Grand Australia: Part II

Part II of our Grand Australia odyssey reveals the incredible ecological range of this vast continent—from subtropical forests and tropical coasts to semiarid plains alive with endemic wildlife. Beginning in Queensland’s Lamington National Park, we stay at the renowned O’Reilly’s Guest House, where wild Australian King-Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, and Regent Bowerbirds feed from the hand. The surrounding forest shelters treasures such as Albert’s Lyrebird, Paradise Riflebird, and the elusive Noisy Pitta, while evenings bring the calls of owls and marsupials.

Next, we journey north to Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands, exploring rainforest, mangroves, and savannas. Highlights include Southern Cassowary, Chowchilla, Golden Bowerbird, and Platypus at dusk near Kingfisher Park. A boat trip on the Daintree River reveals herons, bitterns, and kingfishers, while a day on the Great Barrier Reef offers seabirds, snorkeling, and breathtaking marine life.

Continuing south to Victoria, we’ll explore the Mallee woodlands and desert scrub of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, home to Malleefowl, Pink Cockatoo, Splendid Fairywren, and Southern Scrub-Robin. Our adventure culminates in Deniliquin, where we search the open plains by spotlight for the rare and enigmatic Plains-wanderer—the only member of its family.

From tropical birding to outback adventure, this journey captures the essence of Australia’s wild heart. Expert leadership, fine accommodations, and a mix of iconic birds, marsupials, and reptiles ensure an unforgettable experience.

This tour traverses Australia’s full ecological spectrum—from Queensland’s subtropical rainforests to Victoria’s mallee scrub and New South Wales’ open plains. Towering eucalypt forests and tangled vines give way to red-soiled desert woodlands and native grasslands. Birdlife shifts dramatically across regions: cassowaries and pittas in the north, parrots and fairywrens in the interior, and the rare Plains-wanderer in the south. Mammals like wallabies, echidnas, and platypuses add to the richness of this extraordinary cross-continental experience.