Australia Tours

Koala by David Shackelford

Over the past 30 million years Australia’s land mammals, have existed in complete isolation, evolving into a splendid variety of bizarre and unique forms. An astonishing 83% of the 360 mammals that are found here occur nowhere else on Earth! Amongst the weird and wonderful creatures that make their home down under, are the bulk of the world’s marsupials, or “pouched mammals” — kangaroos, wallabies, potoroos, wombats, koala, bandicoots and bilbies to name but a few. It is also home to the relict monotremes, the ancient group of “egg laying” mammals - the strange Short-beaked Echidna and the bizarre duck-billed Platypus.

We will begin our mammalian exploration of the Red Continent in Queensland renowned as the most productive mammal destination of the country. Home to an impressive 70 mammal species, along with a colorful array over 160 subtropical bird species and numerous reptiles and frogs, Lamington National Park is one of Australia’s richest wildlife reserves. Our world famous guesthouse, combines a unique mixture of subtropical rainforest and wet Eucalypt woodland creating a natural haven for wildlife. The park protects a vast area of forested mountains offering charming waterfalls, spectacular views of the rugged escarpment and a rich mammal experience. Here we will search for the most loveable and iconic of Australia’s unique mammals, the Koala which may be found feasting, or more likely dozing, on Eucalyptus trees. Approachable Red-necked Pademelons occur on the lodge grounds and Mountain Brushtail Possums, often accompanied by Sugar Gliders, pay nocturnal visits to a feeding station built into our lodge restaurant! In the vicinity we will search for other specials including Long-nosed Bandicoot, Greater Glider, Whiptail (or Pretty-faced) Wallaby, the carnivorous Spotted-tailed Quoll and fleet-footed Eastern Grey Kangaroos. The birding is a treat as brilliant Australian King Parrots and dozens of stunning Crimson Rosellas are bold enough to perch on visitors and both Regent and Satin Bowerbirds can be handfed! We will have to work a little harder for specials such as Australian Owlet-Nightjar, Albert’s Lyrebird, Logrunner, Noisy Pitta and Paradise Riflebird (a species of the famous birds-of-paradise!)

Moving onwards to the Atherton Tablelands, we will visit some of the outstanding national parks which preserve the richest rainforest fauna in Australia. Light filters through the leafy canopy to reveal prolific growths of huge epiphytic staghorns and elkhorns, together with innumerable small ferns, cling to the moss-covered trunks and branches of the giant trees within this luxuriant environment. Living in the green twilight are such creatures as the enormous Cape York Birdwing Butterfly and a host of rainforest birds and mammals. Amongst many highlights, will be visiting the favored haunts of the iconic but elusive Platypus, and we hope to see this strange creature swimming about in one of the quiet streams or pools in the surroundings. Spotlighting excursions may reveal the difficult Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo and Lemuroid and Green Possums. Rainforest Dingoes and Echidnas offer less reliable sightings and both the highly localized Tooth-billed Catbird and large flightless Southern Cassowary are amongst the birding specials. Whilst in Queensland we take a trip out to world’s largest coral reef system and one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the fantastic Great Barrier Reef. Here there will be an opportunity to go snorkeling, SCUBA diving or to take a glass-bottomed boat trip over the reef, providing a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful corals, impressive giant clams, sea turtles, and innumerable brightly-colored tropical fish. Over thirty species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in these waters and we hope to encounter some of these cetaceans during our visit to this marine wonderland.

An “ultimate mammal voyage” to Australia would be incomplete without including the temperate island of Tasmania and a hunt for the now severely threatened “Tassie” Devil. More than a third of this isolated wonderland is protected by parks and reserves where many species now extinct on the mainland, still exist. We explore the riches of Cradle Mountain which alongside its spectacular scenery offers great mammal viewing with an abundance of wallabies and possums as well as chances for Eastern Quoll, Tasmanian Pademelon and the huge Wombat. But here our focus will be Tasmanian Devils, listed as one of the top 30 mammals to see worldwide! With its high pitched bloodcurdling screeches, jet black color and aggressive temper it is understandable why it is simply called “the Devil” by locals. We also have great chances for both species of monotremes whilst honeyeaters, wrens and Red-breasted Robins are amongst the many birding delights.

Undoubtedly by the end of our travels to this vast and fascinating continent we will have accumulated an incredible sightings journal of mammals and birds with unforgettable wildlife experiences.

tour name and dates	Customized private tours available on request Mammals Down Under: 19 - 30 October 2010 Tasmania - In Search of the Devil: 30 October - 7 November 2010
tour cost	to be advised
maximum group size	on request
habitats covered	subtropical & tropical rainforest, Eucalyptus woodlands, alpine heathlands
climate	wet and cool during winter, hot and dry during summer
tour pace and walking	relaxed
accommodation	full range from basic but comfortable to very luxurious
ease of mammal viewing	moderate
top mammals	Tasmanian Devil, Koala, Duck-billed Platypus, Short-beaked Echidna
top birds	Southern Cassawary, Albert's Lyrebird, Longrunner, Noisy Pitta, Paradise Riflebird
other attractions	diving on the Great Barrier reef, rainforest spotlighting, great reptiles & frogs, spectacular scenery, friendly people
photography	excellent

Contact us for a detailed itinerary or other details.