Tours – BirdLife Photography Biennial Conference

Photograph a lifer!

Put your knowledge into practice on our bird photography tours.

We have created a varied list of activities to do on the days before and after the conference.

Whether you want to stay close to the venue or be a bit more adventurous, there is something for everyone. Carpooling is encouraged to ease the pressure on buses. Please arrive at the conference center in Hahndorf about 15 minutes early to allow sufficient time for sign-on and to arrange carpooling. It is our intention to provide a bus from the conference center to the planned activities for those who don’t have access to a car and would like to travel with like minded people and make new friends. The conference center in Hahndorf can be found on Google Maps here: Conference Center

It is also our intention to have local guides at each venue to assist our photographers.

The volunteer led land-based tours are free of charge for conference attendees. See itinerary below. Specific details of the excursions, including locations description, map, facilities, access and walking conditions, and recent species sightings will be emailed to you upon registration.

Bird Photography Tours

Laratinga Wetlands –Laratinga Wetlands – these artificial wetlands, constructed in 1999, cover a total area of 16.9 ha and 159 species of birds have been sighted there (100 non-passerines, 59 passerines). We are hoping to see Spotless, Baillon’s and Australian Spotted Crakes, Buff-banded Rail, Freckled Duck (and 8 other species of duck), Latham’s Snipe and the Crested Shrike-tit.   The wetlands are approximately a 15 minute drive from the conference centre (10km). . Google Maps: Laratinga Wetlands
Monarto Woodlands Conservation Park (Browns Rd) -this park covers a total area of 45 ha. 101 species of bird have been sighted there (38 non-passerines, 63 passerines) and we will be hoping to see a number of these, including, Diamond Firetail, Adelaide Rosella, Purple-crowned Lorikeet, Purple-backed Fairywren, Restless Flycatcher, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Brown Treecreeper, Striated and Spotted Pardalote, Southern Whiteface, and Hooded and Red-capped Robins. The woodlands are approximately a 25 minute drive from the conference centre (33km). We will meet on the corner of Browns Road and the Old Princes Hwy, Google Maps: Browns Rd
Tolderal Game Reserve -these wetlands cover 428 ha and contain a large number of bird species. There are also plenty of Red-bellied Black Snakes and Tiger Snakes in the area, so you need to watch your step when out of the vehicle. 164 species of bird have been sighted there (164 non-passerines, 34 passerines). Possible birds include Baillon’s Crake, Spotless Crake, Lewin’s Rail, Swamp Harrier, White-fronted Chat, Golden-headed Cisticola, Latham’s Snipe, Australasian Bittern, various Tern species, and a number of migratory shorebirds. The wetland is home to hundreds of ducks feeding in ponds. Tolderol is approximately 52 minutes from the conference centre. (54km). Tolderol Game Reserve
Coorong Cruise -Ever wonder where the mighty Murray ends its epic 2500 Km journey? Board the Spirit of the Coorong cruise at the historic river port of Goolwa to find out. This exclusive Birdlife Photography charter explores the last lock on the Murray, the river mouth and the start of the Coorong National Park. Expect to see a wide range of birds including all five Cormorant species, a variety of waders, Terns, Black Swans, Pelicans, Cape Barren Geese and many water birds. Google Maps: Goolwa Wharf
Paiwalla Wetlands – Paiwalla, a former dairy farming property on the floodplains of the lower Murray River in South Australia, was purchased and restored to wetlands by the Wetland Habitats (Paiwalla) Association Inc. Less than 10% of the original Lower Murray wetlands remain today, making Paiwalla a site of significance for the protection of many species of flora and fauna.  Paiwalla is located on the eastern side of the Murray River, 15km north of Murray Bridge. 174 species of birds have been recorded at Paiwalla.  Access to Paiwalla is strictly by arrangement only, and we have arranged exclusive access to this property. Google Maps: Paiwalla Wetlands

Once you purchase your ticket to the conference you will be emailed a Bird Outings Brochure with all the details for each location so you can plan your trip.

Timetable – Pre and Post Birdwatching/Photography Outings and Tours

Pre-conference Tours

Date	Day	Location	Cost, Time & How to get there	Leader
21st March	Thursday	Laratinga Wetland Bald Hill Road Mt Barker Over 160 species of birds have been recored in Laratinga.	4:00pm until dark. Self drive on Bald Hill Road, Mt Barker a 15 minute drive from the conference centre.	Birds SA members
21st March	Thursday	Tolderol Wetland at Langhorne Creek Tolderol Game Reserve is a protected area of 428 hectares on the north-western side of Lake Alexandrina.54 min drive from Hahndorf 182 species observed.	Meet at Langhorne Creek hotel at 7:30am for convoy to the wetlands	Birds SA members
21st March	Thursday	Browns Road Reserve Browns road (30min drive east from Handhorf) is a SA NPWS Reserve very popular with SA birders, its renowned for many mallee species of birds. 101 species recorded.	30 km east of the conference centre. Leave the SE Freeway at the Callington exit. Drive through Callington and turn right onto the Old Princess Highway. The junction is at the top of the hill. Meet at the junction of Old Princess Highway and Browns Road at 8.30 am.	Birds SA members
22nd March	Friday	Laratinga Wetland Bald Hill Road Mt Barker This is the major BLP field day for the weekend	All day starting 8:30am. A shuttle bus will run between conference centre and Laratinga. First bus 8:00am and last bus returning 5:00pm. Major BLP Field Day. Featuring our major sponsor Camera House and camera brand representatives. There will be an opportunity to try equipment. Workshops with our presenters and food available.	Birds SA members
22nd March	Friday	Coorong Boat Trip, Goolwa 1.5 hrs bus trip to Goolwa for a 3.5 hr cruise along the famous Coorong NP up to the Murray Mouth viewing Waterbirds and waders. The area is mostly open water with large areas of tidal flats at low tide. The land areas have typical coastal dune vegetation. 108 species recorded.	This exclusive charter is restricted to a max of 35 passengers departing from the Goolwa Wharf at 9.00am and returning at 12.30 pm. A bus will leave the conference centre at 7.30am and return immediately after the cruise finishes. Cruise fare is $82 per head and bus fare $40 per head. Book your cruise at bookings@spiritaustraliacruises.com.au and your bus seat on our ticketing page*	Spirit of the Coorong Crew and Birds SA member
25th March	Monday	Paiwalla Wetlands The Paiwalla Swamp of 116 hectares adjoins the Sunnyside Wetlands of 34 hectares giving 150 hectares of continuous wetland, the largest wetland complex on the River Murray below Mannum.Paiwalla (1hr drive from Hahndorf) is located on the eastern side of the Murray River, 15km north of Murray Bridge. 174 Bird species have been recorded at Paiwalla wetlands. Raptors are a highlight.	Access by bus only departing the conference centre at 7.30am and arriving back at the centre at 12.30pm. Cost of the bus will be $40 per head. Book your seat on our ticketing page* . Maximum 24 people.	Birds SA members
25th March	Monday	Tolderol Wetland at Langhorne Creek Tolderol Game Reserve is a protected area of 428 hectares on the north-western side of Lake Alexandrina.54 min drive from Hahndorf 182 species observed.	Meet at Langhorne Creek Hotel at 7:30am for convoy to the wetlands	Birds SA members

*Ticketing for transport is in the process of being arranged on our ticketing purchase page. We will update you when bus tickets are available for purchase.

Places to visit after the conference