A guide that sees birding through a slightly different lens.
VOL. 09
Where The Birders Are: The Hub - Part 2
Read time - as long as you need!
A directory of our diverse & inclusive birding communities, from everyday birding groups, professional guides, photograph and unique collectives.
Find your bird people here.
Welcome Back - this is Series 2
Birding’s never been more alive, year on year we saw more and more people take up bird-watching. Across Australia, people are heading outdoors with a little more purpose. They are armed with binoculars, cameras, or just a head-full of curiosity. They are finding their calm, their purpose, and each other through birds.
What is still often referred to as merely a part-time is now a well-defined movement, shared by a wave of modern birders, who are social, curious, and connected by a genuine love of the natural world.
That’s what Where the Birders Are is all about it is a growing directory that the LYFER team have put together to help us all find our people, groups, and experiences that bring birding to life. Whether you’re looking to learn, meet others, or simply bird in good company, we have picked those that caught our eye. And we've only just scratched the surface, we know there are many more out there. If you know more, please get in touch and let us know. If youre a guide, tour group, educator or someone who creates events focussed around birding and nature, please, let us know too, we'd love to hear more and feature you here.
If you haven’t already read Part 1, head there first, it sets the scene and shares the full story behind this guide. Once you’re done, come back here to explore New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, where the birding community continues to fly!
PLEASE NOTE: Everything here has been researched and written by us, not the groups or guides themselves. It’s not advertising, just our take on who’s out there doing great things. We encourage you to read on, explore, and look a little deeper into the ones that catch your eye.
GO BIRDING, FIND YOUR PEOPLE!!! :)
NSW
Flock Wildlife
ABOUT
Founded by award-winning photographer David Stowe and wildlife ecologist Henry Cook, Flock Wildlife blends world-class photography with deep ecological insight.
Delivered with a dollop of passion, knowledge and a heck of a good time.
What we think sets them apart is their dual expertise David brings decades of professional photographic mastery, while Henry adds years and years of field knowledge as an ecologist and conservationist.
Together, they’ve created a tour experience that’s equal parts creative, scientific, and what we read as, unforgotetable. We hope to have the chance to be part of one of their tours in the future.
WHAT THEY DO
What they do is truly unique. Flock Wildlife specialises in small-group bird and wildlife photography tours across Australia and beyond. With groups capped at six participants, every tour feels personal, hands-on tuition in technique, lighting, composition, and ethics delivered in some of Australia’s most wildlife-rich regions.
They also offer private, one-on-one coaching and post-production workshops, helping you master your gear and storytelling through images.
Whether your chasing the ultimate experience in the Top End, photographing rare parrots in Tasmania, or learning macro tricks in the mallee, every trip is a mix of skill-building and wild discovery, packed full of good times.
GOOD FOR
Modern birders and photographers who want sightings and a full experience. Those looking to elevate their photographic craft, deepen their field awareness, and connect with like-minded people who genuinely care about nature and a bit of photography excellence too.
WHERE
Based in Sydney, with tours operating in areas like the Northern Beaches, Royal National Park, the Blue Mountains, and extending into other NSW birding hotspots.
CONNECT
Website: flockwildlife.com.au
Instagram: @flockwildlife
Email: Hello@flockwildlife.com
ABOUT
Founded by Stephanie Chambers and Amy Ranck in 2016, Sydney Bird Club gives city birding a creative twist.
Blending art, design, and ecology, the club reimagines birdwatching as something playful, inclusive, and open to everyone.
What began as a small local group has evolved into a lively hub where creativity and conservation meet.
Seeing the club grow with every outing reassures us that our community continues to thrive.
WHAT THEY DO
Sydney Bird Club hosts guided bird walks, creative workshops, and eco-experiences across Sydney, from kayak birding and coastal strolls to seasonal events that mix good times with an inclusive spirit.
Their approach celebrates connection, creating relaxed spaces where anyone can explore Sydney’s birdlife with curiosity. Through their sister project Outer Island, they extend this mission into art and sustainable design, donating a portion of profits to bird conservation.
