Inala’s King Island Bass Strait small group Tour
This tour has been designed to adjoin the Tasmanian Endemic birds and mammals tour 21 February to 2 March 2021.
ITINERARY OUTLINE:
Day 1. Thu 4 Mar 2021. Arrive King Island. West coast, fromagerie & bird specialities. Accom: King Island.
Day 2. Fri 5 Mar 2021. King Is: Pegarah State Forest & Sea Elephant Conservation Area. Accom: King Island.
Day 3. Sat 6 Mar 2021. King Is: Lavinia State Reserve, Cape Wickham shore/seabirds. Accom: King Island.
Day 4. Sun 7 Mar 2021. Depart. Accom: none.
DETAILED ITINERARY:
B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner
Tuesday 2 March 2021.
For those who are also joining the Inala Tasmanian endemics tour: This morning we travel to Launceston after breakfast. If time permits, we will visit some wetlands en route where there is a chance to view several wetland species including Purple Swamphen, Spotless Crake, Australian Shelduck, Black-fronted Dotterel and Little Grassbird. The main tour will conclude around midday. Those participants who are continuing from the Tas endemics tour to King Island will stay in Launceston.
Accommodation: none (can be arranged if required). Meals included: none (B on main tour only).
Wednesday 3 March 2021. Free day in Launceston.
Accommodation: none (can be arranged if required). Meals included: none.
Day 1. Thursday 4 March 2021.
Connect with your early morning Sharp Airlines flight to King Island. Choices available are SH892 from Launceston (07:00-08:35) or SH922 from Essendon Airport, Melbourne (07:30-08:15)-flight costs from Launceston or Melbourne are not included in tour package. Your guide will meet you on your arrival at King Island. Today we will start exploring the island. Our first stop will be the main town of Currie where you can start to get a feel for island life. We will spend most of the day exploring the west coast, primarily looking for shorebirds and searching out the first of the King Island specialties. Echidnas can also be found here. A tasting at the fromagerie, King Island Dairy is a must before checking into our accommodation in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Currie (en suite rooms). Meals included: L, D.
Day 2. Friday 5 March 2021.
Today we will continue to explore the southern half of the island as this is where we will see most of our target bird species. We will spend time walking and driving through Pegarah State Forest and Sea Elephant Conservation Area. Pegarah contains some of the oldest forest on the island and is home to the critically endangered King Island subspecies of the Brown Thornbill and Scrubtit. While the RAMSAR site at Sea Elephant Conservation Reserve is a stunning estuary, rich in birdlife. After dinner tonight, we will take a night excursion to visit the Little Penguin colony at Grassy Point and spotlight for mammals (Bennett’s Wallaby, Tasmanian Pademelon, Long-nosed Potoroos and Brush-tailed Possums).
Accommodation: Currie (en suite rooms). Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 3. Saturday 6 March 2021.
For our final full day on the island, we will head north, visit some key birdwatching sites such as Lavinia State reserve, and visiting some of King Islands most famous sights. At the impressive Cape Wickham lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the southern hemisphere, we will look for Nankeen Kestrel, Richards Pipit and the flocks of Wild Turkeys and California Quail for which King Island is well known. Disappointment Bay and Yellow Rock Beach promise further excellent opportunities for seabirds, shorebirds, bush-birds and stunning views. We have our farewell dinner this evening.
Accommodation: Currie (en suite rooms). Meals included: B, L, D.
Day 4. Sunday 7 March 2021.
Today we will explore further until around midday before heading back to the airport for our flights back to Launceston (SH895 13:35-14:50) or Melbourne (SH927 17:15-18:00). A flight to Hobart is also available today (SH887 17:00-18:15). (airfares not included in tour cost).
Accommodation: none. Meals included: B. We can arrange additional accommodation in Launceston, Hobart or Melbourne tonight as required .
Group size: 4-8 participants and 1 Inala guide.
Tour Price: AUD$2,445 per person twin share and $270 single supplement (own en suite room throughout)
Inclusions: 3 nights en suite accommodation, specialist guiding and land transport on King Island for day and night tours as outlined above including airport transfers, all meals and activities as outlined in the itinerary. Also includes entry fees and GST.
Exclusions: Airfares, activities and meals not mentioned above, alcoholic beverages and expenses of a personal nature (snacks, travel insurance, internet, laundry, tips etc).
Please note: Whilst we aim to follow the itinerary as planned, please note that the itinerary provided should only be used as a guideline. Depending on individual trip circumstances, weather, and local information, the exact itinerary may not be strictly adhered to. The guides reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary as they see fit.
