Australasia
Australasia is comprised of three major land masses - New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea. We regularly run Sunbird tours to all three, though in 2003 will only be visiting the last two. While Australia and New Guinea have many species of birds in common, they each have many unique species of their own and are best described separately.
Australia is well-known to most British people, primarily due to the strong historical links between the two countries. Its wildlife is almost as well-known, and there can be few birdwatchers indeed who are unaware of kangaroos, koalas, and kookaburras and don't have a strong desire to see them in the wild. Our extensive Australia tour travels around much of the country and experiences a wide cross-section of the country's unique wildlife. Many people regard Australia as a once-in-a-lifetime trip and spend extra time there before or after the tour visiting friends and relatives; we are happy to arrange tour flights to accommodate this, usually at no extra expense.
New Guinea on the other hand is a land steeped in mystery, and conjures up images of mountainous rainforests peopled by strange remote tribes clad in colourful costumes, wigs or mud! Its birdlife is equally bizarre, and evolution seems to have reached unbelievable heights here with the many outrageous species of birds-of-paradise and their ornate plumage and intricate displays.
Our Australia tour is led by David Fisher and Judy Davis who have each spent more than a year of their lives in the region leading tours and studying the birds and other wildlife. They regard Australia as a second home, and relish the chance to share its excitements with a new group of people each year. Our Papua New Guinea tour will be led by Judy, and Ian Burrows, a British ornithologist who lived in New Guinea for ten years, and now leads tours there.
Hook-billed Kingfisher.