GOOD FOR
Anyone who wants to see Sydney’s birdlife through a slightly different lens, and of course part of the LGBTQI+ community. So if you're city dwellers, travellers, and creatives looking for experiences that combine nature, community, and design, check them out, they have regular things going on.
WHERE
Based in Sydney, with bird walks and events held across the city’s parks, wetlands, and harbourside reserves.
CONNECT
Website: sydneybirdclub.com
Instagram: @sydneybirdclub
Outer Island: outerisland.com.au
Hunter Bird Observers Club
ABOUT
Since 1976, the Hunter Bird Observers Club has been the heart of birding across the Hunter Region. With a community that spans all ages and experience levels, the club brings people together to learn, explore, and protect one of the most significant birding areas in Australia.
With over 400 members and decades of field knowledge behind them, HBOC is where curiosity turns into real local bird life connection.
WHAT THEY DO
The club hosts frequent club nights, regular field trips, surveys, and conservation-focused activities across the region’s wetlands, forests, beaches, and offshore habitats.
Members also share sightings through a dedicated Hunterbirding forum, making it easy to stay connected to rare and seasonal movements.
GOOD FOR
Beginners, seasoned birders, conservation-minded locals, photographers, researchers, and anyone wanting structured, community-focused birding.
WHERE
Hunter Region, New South Wales, centred around Newcastle, and extending from Catherine Hill Bay to Crowdy Bay National Park, west to Cassilis, plus 100 km offshore.
CONNECT
Website: hboc.org.au
Instagram: @hunterbirdobserversclub
Facebook: Hunter Bird Observers Club
Email: Via website contact page
UTS Bird Spotting Society
ABOUT
The UTS Bird Spotting Society (UTBS) is a student-led group redefining what it means to bird in the city of Sydney. Based at the University of Technology Sydney, they’ve built a fun, welcoming space for new and experienced young birders to explore Sydney’s birdlife together.
WHAT THEY DO
UTBS runs regular bird walks, photography meet-ups, and casual social sessions across Sydney, from mornings at Centennial Park to day trips beyond the city.
Their events are low-pressure and community-focused, making birding accessible, social, and something to look forward to between classes or on weekends. No doubt to take the mind off all that study and education too!
We're not sure if they invite those outside of the Universtiy to join, but its worth checking in to find out.
GOOD FOR
Students, young birders, and anyone curious about urban wildlife who want to connect with like-minded people who are keen to escape, capture the perfect shot and meet new like-minded friends.
WHERE
Based at the University of Technology Sydney, with outings held across the city’s parks, wetlands, and nearby reserves.
CONNECT
Cumberland Bird
Observers Club
ABOUT
The Cumberland Bird Observers Club has been part of Sydney’s birding story since 1979. What started as a small group of birders on the city’s western fringe has grown into one of New South Wales’ most active and respected birding communities, still grounded in the same spirit of curiosity, connection, and care for local habitats and those with a serious love for bird life.
WHAT THEY DO
Anyone looking to bird with a group that is guaranteed to have experts around. from beginners to lifelong spotters who still get a buzz from every new find. The website is packed full of activities, from surveys, walks, talks and big tours.
GOOD FOR
Anyone looking to bird with a group that guarantees to have experts around. If your'e looking to gain my experience, learn from some seris knowledgable birders or wish to get more active in the birding community and citizen science, this is for you.
They also have some great events for children age 5 to 12, Nestlings. There are four outings every year so a great one to get young families together and do something good for the mind and soul.
WHERE
Based in Sydney’s west, with outings across Greater Sydney and beyond.
CONNECT
Illawarra Birders
ABOUT
Founded in 2010, Illawarra Birders is the go-to group for birding between Sydney and the South Coast. With more than 120 members, they’ve built a friendly, organised, and down-to-earth community that knows how to make birding both social and meaningful.
Every outing reflects their mix of local knowledge, easygoing energy, and genuine care for the region’s birds and habitats.
