This tour is perfect for passionate birdwatchers, nature lovers, and photographers eager to explore and share their interests in wildlife. Traveling in a spacious, air-conditioned mini-van, participants will visit 8 to 12 locations, each offering short, peaceful walks of just a few hundred meters to reach scenic viewpoints. The tour allows plenty of time to photograph and observe the diverse flora and fauna in their natural settings.

The UNESCO Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a remarkable area where tropical and temperate zones converge, creating diverse ecosystems. Here, the tour visits 3 to 4 locations, including mangroves, wallum, wet and dry eucalyptus forests, and rainforests. This area is home to 40% of Australia’s bird species, totaling around 304, including migratory wader species. Other wildlife includes the Eastern Grey kangaroo, koala, grey-headed flying fox, echidna, brush-tail possum, ring-tail possum, platypus, and carpet python. Rich in biodiversity, participants can enjoy the serene atmosphere while savoring a delicious, locally sourced morning tea.

Afterward, the tour heads inland to the Hinterland, passing through charming villages with cafes and vibrant roadside fruit stalls, and ascends the majestic Blackall Range to the Mapleton area. Here, 3 to 4 locations are visited, featuring subtropical rainforests with bunya pines, piccabeen palms, and towering eucalyptus stands, all teeming with plant and wildlife. Notable species in this region include the Wompoo fruit-dove, sulphur-crested cockatoo, Australian king parrot, bell miner, whip bird, and peregrine falcon, among others.

Continuing up the eastern scarp of the Great Dividing Range, the tour visits Conondale National Park, renowned for its pristine beauty and diverse landscapes, from rainforest gullies to eucalyptus stands. Conondale’s avifauna showcases the area’s unique diversity, with the forest hosting over a quarter of Queensland’s wildlife, including 242 bird species, 22 of which are rare and endangered. Significant fauna includes the rare plumed or marbled frogmouth, red goshawk, Coxen’s fig parrot, powerful owl, black-breasted button-quail, paradise rifle bird, and the giant spiny lobster. This area is considered one of Queensland’s premier birdwatching destinations. Participants can enjoy a fresh, locally sourced packed lunch and fruit salad while immersing themselves in the lush natural surroundings.

On the return journey, the tour stops at the Obi Obi Creek wetland, featuring creeks, cascades, waterfalls, rocky waterholes, gorges, and scarps. This area holds cultural significance for the Indigenous Gubbi Gubbi people, who used the ranges for gatherings and bunya nut festivals. Known for its buttressed gallery forest of fig and black bean, the area is home to numerous native frog and turtle species, including the platypus and the vulnerable Mary River cod. Upon returning to their accommodation, participants can unwind with a spa soak or a sundowner before dinner, reflecting on a day filled with wildlife experiences.

Points of Interest

• Tropical Treks Birding Adventures

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Professional guide
• National Park fees
• Snacks
• Please advise any dietary concerns
• Tea and coffee
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan

• 1 Lt. water minimum
• Available:
• Bring:
• Camera (no tripod)
• Hat
• Insect repellent
• Light, quick-dry clothing
• Ponchos
• Small selection of basic binoculars
• Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes/boots
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

Discover the UNESCO Noosa Biosphere Reserve and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The UNESCO Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a unique area where sub-tropical and temperate zones overlap, providing varied ecosystems home to 300+ Australian bird varieties, with 60 ecosystems, 1300 plant species, pristine coastal & mountain landscapes. Further inland along the eastern escarpment of the vast Great Dividing Range lies the pristine and remote Blackall and Conondale Ranges providing gullied rain forests over topped by towering eucalyptus stands and an enormous diversity of plants, wildlife and bird-life to discover.

• A maximum of 6 people per booking
• Adult fares apply. Charters available for large groups or groups with children
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those using a wheelchair
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
• Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
• Some walking is involved

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.