Wildlife and other ecotours from Brisbane, Queensland

Multi-award winning small-group tours. Other departure points by arrangement.

See the wildlife Australia is famous for (and some not so well-known)

On one-day tours or longer tours look for wild kangaroos, koalas, platypus, birds, reptiles and other wildlife in rainforests, eucalypt fotests, wetlands, deserts, natural coasts and other habitats; also visit well-run widllife parks to see native animals difficult to find in the wild. Learn about their behaviour and ecology, and how the animals we see on our tours fit into the ‘big picture’ of how Australia came to be so different from other regions.

Visit lush forests, genuine outback and quiet beaches

Most of our tours head fto the Border Ranges, one of Australia’s most species-rich and scenic regions, with lush forests and mountain views. The Araucaria property with its Wildlife Ecology Centre and nature trails, is also located here. Shorter tours take you to bushalnd and other natural areas within Greater Brisbane. Longer tours travel way out west to the true outback. Custom tours (half-day to a week ot more) are available to many areas (usually for groups between four and ten).

Our regular ecotours include:

Day tours (click here for further details of each) :

• wildlife day-tour (Greater Brusbane),
• Bird-watching (novice to expert: usually to Lamington National Park),
• Bushwalking (forrests of Greater Brisbane );
• Rainforests, glow-worms and wine (Tamborine Mountain);
• Coochiemudlo Island day-tour (near Brisbane)

Extended tours (click here for further details of each):

• 3-day wildlife tour (southeast Queenslandand northern New South Wales: our specialty since 1997),
• 2-day budget wildlife camp (southeast Queenslandand northern New South Wales),
• 6-day outback tour (to Currawinya National Park)

Most tours are suitable for all ages and fitness levels, as with small groups and usually more than one guide available we can be flexible to your needs.

Enjoy learning about Australian wildlife

Many species are seen on the tours specifically focussing on wildlife, but birds, wallabies and other wildlife are seen on most of our other tours as well.

The 3-day wildlife tour, designed and usually led by zoologist Ronda Green, is designed to give visitors and Australian residents alike a deeper understanding of Australian ecosystems while seeking wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, possums, fruitbats, forest birds, waterbirds and goannas.

The 2-day budget wildlife weekend camp gives a briefer version of the same without visiting as many habitats.

Our wildlife information centre can be visited by self-drives – but email or phone (07 5544 1283) well ahead of time (preferably several days in advance

For further information on our wildlife visit  Australian Wildlife or further Australian wildlife information

Birdwatching

We see birds on all our tours, especially the 3-day wildlife tour and the 6-day outback tour, but also conduct day-tours to Lamington National Park (rainforest and eucalypt forest, with a visit to wetlands aloing the way) and other venues. Let us know when booking if you are a novice or experienced birder. If you are the first to book the birfwatching day-tour for a particular day, you get to choose the starting time.

Customised Tour

If you prefer to focus on just relaxing in natural surrounds, or to include horse-riding, whale-watching, Aboriginal culture, farm-stay, abseiling,or other activituies in your tour, or would like to start or finish somewhere other than Brisbane, please discuss with us the possibility of a customized tour .

Customized tours can range from a half-day to a week or more, and are usually designed for a group of between four and ten. For extended tours at least one month’s notice is usually required, preferably longer.

Ecotourism and conservation

We hold advanced eco-accreditation for all tours we have applied for, and uphold the ideals of eocoutrism (environmentally friendly, nature-based, informative and contributing to the local community).

Our house and wildlife information centre , plus portable items such as torches (flashlights) and laptops, run on solar power.

We conserve and restore wildlife habitat on our property.

We avoid disposable untensils on our picnic lunches, and recycle as much waste as possible (into appropriate publiuc bins or at home as mulch, chicken food or other uses)

Ecological research is conducted by RondaGreen, PhD, both on the Araucaria property and in other parts of the Scenis Rim.

We are actively engaged in public education about wildlife and their habitats.

Wildlife consultancies, educational camps and other products and services

For information on fauna surveys, workshop organizing, visits to schools or other groups, our wildlife information centre and other products and services offered by the Araucaria team, visit our learn-about-wildlife site