Pop up – Demo

ShareThis

Bird Watching Tours

7 Day North Australian Finch Frenzy Tour

Most Popular!

Day by Day Itinerary

Contact Us For Full itinerary
Tour Video

Check out this epic Finch Frenzy video made by our guest Denis from the August 2022 Finch Frenzy tour.

Day 1

We start the day by taking advantage of the early morning and scope out some of the best birding sites in Darwin. We look for species such as Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl, Torresian Kingfisher, Mangrove Robin and various shorebirds. After a hearty lunch we travel to Fogg Dam, a renowned wetland on the edge of the Adelaide River Floodplain home to Crimson Finch and a myriad of waterfowl. We end by making our way to our accommodation in the Mary River Region.

Day 2

The morning starts with an early birding session around the Mary River region before continuing our journey to the World Heritage Kakadu National Park, scanning the woodlands and floodplains for Silver-backed Butcherbird, Black-breasted Buzzard, Brolga and Radjah Shelduck. After lunch we make our way to ‘stone country’, home to impressive ancient Aboriginal rock art along with Chestnut-quilled Rock Pigeon, Wilkin’s Rock Wallaby and Sandstone Shrike-thrush. Our accommodation for the night is in the township of Jabiru.

Day 3

Today we rise before the sun to join the famous Yellow Water sunrise cruise. Yellow Water has Great-billed Heron, 6 species of kingfisher, Arafura Fantail, Buff-sided Robin, Black-necked Stork and Saltwater Crocodile. We’ll explore around the Burrungkuy region to take in some of the more spectacular scenery of World Heritage Kakadu National Park. Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) region is home to endemic and sandstone specialists such as Banded Fruit-Dove and Helmeted Friarbird, White-lined Honeyeater and elusive Black Wallaroo amongst the rock art. We’ll travel south to our accommodation in Pine Creek, home to the endemic and illustrious Hooded Parrot.

Day 4

Another big day beckons as we pack our bags and head for Leliyn/Edith Falls in the iconic Nitmiluk National Park. The region is a hot spot for finch species including the much sought after Gouldian, Masked, Long-tailed, Crimson and Double-barred. We also keep an eye out for Northern Rosella. Continuing south on the Stuart Highway we travel to Katherine then onwards to our destination for the next two nights at the Timber Creek Hotel. Getting closer we are welcomed with stunning views of various ranges before retiring to our accommodation and enjoying a well-deserved meal.

Day 5

Part of our exploration sees us take a rocky walk heading up the escarpment, looking for sandstone specialties including White-quilled Rock Pigeon, Sandstone Shrike-thrush and Short-eared Rock Wallaby. Admiring the amazing morning view from this 3km return moderate walk is well worth the effort. This outback town is great for finches such as Gouldian, Star and Zebra, as well as finding wild Budgerigar. Boab trees and secluded water holes top it off.

Day 6

Following an early morning bird watch around Timber Creek we depart this outback gem and travel back through the spectacular ranges and through the cattle stations, stopping along the way at watering holes where it is prime finch and parrot territory, keeping an eye out for Cockatiel, Yellow-rumped Mannikin (Munia), Budgerigar, Diamond Dove and Star Finch. Skirting around Katherine, we make our way to our destination for the night, Pine Creek.

Day 7

We wake in this Heritage Gold Mining town with a morning birding session followed by breakfast in a nearby parkland. Afterwards we travel north along the Stuart Highway, across the Adelaide River floodplain then back to the big smoke of Darwin for any last sightings and a final bird list before bidding farewell.

