BIRDSVILLE TRACK PHOTO TOUR 2024
TOUR DATES: 11 - 18 August 2024
LOCATION: Flinders Ranges and the Birdsville Track
PRICE: $3620.00 AUD per person, single occupancy.
PAYMENT: Payment is via EFT transfer via online banking or contact Craig to make alternative arrangements.
RESERVE A PLACE: Deposits of $1000.00 per person accepted to reserve a place (non-refundable within 60 days of tour commencing).
OVERVIEW
Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure? Join me on a bird photography tour on the iconic Birdsville Track.
This tour is the perfect opportunity to capture stunning images of some of the outback’s most striking species, such as the Gibberbird, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Eyrean Grasswren, Black-breasted Buzzard, Orange Chat and the elusive Grey Falcon.
Starting in Adelaide, we will make our way to the Flinders Ranges where among other species we will target Wedge-tailed Eagles and Yellow-footed Rock-wallabies before heading further north to explore birding hotspots on the Birdsville Track.
INCLUSIONS
The tour includes all transport, accommodation, guiding and photography tuition, all meals except dinners, and lunch on Day 8 (Prarie Hotel, Parachilna).
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Adelaide to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park
Today we depart Adelaide at 8:00am and head into the heart of the Flinders Ranges, birding along the way. We’ll be looking to find and photograph raptors like the iconic Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcons and more as we head towards Wilpena Pound.
Possible species include: Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, Black Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Spotted Harrier, Australian Hobby, Redthroat, Rufous Fieldwren, Crimson Chat, White-fronted Chat, Red-capped Robin, Brown Songlark, Horsfield’s Bushlark, Purple-backed Fairywren, White-winged Fairywren, Apostlebird, Emu, Singing Honeyeater, Pallid Cuckoo, Black-eared Cuckoo, Euro, Western Grey Kangaroo and more.
Accom: Willow Springs Station.
Day 2: We’ll start today exploring Willow Springs which is home to plenty of birdlife. The properly is a mix of woodland, grassland and rocky escarpments. Short-tailed Grasswren has been recorded on the property and also at nearby Stokes Hill and while recent records are few, it is a possibility. After lunch we’ll explore further afield looking from more birds and macropods. Late afternoon we’ll visit a location ideal for backlit wildlife images and great sunsets.
Possible species include: Apostlebird, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Rufous and Brown Songlark, Grey Butcherbird, Emu, Elegant Parrot, Australian Ringneck, Purple-bakced Fairywren, Chirruping Wedgebill, White-winged Fairywren, Inland Thornbill,, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Singing Honeyeater, Pallid Cuckoo, Euro, Western Grey Kangaroo and more.
Accom: Willow Springs Station.
Day 3: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park to Marree
After an early breakfast we’ll wind our way through the Flinders’ rugged terrain as we venture into the world of the secretive Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby. Here we’ll work on capturing some beautiful images of these alluring macropods while also taking opportunities to photograph of the local bird species. As we drive out of the park and toward Marree, we’ll focus our attention toward the iconic Wedge-tailed Eagles that inhabit the area. The drive to Marree may also provide opportunities to photograph Black-breasted Buzzard, an opportunistic scavenger of the outback skies.
Possible species today include: Yellow-footed Rock-wallaby, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Black-breasted Buzzard, Brown Falcon, Brown Goshawk, Red-backed Kingfisher, Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Red-capped Robin, Purple-backed Fairywren, White-winged Fairywren, Inland Thornbill, Mallee Ringneck, Emu, Galah, Elegant Parrot, Euro, Western Grey Kangaroo, Short-beaked Echidna and more.
Accom: Marree Hotel
Day 4: Marree to Mungerannie (Birdsville Track)
Another early start this morning will get us straight onto the Birdsville Track. This will begin in earnest our search for unique arid zone species to photograph as we pass through wetlands, the Cooper Creek, expansive gibber plains and a number of sand dune habitats.
Our day will conclude arriving at the Mungerannie Hotel, which will serve as our base for the next few nights.
Possible species include: Gibberbird, Budgerigar, Flock Bronzewing, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Grey Falcon, Black Falcon, Brown Falcon, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Banded Lapwing, Red-browed Pardalote, Orange and Crimson Chat, Pied Honeyeater, Diamond Dove, Black-faced Woodswallow, Rufous Songlark, Zebra Finch, White-backed Swallow, Australian Pratincole, Banded and Southern Whiteface, Brolga, and more.
Accom: Mungerannie Hotel
Day 5: Mungerannie and surrounds
Today we’ll spend time focussing on finding and photographing the secretive Eyrean Grasswren along with a number of other species within short driving range of our base at Mungerannie.
Possible species include: Eyrean Grasswren, Gibberbird, Budgerigar, Flock Bronzewing, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Inland Dotterel, Black-breasted Buzzard, Purple-backed Fairywren, Rainbow Bee-eater, Cockatiel, Black-fronted Dotterel, White-winged Triller, Australian Pratincole, Brown Falcon, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Orange and Crimson Chat, Pied Honeyeater, Banded Lapwing, Black-faced Woodswallow, Zebra Finch, White-backed Swallow, Eastern Great Egret, Pied Cormorant, Brolga, Peaceful Dove, Red-backed Kingfisher, White-winged Fairywren and more.
Accom: Mungerannie Hotel
Day 6: Mungerannie and surrounds
Today we’ll venture further afield toward the Warburton River where we’ll search for the “Grey Ghost”, aka Grey Falcon. The Grey Falcon is considered one of the hardest to find and most sought after birds of prey in Australia, and the Birdsville Track is one of the ‘hotspots’ for this almost mystical bird. With some luck on our side today we’ll connect with the ghost and a number of other great birds.
Possible species include: Grey Falcon, Thick-billed Grasswren, Eyrean Grasswren, Grey Grasswren, Gibberbird, Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Flock Bronzewing, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Rainbow Bee-eater, White-winged Triller, Australian Pratincole, Brown Falcon, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Orange and Crimson Chat, Pied Honeyeater, Black-faced Woodswallow, Zebra Finch, White-backed Swallow, Eastern Great Egret, Pied Cormorant, Brolga, Peaceful Dove, Red-backed Kingfisher, White-winged Fairywren and more.
Accom: Mungerannie Hotel
Day 7: Mungerannie to Marree
This morning we’ll endeavour to seek out and photograph any species we may have missed as we make our way slowly back to Marree.
Accom: Marree Hotel
Day 8: Marree to Adelaide.
Our tour ends today with the drive back to Adelaide, stopping for any photo opportunities along the way.
REFUND POLICY
Cancellation any time after the deposit is paid incurs loss of the full deposit. If Craig Greer Photography is able to fill your place on the tour, and recoup the deposit funds paid to accommodation and other service providers, I may be able to reallocate some of your deposit to a future tour booking. Such requests are dealt with on a case by case basis.
Cancellations between 90-46 days prior to departure incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the tour cost.
Cancellations between 45 days or less prior to departure incur a cancellation fee of 100% of the tour cost (i.e. no refund).
I strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to cover you for any financial losses incurred as a result of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances.