9 Days / 8 Nights
Sydney to Outback NSW Tour
A birding and photography tour from Sydney through Lithgow, Capertee Valley, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Griffith and Barren Grounds.
Enquire About This Tour
New South Wales birding
From Sydney forests to mallee, wetlands and outback birding country.
This 9 day / 8 night tour begins and ends in Sydney, travelling west through some of New South Wales’ most rewarding birding areas.
The route includes Lithgow, Capertee Valley, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Nombinnie Nature Reserve, Griffith, Darlington Point and Barren Grounds, with a strong mix of woodland, mallee, wetland, heathland and outback species.
- Capertee Valley and Lake Wallace birding
- Cowra and Lake Cargelligo woodland and wetland species
- Nombinnie Nature Reserve mallee birds
- Barren Grounds for heathland specialties
Tour itinerary
Sydney to Outback NSW itinerary
A 9 day / 8 night birding and photography tour beginning and ending in Sydney, travelling through Lithgow, Capertee Valley, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Griffith and Barren Grounds.
Sydney, NSW
Pick up from Sydney airport before travelling west toward Lithgow. The amount of birding on arrival day depends on flight times.
Sydney to Lithgow
Travel out of Sydney toward Lithgow. Depending on timing, there may be a chance to look for Rockwarbler or visit Lake Wallace for waterbirds.
Capertee Valley to Cowra
Explore Capertee Valley and Lake Wallace for parrots, honeyeaters, robins, finches, waterbirds and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo before heading west to Cowra.
Cowra birding
Spend the day around Cowra, a strong area for Turquoise Parrot, Blue Bonnet, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Peregrine Falcon, Mallee Ringneck and Red-capped Robin.
Cowra to Lake Cargelligo
Final morning around Cowra before travelling to Lake Cargelligo. Afternoon birding may include White-winged Fairy-wren, crakes and Pink Cockatoo around town.
Nombinnie Nature Reserve
Explore the mallee of Nombinnie Nature Reserve for Mulga Parrot, White-fronted Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, Shy Heathwren, Crested Bellbird, Southern Scrub-robin, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Red-lored Whistler, Gilbert’s Whistler and Red-capped Robin.
Lake Cargelligo to Griffith
Follow up any missed birds around Nombinnie before travelling to Griffith and Darlington Point for Greater Bluebonnet, Pink Cockatoo, Long-billed Corella, Superb Parrot and the yellow subspecies of Crimson Rosella.
Griffith to Robertson
Visit woodland near Griffith for Speckled Warbler, Painted Honeyeater, Turquoise Parrot, White-winged Chough and Apostlebird before travelling east toward Robertson.
Barren Grounds and return to Sydney
Spend the final morning at Barren Grounds searching for Gang-gang Cockatoo, Southern Emu-wren, Pilotbird, Eastern Ground Parrot and Eastern Bristlebird before returning to Sydney.
Sydney, NSW
The tour finishes back in Sydney, with drop off at your hotel or the airport.
Lithgow, Cowra, Lake Cargelligo, Griffith and Robertson
Accommodation includes Zig Zag Motel, Breakout Motor Inn, Pelican View Holiday House, Quest Griffith and The Robertson Hotel.
Please contact me for pricing
All inclusive for one or two people in twin or double accommodation. Larger groups can contact me for pricing and numbers.
Target birds
Birds to look for on this tour
Rockwarbler, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Turquoise Parrot, Blue Bonnet, Mulga Parrot, Superb Parrot, Pink Cockatoo, Long-billed Corella, Eastern Rosella, Mallee Ringneck, Greater Bluebonnet, White-winged Fairy-wren, Superb Fairywren, Southern Emu-wren, Pilotbird, Eastern Ground Parrot, Eastern Bristlebird, Speckled Warbler, Shy Heathwren, Southern Scrub-robin, Crested Bellbird, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Red-lored Whistler, Gilbert’s Whistler, Painted Honeyeater, Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater, White-fronted Honeyeater, Hooded Robin, Red-capped Robin, Diamond Firetail and Zebra Finch.
The exact bird list depends on season, weather, access conditions and current bird activity.