WHAT THEY DO
The club runs regular half- and full-day bird walks across the Illawarra, from the escarpment rainforests to wetlands, heathlands, and the coast. Monthly meetings at Coniston Community Centre feature talks and updates, while longer regional camps take members further afield across New South Wales and interstate.
They also contribute to citizen science and survey programs, supporting local conservation while keeping things approachable for all experience levels. With 440 species recorded in the region, there’s always something to discover.
GOOD FOR
Locals, travellers, and anyone wanting to experience the Illawarra’s birdlife with a knowledgeable, welcoming group that balances structure with spontaneity.
WHERE
Based in Wollongong, with outings from the Royal National Park south to Kiama and inland to the escarpment.
CONNECT
Aussie Bird Tours
ABOUT
Led by expert guide Mike Barrow, Aussie Bird Tours delivers birding (and photography‐friendly) experiences across Sydney and regional NSW. Mike has decades of field expertise, knows a wide range of habitats, and brings a tailored, accessible approach to tours.
WHAT THEY DO
They offer private and small‐group birding tours, from half‐day outings on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to multi‐day adventures in the Blue Mountains and Capertee Valley.
Tours cater to beginners, photographers, and serious listers, covering varying skill levels, habitats, and species. Transport, park entry, and often a checklist or post‐tour resources are included.
If you're after a customised personal and private tour, the team will make sure that put together a bonanza bird session for you too.
GOOD FOR
Anyone looking for a personalised birding experience, whether you're starting out, keen to build skills behind the lens, or after specific species with an expert guide.
CONNECT
Website: aussiebirdtours.com.au
Instagram: aussiebirdtours
Facebook: Aussie Bird Tours
Email: info@aussiebirdtours.com.au
Operating nationally, with tours across key Australian birding regions, from the tropics to the southern coasts, and occasional international extensions.
Birding Sydney & Beyond
ABOUT
Founded and led by Simon Husher, a lifelong naturalist and former zookeeper turned professional guide, Birding Sydney & Beyond offers a fresh, immersive take on birdwatching.
Drawing on Simon’s background in conservation and guiding across Africa and Australia, these tours combine world-class birding with Sydney’s local culture and laid-back charm.
WHAT THEY DO
Birding Sydney & Beyond runs guided tours through Sydney’s surrounding habitats, from the Royal National Park to the Blue Mountains and coastal wetlands. Each trip blends expert bird knowledge with creature comforts like scenic walks, great coffee, local brews, and good conversation.
Expect to spot everything from Rockwarblers and Superb Lyrebirds to wetland waders while learning about ecology, conservation, and behaviour in the field. Private tours and tailored experiences are available for beginners through to advanced birders.
GOOD FOR
Travellers, locals, and nature-curious birders looking for a guided experience that’s personal, inclusive, and connected, the kind of birding that feels like a day out with a mate who knows every call and café along the way.
WHERE
Based in Sydney, operating across the city’s coastal, forest, and mountain habitats, including the Royal National Park, Blue Mountains, and Capertee Valley.
CONNECT
Website: birdingsydneyandbeyond.com
Facebook: Birding Sydney and Beyond
Instagram: @birdingsydneyandbeyond
Email: simonh@birdingsydneyandbeyond.com.au
Roger's Birding Hotspots
ABOUT
Roger’s Birding Hotspots is a YouTube-based birding guide created to help people understand where to go birding and what they’re likely to see when they get there.
Each video is meticulously edited and extremely informative. A lot of work goes into capturing not only the birds on locations, but the locations itself. From local Australian locatons all the way to Brazil, Roger has you covered.
Importantly, all revenue from the channel is donated to conservation organisations, including Bush Heritage Australia and Australian Wildlife Conservancy.
WHAT THEY DO
Roger produces high-quality birding hotspot videos on Youtube, most notably around Sydney, where he has already documented a around 30 birding locations. He also has some locations in ACT and Victoria covered, as well as international locations too.
Each video is filmed in stunning 4K, with clear narration that explains habitat, species likelihood, and what makes each spot worth visiting. Roger stays behind the camera, keeping the focus firmly on the wildlife and the places they live.
GOOD FOR
Roger’s Birding Hotspots is ideal for new birders who want clear guidance on where to go and what they’re likely to see.
It’s especially useful for visiting and overseas birders planning trips to Australia, offering realistic expectations of both locations and species.
The channel also suits anyone who enjoys high-quality bird photography and video, and those who value birding content that actively gives back to conservation.
WHERE
Roger is based in Sydney, so his videos are primarily Sydney and surrounding NSW locations, with additional videos from other parts of Australia and occasional overseas birding hotspots.
CONNECT
Youtube: @RogersBirdingHotspots
Facebook: @Roger MacKertich Photography
Instagram: @rogermacks.bird.photos
QLD
Magandjin (Brisbane) Queer Birders
ABOUT
Magandjin Queer Birders is a vibrant, community-led crew bringing LGBTQIA+ bird lovers and allies together across Brisbane. Their meetups blend nature, creativity, and connection, offering a space where everyone can feel welcomed, celebrated, and completely themselves. With a strong emphasis on joy, respect for Country, and shared experience, they’ve created one of Brisbane’s most expressive and inclusive corners of the birding world.
WHAT THEY DO
Host relaxed bird walks across sites like Sandy Camp Road Wetlands and Wynnum Mangroves, etc.
Their events extend beyond birding, including picnics, swims, creative sessions, and social catch-ups that explore what it means to love birds and community.
Their Instagram is the heart of their communication, with a bold, thoughtful aesthetic and regular updates on upcoming meetups.
GOOD FOR
LGBTQIA+ birders, allies, beginners, photographers, creatives, and anyone seeking a welcoming, social, and meaningful birding experience.
WHERE
Brisbane, Queensland, with meetups across wetlands, mangroves, parks, and coastal spots.
CONNECT
Instagram: @queerbirders.magandjin
Email: Via Instagram DM
Co-Exist Australia
ABOUT
Co-Exist Australia is a youth-led conservation movement empowering young people to reconnect with nature and lead real action in their communities. Founded by Kurt Jones, whose own life was transformed through outdoor programs and conservation work, Co-Exist has grown into a nationwide network of Collectives driven by purpose, optimism, and genuine connection. It’s a space where friendships form, confidence grows, and young Australians step up for the planet together.
WHAT THEY DO
Run hands-on conservation events including tree planting, beach clean-ups, biodiversity walks, creative meetups, and climate action projects.
Their Collectives operate across multiple cities, offering welcoming, grassroots opportunities for young people to develop skills, gain experience, and make meaningful environmental impact. All upcoming events are listed on their website.
GOOD FOR
Young or early-career birders, students, photographers, nature lovers, climate-minded volunteers, and anyone wanting a friendly, action-focused conservation community.
WHERE
Brisbane-based with Collectives active across Australia.
CONNECT
Website: coexistaus.org
Instagram: @coexistaustralia
Facebook: Co-Exist Australia
Email: hello@coexistaus.org
Birds Queensland
ABOUT
Established in 1969, Birds Queensland is one of the state’s longest-running birding communities, powered entirely by volunteers and united by a shared love of Queensland’s birdlife. With a warm, welcoming culture and decades of collective field experience, the organisation supports curious beginners and seasoned birders alike.
WHAT THEY DO
Hold monthly meetings with guest speakers, run day walks, half-day outings, and a series of rural campouts each year.
Camps take place across regional Queensland, often in rustic locations that bring members closer to the state’s most interesting habitats. These trips are relaxed, community-focused, and designed for birders of all experience levels, with an emphasis on shared learning, connection, and practical ID skills.
They also produce educational resources and fund scientific research through annual grants.
GOOD FOR
Beginners and experienced birders, campers, nature learners, conservationists, photographers, and anyone who enjoys community-led birding in the field.
WHERE
Brisbane-based, with regular activities across Queensland, including regional and remote camp sites.
