Sanctuary where some of Tasmania’s rarer mammal species can be seen, including Tasmanian devil, quolls and wombats “up close and personal”. Visit a secluded reserve where you’ll have another chance to spot the elusive platypus, a highlight of Tasmania’s unique wildlife offerings. After you will journey to Narawntapu National Park, a hidden gem of Tasmania’s northern coastline, often referred to as the "Serengeti of Tasmania" due to its incredible density of marsupials. Traverse expansive grasslands, coastal lagoons, and eucalyptus woodlands, encountering Forester kangaroos, Red-necked wallabies, and Tasmanian pademelons grazing in the wild. 

You will then travel to your B&B at nearby Hawley Beach where we will enjoy a gourmet home-cooked dinner. After dinner, there will be another optional night walk to search for southern brown bandicoot and long-nosed potoroo.

Lamington National Park

Oct 6-8

Fly to Queensland and immerse yourself in the World Heritage-listed rainforests of Lamington National Park, one of Australia’s most renowned birding destinations. Explore towering subtropical forests, lush fern gullies, and misty waterfalls, home to over 200 bird species, including the striking Paradise Riflebird, Albert’s Lyrebird, and Regent Bowerbird. Walk beneath ancient fig trees while keeping an eye out for Australian Brush-turkeys, Noisy Pittas, and Logrunners. In the evenings, enjoy guided night walks, where you may encounter greater gliders, ringtail possums, and sugar gliders gliding through the canopy.

Depart for home

Oct 9

Enjoy a final morning walk through Lamington’s pristine rainforests, where early risers may be rewarded with sightings of the Superb Fairy-wren, Wonga Pigeon, and red-legged pademelon. After breakfast, transfer to Brisbane Airport, concluding your Southern Australia wildlife expedition.

Arrive home

Oct 10

Return home, bringing with you lasting memories of Australia’s unique wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.