Australia Raptor Tour

Australia is the sixth largest country on Earth. It is 11 times the size of Texas, and 31 times the UK, but it is sparsely populated by only 23 million people. Australia has been geographically isolated for so long (c. 80 million years) from other land masses that it has evolved a highly specialized, unique endemic fauna. This is also reflected in its bird life, and raptors are no exception.

Many Endemic Raptors

Nineteen of the 24 diurnal raptor species that occur there are endemic or nearly so. Many of them are widespread and fairly common, so finding raptors in Australia is fairly easy, especially if one goes to the right locations. We will try to see every one of the endemic raptors and will see most of the others as well. We will have several local expert co-leaders for a few days each and will see many other birds and members of the charismatic native fauna as well.

A Relaxing Birding Vacation

This trip will not involve long walks or any other strenuous activities; we do have a few long-drive days, but always stopping to see most raptors. Most raptor and bird watching will be done from the vehicle or on short walks. The tour will be conducted at a leisurely pace, with lots of time to observe each raptor, and other birds and animals, too.

Make a difference!

Raptours®, L.L.C. will make a financial contribution to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary for every member that signs up for this tour. Join us and make a lasting contribution to raptor conservation.

Day-by-Day Itinerary | Main Tour

Dates change depending on year of tour

Day 1

Arrive in Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (IATA code: SYD). Meet with Raptours staff and transfer to hotel near the airport. Personal introductions in the evening at dinner. Overnight in Sydney.

Day 2

Local Sydney. Meet local guide to see raptors all day. We could see Nankeen Kestrel, Australian Kite, or Australia Hobby. Dinner and overnight in Sydney.

Day 3

Drive north to Tamworth, with a few stops for raptors, such as Swamp Harrier or Whistling Kite. Have lunch with Stephen Debus, who will show us this nice raptor area in the afternoon. We hope to see Black Kite, Black Falcon, Spotted Harrier, or Wedge-tailed Eagle. Dinner and overnight in Armidale.

Day 4

Local Armidale. Stephen Debus will show us local raptors, including Little Eagle, Brown Goshawk, White-bellied Sea Eagle, and some already mentioned. Dinner and overnight in Armidale.

Day 5

Drive to Grafton in the morning to visit the nest of Square-tailed Kite (if active), then on north, stopping along the coast to look for Brahminy Kite or Osprey. Dinner and overnight at Springbrook.

Days 6–7

Nice raptor area around Beaudesert. We should see Brown and Peregrine Falcons, Collared Sparrowhawk, Gray Goshawk, and others mentioned above. Dinner and overnight in Springbrook.

Day 8

Drive west to St. George for the night.

Day 9

Drive early to Bowra Station. Some nice raptors nest here, including Black-breasted Buzzard. Possible Grey Falcon. Dinner and overnight in Noccundra.

Day 10

Drive to Tibooburra. Night in Tibooburra.

Days 11–12

Strzelecki Track. Great area for raptors. Best chance for Letter-winged Kite, as well as Grey Falcon and Black-breasted Buzzard. Dinner and overnight in Cameron Corner.

Day 13

Drive back to Sydney, stopping to look at raptors along the way. Dinner and overnight in Sydney.

Day 14

Catch flights home or continue on the Top End Extension.

Day-by-Day Itinerary | Top End Extension

Dates change depending on year of tour

Day 1

Flight to Darwin. We will check out a local park for roosting owls. Dinner and overnight in Darwin.

Day 2

Drive to Kakadu Park. We will be stopping at several areas good for raptors. We should see Australian Hobby, Osprey, Black Kite, and others. Dinner and overnight in Kakadu Park.

Day 3

Drive to Katherine. Dinner and overnight in Katherine.

Day 4

Local. Nest of Red Goshawk. This is an extremely rare raptor. Dinner and overnight in Katherine.

Day 5

All day on Victoria Highway for raptors. Dinner and overnight in Katherine.

Day 6

Drive to Darwin. Grey Goshawk often seen in the city. Dinner and overnight in Darwin.

Day 7

Fly to Sydney.

Day 8

Catch flights back home. Extra nights in Sydney can be arranged upon request.

Target Species

common name

1. Osprey
2. Black-shouldered Kite
3. Letter-winged Kite
4. Square-tailed Kite
5. Black-breasted Buzzard
6. Pacific Baza
7. Little Eagle
8. Wedge-tailed Eagle
9. Red Goshawk
10. Gray Goshawk
11. Brown Goshawk
12. Collared Sparrowhawk
13. Swamp Harrier
14. Spotted Harrier
15. Black Kite
16. Whistling Kite
17. Brahminy Kite
18. White-bellied Sea Eagle
19. Nankeen Kestrel
20. Australian Hobby
21. Brown Falcon
22. Gray Falcon
23. Black Falcon
24. Peregrine Falcon

latin name

1. Pandion haliaetus
2. Elanus axillaris
3. Elanus scriptus
4. Lophoictinia isura
5. Hamirostra melanosternon
6. Aviceda subcristata
7. Hieraaetus morphnoides
8. Aquila audax
9. Erythrotriorchis radiatus
10. Accipiter novaehollandiae
11. Accipiter fasciatus
12. Accipiter cirrocephalus
13. Circus approximans
14. Circus assimilis
15. Milvus migrans
16. Haliastur sphenurus
17. Haliastur indus
18. Haliaeetus leucogaster
19. Falco cenchroides
20. Falco longipennis
21. Falco berigora
22. Falco hypoleucos
23. Falco subniger
24. Falco peregrinus

Suggested Field Guides

Debus, S. 1998. The Birds of Prey of Australia. Oxford University Press.

Hollands, D. 1984. Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons of Australia. Thomas Nelson, Melbourne.

Cupper, J., and L. Cupper. 1981. Hawks in Focus. Jaclin Enterprises, Mildura, Australia.

Tour Map

Tour Leader

Local Raptor Expert

Tour Co-Leader

Birds of Prey of Australia

Tour Showcase

Terms

Raptours, L.L.C. reserves the right to alter this itinerary as necessary, or to cancel the tour prior to departure, with full refund to participants.

Raptours, L.L.C. or its agents may decline to accept or retain any person as a member of this tour at any time.

No smoking will be permitted while with the group, either when indoors or in the field.

Travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.

All passengers will be required to sign a hard copy of the Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form upon meeting with the tour leader in Sydney.

No participants will be allowed in the group without a signed copy of the Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk form.

Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Form
(including Terms)