7 Days / 6 Nights
Top End & Kakadu National Park
A Northern Territory birding and photography tour through Darwin, Kakadu National Park and the Top End’s floodplains, wetlands, savannah and sandstone country.
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Northern Territory birding
Wetlands, savannah, sandstone country and Kakadu specialties.
This tour explores the Top End of the Northern Territory, including Darwin birding sites, Kakadu National Park and surrounding habitats.
The region offers a rich mix of wetland, monsoon forest, savannah woodland, mangrove and sandstone country, with opportunities for species such as Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot, Rainbow Pitta, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon and many other northern birds.
- Darwin birding sites, wetlands and mangroves
- Kakadu National Parks floodplains and sandstone country for Banded Fruit-dove, White-lined Honeyeater, Chestnut-quilled Pigeon and Partridge Pigeon.
- Gouldian Finch, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Hooded Parrot and Rainbow Pitta opportunities
- Yellow Water cruise and Top End wildlife
Tour itinerary
Top End & Kakadu National Park itinerary
A 7 day / 6 night Northern Territory birding and photography tour through Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Pine Creek and the Timber Creek regions.
Darwin, NT
Darwin & surrounds
A full day around Darwin targeting the local specalties, these include Rufous Owl, Barking Owl, Tawny Frogmouth, Rainbow Pitta, Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove, Bush-stone Curlew, Red-headed Honeyeater, Mangrove Robin, Northern Fantail, Forest Kingfisher.
Darwin to Kakadu
We head out early to one of Darwin’s best and famous birding spots, Fogg Dam. Targets here include Black-necked Stork, Pied Heron, Rainbow Pitta, Comb-crested Jacana, Arafura Fantail, Crimson Finch and Forest Kingfisher.
Bardedjilidji, Ubirr and Nourlangie
Early walk at Bardedjilidji, then Ubirr for sandstone birds like Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon and Sandstone Shrike-thrush. If we are lucky we might even come accross a Wilkin's Rock-wallaby. If tides allow, visit Cahill Crossing to see the Salt-water Crocodiles. The afternoon we will head to Nourlangie to look for any missed endemics and view Aboriginal rock art.
Yellow Water and Pine Creek
Early Yellow Water Billabong cruise for Great-billed Heron, Little and Azure Kingfishers and Black Bittern. After lunch, travel south to Pine Creek, with chances for Red Goshawk, Hooded Parrot and Partridge Pigeon.
Gouldian Finch and Timber Creek
Early start at a waterhole for Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot, Long-tailed Finch, Masked Finch, Double-barred Finch, Banded Honeyeater and other drinking birds. Continue through Katherine to the Timber Creek region.
Timber Creek
A full day around Timber Creek, targets here are Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Buff-sided Robin, raptors and of course Gouldian,Star and Crimson Finch and Pictorella, Yellow-rumped Mannikins.
Timber Creek to Darwin
Morning options include another finch drinking hole or relaxed birding around Timber Creek for Buff-sided Robin, Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Great Bowerbird and Red-backed Kingfisher. The rest of the day we are driving back to Darwin where the tour concludes.
Darwin, NT
The tour finishes back in Darwin.
Darwin City, Jabiru, Pine Creek and Timber Creek
Accommodation includes The Argus Hotel in Darwin, The Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru, Lazy Lizard in Pine Creek, Timber Creek Hotel.
Included during the tour
Meals included: Day 1 lunch and dinner, Days 2-6 breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Day 7 breakfast and lunch.
$20990.00 AUD
All inclusive for two people in twin or double accommodation. Larger groups can contact Laurie for pricing and numbers.
Target birds
Birds to look for on this tour
Rainbow Pitta, Chestnut-quilled Rock-pigeon, Sandstone Shrike-thrush, White-lined Honeyeater, Banded Fruit-dove, Partridge Pigeon, Hooded Parrot, Gouldian Finch, Northern Rosella, Varied Lorikeet, Red-winged Parrot, Great-billed Heron, Little Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Buff-sided Robin, Yellow-rumped Mannikin, Banded Honeyeater, Silver-backed Butcherbird, Red-backed Kingfisher, finches, raptors and other Top End specialties.
The exact bird list depends on season, tides, weather, water levels and current bird activity.
