WILDLIFE WALKABOUT

Quote tour code: EG3

4 days fully accommodated wildlife journey
Returns to Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon

Our expert Nature Guide helps you search the bush by day and night for animals and birds in East Gippsland, a region containing the highest concentration of wildlife reserves and national parks in Australia.

(see EG3L for options that allow travel to continue on towards Sydney instead of returning to Melbourne)

Tour Location:-
Halfway between Melbourne and Sydney on the south-east coast of Australia

OVERVIEW

Travel from Melbourne to the grand wilderness and wildlife region of East Gippsland in south-eastern Australia.

In the company of expert nature guides search the bush by day and night for animals and birds in a region containing the highest concentration of wildlife reserves and national parks in Australia.

See and learn about Australia's birds and animals in depth and in the wild. Relax for three nights at a friendly bush homestead B&B and get to know the locals. Catch up with the local Aboriginal people. Visit a Wildlife Shelter. All in a region containing Australia's highest concentration of national parks.

Journey by vehicle and on foot in search of Wallabies, Wombats, Gliding Possums, Koalas and abundant birdlife in the forests, the estuaries and on the ocean. During our quest we visit magnificent stands of giant eucalypt forest, walk in rainforest, along endless untouched ocean beaches and beside secluded rivers and waterways. Enjoy night-time spotlighting rambles in search of nocturnal mammals (weather dependent).

Over four relaxing but fascinating days this journey investigates the abundant wildlife of far East Gippsland. Because much of Australia's wildlife is best seen in the late afternoon and evening, some activities on this tour deliberately begin later in the day and go on into the evening. This allows participants to enjoy a restful morning after a late evening.

Location: far East Gippsland near the city of Melbourne in south-east Australia.

Duration: 4 days Departs: Sunday from Melbourne weekly September thru May

Returns: to Melbourne Minimum pax: 2 Maximum:8

DETAILS:

Note that all departures are from the city of Melbourne and all trips return to Melbourne.

INCLUDES:

Full interpretation by experienced nature guides, all on ground transfers, meals and accommodation as described below, entry fees and transport.

Expert Nature Guides:
You will be guided on this journey by our friendly, experienced and knowledgeable nature guide. Many hours of research work precede the tour to ensure that you see and learn about native wildlife in its natural environment. By joining the tour you will help gain a greater understanding of the wildlife of East Gippsland's magnificent forests and national parks.

First class standards in guidance are the hallmark of Echidna Walkabout. Our in-house nature guide training program ensures that all guides have an in-depth working knowledge of the wildlife and environments you will see. Guides carry two way radios and telephony which link them to our office and to emergency services at any time.

Accommodation - Get to know the Locals:
Accommodation is at Bed and Breakfasts in far East Gippsland. B&B's are carefully selected for friendly, first class hospitality and service - they are run by the owner so you will get to know the locals during your morning relaxation time. Breakfasts are convivial and often enjoyed with your hosts.

Meals on tour:
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 4. NB Vegetarian or other food preferences should be noted at the time of booking.

Transport:
This trip departs Melbourne by vehicle or by train. In East Gippsland you will travel in our comfortable air conditioned vehicles. The trip returns to Melbourne by vehicle or train. The price includes all on ground transport in East Gippsland and return transfers from Melbourne.

What to bring:
Strong walking shoes or boots, clothing to suit variable weather conditions (temperatures range from 0C to +35C, sun hat, rainproof coat, small torch, insect repellent, 15+ sunblock, daypack (or we can supply day pack) and 1 litre water bottle. You should also bring swimming gear.

As space is limited please keep luggage to 1 sausage bag OR 1 backpack OR 1 small suitcase per person. During the journey we can store extra luggage in Melbourne as required. Hand luggage should be small.

Wildlife notes will be provided to people who travel on this tour. Please note that whilst every attempt will be made to follow our planned route National Park Service requirements and weather conditions may cause amendments which will be clearly outlined to you by your guide.

BOOKINGS

Echidna Walkabout
PO Box 370, Port Melbourne Victoria 3207 Australia
telephone +613 9646 8249 fax +613 9681 9177
email: enquiries@echidnawalkabout.com.au
http://www.echidnawalkabout.com.au

ITINERARY FOR WILDLIFE WALKABOUT (EG3)

MODULE IDEAS: see Savannah Walkabout fact sheets for further information ** EG3 can begin on the day before departing Melbourne with our Savannah Walkabout which is a 1 day wildlife trip out of Melbourne

Meals Inclusion Code: B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner.

EG3 - 4 days/ 3 nights

Day 1 - SUNDAY

Pick up from your Melbourne City hotel to East Gippsland by train or vehicle (dependent on availability). Near Bairnsdale in East Gippsland you will meet our tour vehicle and travel past internationally acclaimed RAMSAR wetlands to an island sanctuary in the wetlands with a thriving colony of Koalas. During the afternoon we take a walk through the forest spotting many of these delightful animals in the wild. Dinner tonight is in a local restaurant. Tonight we travel deep into a eucalypt forest with our spotlight in search of 3 species of rare gliding possums. Tonight's accommodation is a B&B near the small town of Orbost where you will stay for three nights. (LD)

Day 2 - MONDAY

Our activities today are beside the huge estuaries of two of the great rivers of East Gippsland, the Snowy and the Brodribb, where they flood the coastal plains before meeting the Southern Ocean at the Wilderness Coast. Carefully moving about the rivers, forest lined estuaries and ocean beaches we search for Black Swans, Musk ducks, Sea Eagles, Kingfishers and other rare birdlife. We visit beaches with complex dune systems and frequently see pelagic birds and waders. Dinner tonight is a classic Aussie cook-out. (BLD)

Day 3 - TUESDAY

Today we travel high into the mountains of East Gippsland firstly into the towering eucalypt forests where giant gum trees soar into the sky - the tallest flowering plants on earth. Your guide provides detailed information on the formation of these mighty forests. Next we take a walk in the fascinating transitional zone between the eucalypts and the rainforests before moving into a great stand of Cabbage Tree Palms. Birdlife is often abundant. Finally we head back to the coast at Cape Conran, a place steeped in Aboriginal history and home to the Common Wombat. We visit a refuge for injured and sick Australian wildlife and learn about their rehabilitation. After dinner tonight we go spotlighting in search of wombats and possums and any other creatures of this entrancing location. (BLD)

Day 4 - WEDNESDAY

This morning after a relaxing breakfast we depart our accommodation and visit Krowathunkoolong Aboriginal Keeping Place where you can learn about Aboriginal Culture and People in their own private place. After lunch you are transferred back to Melbourne by vehicle or train arriving in the late afternoon (B,L)

For more details about this tour contact: roger@echidnawalkabout.com.au

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