CONNECT
Website: birdsqueensland.org.au
Instagram: @birdsqueensland
Facebook: Birds Queensland
Email: secretary@birdsqueensland.org.au
Matt Cornish Photography & Guide
ABOUT
Matt Cornish is a Far North Queensland–based wildlife photographer, educator, and expedition leader whose path into guiding spans reptile keeping, conservation talks, award-winning photography, and frontline policing.
After growing up among the rainforests and coastline of NSW’s Central Coast, he moved north to work with crocodiles and venomous snakes, eventually guiding nature tours and delivering conservation programs across Australia.
His work now blends deep field experience with a passion for helping people connect meaningfully with wildlife. Matt also leads specialty expeditions, including a 2027 small-group photography workshop in wild Tasmania.
WHAT THEY DO
Runs private and small-group wildlife and bird photography tours, guide national and international expeditions with Natural Habitat Adventures, and teach photography through hands-on workshops and online coaching.
Matt’s sessions focus on fieldcraft, composition, behaviour, light, post-production, and building images with intention. His upcoming Tasmania Wild Photo Workshop (max six guests) offers an intimate way to photograph wombats, devils, echidnas, waterfalls, mountain landscapes, endemic birds, and more.
GOOD FOR
Wildlife photographers, beginners wanting a clear learning pathway, travellers seeking meaningful encounters, and experienced shooters looking to refine their craft with a guide who knows both the bush and the camera.
WHERE
Based in Far North Queensland, guiding across FNQ, broader Australia, and international destinations.
CONNECT
Birder.Travel
ABOUT
Birder.Travel (formerly Sicklebill Safaris) is a family-run, ethical birding operator with more than 25 years of experience guiding travellers through some of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
Founded in Papua New Guinea and now based in Far North Queensland, the team has built a reputation for genuinely responsible travel, collaborating with local communities, supporting conservation, and training guides in remote regions.
Their tours are shaped by deep relationships, cultural respect, and an understanding that great birding should leave a positive footprint.
WHAT THEY DO
Run small-group and custom birding, wildlife, and cultural tours across Australia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific.
Their itineraries cover everything from day tours in Cairns and Port Moresby to immersive multi-week expeditions in PNG, the Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Indonesia, and beyond.
The team works closely with landowners to develop community-run lodges, delivers local guide training programs, and champions sustainable bird tourism. A full schedule of 2026–2027 departures is available online.
GOOD FOR
Birders who value ethical travel, photographers, world-travellers, small-group explorers, and anyone seeking expert-led tours with meaningful cultural and conservation impact.
WHERE
Based in Far North Queensland, operating tours across Australia and globally (PNG, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Vietnam, Africa, Middle East).
CONNECT
Website: birder.travel
Instagram: @birder.travel
Facebook: Birder Travel / Sicklebill Safaris
Email: info@birder.travel
NT
Hot Girls Bird
ABOUT
Led by Brittany, Hot-Girls Bird Watch is a queer-led, trans-inclusive crew redefining what birding looks and feels like in Darwin. Built on confidence, humour, and inclusivity, the group brings a playful, welcoming energy to the Top End’s birding scene.
Their walks celebrate people as much as birds, blending nature, fashion, and community with a light-hearted approach that instantly makes newcomers feel at home.
WHAT THEY DO
Host regular “Hot Girl Bird Walks” across Darwin’s key birding spots, often wrapping up with coffee or a social outing.
Their meetups mix easygoing birdwatching with creativity, fashion, and advocacy, including action around places like Lee Point.
They communicate through Instagram and an active WhatsApp community where events and updates are shared.
GOOD FOR
LGBTQIA+ birders, allies, beginners, social birders, creatives, and anyone who loves nature served with humour, connection, and big energy.
WHERE
Darwin and surrounds, Northern Territory.
CONNECT
Instagram: @hotgirlbirdwatching
Email: Via Instagram DM
NT Birding Specialists
ABOUT
Owned and operated by Luke Paterson and Sarah Burgess, NT Bird Specialists is one of Australia’s most respected wildlife and bird photography tour operators.
