Led by wildlife photographer Bret Charman, we explore the Australian states of Victoria and Tasmania for a wildlife photography experience that very few countries are able to equal.
The weird and wonderful species of Australia have evolved like nowhere else on Earth and, as a result, the level of endemism in the country is simply incredible. 83% of mammals and 93% of amphibians recorded here are only found in Australia. The short-beaked echidna is a prime example – imagine a hedgehog crossed with a kiwi or the other monotreme (egg-laying mammal), the duck-billed platypus. Then of course you have koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and wombats.
Despite this incredible array of fascinating species that make for captivating subjects, Australia is often not the choice for a photo safari. However, this country provides one of the most rewarding photographic experiences.
We will visit some of the finest wildlife locations in Victoria and Tasmania, and the itinerary has been designed to make sure that we make the most of the light, but also give ourselves ample time to photograph the numerous species that we encounter. Throughout the itinerary Bret will be on hand to provide guidance and photographic tuition, helping you get the most out of your images.
So, why not join Bret for a wildlife photography experience like nowhere else on Earth?
Typical Itinerary
Days1-2: Fly to Melbourne (via Singapore)
Day3: Arrive Melbourne
On arrival in Melbourne we will be met and transferred to our accommodation in the city. If you would like to explore the city, then this afternoon is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel, 1-night
Day4: Wildlife Photography in You Yang Ranges, Victoria
Today is our first opportunity to get out and about in search of some endemic Australian wildlife. We will head out of the city to the You Yang Ranges, where we will focus our efforts on searching for and photographing the resident koalas. While here, there will be the opportunity to learn about the koala research being conducted in the provincial park. There may also be an opportunity to photograph the park’s birdlife which includes the fascinating tawny frogmouth, musk and purple-crowned lorikeets, galah and long-billed corella.
In the late afternoon we check in to our accommodation in the town of Lorne on the Great Ocean Road.
Accommodation: Mantra Lorne, 1-night
Day5: Visit the Serendip Sanctuary
We continue our exploration of Victoria today, spending a full day and evening at the Serendip Sanctuary. This small piece of protected land is an oasis for endemic mammals, including eastern grey kangaroo and swamp wallaby. There will also be the chance to photograph a range of fantastic birdlife such as emu, yellow-billed spoonbill and a wide range of water birds and waders. As the day goes on the light should soften and provide us with favourable conditions for photography.
In the evening we will return to Melbourne for our final night in Victoria.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel, 1-night
Day6: Fly to Tasmania & transfer to Mountain Valley
This morning we fly from Melbourne to Launceston and then transfer to Mountain Valley Wilderness Retreat in the northwest of Tasmania, which will take two and a half hours. This remote setting is one of the best places in Tasmania for viewing (and hopefully photographing) wild Tasmanian devils and spotted-tail quolls. This evening will be our first chance to capture images of these curious and captivating species.
Accommodation: Mountain Valley Wilderness Retreat, 2-nights
Day7: Full day in Mountain Valley Reserve
Today we have a full day in the stunning surrounds of the Mountain Valley Reserve. During the day there should be plenty of species to encounter and photograph, including superb fairy wren, platypus and plentiful pademelons (a small member of the wallaby family). Other notable species that inhabit the reserve and make for wonderful subjects are echidna, ringtail possum, pygmy possum, sugar gliders and wombats.
In the evening, we will once again make the most of opportunities to watch and photograph the secretive quoll and Tasmanian devil.
Day8: Transfer to Cradle Mountain National Park
Today we transfer to Cradle Mountain National Park, which is arguably the finest park on the island. In the afternoon, there will be time to head out for wildlife photography and the park is known for its very approachable population of common wombats. It is also an excellent location to encounter short-beaked echidna, red-necked wallaby, rufous-bellied pademelon and flame robin.
Accommodation: Cradle Mountain Hotel, 3-nights
Days9-10: Explore Cradle Mountain National Park
For the next two days we will explore Cradle Mountain National Park to observe and photograph more of the intriguing species that live here. Short-beaked echidna can be photographed in the area with relative ease, as well as wallabies and pademelons and a variety of bird species including yellow-tailed cockatoos, flame robin and endemics such as black currawong, Tasmanian scrub wren and yellow-throated honeyeater.