Tour Inclusions & Exclusions

From the moment we pick you up from your hotel in Darwin, until we drop you off again, this birdwatching expedition includes:

• 7 full days touring with multi award-winning tour operator team and specialist bird guide Luke Paterson (owner of NT Bird Specialists – 21 years experience in northern Australia)
• 7 full days private air-conditioned & spacious 4WD commercial tourist vehicle with driver (11 or 18-seater) and purpose-built lockable 4WD trailer
• 6 nights en suite air-conditioned accommodation (boutique aboriginal-owned, 4 star & best available)
• 2-hour boat cruise assisted by your private birding guide Luke
• All meals on tour (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners) (please notify us of allergies at time of booking) *fresh, healthy, homemade meals
• Unlimited cool water refills, tea and coffee with breakfast, cordials with lunch
• Excellence in guiding skill and local natural history knowledge
• Exclusive itineraries built by local specialists
• All transport, tours and cruises as stated in itinerary

• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Daily hotel transfers
• Up to date printed & digital Australian bird field guides to share
• Communal use of spotting scope
• Access to hire professional photographic and optical equipment *enquire for optional extras*
• Printed bird list
• Airport transfers *with optional extras
• Pre and post-tour booking services *enquire*
• All National Park permits, licenses, accreditations and entry fees
• Emergency communications, COVID-19 hygiene kit, 2 first-aid kit, satellite phone
• Assurance of touring with an award-winning Australian Accredited Tourism Business and Licensed Commercial Tour Operator
• COVID-19 safe accredited operators with flexible booking terms

• Genuine ecotourism, low impact tours that support the environment and local communities
• Excellent interpretation and customer service
• Birds! Birds! Birds! Birds!
And more…
Read our 5 star reviews

*Enquire for pre and post-tour optional extras *we also book guests’ hotels, tours, airport transfers, photography equipment hire*

Very little…

Items before and after your tour:

  • Airfares, Passport & Visas fees, Airport taxes
  • Airport transfers not specified in itinerary
  • Excess baggage
  • Other tours, meals and activities

 

During your tour:

  • Food/drinks not stated on the itinerary *Excludes evening meal drinks & Alcoholic beverages
  • Laundry
  • Personal shopping
  • Internet charges & Phone calls
  • Gratuities
  • anything not specified in your itinerary are excluded from the price of the tour.

*Enquire for pre and post-tour optional extras *we also book guests’ hotels, tours, airport transfers, photography equipment hire*

