NT Bird Specialists | Australian Bird Watching & Bird Photography Tours, Northern Territory

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See our Frequently Asked Questions & Northern Territory Travel Updates.

Join award-winning birdwatching & photography tours skilfully guided by Luke Paterson, one of Australia's best bird guides & owner of NT Bird Specialists. Our world-class birding & ecotourism experiences are created with 35 years local expertise, immersing you in northern Australia's ancient wilderness (Northern Territory, Kimberley, outback Queensland) & Sri Lanka.

We tailor to all birders, nature/bird photographers, film-makers & naturalists during unique small group tours & private birdwatching itineraries.

World birders, listers & non-birders alike highly recommend our professional combination of specialist guiding, 400+ bird species (finding rare & endemic Australian birds like Gouldian Finch, Grasswrens & Red Goshawk), exquisite landscapes & bird photography, private photographic cruises, helicopters, bushwalking, rock art & more.

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New Tour! Special Offers

Photography Tours

5 Day East Kimberley & Mitchell Falls Bird Photography Tour

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5 Day East Kimberley & Mitchell Falls Bird Photography Tour

Join our exhilarating bird photography adventure to seek Kimberley endemics & local speciality targets in gorgeous settings. Limited availability in 2022. Ask about Special Offers.

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Exclusive New Departure Special Offers

Photography Tours

5 Day Purnululu East Kimberley Landscape Photography Workshop

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5 Day Purnululu East Kimberley Landscape Photography Workshop

Join our dramatic landscape photographic adventure with Jay Collier in East Kimberley wilderness sites. Limited availability in 2022. Maximum 10 guests. 2 Expert Tour leaders. Save $1,000.

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Exclusive New Departure Special Offers

Photography Tours

6 Night Top End Birds & Wildlife Photographic Workshop Immersion

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6 Night Top End Birds & Wildlife Photographic Workshop Immersion

Join our breath-taking bird & wildlife photography tour with Jay Collier in Kakadu’s World Heritage sites. Limited availability 2022. Maximum 8 guests. 2 Expert Tour leaders. Ask about Special Offers.

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New Tour!

Bird Watching Tours

8 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)

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8 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)

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New Itinerary!

Bird Watching Tours

17 Day Northern Australia Outback Birding Tour, Darwin (NT) to Cairns (QLD) via Mount Isa

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17 Day Northern Australia Outback Birding Tour, Darwin (NT) to Cairns (QLD) via Mount Isa

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Photography Tours

5 Day Wild Kakadu Nature & Landscape Photographic Expedition

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5 Day Wild Kakadu Nature & Landscape Photographic Expedition

Join our exclusive photographic expedition through the heart of Crocodile Dundee country. June 2022. Limited availability.

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2023 Bookings open

Bird Watching Tours

10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure Tour

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10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure Tour

NT Bird Specialists’ ‘Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure’ tour discovers some of the most remote and impressive landscapes and targeted bird and wildlife species in one fowl swoop!

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2023-24 Registrations open

Sri Lanka Birding & EcoTours

15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching Tour plus Wildlife

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15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching Tour plus Wildlife

Join NT Bird Specialists on a 15 day ‘Wild-Life’ Adventure through the biodiverse and culturally rich lands of Sri Lanka in February 2023. ‘Immerse yourself in World Heritage wilderness and ancient cultural sites while searching for unique and endemic birds and wildlife off the beaten track. Sri Lanka – the Wonder of Asia, the Pearl of the Indian Ocean.’

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About Us.

We have a united passion and experience in working for sustainable tourism businesses and conservation projects in northern Australia and SE Asia.

You can rest assured with our award-winning team, as we combine over 28 years experience in the Northern Territory and Kimberley regions when packaging our genuine small group and custom ecotours, so you have more time to view wildlife and soak in your surroundings in comfort.

Our services in special-interest nature tourism are amongst the best on offer. Come and experience it for yourself.