With nearly four decades of combined experience across the Top End, Kimberley, and Central Australia, they’re known for exceptional guiding, deep ecological knowledge, and a genuine commitment to ethical, low-impact tourism.
Their tours offer an immersive way to experience the Territory’s ancient landscapes, rare species, and rich cultural history, all delivered with calm expertise and world-class interpretation.
WHAT THEY DO
Run small-group and private birdwatching, wildlife, and photography tours across Darwin, Kakadu, Arnhem Land, the Kimberley, Outback Queensland, and Southeast Asia. Tours range from day trips to multi-day expeditions, featuring boat cruises, bushwalks, cultural sites, remote landscapes, and over 400 potential bird species.
Luke’s sharp hearing and fieldcraft make target species like Gouldian Finch, Grasswrens, and Red Goshawk genuinely achievable. They also design custom itineraries, teach photography in the field, and prioritise authentic ecotourism that supports local communities, landowners, and Indigenous partners.
GOOD FOR
Serious birders, photographers, world birders, nature lovers, beginners wanting expert guidance, and travellers seeking premium, conservation-minded experiences.
CONNECT
Website: ntbirdspecialists.com.au
Instagram: @ntbirdspecialists
Facebook: NT Bird Specialists
Email: info@ntbirdspecialists.com.au
Birdlife Top End
ABOUT
Birdlife needs no introduction, nor does all the intiatives and groups it creates across our entire country. Top End really stands out to us as one of the most active.
Representing one of Australia’s most extraordinary birding regions, BirdLife Top End is the voice of the birding community across the Northern Territory’s far north.
Based around Darwin, the group connects birders, conservationists, and Traditional Owners to protect and celebrate the rich diversity of birds that call the Top End home.
WHAT THEY DO
Run entirely by volunteers under BirdLife Australia, BirdLife Top End leads regular bird walks, monitoring programs, and community workshops across wetlands, mangroves, and savannah country, from Daly Waters to the Tiwi Islands.
Key projects include the Migratory Shorebird Monitoring Program, Birds on Bush Blocks in schools.
Their hard-hitting advocacy to Save Lee Point & Stop Middle Arm has garnered national attention, leading to bird walks with numerous pollies and presenting their case at senate inquiries. Publications like the Darwin Harbour Migratory Shorebird Site Action Plan is testament to their focus on research, awareness, and community-led conservation.
Events like the Darwin–Garramilla Shorebird Festival cements their role as both educators and advocates for northern birdlife.
GOOD FOR
Anyone passionate about birds, conservation, and a bit of local culture from locals wanting to volunteer to visitors seeking an authentic introduction to the Top End’s wildlife and landscapes.
In 2026, they've got big things planned too, from free bird cruises on Darwin Harbour & nation-wide campaigning against the Middle Arm Gas Hub, alongside their regular work.
WHERE
Headquartered in Darwin, covering the wider Top End region including Kakadu, Daly Waters, Arnhem Land, and the Tiwi Islands.
CONNECT
Website: birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife-top-end
Instagram: @birdlife_topend
Email: topend@birdlife.org.au
Facebook: birdlifetopend
Tracks Birding
ABOUT
Tracks Birding & Photography Tours is the creation of Laurie Ross, a Darwin-based bird guide and wildlife photographer known for his razor-sharp skill, deep field knowledge, and mission-level commitment to finding Australia’s hardest birds.
After travelling every state and territory and cementing himself as one of the country’s leading bird finders, Laurie built Tracks as a small, highly specialised outfit for birders and photographers who want a genuine Top End experience.
WHAT THEY DO
Tracks runs private and small-group tours focused on bird photography, target species, and remote birding across northern Australia. Laurie guides through Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Victoria River, Tennant Creek, Timber Creek, Mount Isa, Winton, Alice Springs, right through to Cairns too.
Tours are crafted around habitat, behaviour, and a whole lot of patience, giving guests the best possible chance to photograph popular species like Grasswrens, Palm Cockatoos, Banded Fruit-doves, Gouldian Finches, and other northern endemics.
