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Unrivalled in local bird
guiding skill & expertiseENGAGE WITH OUR SPECIALIST GUIDE, LUKE PATERSON, AS HE FINDS YOUR TARGET
SPECIES & EXPERIENCES USING 22 YEARS OF LOCAL GUIDING EXPERIENCE.Photo Credit: Sheau Torng Lim -
Specialists in birdwatching
& photographic safarisDELIVERING YOUR PERSONALISED ITINERARIES &
AUTHENTIC SMALL GROUP TOURING. -
Thoughtfully designed
experiences Capture The MomentWE MAXIMISE YOUR WILDLIFE-VIEWING ENCOUNTERS &
ABILITY TO CAPTURE JAW-DROPPING PHOTOS IN STUNNING LANDSCAPES. -
Award-winning
ecotourism specialistsPROVIDING YOUR WORLD-CLASS WILDLIFE ADVENTURES WITH BREATH-TAKING NATURAL
EXPERIENCES & A WEALTH OF INTIMATE LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. -
Guiding the way in
special-interest satisfactionREVIEW STORIES FROM OUR HAPPY GUESTS.
Specialists in birdwatching & bird photography tours
CREATING YOUR PERSONALISED PRIVATE ITINERARIES & SMALL GROUP TOURING.
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 37 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.
Our Top Tours
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Photographic Workshop: Top End Birds & Wildlife Immersion
Join our breath-taking bird & wildlife photography workshop with Jay Collier in Kakadu’s World Heritage sites. Limited availability in 2024. 2 Expert Tour leaders. Special offers available.
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5 Day Top End Birding and Wildlife Tour
Our 5 day ‘Top End Birding & Wildlife Experience’ provides fantastic chances to view many Top End specialty birds and wildlife, including Banded-fruit Dove (endemic), Rainbow Pitta, Hooded Parrot (endemic), Gouldian Finch and many waterbirds.
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9 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)
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Wild Kakadu Nature Photography Expedition 2025
Join our exclusive photographic expedition through the heart of Crocodile Dundee country. 12-17 June 2023. Special offers available.
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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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15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching & Wildlife Tour
Join NT Bird Specialists on a 15 day Wildlife Adventure through the biodiverse and culturally rich lands of Sri Lanka in March 2024 and 2025. ‘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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7 Day North Australian Finch Frenzy Tour
Join NT Bird Specialists on a Grass ’Finch Frenzy’ of the best birding sites for Gouldian Finch, Star Finch, Pictorella Mannikin and up to 200 bird species spanning the Top End, Northern Territory. Start & finish in Darwin.
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8 Day Tropical Outback Bird Photography Tour
Embark on our 8 Day ‘Tropical Outback’ Bird Photography Tour to photograph an incredible range of colourful and unique northern Australian birds and wildlife in beautiful landscapes.
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4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’
Our 4 day Kakadu Birdwatching tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’ explores a 1200 kilometre circuit along the Arnhem, Kakadu and Stuart Highways, in the Top End of the Northern Territory.
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3 Day Kakadu Wildlife Tour ‘Rakul Run’
For those with a less time to visit the Top End, our 3 Day ‘Rakul Run’ wildlife tour presents a taste of Kakadu in two nights.
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4 Day East Kimberley Bird Photography Tour
Join our tantalising bird photography adventure in the East Kimberley. Photograph finches, local speciality birds and reptiles in gorgeous boab-clad landscapes with million star astro views.
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2 Day Pine Creek Birdwatching Tour ‘Parrot and Finch Paradise’
10 species of parrots, including the (locally endemic) Hooded Parrot, Red-winged Parrot, Cockatiel and Northern Rosella, rightfully makes the historic gold mining and railway township of Pine Creek the ‘Top End’s home of parrots’.
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1 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tours
Our 1 day Kakadu bird watching tours start and finish in the heart of the World Heritage Kakadu National Park.
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1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour ‘Sticky Beak’
Darwin’s urban landscapes retain an array of habitats for birds and wildlife to flourish in.
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1 Day Wild Kakadu Wildlife & Rock Art Tour
Only have a day or two to spare? Join our 1 Day Wild Kakadu Wildlife & Rock Art tour for a glimpse of the World Heritage wildlife and rock art at home amongst the mighty South Alligator floodplains and Ubirr rock art sites adjacent to the East Alligator River.
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Kakadu Bird Week Tours 2024
Get a fantastic taste of Kakadu’s birding highlights when Luke guides you to the best sites during Kakadu Bird Week 2023. Enquire and book Kakadu Bird Week tours today [email protected]
Find out moreAbout 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 37 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.

Reviews
On our birding trip in the Northern Territory we staked out a waterhole waiting for finches. To our great delight, around 700-800 budgies arrived in a swirling mass, circling again & again until they found the courage to come down & drink. Thanks to our brilliant guide, Luke, for making this possible. I hope you enjoy these most endearing birds.
I went on this tour with my 12 year old son who is a keen birder and I have to say that even as a non-birder it was the best tour I have been on. Luke was amazing in not only spotting birds but taking the time out to be engaging, funny and educational while literally spotting and knowing where all the best birding and nature spots are. My son didn't want the trip to end and wants to book the 10 day tour ASAP. I couldn't recommend Luke more! Will definitely be back.
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!
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!