"We look forward to welcoming you as our guest to the Northern Territory and to share our passion that our fine selection of feathered friends brings"

Luke PatersonTour Guide and Business Owner

Meet the team

Reviews

What can I say about the trip??.. well.. it is an absolute delight to tour with you Luke .. your incredibly acute perception of all that moves or tweets is amazing .. and your 'nothing is too much trouble' attitude (apart from an unwillingness to piggy back your passengers across the Mitchell river!!) makes the whole experience both informative and a sheer joy 🙂

The beautiful Al fresco meals you managed to conjure up .. complete with tablecloths .. in brilliantly selected locations were definitely a highlight!

Rosemary East Kimberley Photo Tours May 2022

My eyes were opened to this ancient landscape through the lens of watching birds - what a fabulous way to have ones eyes opened. Our guide Luke Paterson provided a superb blend of knowledge, skill and enthusiasm. His people skills and patience were as well developed as his bird knowledge - exceptional at times and breath-taking. this is a holiday to be remembered for the rest of our lives - a stand out!

CathyVictoria, 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure, 16-25 July 2017

I have been on many guided tours throughout the world and this one was absolutely stunning an outstanding in comparison. Luke was friendly; endlessly obliging; his ability in bird-spotting was amazing; everything was well organised; attention to detail extraordinary and food excellent and abundant. Luke's kindness and thoughtfulness in making sure everyone was ok and seeing the birds (and we saw way more than expected) was great. Luke was endlessly knowledgeable but modest in sharing his expertise and a great sense of warm humour. I would recommend this tour to anyone!

AmaryllVictoria, 16-25 July 2017

The expertise and patience of our guide was excellent. The choice of sites seemed (to a novice birder) very good, and beautiful as well. I loved the most active pieces of the daily schedule, along with the sightings.

MarianneOregan, USA, 27 July - 2 August 2017

We spent two days with Luke & Sarah in Kakadu and had a great time as well as being a successful birding outing. They are so friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile to satisfy their client's wishes. They are obliging - Luke & Sarah constructed a tour to meet our time constraints, preferred locations, and particular birds we were after. The food was top quality, generous and well presented. Luke's birding skills are impressive and they both have so much knowledge of the cultural significance of the area and the history and all the wildlife and plants.

Chris Stewart2 Day Quick Loop, 19 October 2015

We booked because we found the package listing attractive. Luke is a very passionate, knowledgeable, considerate guide and the most pleasant company during the tour. He spared no pains to make our visit to the NT memorable and set and met goals way above our expectations. Well catered too. Luke was not only a kind, friendly person, but also patient and able to keep varying levels of backgrounds and ability engaged and enjoying the experience at an appropriate level. We enjoyed covering so much ground not only birds but also such a wide and varied range of NT so that one is eager to return and keep enjoying the NT experience.

Chris and Kerry DurrantAdelaide, September 2017

Photo Credit: Navin Chandra

Tour Maps5 Day East Kimberley & Mitchell Falls Bird Photography Tour
Tour Maps5 Day Purnululu East Kimberley Landscape Photography Workshop
Tour Maps6 Night Top End Birds & Wildlife Photographic Workshop Immersion
Tour Maps8 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)
Tour Maps17 Day Northern Australia Outback Birding Tour, Darwin (NT) to Cairns (QLD) via Mount Isa
Tour Maps5 Day Wild Kakadu Nature & Landscape Photographic Expedition
Tour Maps10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure Tour
Tour Maps15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching Tour plus Wildlife
Tour Maps7 Day North Australian Finch Frenzy Tour
Tour Maps9 Day Tropical Outback Top End Bird Photography Tour
Tour Maps5 Day Top End Birding and Wildlife Tour
Tour Maps4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djagarna Jaunt’
Tour Maps3 Day Kakadu Wildlife Tour ‘Ragul Run’
Tour Maps2 Day Pine Creek Birdwatching Tour ‘Parrot and Finch Paradise’
Tour Maps1 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tours
Tour Maps1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour ‘Sticky Beak’
Tour MapsKakadu Bird Week Tours 2022