Workshops and photo mentoring (in the field or online) complement his guiding, with Laurie sharing the techniques behind his nationally recognised bird photography.
GOOD FOR
Tracks runs private and small-group tours focused on bird photography, target species, and remote birding across northern Australia. Laurie guides through Darwin, Kakadu, Katherine, Victoria River, Tennant Creek, Timber Creek, Mount Isa, Winton, Alice Springs, right through to Cairns too.
Tours are crafted around habitat, behaviour, and a whole lot of patience, giving guests the best possible chance to photograph popular species like Grasswrens, Palm Cockatoos, Banded Fruit-doves, Gouldian Finches, and other northern endemics.
Workshops and photo mentoring (in the field or online) complement his guiding, with Laurie sharing the techniques behind his nationally recognised bird photography.
WHERE
Based at Laurie’s rainforest property at Lake Eacham, Far North Queensland, with tours spanning the Top End, outback Queensland, the NT, Kakadu, Arnhem Land corridors, and remote monsoon forests across northern Australia.
CONNECT
Website: https://laurieross.com.au/
Instagram: @tracksbirding
Email: laurieross@live.com
Tours info: Tracks Birding & Photography Tours
WA
Broome Bird Observatory (BBO)
ABOUT
Established in 1988, the Broome Bird Observatory sits on Yawuru Country on the edge of Roebuck Bay, one of the most important migratory shorebird sites on the planet.
Currently led by Jamie van and Sebastian, the BBO is a research and education hub dedicated to helping people understand the bay’s extraordinary birdlife and global significance.
WHAT THEY DO
The BBO delivers guided tours, birding courses, education programs, and on-site research across the region’s mudflats, mangroves, pindan woodlands, and floodplains.
They host students, volunteers, researchers, and visitors, and continue long-term studies into shorebird ecology, disturbance, and migration. Between March and October, a small team of wardens and campground hosts keeps the site running, with tours and accommodation helping fund the work.
GOOD FOR
Anyone wanting to experience Australia’s shorebird capital. Birders chasing rarities like Yellow Chat, Asian Dowitcher, Broad-billed Sandpiper and more. Photographers and travellers visiting Broome for peak migration.
Students, educators, and researchers needing a base for fieldwork. Volunteers looking for hands-on experience in real conservation and education roles
WHERE
Roebuck Bay, on the shores of Broome in the Kimberley. A landscape where desert meets tropics, and more than 330 species have been recorded, a third of Australia’s birdlife.
CONNECT
Website: https://www.broomebirdobservatory.com/
Instagram: @broomebirdobservatory
Email: broome@birdlife.org.au
Western Australia Naturalist Club
ABOUT
From what we’ve found, the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club is one of the state’s longest-running hubs for people who want to understand WA’s wild places more deeply. Founded in 1924 and based in Perth, it brings together curious minds across generations, from seasoned naturalists to young kids discovering wildlife for the first time.
WHAT THEY DO
Their program covers the full spectrum of nature study: bird watching, botany, spotlighting, geology, fungi, marine habitats, conservation issues, and field ecology.
Members can join guided excursions, monthly talks, specialist workshops, and branch-led outings across Perth’s eastern, northern, and southern regions.
They also publish a monthly newsletter and a scientific journal, and they regularly contribute to environmental submissions and community advocacy.
GOOD FOR
Anyone in WA who loves learning in the field, birders, photographers, bushwalkers, science-minded explorers, and families with nature-curious kids. It’s a welcoming mix of experts and everyday enthusiasts, perfect for people who like structure, knowledge-sharing, and a community that’s been doing this for a century.
WHERE
Head office and library in central Perth, with active branches across the eastern, northern, and southern suburbs, plus a dedicated Young Naturalists program for under-18 members.
CONNECT
Website: https://wanaturalists.org.au
Email: info@wanaturalists.org.au
Facebook: WANaturalistsClub
Western Australia Seabird Rescue
ABOUT
From what we’ve gathered, Western Australian Seabird Rescue (WASR) is a volunteer network working along WA’s southwest coast to respond to injured, stranded, and storm-affected seabirds.
