Day 1:   Tuesday, September  16

Darwin -The tour begins at 6:00 pm with dinner with our guide.  Our first two nights are in Darwin so we can relax and acclimatize to the tropics. Night: Darwin.

Day 2:  Wednesday September 17 -  Darwin

Optional early morning walk.  We will travel to Buffalo Creek where we’re likely to find Red-headed Honeyeater, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher and occasionally a Mangrove Golden Whistler. We will visit Nightcliff Mudflats where low tide can provide waders galore.   We will walk through the Botanic Gardens looking for the Rufous Owl, Forest Kingfisher and Green-backed Gerygone.  We will end the day with a visit to East Point looking for Bush-stone and Beach-stone Curlews . Night: Darwin.

Photograph:  Bush-stone Curlew

Source:  Wikipedia

Day 3: Thursday, September 18 

Darwin to Kakadu- Optional early bird walk.  We will have an early departure from Darwin.  And travel to Fogg Dam, internationally renowned as a birdwatchers’ paradise.  Here we should find Broad-billed Flycatcher, Bar-breasted Honeyeater and Shining Flycatcher.  Black-necked Storks are also usually present.  We will lunch at Bark Hut further down the Arnhem Highway to Kakadu.  We could see Northern Rosella, Black-tailed Treecreeper and Bar-breasted Honeyeater at Mamukala Wetlands or Beatrice Hill.  We will overnight at Cooinda in Kakadu National Park.  Night: Kakadu

Day 4:  Friday September 19

Kakadu – An early morning boat trip on Yellow Waters Cruise will take us to "the" wetlands of Kakadu, famous for vast flocks of birds such as Plumed and Wandering Whistling Ducks, Great-billed Heron and Black Bittern, and Azure and Little Kingfishers.  We will keep an eye out for Barking and Rufous Owls roosting in the mangroves as well.  We will walk along Anbangbang Billabong which could provide more opportunities to view wetland species.  We will climb on Nourlangie Rock for Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon, Helmeted Friarbird, White-lined Honeyeater and Sandstone Shrike-thrush.  Australian Hobby and Peregrine Falcon, and  White-throated Gerygone can be found by the billabong at the base of the escarpment. Kakadu Ranger Headquarters will provide shopping and information galore.  A special treat will be the spurting Archer Fish at the headquarters!!  Night:  Kakadu

Photo:  Azure Kingfisher

Source:  Wikipedia

Day 5:  Saturday, September 20

Kakadu to Katherine- No walk this morning since we will be departing early.  We will stop at Gunlom’s beautiful waterfall and waterhole for Banded Fruit-Dove, Northern Fantails and White-browed Robin . We will pass through open woodlands on our  way to Pine Creek.  We will watch for Partridge Pigeon, Diamond Dove, Red-winged Parrot, Northern Rosella, Hooded Parrot, Common Koel, Red-backed Kingfisher, and Great Bowerbird.  We will make a brief stop in the late afternoon at Chinaman’s Creek.  We travel on to Katherine where washing facilities will be available.   Night: Katherine 

Photo:  Red-winged Parrot

Source:  Wikipedia

Day 6:  Sunday, September 21   

Katherine Gorge - We will spend the day in the canyon’s richly colored sandstone.  We will explore the densely vegetated margins of the Katherine River and the open eucalypt woodland looking for the Great Bowerbird, Black Kites, Peaceful and Bar-shouldered Doves, Red-winged Parrot, Azure Kingfishers and Crimson Finches.  

Night: Katherine

Photo:  Katherine Gorge

Source:  Wikipedia

Day 7:  Monday, September 22  

Katherine to Timber Creek- Early morning bird walk and early departure. We will make a brief stop at Victoria River Crossing and Sullivans Creek looking for Purple-crowned Fairy Wrens, Star Finches, Yellow-rumped and Chestnut-breasted Mannikin. Brogals, Pheasant Coucal and Rainbow Bee-eaters.  Night: Timber Creek

