Running each October this 7 day tour allows us to more fully explore the north-western region of Victoria “The Mallee” as well as the Box-ironbark country of Central Victoria, the grassy plains of the Riverina and the wetlands and riparian forests of the Murray River. We shall explore some pristine and remote wilderness areas where time slows down and the gentle pace of nature takes hold. This tour starts and finishes in Melbourne. A summary / bird list for the 2024 tour can be found here https://ebird.org/checklist/S198656239

12 to 18th OCTOBER 2025 - $4,530-00 per person ($4,120-00 per person in shared room) Starts and ends in Melbourne, FULLY BOOKED - Dates for 2026will be posted soon

Rare and iconic mallee birds including the Mallee Emu-wren, Malleefowl, Red-lored Whistler and Striated Grasswren will all be searched for. The range of Victorian birds only found in this semi arid region is long and this tour allows us quality time in remote wilderness areas to search for them. This tour is timed to coincide with the arrival of spring migrants from further north. Species such as Cockatiel, Rainbow Bee-eater, White-winged Triller, Black-eared Cuckoo, Orange Chat, Rufous Songlark, and flocks of Masked and White-browed Woodswallows are all to be expected. If the deserts further inland are dry, Black Honeyeaters, Crimson Chats, Red-backed Kingfisher and Budgerigar are also possible.

Whilst the mallee region gets its name from the mallee eucalyptus trees that cover extensive areas, a wide range of other equally interesting habitats will be explored including pine woodlands of Callitris and Casuarina, salt lakes and open plains, ephemeral lakes and Red Gum forests, Black Box and chenopod floodplains and heathlands on white sands. Add to this the wetlands and forests found in central and north-central Victoria and you have a week of great diversity, explored at the peak of spring when the birds are at their most active.

Along the way we will be sure to encounter plenty of other flora and fauna that is able to thrive in this region of climatic extremes. Reptiles will be emerging as the spring warms up, three species of Kangaroo including the iconic “Big Red’ are likely to be see and spring wildflowers will be at their best.

A week spent in quiet and sometimes remote landscapes, seeing a wide range of birds at the peak of spring and in the unique mallee environment