Gippsland Wildlife of Eastern Australia Tour

Birdwatching & Conservation Tour in East Gippsland, Australia

This 4-Day East Gippsland Wildlife & Conservation Tour is leisurely paced and available as a set departure. Located in the state of Victoria, East Gippsland is famous for the wildlife found in its huge range of different habitats, particularly large mammals, birds and reptiles. It is a fabulous place for parrots and cockatoos – they are numerous, visible and noisy!

A tour of the internationally famous RAMSAR wetlands in the Lakes District includes a ferry trip to visit a koala sanctuary. The region is also an excellent spot to look for Echidnas, Wallabies and Kangaroos, as well as Honeyeaters. Your Gippsland wildlife adventure visits both dry and wet mountain forests, as well as the famous Snowy River, listening out for Superb Lyrebirds and keeping an eye peeled for Goannas.

The region's coastal wilderness is home to Sea Eagles, Oystercatchers, Pelicans, Gannets, Kingfishers and Black Swans, with many birds nesting in the network of dunes, as well as Fur Seals and Bottlenose Dolphins. We also seek out for Grey-headed Flying Foxes in Bairnsdale and Wombats on the plains. You may be lucky enough to also spot rarities such as Eastern Whipbirds, Large-billed Scrubwrens and Southern Emu-wrens.

There will also be an opportunity during this Gippsland wildife trip to take an active part conservation in the region and to learn about Aboriginal culture.

East Gippsland Wildlife & Conservation Tour highlights include:

An opportunity to observe a wide variety of unique mammals, birds and reptiles
Visiting Lakes District wetlands and koala sanctuary
Touring a wide variety of habitats, including rugged mountain forests, secluded river estuaries, lowland rainforests and coastal areas
A chance to take an active part in conservation efforts in the region
Learn about Aboriginal culture at Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place

Please note: this set-departure tour is also available as a private or custom tour on request. Please submit an enquiry with your preferred dates and group size.

If you like the look of this trip but want to stay a little longer why not consider our Birding Victoria and Lake Mungo Tour

Alternative Tour Name: Birding & Wildlife Conservation Journey, East Gippsland Victoria

Day 1

Day 1 - Melbourne to East Gippsland (pick ups commence from Melbourne at 8.00 am)

At 8 a.m., your hotel in Melbourne will be the first place you'll be picked up. Please tell us which hotel you are staying at so that we can set up a time to pick you up. You could also let our friendly staff help you find a place to stay in Melbourne.

Pass by the internationally famous RAMSAR wetlands in the Lakes District of East Gippsland before taking a ferry to a koala sanctuary on an island in the wetlands. We go for a walk through the forest to see these cute animals in their natural habitats and learn about their lives. We might also see echidnas, wallabies, and kangaroos, as well as many colourful parrots, honeyeaters, and seabirds, which you can help record for conservation purposes.

We're going to a nearby restaurant for dinner tonight.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead, Orbost or similar.

Day 2

Day 2 - Rugged Mountain Forests of East Gippsland

After a nice breakfast, we drive through East Gippsland's rough mountain forests. East Gippsland has a lot of wildlife because it has many different kinds of forests.

Today, we'll visit both dry and wet mountain forests, as well as the famous Snowy River and a wilderness creek where the landscape changes dramatically from sunny, dry slopes to a near-rainforest gully. Your Wildlife Guide tells you all about how these huge forests were made and helps you find lyrebirds, parrots, goannas, wallabies, and honeyeaters. There are a lot of birds and reptiles, but not many people.

At the Homestead, we end the day with a home-cooked meal.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead, Orbost or similar.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 3

Day 3 - Explore Secluded River Estuary on the Wilderness Coast

This morning, we will walk and look for birds and wallabies in a large lowland (warm temperate) rainforest. Then, in Australia's coastal wilderness, go on a discovery walk through a heathland and along a river lined with trees to its mouth.

Today, we'll look for sea eagles, cockatoos, kingfishers, swans, and big goanna lizards. We go to a quiet beach with a complicated set of dunes where we often see birds that live on the beach or fly out to sea.

After lunch, go for a walk on the nearby rocky headland and look into the rock pools and wind-shaped coastal shrubs while looking out at the 90 mile beach.

At Cape Conran, we have a one-of-a-kind chance to help save the environment by spending time on a beautiful beach picking up ghost net, which is discarded fishing net. You will be given the tools you need to do this job, and your work will go toward getting rid of this dangerous threat to marine life.

Tonight's dinner is a picnic in the bush with a view of the beach (weather permitting). We look for wallabies, kangaroos, and wombats on the plains on the way back to our homestead.

Accommodation: Snowy River Homestead, Orbost or similar.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 4

Day 4 - Mouth of the Snowy River & Krowathunkooloong to Melbourne

This morning, we leave East Gippsland after one last look in a forest or along the coast for any species we might have missed.

On our way back to Melbourne, we stop in Bairnsdale to learn about Aboriginal culture at the Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place. We also look for grey-headed flying-foxes in Bairnsdale, where a large colony usually lives near the river during the warmer months.

Back to Melbourne, where you will arrive around 5 p.m. in the late afternoon. Why not stay in Melbourne longer and have more time to explore? Our friendly staff can help you figure out what to do.

Breakfast and lunch provided.

Write a Review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

I certify that this Wildlife Review is based on my own experience and is my genuine opinion of this tour. I understand that Blue Sky Wildlife has a zero-tolerance policy on fake reviews.

Please check the reCaptcha before review submission.

Thank you for posting a Wildlife Review. It will appear live after Blue Sky Wildlife approves it.

Please fill all the fields.

Tours*

Wildlife*

Guides*

Conservation*

Location*

Value*

Yes, I would like to receive special offers and updates from Blue Sky Wildlife.

Expand/Close

Why should I book with Australian Geographic Travel?

Unique vistas and off-the-beaten-path adventures await you on your Australian Geographic trips. Immerse yourself in awe-inspiring scenery, bird viewing, and animal conservation while interacting with locals and learning about our ancient First Nations culture. It is awe-inspiring to travel with us since we provide everything from local seafood to flights into World Heritage-listed wilderness areas.

What is included in the meals?

Daily breakfast, 4 x lunches, 3 x dinners

What is pace of this tour?

Easy going. As part of the tour, you will walk about 3 km. Some places have hills. Every day, there could be anywhere from one to three walks of this length.

How are accommodations?

As planned, there will be a place to stay for three nights.