Take a Look at Other Bird Watching Tours

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Insert your info below and we’ll keep you updated
NT Bird Specialists’ Scheduled Departures 2018
Tour DateDurationTour InterestTour NameGroup SizeAvailabilityPrice From (AUD)
1 Jan - 31 Dec
2024
10-16 DaysBirdwatching, Wildlife & CulturePrivate Sri Lanka Birding, Wildlife & Cultural ToursSeek Sri Lanka's 'Big Five', as well as 34 endemic birds & up to 8 World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka1-10 GuestsYESEnquire for ExtensionsFully accommodated with all meals & toursEnquireSingle Supplement TBA
17 - 17
Mar
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYESPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
27 Mar - 10 Apr
2024
15 DaysBirdwatching & WildlifeSri Lanka Birding and Wildlife TourSeek Sri Lanka's 34 endemic birds as well as the 'Big 5' on our tropical birding tour plus wildlife of Sri Lanka6-11 GuestsYESWaitlist or 2025Fully ensuited lodging with all meals & tours$10,995Single Supplement $1,450
5 - 5
May
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-10 GuestsYESPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
14 - 25
May
2024 Guaranteed Departure
12 DaysBirding, Photography12 Day Kimberley Birdwatching & Wilderness TourThe most comprehensive Kimberley birding tour available! Black Grasswren, Kimberley Honeyeater, Partridge Pigeon, Mitchell Falls. 4-8 GuestsYESEnsuite (twin share) Save $1,000$15,679Single Supplement $1,089Guaranteed Departure
1 Jul - 30 Nov
2024
VariousAllGroup or Private ToursOpen a new group tour or book private options. NEW DATES AVAILABLE.1-8 GuestsYESEnquire now
21 - 21
Jul
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYESPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
24 - 27
Jul
2024
4 Day 
3 Night
Birdwatching, Wildlife Tour4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’Darwin, Kakadu & Pine Creek4-8 GuestsYES*Joins 1 Day TourEnsuite (twin share)$3,499Single Supplement $395
21 - 30
Jul
2024
10 Day
9 Night
Birdwatching tour 10 Day Ultimate Top End Birding Adventure TourLake Argyle, Kakadu, Darwin: Red Goshawk, Yellow Chat, Spinifex Pigeon, Star Finch, Gouldian Finch, Hooded Parrot6-10 GuestsYESStarts Darwin, Ends KununurraEnsuite (twin share)$8,449Single Supplement $1,299
28 - 28
Jul
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYES*Joins 4 Day TourPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
6 - 6
Aug
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYES*Joins 7 Day TourPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
7 - 13
Aug
2024
7 Day
6 Night
Birdwatching tour 7 Day Australian Finch Frenzy TourGouldian Finch, Star Finch, Pictorella Mannikin, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Red Goshawk, Little Kingfisher, Rainbow Pitta5-10 GuestsYES*Joins 1 Day TourEnsuite (twin share)$5,999Single supplement $899
10 - 13
Aug
2024
4 Day 
3 Night
Birdwatching, Wildlife Tour4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’Darwin, Kakadu & Pine Creek4-8 GuestsYESEnsuite (twin share)$3,499Single Supplement $395
14 - 14
Aug
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYES*Joins 7 Day TourPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
18 - 18
Aug
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYESPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
26 - 26
Aug
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYESPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
30 Aug - 5 Sep
2024
7 DaysBird & Wildlife Photography7 Day Photographic Workshop: Top End Birds & Wildlife Immersion 2024Epic Wildlife Photography Workshop with Jay Collier Provided exclusively by NT Bird Specialists6-10 GuestsYESEnsuite (twin share)$8,499Single Supplement$895
8 - 11
Sep
2024
4 Day 
3 Night
Birdwatching, Wildlife Tour4 Day Kakadu Birdwatching Tour ‘Djakarna Jaunt’Darwin, Kakadu & Pine Creek4-10 GuestsYES*Joins 1 Day TourEnsuite (twin share)$3,499Single Supplement $395
12 - 12
Sep
2024
1 dayBirdwatching / Photography tour 1 Day Darwin Birdwatching Tour 'Sticky Beak'Seek Rainbow Pitta, Rufous Owl and other Darwin favourites on our 1 day tour3-8 GuestsYES*Joins 4 Day TourPer guest (group)$349Private Tour (1-2 guests)$995Additional guests $195
27 Sep - 2 Oct
2024
Half daysBirding, Bird PhotographyKakadu Bird Week 2024 birding, bird photography tours & activitiesVarious half day Kakadu birdwatching tours, birdwatching cruises & presentations by Luke Paterson1-12 GuestsYESHalf day tours per guestFrom $200Private chartersTBAOnline virtual toursFree
15 - 30
Oct
2024 New Tour!
16 DaysBirding & Wildlife16 Day Deluxe Borneo Birding & Wildlife EcoTour (Sabah & Sarawak Malaysia) 2024Bornean Bristlehead, Whitehead's Trio, 8 Hornbills, Pittas, Trogans, Lowland & Montane Endemics, Bornean Orangutan, Proboscis Monkey, Gunung Mulu NP, Danum Valley, Kinabatangan, Mount Kinabalu, Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sepilok7-10 GuestsYESEnsuite (Twin share)$15,995Single Supplement (pending no. nights)$1,549-$2,189Luxury room upgrades (pending venue & single/twin)$459 - $1,775
10 - 16
Nov
2024
7 Day
6 Night
Birdwatching tour 7 Day Australian Finch Frenzy TourGouldian Finch, Star Finch, Pictorella Mannikin, Purple-crowned Fairywren, Red Goshawk, Little Kingfisher, Rainbow Pitta5-10 GuestsYESEnquire for ExtensionsEnsuite (twin share)$5,999Single supplement $899