- Tour MapsPhotographic Workshop: Top End Birds & Wildlife Immersion
- Tour Maps5 Day Top End Birding and Wildlife Tour
- Tour Maps9 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)
- Tour MapsWild Kakadu Nature Photography Expedition 2025
- Tour Maps10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure Tour
- Tour Maps15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching & Wildlife Tour
- Tour Maps7 Day North Australian Finch Frenzy Tour
- Tour Maps8 Day Tropical Outback Bird Photography Tour
- Tour Maps4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’
- Tour Maps3 Day Kakadu Wildlife Tour ‘Rakul Run’
- Tour Maps4 Day East Kimberley Bird Photography Tour
- 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 Maps1 Day Wild Kakadu Wildlife & Rock Art Tour
- Tour MapsKakadu Bird Week Tours 2024
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Unique wildlife & rare birds up close
- Macro & bird in flight techniques
- 3 Private wildlife photography cruises
- Led by award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- Tutorials with professional photographer Jay Collier
- Birds! Birds! Birds! Birds!
- 1 guide per 3-5 guests
- All experience levels welcome
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Rainbow Pitta
- Banded Fruit-Dove (local endemic)
- Gouldian Finch
- Hooded Parrot (local endemic)
- Red Goshawk
- Wilkin’s Rock Wallaby
- Black Wallaroo
- 2x privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- 1x Boat Cruise
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- 3 Grasswrens, Grey Falcon, 10 Grass Finches
- Exceptional local specialist bird guide
- Rare & endemic species
- Fully accommodation, all meals
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Sunrise/Set, Astro & Macro techniques
- Optional helicopter aerials
- 2 Private photographic cruises
- Exclusive access safari camp
- Private Aboriginal rock art sites
- All experience levels welcome
- Tutorials with professional photographer Jay Collier
- Led by award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- Tour HighlightsTour 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
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- 34 Endemic birds of Sri Lanka
- Serendib Scops Owl
- Sri Lankan Leopards
- Sloth Bear
- Horton Plains
- Sigiriya Rock
- Tour HighlightsTour 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
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Gouldian Finch
- Little Kingfisher
- Rainbow Pitta
- Star Finch
- Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
- Budgerigar
- Private cruises
- 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
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Rainbow Pitta
- Black Bittern
- White-lined Honeyeater (local endemic)
- Gouldian Finch
- Hooded Parrot (local endemic)
- 2 x privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- 1 x Sunrise boat cruises (Yellow Water)
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Partridge Pigeon 'Rakul'
- Rainbow Pitta
- Azure Kingfisher
- Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon (local endemic)
- White-lined Honeyeater (local endemic)
- Saltwater Crocodile
- Black & Little Red Flying Fox
- Privately-guided Aboriginal rock art sites
- 1 x Yellow Water sunrise boat cruise
- World Heritage Kakadu National Park
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Award-winning specialist guide Luke Paterson
- 11 species of Australian Grassfinch
- 5-hour private bird photography cruise
- All cameras & experience welcome
- Tour HighlightsTour 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
- Tour HighlightsTour 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
- Tour HighlightsTour highlights
- Rainbow Pitta
- Rufous Owl
- Beach Stone-curlew
- Mangrove Robin
- Chestnut Rail
- Migratory Shorebirds
- Fogg Dam
- Howard Springs
- Diverse habitats
- Tour HighlightsTour 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
- Tour HighlightsTour 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
- Photography ToursPhotographic Workshop: Top End Birds & Wildlife ImmersionWildlife and Nature Tours5 Day Top End Birding and Wildlife TourBird Watching Tours9 Day Australian Outback Birdwatching Tour, Darwin (NT) to Mount Isa (QLD)Photography ToursWild Kakadu Nature Photography Expedition 2025Bird Watching Tours10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure TourSri Lanka Birding & EcoTours15 Day Sri Lankan Birdwatching & Wildlife Tour
- Bird Watching Tours7 Day North Australian Finch Frenzy TourPhotography Tours8 Day Tropical Outback Bird Photography TourBird Watching Tours4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’Wildlife and Nature Tours3 Day Kakadu Wildlife Tour ‘Rakul Run’Photography Tours4 Day East Kimberley Bird Photography TourBird 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’Wildlife and Nature Tours1 Day Wild Kakadu Wildlife & Rock Art TourBird Watching ToursKakadu Bird Week Tours 2024
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Past Newsletter Highlights and Touring Specials


We’re super pleased to have John Gitsham joining the NT Bird Specialists’ Guiding Team from 2023.
With over 40 years of experience as a dedicated conservationist, naturalist, birder, and bird photographer, John Gitsham brings a wealth of knowledge to our team at NT Bird Specialists.
John is a seasoned professional whose experiences include 25 years in the Conservation Industry (Head Park Ranger for the famous Coorong National Park in South Australia, Wildlife sanctuary roles – Earth Sanctuaries, Australian Wildlife Conservancy, National Parks & Wildlife SA, Nature Guide, Wildlife Manager, Fleurieu Swamps Project Officer & Wetlands Manager for the Murraylands in SA).
John first met Sarah through their University studies in Ecotourism at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia & naturally, he hit it off with Luke sharing their birding passions.
John is the past President & Committee Member of Birds SA & has been on BirdLife Australia’s Gluepot Bird Reserve Management Committee (in South Australia’s Riverland) for the past 20 years.
During this time, John has been the Facilitator/Head guide of many birdwatching walks, birdwatching events, lectures & Birdwatching Courses & operated his own Birding/Bird Photography business.
As an accomplished Nature Photographer of Birds & Landscapes, John’s Professional Photography was recently published in two of his black and white landscape photography books.
As we do, John firmly believes in “Conservation through Education” when working with guests & communities, so you can see why we’re excited to welcome John to our team!
Come and meet John on our Darwin and Kakadu tours, or at his presentations at the 12th Australasian Ornithological Conference (AOC) in Brisbane November 2023 and attendance at the Australian Birdlife Photography Conference in Adelaide March 2024.
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