Juan

5 day Private Bird Photography Tour for Juan Pina
1st - 5th September 2025

5 Day Private Bird Photography tour

* Photography focus on Cockatoos and Parrots

* 1 Night Motel Accommodation in Canberra (single)

* 1 Night Cabin Accommodation in Lake Cargelligo (twin share)

* 2 Nights Cabin Accommodation in Condobolin (twin share)

* Twin Share with guide : your own bedroom in a 2 Bedroom Cabin

* All meals included from lunch on the first day until lunch on the last day

* Special Access to private properties & local knowledge

* National Park entrance fees

* Expert Photographic and Ecological Tuition

* Morning and afternoon field outings focussing on different species & techniques

* Transport in air conditioned 4wd vehicle

* Guide: Lachlan Hall

$7895 AUD

one person twin share  

single supplement +$450

itinerary

Day 1 : early pick up from accommodation in Sydney. First stop in Centennial Park looking for Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Little and Long-billed Corellas, as well as Rainbow Lorikeet. This is a great place where some species such as the corellas can sometimes be quite tame and approachable.
It’s then a 3+ hour drive south to Canberra, where the afternoon will be spent searching for Superb Parrot, Crimson Rosella and Eastern Rosella in an area where they are known to nest. It’s a bit early for nesting however they may be inspecting hollows.
Accommodation in a hotel in Canberra.

Day 2 : Morning birding around Australia’s capital city, looking particularly for Gang-gang Cockatoo around the Botanic Garden or other up to date locations. Then a 4-5 hour drive to Lake Cargelligo. This route is through known Superb Parrot habitat so will be keeping an eye out on the way. If time/light allows, birding in afternoon around Lake Cargelligo. Accommodation in 2 bedroom cabin at the caravan park.

Day 3: Early start to get out into the mallee for honeyeaters and parrots including Pink Cockatoos, Australian Ringneck, Splendid Fairywren, Mulga Parrot, Red-capped Robin. You will always be on the lookout for Emus, and if you are exceptionally lucky; Mallefowl. Most of the day will be spent out in this beautiful remote red dirt habitat, before heading to Condobolin. Accommodation in 2 bedroom cabin at the caravan park in Condobolin

Day 4 : Morning looking for Pink Cockatoos and Galahs on private farming properties north of town with a local friend. Afternoon session in portable hide in a nature reserve where a number of special honeyeaters such as White-eared, Yellow-plumed, Spiny-cheeked and Brown-headed. Other birds may include Spotted Pardalote and Double-barred Finch. Accommodation in 2 bedroom cabin at the caravan park in Condobolin.

Day 5 : Early morning session in a purpose built photography hide on private property outside Condobolin. Targets include Red-rumped Parrot, Bluebonnet, White-plumed Honeyeaters, Striped Honeyeater, Diamond Firetail and Peaceful Dove.
Start the long drive back to Sydney before lunch to give some more time in the Blue Mountains as the day ends with a last try for Gang-gangs, Crimson Rosella or Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo.

Your Guide: Lachlan Hall

”Lachie” has a Bachelor of Conservation Biology and splits his time between work as a field ecologist, studying Australia’s threatened bird and mammal species, and as a naturalist guide. He spends alot of time on expedition cruises to wild parts of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica. He’s also an award winning photographer, and a genuinely lovely guy who enjoys sharing his passion for birds, wildlife, and photography with others.

Canberra
Accommodation will be in your own room in a hotel.

Lake Cargelligo & Condobolin
These are small rural towns with limited facilities.
Accommodation is in 2 bedroom cabins at the local caravan parks. Nothing fancy but they are air-conditioned and twin share with your own bedroom.

Each morning will typically involve an early pre-shoot breakfast, then it’s out to get the good light!
Lunches will be on the road. Dinners will be a hearty meal at a local hotel/pub.

CAMERA SKILL
We pride ourselves on helping you get more from whatever camera you have, and increasing your skills regardless of your experience.
Obviously for birds, the longer the focal length the better, however whatever camera you have there is no doubt that you will still learn a lot and have great fun doing it!

PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUES

During your tour you will be utilising a number of different bird photography techniques, including purpose-built hides, portable blinds, and opportunistic bush-birding. Portable blinds, ghillie suits and stools will be provided.

We would always advise bringing a tripod, and of course your longest lens. A zoom can be useful in certain situations, and you may want to being a wider lens to capture some landscape images.

FITNESS
This is not a particularly physical tour. Most days involve early starts, and there will be a fair amount of driving time, usually during the middle of the day after the best light has gone.
You are never far from your air-conditioned vehicle and there are no long arduous walks. Obviously walking on uneven ground through the bush requires a certain degree of balance and fitness. Hide sessions don’t involve any walking.

As with any tour we like to be able to alter our plans at any time to make the best use of conditions at the time. Weather patterns can. have a huge impact on alot of Australian species so we can never guarantee any particular bird.
So the itinerary and target species list are subject to change at any point.

A number of species such as Cockatiels and Budgies are highly nomadic and irruptive, so seeing them really depends on rainfall conditions throughout their range.

Whilst the main target will be cockatoos and parrots, you will definitely have the opportunity to photograph alot more species than are listed above! These are just some of the more special ones.
Of course there will also be the opportunity to photography any mammals or reptiles that you come across.

Obviously we strive to do our absolute best to make sure you have an awesome time and fill your memory cards with a whole host of stunning Australian species!

NOT INCLUDED:

* Drinks
* Insurance- we strongly recommend both travel and camera insurance.
* snacks/personal items

WEATHER

* Be prepared for a variety of weather. It can still be quite cool overnight and even during that day in early September.
We always recommend long pants for walking in the bush, as well as sturdy hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, etc.

Let us know if you would like a more detailed packing list.