8 Days / 7 Nights
Outback Channel Country Tour
An outback birding and photography tour from Mount Isa through Winton, Boulia, Birdsville and the Channel Country in search of grasswrens and arid-zone specialties.
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Outback birding
Grasswrens, desert country and remote Queensland birding.
This tour begins and ends in Mount Isa, travelling through some of Queensland’s most rewarding outback birding country.
The route includes Mount Isa, Winton, Boulia, Birdsville and the Bulloo Overflow, with a strong focus on grasswrens, finches, raptors, desert birds and wide-open Channel Country landscapes.
- Kalkadoon and Carpentarian Grasswren around Mount Isa
- Rusty Grasswren, Hall’s Babbler and Grey Falcon around Winton
- Flock Bronzewing and grassland birding near Boulia
- Eyrean and Grey Grasswren around Birdsville and Bulloo Overflow
Tour itinerary
Outback Channel Country itinerary
An 8 day / 7 night tour beginning and ending in Mount Isa, travelling through Winton, Boulia, Birdsville and the Channel Country.
Mount Isa, QLD
Make your own way to Mount Isa, with direct flights available from major Australian cities. The amount of birding on arrival day depends on flight times.
Mount Isa arrival
Arrive in Mount Isa and, time permitting, head out for the first grasswren target: Kalkadoon Grasswren. Accommodation is at Ibis Styles Mount Isa. Meals included: lunch and dinner.
Mount Isa grasswrens
A full day birding and photographing around Mount Isa for Kalkadoon Grasswren and Carpentarian Grasswren, plus Painted Finch, Spinifex Pigeon, Spinifexbird and honeyeaters.
Mount Isa to Winton
Follow up any grasswren targets from the previous day before travelling south-east toward Winton, watching for outback birds such as Ground Cuckoo-shrike and Grey Falcon.
Winton and Opalton
Early birding around Lark Quarry or Opalton for Rusty Grasswren, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Hall’s Babbler, Grey Falcon, Spinifexbird and other local specialties.
Winton to Boulia
Another chance for Winton specialties before travelling toward Boulia. The drive may produce Australian Pratincole, Banded Lapwing or Inland Dotterel, with afternoon birding around the grass plains.
Boulia to Birdsville
Sunrise search for Flock Bronzewing, then travel south toward Birdsville. Along the way, check water and suitable habitat for Bourke’s Parrot, Ground Cuckoo-shrike and other outback species.
Bulloo Overflow
A full day around the Bulloo Overflow searching lignum and floodplain habitat for Grey Grasswren, with time for Yellow Chat, Grey Falcon, Gibberbird, Cinnamon Quail-thrush and other local birds.
Return to Mount Isa
Final morning following up missed species before the long drive back to Mount Isa, where the tour concludes late afternoon. Accommodation after the tour is not included.
Mount Isa, QLD
The tour finishes back in Mount Isa after the return drive from Birdsville and the Channel Country.
Mount Isa, Winton, Boulia and Birdsville
Accommodation includes Ibis Styles Mount Isa, Winton accommodation, Desert Sands Motel in Boulia and the Birdsville Hotel.
$14,795 AUD
All inclusive for two people in twin or double accommodation. Single supplement is $700 AUD. Larger groups can contact Laurie for pricing and numbers.
Target birds
Birds to look for on this tour
Kalkadoon Grasswren, Carpentarian Grasswren, Rusty Grasswren, Eyrean Grasswren, Grey Grasswren, Painted Finch, Spinifex Pigeon, Little Woodswallow, Spinifexbird, Grey-headed Honeyeater, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Hall’s Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Flock Bronzewing, Australian Pratincole, Inland Dotterel, Gibberbird, Banded Lapwing, Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Bourke’s Parrot, Yellow Chat, Black Falcon and Grey Falcon.
The exact bird list depends on season, weather, water levels, road access and current bird activity.