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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- 1 helicopter flight, 2 fixed-wing flights
- 5-hour private bird photography cruise
- All cameras & experience welcome
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Learn from professional Photographers Collective tutor Jay Collier
- Led by award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- Remarkable Bungle Bungle geological formations
- 1-2 helicopter aerial flights & astro photography
- 2 guides, 7-10 guests, private lodge
- All cameras & experience welcome
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Learn from professional Photographers Collective tutor Jay Collier
- Led by award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- 2 Private wildlife photography cruises
- Unique rare birds & wildlife up close
- Maximum 8 guests, 2 guides
- All camera brands welcome
- Birds! Birds! Birds! Birds!
- Private Aboriginal rock art sites
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- 3 Grasswrens, Grey Falcon, 10 Grass Finches
- Exceptional local specialist bird guide
- Rare & endemic species
- Fully accommodation, all meals
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- 3 Grasswrens, Grey Falcon, 10 Grass Finches
- 5 Bowerbirds, 1 Bird of Paradise
- Max. 4 guests & 1 guide / luxury 4WD
- 2 Exceptional local tour operators
- Conservation surveys & donations
- 16+ local endemics
- Fully accommodation, all meals
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Learn from professional Photographer's Collective leader Jay Collier
- Led by award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- Any brand camera gear welcome
- 3 Private photographic cruises
- Birds & wildlife up close
- Exclusive access safari camp
- Private Aboriginal rock art sites
- Optional helicopter photoshoots
- Landscape photography
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Yellow Chat
- White-quilled Rock Pigeon
- Little Kingfisher
- Spinifex Pigeon
- Great-billed Heron
- Gouldian Finch
- Yellow-rumped Mannikin
- Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
- Hooded Parrot (local endemic)
- Star Finch
- Red Goshawk
- Sunrise boat cruises
- Privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- Lake Argyle
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
- Kununurra
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- 33 Endemic birds
- Serendib Scops Owl
- Sri Lankan Leopards
- Blue Whales
- Horton Plains
- Sigiriya Rock
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Gouldian Finch
- Star Finch
- Pictorella Mannikin
- Crested Shrike-tit
- Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
- Partridge Pigeon
- Budgerigar
- Chestnut Rail
- Banded Fruit-Dove (local endemic)
- Little Kingfisher
- Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (local endemic)
- Black-breasted Buzzard
- Full day bird watching in Darwin
- Full day bird watching in Darwin
- 2 x Sunrise boat cruises (Mary River & Yellow Water)
- Kakadu National Park
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Gouldian Finch
- Little Kingfisher
- Rainbow Pitta
- Star Finch
- Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
- Portable bird hides
- 2 private cruises (Mary River & Yellow Water)
- Leliyn/Edith Falls, Nitmiluk National Park
- Azure Kingfisher
- Comb-crested Jacana
- Northern Rosella
- Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
- Plumed Whistling-Duck
- Rainbow Bee-eater
- Red-winged Parrot
- Tawny Frogmouth
- Rufous Owl
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Rainbow Pitta
- Banded Fruit-Dove (local endemic)
- Gouldian Finch
- Hooded Parrot (local endemic)
- Red Goshawk
- Wilkin’s Rock Wallaby
- Black Wallaroo
- 2 x privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- 2 x Boat Cruise
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Rainbow Pitta
- Black Bittern
- White-lined Honeyeater (local endemic)
- Gouldian Finch
- Hooded Parrot (local endemic)
- 2 x privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- 2 x Sunrise boat cruises (Mary River & Yellow Water)
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Partridge Pigeon
- Rainbow Pitta
- Azure Kingfisher
- Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (local endemic)
- White-lined Honeyeater (local endemic)
- Saltwater Crocodile
- Black & Little Red Flying Fox
- 2 x privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- 1 x Yellow Water sunrise boat cruise
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Hooded Parrot (local endemic)
- Gouldian Finch
- Red-winged Parrot
- Long-tailed Finch
- Northern Rosella
- Historic railway & mining town of Pine Creek
- Leliyn/Edith Falls, Nitmiluk National Park
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Black-necked Stork
- Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (local endemic)
- Australian Bustard
- Sandstone Shrike-thrush
- Masked Finch
- Mamukala Wetlands
- Wilkin’s Rock Wallaby
- Black & Little Red Flying Fox
- Saltwater Crocodile
- Private guided rock art tour around Ubirr
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Rainbow Pitta
- Rufous Owl
- Beach Stone-curlew
- Mangrove Robin
- Chestnut Rail
- Migratory Shorebirds
- Fogg Dam
- Howard Springs
- Diverse habitats
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Tour Highlights
Tour highlights
- Black-banded Fruit-dove (endemic)
- Rainbow Pitta
- White-lined Honeyeater (endemic)
- Partridge Pigeon
- Little Kingfisher
- Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (endemic)
- Black Bittern
- Arafura Shrike-thrush
- Red Goshawk
- Yellow Water birdwatching cruises
- Community walks & presentations
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Photography Tours5 Day East Kimberley & Mitchell Falls Bird Photography TourPhotography Tours5 Day Purnululu East Kimberley Landscape Photography WorkshopPhotography Tours6 Night Top End Birds & Wildlife Photographic Workshop ImmersionBird Watching Tours8 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)Bird Watching Tours17 Day Northern Australia Outback Birding Tour, Darwin (NT) to Cairns (QLD) via Mount IsaPhotography Tours5 Day Wild Kakadu Nature & Landscape Photographic Expedition
Bird Watching Tours10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure TourSri Lanka Birding & EcoTours15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching Tour plus WildlifeBird Watching Tours7 Day North Australian Finch Frenzy TourPhotography Tours9 Day Tropical Outback Top End Bird Photography TourWildlife and Nature Tours5 Day Top End Birding and Wildlife TourBird Watching Tours4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djagarna Jaunt’
Wildlife and Nature Tours3 Day Kakadu Wildlife Tour ‘Ragul Run’Bird Watching Tours2 Day Pine Creek Birdwatching Tour ‘Parrot and Finch Paradise’Bird Watching Tours1 Day Kakadu Birdwatching ToursBird Watching Tours1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour ‘Sticky Beak’Bird Watching ToursKakadu Bird Week Tours 2022

