Birding in Western Australia

Day 1. Perth to Narrogin via the Darling Ranges and Dryandra

We begin this 4 day / 3 night private tour with a quick visit to one of Perth’s magnificent wetlands where we’ll look for waterbirds such as Blue-billed Duck, Musk Duck, and Australasian Grebe, while keeping an eye out for basking Tiger Snakes along the grassy margins.

From here, we climb into the Darling Ranges, stopping en route to search for endemics including Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo, Red-capped Parrot, Western Rosella, Western Spinebill and White-breasted Robin. Mammals like Western Grey Kangaroo and Western Brush-wallaby are often encountered in these forests.

Our destination is the Dryandra Woodlands, one of the most important conservation areas in southwest WA. This is our best chance to encounter the endangered Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren, Western Thornbill, and Purple-crowned Lorikeet. We’ll also be on the lookout for iconic mammals such as Numbat, Short-beaked Echidna, and, with luck, Red-tailed Phascogale. These woodlands also support reptiles including Western Bearded Dragon and Shingleback.

After dark, we’ll head back into the bush with spotlight in hand to search for nocturnal fauna. Possibilities include Tammar Wallaby, Woylie, Brushtail Possum, Bush Stone-curlew, Tawny Frogmouth, and Boobook Owl.

Overnight: Narrogin (Albert Facey Motel or similar)

Day 2. Narrogin to Cheynes Beach via Stirling Range

Today we journey south through the rich botanical corridor of the Stirling Ranges. We’ll stop along the way to bird areas of wandoo and mallee, with a good chance of finding Western Yellow Robin, Elegant Parrot, Purple-gaped Honeyeater and Tawny-crowned Honeyeater.

By late afternoon we’ll reach the south coast and begin our first efforts to locate three of southwest Australia’s most elusive endemics: Noisy Scrub-bird, Western Bristlebird, and Western Whipbird. These species are difficult—but possible—with time, patience, and careful listening.

Overnight: Cheynes Beach (chalet-style cabins with ensuite)

Day 3. Cheynes Beach to Pemberton via Lake Muir

We continue our search for the “elusive trio” this morning, while also hoping to see Red-winged Fairy-wren, Southern Emu-wren, and Red-eared Firetail. Quenda (Southern Brown Bandicoot) are occasionally active during the day and may be seen darting across walking tracks.

By mid-morning we’ll begin the journey west to the towering karri forests around Pemberton. En route, we’ll stop at Lake Muir, a Ramsar-listed wetland home to the range-restricted Western Corella (Muir’s Corella) and sometimes to Australian Bittern, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, and various crakes and stilts depending on water levels.

In Pemberton, we’ll visit the famous Gloucester Tree, a former fire lookout now surrounded by accessible forest that supports Western Rosella, White-breasted Robin, Red-winged Fairy-wren, and Common Bronzewing. If we’re fortunate, this is one of the best places to see the rare and curious Quokka.

Overnight: Pemberton (motel accommodation)

Day 4. Pemberton to Perth via Penguin Island

This morning we head north towards Perth, with a final detour to Penguin Island. This offshore nature reserve supports a breeding colony of Little Penguin, while Pelican, Bridled Tern, and Silver Gull nest on the island. Buff-banded Rail, King’s Skink, and Eastern Water Dragon are also frequently encountered.

The ferry crossing and surrounding waters can be productive for seabirds such as Crested Tern, Flesh-footed Shearwater, and during migration, Arctic Jaeger.

We return to Perth in the late afternoon, where the tour concludes.