I just watched your video on desert birds, filmed in 2010 after a good rain season. Loved it! Now, I'm from Sweden and am planning a long trip to Australia next year. Probably beginning of Sept to beginning of Nov. I would've liked at least one week more, but this is so long my partner will be able to be away from work. I'm retired nowadays and don't have that particular problem (instead it's the lack of funds that cramps my style). This will be our first, and probably only, trip to Oz therefore we have SO many wishes. I have managed to put together an itinerary (including domestic flights between territories/states, there seems to be an aversion on car hire companies to let their cars cross statelines...), and one of my planned highlights will include Gluepot Reserve! Now: does one need to book access to a hide? (And, are they easy to find when one at last has found ones way to the reserve?)
Hello! It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the video and are planning a long trip to Australia! It is a big country but two months should give you plenty of time to explore, I am sure you will have a wonderful time and see some great birds, what are the main regions you are planning to visit? Gluepot Reserve would be worth visiting! The reserve is very clearly mapped and sign posted so you can easily find your way to the different hides and walks. You do need to bring your own camping gear and water/food and ensure you have sufficient fuel to get around the reserve. It is a lovely place to explore the Australian mallee and see some great birds, there are usually other bird watchers around who will be happy to help! Feel free to ask me about anything else you would like to know for your trip :)
@@epicbirds2864 Ah-ha! You asked, therefore I'm gonna dump a "quick overview" of the desired itinterary (as one cannot 100% book anything more than 1 year beforehand, so much depends on the international flights, which tend to vary from season to season. We need to hit the lowest-price days. When the international flights are decided and booked, all the important lodges need to be booked pronto, they tend to be fully booked very early since many are where the big birding-travel companies stay). Day 0 leaving Sweden Day 1 arrival Darwin with a few days for birding there and also a loop incl Kakadu (Jabiru, for Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock and such, but also one trip on Yellow Water Billabong), Katherine, Pine Creek and Timber Creek. That's Day 1 - 10. Day 11 we fly to Cairns. Day 12 we'll fly up to Lockhart River (not sure if the road is "easy" the last part, therefore opting the flight. That has to be timed NOT to be on sat-sun when they do not fly.) We'll stay, probably at Portland House, to Day 15. Palm Cockatoo is Target Bird 1. Day 16 we return to Cairns. Let's see if the company keep the early flight schedule they have this year... Local birding around Cairns (incl a day trip to Michaelmas Key for snorkling, Terns, Frigatebirds and Boobys) Day 16-17-18. Day 19 we drive up to Daintree Village, aiming for that special birding boat-trip along upper Daintree River, in the morning of Day 20. Then moving on to Julatten and Kingfisher Park. Day 22 we leave Julatten for a trip up to Musgrave/Yarraden and hopefully be able to get access to the Artemis Station and the Golden-shouldered Parrot. If I just knew the road would be OK for me to drive we could just coulple this with Iron Range NP, instead of flying there, but I'm just unsure! When turning right, from the 81 to Portland Rd it looks... uhm... a bit wild? Crossing Wenlock River shouldn't really be a problem in dry season, would it? Anyway, this is where I'm still open for changes after more research and input. Otherwise we'll head back south on Day 24, when we'll stay at Cassowary House in Kuranda. Because OF COURSE we want to see Cassowary! On Day 26 we'll change venue, staying at Innisfail, not that far from Etty Bay. Just for a last chance to get Cassowary, early around the beach. Day 27-29 will be spent at Crater Lakes Rainforest Cottages and Day 30-31 at close by Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges, aiming for all the goodies in bird- and marsupial life that abounds there. Getting photos of displaying Victoria's Riflebird is very high on the wish-list, as is the possibility to see platypus! Day 32 we return to Cairns, for our last chance of going to the Great Barrier Reef or birding the Esplanade or Centenary Lakes aso. Day 34 we take an early flight to Brisbane, then drive directly to Lamington NP and O'Reilly's