Boulia is famous for its Budgerigars and in good years is home to flocks of thousands of these beautiful little green parrots which darken the skies swirling above the town. Even in an average year smaller flocks can be found around the town and in the surrounding bush. This short trip into the Outback of Western Queensland is designed specifically to look for, and photograph, the Australian iconic “Budgies”. Although we will undoubtedly see other dry country birds they are not the targets of the tour. During the dry season when there is little standing water in the bush, the dry country birds are drawn to the dams which have been put in for cattle. It is possible to see large flocks of parrots including Budgerigars, Little Corellas and Galahs and a variety of finches coming in to drink and also roosting in the trees around the town. Starting in Mt Isa you will drive to Boulia by road giving you an excellent chance to look for dry country birds in the wide open spaces of the Queensland cattle country.
AU$2,220.00 (group of 4) or AU$1,950.00 (group of 6)
AU$260.00
Mt Isa, Queensland
As agreed at time of booking.
This area is inland dry country where even in mid winter the days can be very hot while the nights are decidedly cold. The avifauna is very different to that found in the lush rainforests around Cairns and the best places to go birding are places where standing water can be found.
We suggest you bring with you:
Difficulty
This is not a difficult tour and can be undertaken by anyone with a moderate level of fitness. There will be frequent stops along the way for birding and the road is sealed for most of the journey. The temperature can get very hot in the middle of the day, but your room and the vehicle will be air conditioned.
Accommodation
This is in comfortable en-suite rooms at a motel with a swimming pool.
Extras
Boulia hosts some serious camel races every July. This Outback extravaganza can added to a trip run at that time of year if required for those who would like to make the most of their stay in the Outback.
Fly to Mt Isa and meet with your guide in the morning before you continue your journey by road down to Boulia. There will be birding breaks along the way. In the late afternoon we will check out the roost sites around the town. Flocks of several thousand Budgies can be seen if the season is good and Cockatiels and Galahs are also common in this area.
Today we will bird the local dams and explore the area surrounding the town in the cooler parts of the day. Specialities of the area include Australian Bustard, Spinifex Pigeon, Varied Fairywren and Red-browed Pardalote. Dusk and dawn are the best times for birding here and the heat of the day can be spent exploring the town, relaxing in your room or by the pool.
A second day exploring the Boulia area. There are some interesting attractions in the town. A visit to the Boulia Heritage complex which includes the Stonehouse museum and a number of 100 million year old aquatic reptile fossils from the inland sea which used to cover this area. These includes one of the worlds best plesiosaurus fossils which is 80% complete.The Min-Min Encounter show is another popular activity with Boulia’s visitors.
Travel back to Mt Isa where the tour ends birding along the way. You will arrive late afternoon in time to take an evening flight home.
Please note that it may not be possible to get an outward afternoon flight from Mt Isa every day.
