Mallacoota Birding Tour
2nd - 8th November 2026
A local's glimpse into a hidden paradise
Mallacoota offers an extraordinary variety of habitats in a remarkably small area. Estuary, wetlands, coastal heath, woodland and forest all come together here, creating opportunities for an impressive range of birdlife.
And because I've called Mallacoota my second home for 17 years, I'll be taking you beyond the obvious places to some of my favourite locations and less-known corners of the area.
Famous for the devastating 2020 fires, 6 years on, Mallacoota's amazing resilience is self-evident, the recovery is quite astounding.
We'll explore my favourite places, along with trips by boat and vehicle to surrounding remote locations.
And it's not just birds we'll be looking for.
Mallacoota's resident Koalas are often spotted around town, so we'll keep our eyes open for these much-loved locals too.
Special access and local experiences
One of the highlights of the retreat will be joining Dale from Mallacoota Cruises for 2 boat trips across the estuary and into the upper reaches of the Mallacoota Inlet.
We'll be looking for the elusive Black Bittern, a species that can be notoriously difficult to find, while enjoying the spectacular scenery of the estuary along the way.
We'll also visit Dale's private Wallagaraugh River property, where we'll look for Southern Emu-wrens, kingfishers and birds of prey that frequent this remote location.
These unique experiences are difficult to replicate on your own. They're part of what makes this retreat a little different.
The Birding Retreat
With just 4 guests, I'll be with you throughout the retreat, sharing my local knowledge, fieldcraft and photography experience as we explore some of the region's most rewarding birding locations.
Each day will include one or two guided birding outings, with plenty of time in between to relax, explore or simply enjoy being in Mallacoota.
There will be no frantic race from one location to the next.
We'll take our time, watch what the birds are doing, and make the most of the conditions on the day. If something interesting is happening, we'll stay with it. If the birds are quiet, we'll move to another location or activity.
This is birding with room to breathe - letting things take a natural pace.
Your Stay
You'll stay in your own spacious room in a comfortable, centrally located private home, within easy walking distance of the township and beautiful Mallacoota Lake.
You'll also enjoy time at my own private property for a special lunch and informal workshop, along with delicious meals prepared by a private caterer.
The result is a retreat that combines excellent birding, comfortable accommodation, good food and plenty of time to simply enjoy being here.
I'm deliberately keeping this retreat very small.
With just 4 full-retreat places available, you'll have plenty of opportunity for personalised guidance, conversation and flexibility throughout the week.
Retreat Inclusions
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7 days / 6 nights in Mallacoota
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Your own spacious private room
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Small-group guided birding with Sonia
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Field guidance and photography advice
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2 guided boat excursions
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Private Wallagaraugh River property experience
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Transport for included birding activities
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Private catering and delicious home cooked meals, plus tea, coffee and cold drinks
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Plenty of downtime to explore Mallacoota at your own pace
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Access to my curated local birding map and app
The Mallacoota Birding Experience
If you'd like to experience some of the highlights of the retreat without joining the full 7-day stay, I'm also offering 4 places as a tag-along option.
This gives you the opportunity to join us for the three key guided excursions, some group dinners and the catered lunch workshop at my place.
You'll arrange your own accommodation, meals and transport outside the included activities, giving you the freedom to build your own Mallacoota adventure around the guided experiences.