where we'll stay to Day 37. Day 38 flight to Adelaide, check out the car then drive directly to Morgan, where I hope the Colonial Motel will be in business by then (I understand the floodings of Murray River has been very bad, and they had to close. I hope it doesn't mean the house was destroyed!). We'll only have one day in Gluepot: Day 39. Day 40 we leave Morgan and drive, via Port Wakefield, to Minlaton where we plan to stay the night. Depending on arrival time we check in first OR drive directly to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes NP, bcs it's a distant possibility to see Rock Parrot there. Day 41 we can bird the park some more, before returning to Adelaide. Day 42 early flight to Perth. Birding Perth's local parks, just to get nice photos of tame ducks close. We want nice photos of Pink-eared Ducks, if we haven't got them before now... Day 43 going inland and south, aiming for Dryandra Woodland, staying overnight close'ish. Day 44 continuing south, to Stirling Range Retreat, where we'll stay. Probably focusing on birding the premises and some of the closer hotspots during Day 45. Day 46 will be exhausting, leaving Stirling Range Retreat early, going to Albany for lunch and some quick local birding, then returning straight to Perth. That's a long drive, imo. Road looks good, though, but we'll see. Day 47 early flight to Melbourne. After getting the car we drive directly to Wangaratta, where we'll stay for two nights. We plan to bird Winton Wetlands, maybe close-by Warby-Ovens NP and hopefully meet up with fellow RUclipsr Duade Paton. This applies for Day 48 as well. Day 49 change venue, stay around N Geelong, we'll try to get access to Western Treatment Plant somehow. There's a blind, but it might need access via guide. Somehow we'll get there on Day 50. Day 51 we move east, to the other side of the bay, to the Dandenongs and two picnic sites. Some chance to see (or at least hear) Splendid Lyrebird around there. Spending night close by. Day 52 morning around the picnic-sites, then going south for Phillip Island. We want Cape Barren Goose and the Penguings, ofc. Day 53 most day birding Phillip Island, then going to the airport to leave the car and spend the night on an airport hotel. Day 54 flight to Hobart. Somehow getting to a car rental that says it's OK to take the ferry to Bruny Island (only 2, really) and then doing just that: driving to Kettering and take the first available ferry there. Heading more or less straight to INALA and check in. (This is one of the most difficult places to manage a booking at...) Day 55-56 will be spent trying to spot (and photograph) the Tassie endemics. Day 57 heading back to Hobart, leaving the car and spending the night at airport motel. Day 58 flight to Sydney. Driving south, to Kiama. (these days, 58-61, are somehow flexible bcs I'm hoping to find a pelagic trip to fit in here. They're really sparse, but we could get lucky!) Day 59 Spent around Kiama Day 60 moving north, towards Newcastle. Stopping at Royal NP south of Sydney, trying for Rockwarbler. If we could know how to solve the Parking-The-Car-problem we'd like to visit the Botanical Garden and try to find the roosting Powerful Owls that just *might* be there, but we just don't know. Maybe we've spotted the Owls already, by now? Who knows... Anyway, staying over night in Newcastle. Day 61 Birding around Newcastle all day. Day 62 transport north, because I want to meet up with my old friend who lives in the middle of nowhere outside Comara. We'll set up "camp" in relatively close by Bellbrook. Day 63-65 will be spent shooting the shit with my friend and checking the wildlife around their lot. Day 66 saying Bye Bye then returning to Newcastle. Day 67 driving from Newcastle to Sydney. Leave the car, sleeping on hotel close to the airport. Day 68 starting the long flight home Day 69 arriving to Arlanda, Stockholm, Sweden. Scheech, this was long! Probably more than you wanted to know...
Wow!!! Thank you for the detailed itinerary, apologies for the late reply, it’s been a busy week and I haven’t been on here much. I’m still reading over everything you have written, it sounds like a wonderful trip and I’m very pleased to see you are heading to Cape York for the Palm Cockatoo, it’s one of my favourite places for birding!! You should see Rifle Birds and Eclectus Parrots there too and the rainforest is beautiful! Give me a day or so to digest your itinerary and I’ll put together a few suggestions :)
I just watched your video on desert birds, filmed in 2010 after a good rain season. Loved it!
