14 Days / 13 Nights
Outback Grasswren Tour
A specialist outback birding tour focused on Australia’s grasswrens, remote habitats and sought-after arid-zone birds.
Enquire About This Tour
Specialist grasswren tour
Remote outback birding for Australia’s grasswrens.
This specialist tour is designed for birders and photographers who want to search for some of Australia’s most difficult and sought-after grasswrens.
The route explores remote arid and semi-arid habitats, with time in spinifex, gibber, lignum, rocky ranges and desert country where grasswrens and other outback specialties can be found.
- Specialist focus on Australia’s grasswrens
- Remote outback habitats and arid-zone birding
- Opportunities for difficult and highly sought-after species
- Designed around bird activity, access and seasonal conditions
Tour itinerary
Outback Grasswren Tour itinerary
A 14 day / 13 night specialist outback birding tour beginning in Mount Isa and finishing in Alice Springs, focused on Australia’s grasswrens and arid-zone specialties.
Mount Isa, QLD
Make your own way to Mount Isa, where the tour begins. Flights to Mount Isa are not included.
Mount Isa arrival
Depending on arrival time, head out for the first grasswren target: Kalkadoon Grasswren. Accommodation is at Ibis Styles Mount Isa. Meals included: lunch and dinner.
Mount Isa grasswrens
Full day around Mount Isa targeting Kalkadoon Grasswren and Carpentarian Grasswren, plus Painted Finch, Spinifex Pigeon, Spinifexbird and honeyeaters.
Mount Isa to Winton
Follow up any Mount Isa targets before driving south-east to Winton, watching for Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Grey Falcon and other outback species.
Winton and Opalton
Early birding around Lark Quarry or Opalton for Rusty Grasswren, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Hall’s Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush and Spinifexbird.
Winton to Boulia
Another chance for Winton specialties before travelling to Boulia, with possible Australian Pratincole, Banded Lapwing, Inland Dotterel and Flock Bronzewing.
Boulia to Birdsville
Search for Flock Bronzewing at sunrise, then travel south toward Birdsville, checking suitable habitat for Bourke’s Parrot and other outback birds.
Bulloo Overflow
Spend the day searching lignum around the Bulloo Overflow for Grey Grasswren, with chances for Yellow Chat, Grey Falcon and other floodplain birds.
Birdsville and Mungerannie
Another chance for Grey Grasswren, Eyrean Grasswren or Thick-billed Grasswren before travelling to Mungerannie. Other possible birds include Crimson Chat, Orange Chat, Gibberbird and Cinnamon Quail-thrush.
Mungerannie to Marree
Follow up Eyrean or Thick-billed Grasswren targets depending on previous sightings, then continue south toward Marree for the night.
Marree to Port Augusta
Target another Thick-billed Grasswren subspecies, with possible Chirruping Wedgebill, White-backed Swallow and Rufous Fieldwren, then continue to Port Augusta.
Whyalla and Western Grasswren
Travel toward Whyalla for Western Grasswren, with possible Splendid Fairywren, Redthroat, White-fronted Honeyeater and Chirruping Wedgebill.
Mount Ives and Arid Lands
Early start toward Mount Ives for Short-tailed Grasswren, then explore the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens near Port Augusta for more arid-zone birds.
Lake Gilles to Coober Pedy
Visit Lake Gilles for Gilbert’s Whistler, Rufous Treecreeper, Western Yellow-robin, Blue-breasted Fairy-wren and Copper-backed Quail-thrush, then continue to Coober Pedy.
Coober Pedy to Alice Springs
Search for the local Thick-billed Grasswren and Chestnut-breasted Whiteface before heading north to Alice Springs, with time permitting for Dusky Grasswren and other Central Australian specialties.
Alice Springs, NT
The tour finishes in Alice Springs. Flights departing Alice Springs are not included.
Contact me for pricing
This tour is priced based on group size, dates and final itinerary. Please contact me for current pricing and availability.
Target birds
Birds to look for on this tour
Kalkadoon Grasswren, Carpentarian Grasswren, Rusty Grasswren, Grey Grasswren, Eyrean Grasswren, Thick-billed Grasswren, Western Grasswren, Short-tailed Grasswren, Dusky Grasswren, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Hall’s Babbler, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Copper-backed Quail-thrush, Painted Finch, Spinifex Pigeon, Flock Bronzewing, Bourke’s Parrot, Grey Falcon, Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Gibberbird, Cinnamon Quail-thrush, Chirruping Wedgebill, Rufous Fieldwren and Chestnut-breasted Whiteface.
The exact bird list depends on season, weather, road access, water levels and current bird activity across the outback.
