Central Victoria - the inland slopes. With freeways heading north from Melbourne it is possible to visit the inland slopes of the Great Dividing Range in a day. North of the divide the rainfall is lower, and the days are sunnier and warmer, with habitats opening out allowing for easy birding. This tour can be run all year around and holds up very well in winter when many birds visit the region for the flowering trees present

This tour typically starts with a one and a half hour easy drive north from Melbourne. A different suite of species occur here in the “box-ironbark” country to those found in southern Victoria. A wide range of Honeyeaters occur, taking advantage of year around nectar supplies including the three classic box ironbark species (Yellow-tufted, Fuscous and Black-chinned).

Species that may be seen include Musk, Purple-crowned and Little Lorikeets. Swift Parrot (rare, winter), Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Red-rumped Parrot, Powerful Owl (roosting sites may be checked), Peaceful Dove, Rainbow Bee-eaters (summer), Scarlet Robin, Red-capped, Flame Robin (winter), Jacky Winter, Crested Shrike-tit, Olive-backed Oriole, Dusky Woodswallow, Varied Sitella, White-bellied Cuckoo-Shrike, Crested Bellbird, Gilberts Whistler, Speckled Warbler, Painted Button-quail, Spotted Quail-thrush (usually shy here), Little Eagle, Wedge-tailed Eagle, Square-tailed Kite (spring and summer), Leaden Flycatcher (spring and summer), White-browed Woodswallow (spring to autumn), Sacred Kingfisher (spring and summer), Brown Treecreeper, Restless Flycatcher, White-browed Babbler, Mistletoebird, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, various Cuckoos including Black-eared in season, Buff-rumped Thornbill, Diamond Firetail plus many more species of Thornbills, Pardalotes, Fantails and Whistlers ! Without visiting any wetlands this day can still produce around 80 species on average

Quality birding any time of the year on the sunny side of the ranges. Expect quiet rural areas with quaint country towns, a rich history of gold mining and endless bush tracks to explore

Aus$680-00 total for a single person/couple Aus$780-00 total for a shared tour (2-4 people) - includes drinks and snacks, lunch not included - larger groups are possible