Now, I'm from Sweden and am planning a long trip to Australia next year. Probably beginning of Sept to beginning of Nov. I would've liked at least one week more, but this is so long my partner will be able to be away from work. I'm retired nowadays and don't have that particular problem (instead it's the lack of funds that cramps my style). This will be our first, and probably only, trip to Oz therefore we have SO many wishes. I have managed to put together an itinerary (including domestic flights between territories/states, there seems to be an aversion on car hire companies to let their cars cross statelines...), and one of my planned highlights will include Gluepot Reserve! Now: does one need to book access to a hide? (And, are they easy to find when one at last has found ones way to the reserve?)
Hello! It is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the video and are planning a long trip to Australia! It is a big country but two months should give you plenty of time to explore, I am sure you will have a wonderful time and see some great birds, what are the main regions you are planning to visit?
Gluepot Reserve would be worth visiting! The reserve is very clearly mapped and sign posted so you can easily find your way to the different hides and walks. You do need to bring your own camping gear and water/food and ensure you have sufficient fuel to get around the reserve. It is a lovely place to explore the Australian mallee and see some great birds, there are usually other bird watchers around who will be happy to help! Feel free to ask me about anything else you would like to know for your trip :)
@@epicbirds2864 Ah-ha! You asked, therefore I'm gonna dump a "quick overview" of the desired itinterary (as one cannot 100% book anything more than 1 year beforehand, so much depends on the international flights, which tend to vary from season to season. We need to hit the lowest-price days. When the international flights are decided and booked, all the important lodges need to be booked pronto, they tend to be fully booked very early since many are where the big birding-travel companies stay).
Day 0 leaving Sweden
Day 1 arrival Darwin with a few days for birding there and also a loop incl Kakadu (Jabiru, for Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock and such, but also one trip on Yellow Water Billabong), Katherine, Pine Creek and Timber Creek. That's Day 1 - 10.
Day 11 we fly to Cairns.
Day 12 we'll fly up to Lockhart River (not sure if the road is "easy" the last part, therefore opting the flight. That has to be timed NOT to be on sat-sun when they do not fly.) We'll stay, probably at Portland House, to Day 15. Palm Cockatoo is Target Bird 1.
Day 16 we return to Cairns. Let's see if the company keep the early flight schedule they have this year... Local birding around Cairns (incl a day trip to Michaelmas Key for snorkling, Terns, Frigatebirds and Boobys) Day 16-17-18.
Day 19 we drive up to Daintree Village, aiming for that special birding boat-trip along upper Daintree River, in the morning of Day 20. Then moving on to Julatten and Kingfisher Park.
Day 22 we leave Julatten for a trip up to Musgrave/Yarraden and hopefully be able to get access to the Artemis Station and the Golden-shouldered Parrot. If I just knew the road would be OK for me to drive we could just coulple this with Iron Range NP, instead of flying there, but I'm just unsure! When turning right, from the 81 to Portland Rd it looks... uhm... a bit wild? Crossing Wenlock River shouldn't really be a problem in dry season, would it? Anyway, this is where I'm still open for changes after more research and input.
Otherwise we'll head back south on Day 24, when we'll stay at Cassowary House in Kuranda. Because OF COURSE we want to see Cassowary! On Day 26 we'll change venue, staying at Innisfail, not that far from Etty Bay. Just for a last chance to get Cassowary, early around the beach.
Day 27-29 will be spent at Crater Lakes Rainforest Cottages and Day 30-31 at close by Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges, aiming for all the goodies in bird- and marsupial life that abounds there. Getting photos of displaying Victoria's Riflebird is very high on the wish-list, as is the possibility to see platypus!
Day 32 we return to Cairns, for our last chance of going to the Great Barrier Reef or birding the Esplanade or Centenary Lakes aso.
Day 34 we take an early flight to Brisbane, then drive directly to Lamington NP and O'Reilly's where we'll stay to Day 37.