Photo:  Rainbow Bee-eater

Source:   Wikipedia

Day 8:  Tuesday, September 23  

Timber Creek to Kununurra- Early bird walk beside the creek at the rear of the Caravan park for Gouldian Finches, Northern Fantails and White-browed Robin.  We will travel on to Keep River National Park known for plentiful Boab trees and Aboriginal Rock Art. We will be watching for Red Goshawk and White-browed Robin.  Then it is off to Ginger Hill with its water holes known as Aboriginals hunting ground.   On the way into Kununurra we will check out the golf course for Red-backed and Crested Button-quails.  Laundry facilities will be available.   Two nights at Kununurra

Day 9:  Wednesday, September  24

Kununurra- Today we have the option ($580.00) to fly to Mitchell Plateau and helicopter to the plateau to look for the endemic Black Grasswren.  Those who do not take the helicopter trip, will visit Wyndam Port where Goudian Finches are regularly seen.   Night: Kununurra

Day 10: Thursday  September 25

Lake Argyle- Early Bird Walk.  We will depart for the 6 hour trip to Lake Argyle, the largest fresh water lake in tropical Australia.  The eastern and southern margins of the lake are shallow and providing ideal feeding habitat for Comb-crested Jacanas, Green Pygmy-Geese, Radjah Shelducks, Magpie Geese and Wandering Whistle Ducks.  This is also an important feeding ground for migratory waders such as the Wood Sandpiper and Long-toed Stint with flocks of  Bronzewing and Yellow Chat.  Night:  Kununurra

Photo:  Comb-crested Jacana      Source:  Wikipedia

Day 11: Friday, September 26

Kununurra to Turkey Creek- Early bird walk.  We will depart for an exciting day at Parrys Lagoon where we will observe Brolgas dance and large flocks of Whistle-ducks from a birdhide.  Then on  to Turkey Creek.  This is outback country and the Bungle Bungle Range is close at hand with its impressive rounded towers and stripes of orange iron oxide and blackish-green cyanobacteris.  This wonderful site is best viewed by helicopter, so an optional helicopter ride at $270.83 per person is available.  An Aboriginal Art Galley is available for those who choose not take the helicopter trip.  And wonderful birding is always available.  Night: Turkey Creek          

Day 12: Saturday, Sept. 27
Turkey Creek to Fitzroy Crossing. Early bird walk.  Today, we travel to Halls Creek for Morning Tea and then out across the top of the Great Sandy Desert.  We will pass through Margaret River and Fitzroy Crossing, and up to Geikie National Park.  Here we find a splendid gorge steeped in history where we can find Red-browed Pardalotes, Purple-crowned Fairy Wren, Sandstone Shike-thrush and Northern Fantails.  Tonight we stay in safari tents set high over lush lawns with views over the flood plains.   Night: Fitzroy Crossing 

Day 13: Sunday, September 28

Fitzroy Crossing to Broome- Early bird walk.  We will depart on our final driving leg of the trip and decent 400 KMS.  We will watch for Australian Bustards.  We will stop at Willare Bridge Roadhouse for refreshments and visit a patch of monsoon rainforest where we could find Barking Owl or Black-chinned Honeyeater.  We will stop for lunch at Derby by the wharf to look for Yellow Chat and Yellow Wagtail plus an assortment of other waders that frequent King Sound.  We will travel through Roebuck Plains and on to Broome for the first of our three night stay.  Night: Broome

Photo:  Australian Bustard

Source:  Wikipedia

Day 14:  Monday, September 29

Broome Bird Observatory- Today we visit the famous first Australian Bird Observatory.   Tides are crucial to close up views of the many waders visiting this area.  Roebuck Bay where the Observatory is located is rated as one of the top four nonbreeding grounds for migrant Artic waders in the world.  We can find Oriental Pratinacole, Eastern Curlew, Oriental Plover, Grey-tailed, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Tattlers, Red and Great Knots, all in huge numbers on the flats.  Other species that make regular use of the bay are Ruddy Turnstone, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Terek Sandpiper and Sanderling.  Night: Broome 

Photo:  Red Knot       Source:  Wikipedia

Day 15:  Tuesday, September 30

Today following breakfast, we bid farewell to "Follow That Bird" and take a last drive to the airport to catch a flight home.  Tour officially ends at 9:00 AM.