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3 Day AIPP Kakadu Photographic Workshop led by Peter Eastway

20-22 May 2021, Darwin, Kakadu, Northern Territory Take a three day trip led by international award winning ...

Sri Lankan Birding and Wildlife Tour: Trip Notes & Species Highlights with NT Bird Specialists

‘Immerse yourself in World Heritage wilderness and ancient cultural sites while searching for unique and ...

Effects of Australian bushfires on birdlife & birdwatching tours

Since late 2019 catastrophic and unprecedented wildfires have burned across Eastern and South Eastern ...

Canon Collective’s Northern Territory Regional Festival: Photography Workshops with NT Bird Specialists

Canon Collective are teaming up with NT Bird Specialists once again as the Canon Ambassadors hit the road for ...

Australian Geographic comes to Kakadu Bird Week

NT Bird Specialists’ specialist bird guide, Luke Paterson, has guided tours, activities and lectures ...

Australasian Ornithological Conference Darwin (AOC) 2019

NT Bird Specialists are excited to be Local Organising Committee members for the 2019 Australasian ...

The Urban Birder films Darwin and the Top End

David Lindo, the Urban Birder, is the first ambassador for London Wildlife Trust. With thanks to Leica Optics,...

Past Newsletter Highlights and Touring Specials

2016 Newsletter Highlights and Touring Specials Click here to view or download online.

New Ownership for NT Bird Specialists

Written by Gina and Mike Ostwald (previous owners of NT Bird Specialists and Mary River Wilderness Retreat) ...

Featured Tour News

Coronavirus Updates: Travel Requirements to enter the Northern Territory

Please find the latest Northern Territory Government COVID-19 information here:

Update: Last edited 5 April 2022.

The Northern Territory is open for travel.

Please note the following border entry requirements for travellers to the Northern Territory via the latest Directions for COVID-19 via the Chief Health Officer for the Northern Territory:
Pre-travel & border entry requirements:

Rest assured that NT Bird Specialists are COVID-19 Ready accredited operators with a valid COVID-19 Safety Plan and we will work with our guests to make sure you have safe touring opportunities with us in the future.

