Australia

Australia's vast coastline supports outstanding pelagic birding, with key departure ports including Wollongong, Eaglehawk Neck, and Port Fairy. The continental shelf break off southeastern Australia attracts a remarkable diversity of albatrosses and petrels, including Shy Albatross, Providence Petrel, and Gould's Petrel. Winter months from May to September bring the greatest concentrations of subantarctic species.

Sub-regions

All Trips in Australia

Balls Pyramid Seabird and Sightseeing Tour

Sea to Summit Expeditions

Australia › Lord Howe Island (New South Wales)

Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia
Departures run throughout the year subject to sea conditions and demand; the Tasman Sea crossing to Balls Pyramid (approximately 23 km south-east of Lord Howe Island) is weather-dependent and requires a calm-enough window; contact operator to arrange dates; October–April is the primary seabird breeding season for the majority of LHI species, though Providence Petrel is most conspicuous on land March–July; albatross species extend the offshore interest into austral winter
AUD $150 per person (Balls Pyramid Bird and Sightseeing Tour, maximum 8 passengers aboard MV Noctiluca); contact seatosummit@gmail.com or +61 2 6563 2218 for bookings and current availability

Kiama Pelagic

SOSSA (Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association)

Australia › New South Wales

Kiama, New South Wales
Selected dates, April–November
AUD 90–130 per person

Sydney Pelagic

Sydney Pelagics & Nature Watching Tours

Australia › New South Wales

Sydney, New South Wales
Monthly, year-round
AUD 100–150 per person

Southport Seamounts Pelagic

Paul Walbridge

Australia › Queensland

Mariner's Cove, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland
Day trips generally third Saturday of each month; multi-day seamounts expeditions several times per year
AUD 120 per person (day trips); multi-day expeditions on application

Port MacDonnell Pelagic

Port MacDonnell Fishing Charters

Australia › South Australia

Port MacDonnell, South Australia
Selected dates, year-round; contact operator for availability
AUD 300 per person; AUD 1,800 (Mon–Fri) / AUD 2,100 (weekends and public holidays) boat charter for groups up to 12

Eaglehawk Neck Pelagic

Inala Nature Tours

Australia › Tasmania

Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania
Selected dates, year-round; book well in advance as the boat holds only 13 passengers
AUD 120–160 per person

Port Fairy Pelagic

Birdswing Wildlife Tours

Australia › Victoria

Port Fairy Harbour, Port Fairy, Victoria
Monthly departures predominantly May–October; contact operator for confirmed dates
Contact operator for current pricing; comparable Birdswing offshore trips AUD 275–330 per person

Portland Pelagic

Life Gone Wild

Australia › Victoria

Portland Harbour, Portland, Victoria
Multiple dates per year; see operator website for current schedule and bookings
Contact operator for current pricing; see lifegonewild.au/pelagic

Bremer Bay Bird Expedition

Naturaliste Charters

Australia › Western Australia

Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Bremer Bay, Western Australia
Select dates in December (4 dedicated birdwatching departures) and April (3 dedicated birdwatching departures) annually. Departs 8:30am; returns approximately 5:00pm (~8 hours). See naturalistecharters.rezdy.com for current dates.
AUD ~350–450 per person; check naturalistecharters.rezdy.com for current pricing and availability

Bremer Canyon Pelagic

Naturaliste Charters

Australia › Western Australia

Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Western Australia
Four days in December and three days in April annually; book well in advance as spaces are strictly limited
AUD 350–450 per person

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pelagic birding trips are there in Australia?

Australia has 10 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory, spanning 7 sub-regions.

Where do pelagic trips depart from in Australia?

Pelagic trips in Australia depart from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Bremer Bay, Western Australia, Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Western Australia, Kiama, New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia, Mariner's Cove, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland, Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, Port Fairy Harbour, Port Fairy, Victoria, Port MacDonnell, South Australia, Portland Harbour, Portland, Victoria, and Sydney, New South Wales.

Which operators run pelagic trips in Australia?

Birdswing Wildlife Tours, Inala Nature Tours, Life Gone Wild, Naturaliste Charters, Paul Walbridge, Port MacDonnell Fishing Charters, Sea to Summit Expeditions, SOSSA (Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association), and Sydney Pelagics & Nature Watching Tours operate pelagic birding trips in Australia.

What are the main pelagic birding regions in Australia?

Australia's pelagic trips are spread across Lord Howe Island (New South Wales), New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.