It’s a hands-on, highly skilled community operation, driven by people who know the coastline, understand seabird behaviour, and step in when the birds need help most.
WHAT THEY DO
WASR carries out rescue, rehabilitation, and transport for seabirds and waterbirds across Perth, Shoalwater, Mandurah, and Albany.
Their work ranges from untangling fishing-line injuries to retrieving exhausted shearwaters and treating storm-blown albatrosses.
They also run public education for anglers and coastal communities, collaborate with wildlife hospitals, and train volunteers in specialist rescue techniques, everything from safe capture to home-based rehabilitation.
GOOD FOR
People in WA who want to get involved in real coastal conservation, whether through field rescues, admin support, fundraising, transport, or home-care roles.
Ideal for those who want to contribute beyond birdwatching and help safeguard the species that rely on WA’s marine environment.
WHERE
Operating along the southwest Western Australian coastline, with active volunteer coverage in Perth, Shoalwater, Mandurah, and Albany.
CONNECT
Website: https://wasr.org.au
Instagram: @waseabirdresue
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wasr.org.au
Email: info@wasr.org.au
Perth Birds & Bush
ABOUT
Perth Birds and Bush is a locally run tour company created by naturalist and long-time BirdLife WA guide Robyn Pickering.
From what we’ve found, her tours offer a relaxed, knowledgeable gateway into Perth’s wetlands, woodlands, and wildflower country, giving birders a genuine feel for the landscapes that define WA.
WHAT THEY DO
Robyn runs private and small-group birdwatching tours from Perth and Fremantle, ranging from 5-hour outings to full-day adventures in Jarrah–Marri forests, Wandoo woodlands, wetlands, and along the Swan River.
Tours focus on southwest endemics, seasonal wildflowers, and tailored species-targeting for those chasing particular birds. With 30 years’ experience, conservation work on projects like the Australasian Bittern and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo, and deep local knowledge, she blends field skills with thoughtful guiding in an easygoing, accessible style.
GOOD FOR
Birders who want a personal, customisable experience, photographers seeking WA’s iconic species, visitors wanting a local expert, and anyone curious about the birds, plants, and ecosystems that sit just beyond Perth’s suburbs.
WHERE
Departing from Perth and Fremantle, with tours across the Darling Range, Wandoo woodlands, Swan Coastal Plain, and key wetlands throughout the region.
WHERE
Website: https://perthbirdsandbush.com.au
Instagram: @perthbirdsbush
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perthbirdsandbush
Email: info@perthbirdsandbush.com.au
Birding Southwest
ABOUT
Birding SouthWest is led by ecologist and lifelong birder Louis Masarei, a guide with deep field experience and an impressive command of WA’s birdlife.
His focus is the southwest, one of Australia’s richest endemic regions, where rare species and complex habitats reward patience and good guiding.
WHAT THEY DO
Louis runs guided birding and photography tours across the southwest forests, coastal heathlands, wetlands, and out into broader WA when the species call for it.
Tours range from classic itineraries targeting southwest endemics to custom private trips. With experience observing 480+ bird species in WA alone, Louis specialises in helping guests see and photograph elusive birds like the Noisy Scrubbird, Western Bristlebird, Red-eared Firetail, Black-throated Whipbird, Western Shrike-tit, and even northern specials like the Black Grasswren.
His guiding blends ecological insight, local knowledge, and a strong conservation ethic.
GOOD FOR
Birders chasing southwest endemics, photographers wanting expert support in dense or tricky habitats, and travellers who prefer small groups, flexible pacing, and a guide who genuinely knows the state from the ground up.
WHERE
Based in Western Australia’s southwest, with tours across Albany, the Karri and Jarrah forests, coastal heathlands, the Nullarbor, and occasional departures into The Kimberley.
CONNECT
Website: https://birdingsouthwest.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirdingSouthwest
Email: hello@birdingsouthwest.com.au
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