Day 38 flight to Adelaide, check out the car then drive directly to Morgan, where I hope the Colonial Motel will be in business by then (I understand the floodings of Murray River has been very bad, and they had to close. I hope it doesn't mean the house was destroyed!). We'll only have one day in Gluepot: Day 39.
Day 40 we leave Morgan and drive, via Port Wakefield, to Minlaton where we plan to stay the night. Depending on arrival time we check in first OR drive directly to Dhilba Guuranda-Innes NP, bcs it's a distant possibility to see Rock Parrot there.
Day 41 we can bird the park some more, before returning to Adelaide.
Day 42 early flight to Perth. Birding Perth's local parks, just to get nice photos of tame ducks close. We want nice photos of Pink-eared Ducks, if we haven't got them before now...
Day 43 going inland and south, aiming for Dryandra Woodland, staying overnight close'ish.
Day 44 continuing south, to Stirling Range Retreat, where we'll stay. Probably focusing on birding the premises and some of the closer hotspots during Day 45.
Day 46 will be exhausting, leaving Stirling Range Retreat early, going to Albany for lunch and some quick local birding, then returning straight to Perth. That's a long drive, imo. Road looks good, though, but we'll see.
Day 47 early flight to Melbourne. After getting the car we drive directly to Wangaratta, where we'll stay for two nights. We plan to bird Winton Wetlands, maybe close-by Warby-Ovens NP and hopefully meet up with fellow RUclipsr Duade Paton. This applies for Day 48 as well.
Day 49 change venue, stay around N Geelong, we'll try to get access to Western Treatment Plant somehow. There's a blind, but it might need access via guide. Somehow we'll get there on Day 50.
Day 51 we move east, to the other side of the bay, to the Dandenongs and two picnic sites. Some chance to see (or at least hear) Splendid Lyrebird around there. Spending night close by.
Day 52 morning around the picnic-sites, then going south for Phillip Island. We want Cape Barren Goose and the Penguings, ofc.
Day 53 most day birding Phillip Island, then going to the airport to leave the car and spend the night on an airport hotel.
Day 54 flight to Hobart. Somehow getting to a car rental that says it's OK to take the ferry to Bruny Island (only 2, really) and then doing just that: driving to Kettering and take the first available ferry there. Heading more or less straight to INALA and check in. (This is one of the most difficult places to manage a booking at...)
Day 55-56 will be spent trying to spot (and photograph) the Tassie endemics.
Day 57 heading back to Hobart, leaving the car and spending the night at airport motel.
Day 58 flight to Sydney. Driving south, to Kiama. (these days, 58-61, are somehow flexible bcs I'm hoping to find a pelagic trip to fit in here. They're really sparse, but we could get lucky!)
Day 59 Spent around Kiama
Day 60 moving north, towards Newcastle. Stopping at Royal NP south of Sydney, trying for Rockwarbler. If we could know how to solve the Parking-The-Car-problem we'd like to visit the Botanical Garden and try to find the roosting Powerful Owls that just *might* be there, but we just don't know. Maybe we've spotted the Owls already, by now? Who knows... Anyway, staying over night in Newcastle.
Day 61 Birding around Newcastle all day.
Day 62 transport north, because I want to meet up with my old friend who lives in the middle of nowhere outside Comara. We'll set up "camp" in relatively close by Bellbrook.
Day 63-65 will be spent shooting the shit with my friend and checking the wildlife around their lot.
Day 66 saying Bye Bye then returning to Newcastle.
Day 67 driving from Newcastle to Sydney. Leave the car, sleeping on hotel close to the airport.
Day 68 starting the long flight home
Day 69 arriving to Arlanda, Stockholm, Sweden.
Scheech, this was long! Probably more than you wanted to know...
Wow!!! Thank you for the detailed itinerary, apologies for the late reply, it’s been a busy week and I haven’t been on here much. I’m still reading over everything you have written, it sounds like a wonderful trip and I’m very pleased to see you are heading to Cape York for the Palm Cockatoo, it’s one of my favourite places for birding!! You should see Rifle Birds and Eclectus Parrots there too and the rainforest is beautiful! Give me a day or so to digest your itinerary and I’ll put together a few suggestions :)