For information on our COVID-19 Policies and Terms and Conditions updates, visit our FAQ Page here:

Please do not hesitate to contact Luke or Sarah if you would like to discuss any of this.

[email protected]

Ph: +61 (0) 421 651 122 (Luke Paterson)

Ph: +61 (0) 455 921 092 (Sarah Burgess)

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Tour Date	Duration	Tour Interest	Tour Name	Group Size	Availability	Price From (AUD)
16 - 20 Jun 2022 Limited Release	5 Days	Landscape Photography	5 Day Wild Kakadu Nature & Landscape Photography TourNature & landscape photography expedition in Kakadu National Park. Provided exclusively by NT Bird Specialists.	8-14 Guests	YES2	Ensuite (twin share)$4,995Single Supplement $699Helicopter aerial shoot$699
1 - 7 Jul 2022	7 Day 6 Night	Birdwatching tour	7 Day Australian Top End Birdwatching TourGouldian Finch, Star Finch, Pictorella Mannikin, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Red Goshawk, Little Kingfisher, Rainbow Pitta	Min 4 Guests	YESWaitlist & 2023	Ensuite (twin share)$5,100Single supplement $849
12 - 21 Jul 2022	10 Day 9 Night	Birdwatching tour	10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure TourDarwin, Kakadu, Lake Argyle: Red Goshawk, Yellow Chat, Spinifex Pigeon, Star Finch, Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot	4-10 Guests	YESWaitlist & 2023	Ensuite (twin share)$6,299Single Supplement $999
2 - 2 Aug 2022	1 day	Birdwatching / Photography tour	1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour	3-8 Guests	YES	Per guest (group)$295
5 - 13 Aug 2022	9 Day 8 Night	Photography tour	9 Day Top End Tropical Bird Photography TourRainbow Pitta, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Rose-crowned Fruitdove, Gouldian Finch, Star Finch: Darwin, Katherine, Victoria River & Timber Creek Regions	5-7 Guests	YESWaitlist	Ensuite (twin share) $6,490Single supplement $899
17 - 23 Aug 2022	7 Day 6 Night	Birdwatching tour	7 Day Australian Top End Birdwatching TourGouldian Finch, Star Finch, Pictorella Mannikin, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Red Goshawk, Little Kingfisher, Rainbow Pitta	Min 4 Guests	YESWaitlist & 2023	Ensuite (twin share)$5,100Single supplement $849
27 - 27 Aug 2022	1 day	Birdwatching / Photography tour	1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour	3-8 Guests	NOSold Out	Per guest (group)$295
28 - 31 Aug 2022	4 Day  3 Night	Birdwatching, Wildlife Tour	4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djagarna Jaunt’Darwin, Kakadu & Pine Creek	4-10 Guests	YESWaitlist or 2023	Ensuite (twin share)$3,199Single Supplement $349
1 - 1 Sep 2022	1 day	Bird Photography tour	1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour	3-8 Guests	YES2	Per guest (group)$295
21 - 25 Sep 2022 Save $1,000	5 Days	Landscapes/Nature Photography Workshop	5 Day Untamed Arnhem Land Photo Safari WorkshopMount Borradaile, Ancient landscapes, aerial & wildlife photography expedition with Jay Collier Provided exclusively by NT Bird Specialists	6-8 Guests	YESRegister	Ensuite (twin share)$TBASingle Supplement $TBA
27 - 27 Sep 2022	1 day	Birdwatching / Photography tour	1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour	3-8 Guests	YES	Per guest (group)$295
30 Sep - 6 Oct 2022	Half days	Birding, Bird Photography	Kakadu Bird Week 2022 bird photography tours & bird photography cruisesVarious half day Kakadu birdwatching tours, birdwatching cruises & presentations by Luke Paterson	1-15 Guests	YESEnquire	Half day tours per guestFrom $195Private chartersFrom $350Online virtual toursFree
13 - 13 Oct 2022	1 day	Birdwatching tour	1 Day Darwin Birding/Photography TourSeek Rainbow Pitta, Kingfishers, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favorites on our 1 day photo tour in Darwin	3-8 Guests	YES	Min 3$295

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NT Bird Specialists’ Scheduled Departures 2018