Day11: Photography in the Tasmanian Arboretum & continue to Devonport
Today we visit the Tasmanian Arboretum and spend ample time here for photography because this particular location is our best chance to capture images of duck-billed platypus during daylight hours.
After a relaxing and hopefully rewarding day of photography at the arboretum we continue driving to Devonport where we spend the night.
Accommodation: Gateway Inn Devonport, 1-night
Day12: Visit Narrawntapu National Park
This morning, if we feel it is necessary, there will be the opportunity to visit the arboretum again for more platypus photography. After our possible morning excursion to the arboretum, we will then head to Narrawntapu National Park, right on the northern coast of Tasmania – this is the perfect place to photograph the forester kangaroo and pademelon around the lagoon.
Later in the day, we transfer to Launceston for an overnight stay.
Accommodation: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1-night
Day13: Photography in Ben Lomond National Park & continue to Hobart
After breakfast we depart Launceston and visit the Ben Lomond National Park to view and capture its spectacular 'organ pipe' landscape. The dramatic scenery will provide ample opportunity for landscape photography, but there is also a diverse variety of fauna that we could encounter as well including Bennett's wallaby, common wombat and flame robins.
Following our time in Ben Lomond National Park we drive to Hobart.
Accommodation: Old Woolstore Hotel Hobart, 1-night
Day14: Ferry to Bruny Island
Following a good night's rest in Hobart we are on the move again to our final destination, Bruny Island. We will head south from Hobart to catch the ferry across to Bruny Island before heading to our lodge and base for the next couple of nights.
Our accommodation, Inala Cottages, is the perfect place to base ourselves on Bruny Island as there is a custom-built hide where we can photograph a range of Australian raptors, including wedge-tailed eagle and grey goshawk (including a white morph), as well as a private reserve which is home to a whole host of native wildlife.
Accommodation: Inala Cottages, 2-nights
Day15: Explore Bruny Island
Today we have a full day on Bruny Island, maximising our time in the private reserve at Inala Cottages, where we hope to photograph a wide range of mammal and bird species. Mammals regularly seen on the reserve include pademelon, Bennett’s wallaby, short-beaked echidna and wombat. In fact, Bruny Island is famed for its population of ‘white’ Bennett’s wallabies and with luck there will be plenty of opportunities to photograph these ghostly marsupials.
Day16: Transfer to Hobart & depart
This morning we take the ferry back to the Tasmanian mainland and transfer to the airport at Hobart for our domestic flight back to Melbourne and onward international flights back to the UK (via Singapore).
Day17: Arrive UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 17 daysfrom £8,495 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 14 daysfrom £7,495 pp
Single supplement:
From £875
Trip type:
Group Tour
Group size: 8
Group Departures:
Make a booking request.
, Fully booked
, Fully booked
We are currently finalising future dates for this tour. Please contact us for further details.
Bret is an award-winning wildlife photographer with a background in the wildlife travel and safari industry, with a particular interest in African and Australian wildlife.
After spending a year in Australia to pursue wildlife photography, he was rewarded with success at the prestigious Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition, as well as winning the Birds in Flight category in Bird Photographer of the Year. Bret has experience leading groups in Europe, the Americas and in Africa.
Victoria’s state capital and most populous city, second in Australia only to Sydney, Melbourne is frequently called Australia’s cultural capital, and is home to many of the country’s largest and oldest cultural institutions. It is the hub of the Australian film industry and gateway to the stunning scenery of the Great Ocean Road.
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Bruny Island is the ultimate Tasmanian wilderness experience with preserved natural environments, abundant wildlife, tranquil beaches and soaring sea cliffs. A birdwatchers’ paradise, the island’s national park attracts all 12 of Tasmania’s endemic birds including the rare forty-spotted pardalote.
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Where: South-east Tasmania
Ideal for viewing: forty-spotted pardalote, white wallaby, little penguin, short-tailed shearwater, Australian fur seal
An eclectic mix of modern and historic, the small city of Hobart has a vibrant art scene and interesting museums, alongside several bars, cafes and restaurants. It provides access to some of Tasmania’s best natural attractions – including Maria Island National Park and Bruny Island.
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