Australia

[FayJ]

I am tentatively making plans for a visit to Australia and south-east Asia next year, once my current work contract is up in April or May.

I have been to Australia before, although I didn't do much birding then, so I know how vast the place is but I am wondering about where the best birding places are in the east and north of the country. I am thinking of visiting the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.
Also, which field guide would be best? Simpson and Day or Pizzey and Knight - or any other suggestions? Also, what is the best time to visit - is the southern autumn/winter a good time for birds?

What I want to do is fly to Australia via Singapore and then on my way home, come back via Thailand or Indonesia.

Many thanks
VB

[forktail]

I am tentatively making plans for a visit to Australia and south-east Asia next year, once my current work contract is up in April or May.

I have been to Australia before, although I didn't do much birding then, so I know how vast the place is but I am wondering about where the best birding places are in the east and north of the country. I am thinking of visiting the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales.
Also, which field guide would be best? Simpson and Day or Pizzey and Knight - or any other suggestions? Also, what is the best time to visit - is the southern autumn/winter a good time for birds?

What I want to do is fly to Australia via Singapore and then on my way home, come back via Thailand or Indonesia.

Many thanks
VB

Hi Vb

Northern Territory is easy to do but you'll need to hire a car. This is fairly cheap and easily arranged in Darwin. Unlimited mileage is very important though as distances, as you say, are often quite large.

There are a few good places actually in Darwin itself or very close by such as Lee Point, East Point, the sewage works, Knuckey's Lagoon, and further afield Howard Springs, Fogg Dam etc. More distant sites like Kakadu Park (a must-visit place) Tennent Creek and Katherine are 2-3 day trips.

You could even take a week-10 days and drive all the way to the red centre and Ayers Rock.

The birds are great and the weather goes with them. I have great memories of sitting on the beach at Lee Point watching large groups of Great Knots, stints and sandplovers etc. It's a big spacious country, you can camp just about anywhere (mindful of snakes and the like!) and feel like you've travelled back in time.

Thailand would be a good place to stop over on a return. Indonesia would probably mean my old home of dirty and hot Jakarta and Java where the birding is hard to say the least - you could get the ferry over to south Sumatra and visit Way Kanan which is quiet and very birdy but overall Thailand would be much easier and more pleasant relaxed birding...

atb
F.

[FayJ]

Many thanks Forktail, much appreciated!

I hope this one works out as my plans for this year were scrubbed...

[FayJ]

I've booked my flights to/from Australia and I am flying out next May via a few days in Singapore, spending 6 weeks in Australia and then returning via a few weeks in Thailand. I have ensured that the flight schedule is as flexible as possible so that if I want to stay longer in any of the places I can.
Roll on next May...:beer:

[chris butterworth]

"Where to watch birds in Australasia and Oceania" ( can't remember offhand who wrote it) gives a brilliant selection of sites throughout Aus. Good luck on your trip.
Chris

[FayJ]

I have recently got my hands on 'Where to Find Birds in Australia' by John Bransbury. I also got Lloyd Neilson's Birding Australia guide as well, so with those two I'm pretty much sorted, but I appreciate the suggestion Chris.
I think the book you mention is by Nigel Wheatley.

[robert]

Hey,

I have just returned from a great birding trip to South Australia and it was a good time for birding as there was more water about. Kakadu National Park might be worth a visit, would like to go there my self. Tropical Queensland would be a must for me, there are some super sites there that would produce some great birds (although it is the start of their rainy season now). I took the Michael Morcombe field guide and the slater field guide. I know you are about sorted though.

Thanks,
Rob

[FayJ]

Hi Rob,

did you do any pelagic trips or seawatching while you were there?

[robert]

Hey,

No I never got around to going out on any pelagic trips, as much as I would have loved to though. Nor did I get the chance to do any seawatching. I did all of my birding inland. It was unfortunate that I was so land-based but I was still able to see some great birds. Thanks,

Rob