Australia
Australia's vast coastline supports outstanding pelagic birding, with key departure ports including Wollongong, Eaglehawk Neck, and Port Fairy. The continental shelf break off southeastern Australia attracts a remarkable diversity of albatrosses and petrels, including Shy Albatross, Providence Petrel, and Gould's Petrel. Winter months from May to September bring the greatest concentrations of subantarctic species.
Sub-regions
All Trips in Australia
Balls Pyramid Seabird and Sightseeing Tour
Sea to Summit Expeditions
- Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia
- Departures run throughout the year subject to sea conditions and demand; the Tasman Sea crossing to Balls Pyramid (approximately 23 km south-east of Lord Howe Island) is weather-dependent and requires a calm-enough window; contact operator to arrange dates; October–April is the primary seabird breeding season for the majority of LHI species, though Providence Petrel is most conspicuous on land March–July; albatross species extend the offshore interest into austral winter
- AUD $150 per person (Balls Pyramid Bird and Sightseeing Tour, maximum 8 passengers aboard MV Noctiluca); contact [email protected] or +61 2 6563 2218 for bookings and current availability
Kiama Pelagic
SOSSA (Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association)
- Kiama, New South Wales
- Selected dates, April–November
- AUD 90–130 per person
Sydney Pelagic
Sydney Pelagics & Nature Watching Tours
- Sydney, New South Wales
- Monthly, year-round
- AUD 100–150 per person
Southport Seamounts Pelagic
Paul Walbridge
- Mariner's Cove, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland
- Day trips generally third Saturday of each month; multi-day seamounts expeditions several times per year
- AUD 120 per person (day trips); multi-day expeditions on application
Port MacDonnell Pelagic
Port MacDonnell Fishing Charters
- Port MacDonnell, South Australia
- Selected dates, year-round; contact operator for availability
- AUD 300 per person; AUD 1,800 (Mon–Fri) / AUD 2,100 (weekends and public holidays) boat charter for groups up to 12
Eaglehawk Neck Pelagic
Inala Nature Tours
- Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania
- Selected dates, year-round; book well in advance as the boat holds only 13 passengers
- AUD 120–160 per person
Port Fairy Pelagic
Birdswing Wildlife Tours
- Port Fairy Harbour, Port Fairy, Victoria
- Monthly departures predominantly May–October; contact operator for confirmed dates
- Contact operator for current pricing; comparable Birdswing offshore trips AUD 275–330 per person
Portland Pelagic
Life Gone Wild
- Portland Harbour, Portland, Victoria
- Multiple dates per year; see operator website for current schedule and bookings
- Contact operator for current pricing; see lifegonewild.au/pelagic
Bremer Bay Bird Expedition
Naturaliste Charters
- Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Bremer Bay, Western Australia
- Select dates in December (4 dedicated birdwatching departures) and April (3 dedicated birdwatching departures) annually. Departs 8:30am; returns approximately 5:00pm (~8 hours). See naturalistecharters.rezdy.com for current dates.
- AUD ~350–450 per person; check naturalistecharters.rezdy.com for current pricing and availability
Bremer Canyon Pelagic
Naturaliste Charters
- Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Western Australia
- Four days in December and three days in April annually; book well in advance as spaces are strictly limited
- AUD 350–450 per person
Further Reading
Best Pelagic Birding Trips in Australia
A guide to Australia's top pelagic trips, covering key departure ports, target species like albatrosses and petrels, and the best seasons to go.
Read article →When to Go Pelagic Birding in Australia
A seasonal guide to pelagic birding in Australia across NSW, Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Read article →Where to See Albatrosses on Pelagic Birding Trips
A guide to where to see albatrosses on pelagic trips worldwide, headlined by Tasmania's Eaglehawk Neck Pelagic — where Wandering, Royal, Shy, Black-browed, and Light-mantled Albatrosses all appear — plus Sydney, Port MacDonnell, and the December Bremer Canyon upwelling.
Read article →Explore Other Regions
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pelagic birding trips are there in Australia?
Australia has 10 pelagic birding trips listed in the directory, spanning 7 sub-regions.
Where do pelagic trips depart from in Australia?
Pelagic trips in Australia depart from Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Bremer Bay, Western Australia, Bremer Bay Boat Harbour, Western Australia, Kiama, New South Wales, Lord Howe Island, New South Wales, Australia, Mariner's Cove, Southport, Gold Coast, Queensland, Pirates Bay, Eaglehawk Neck, Tasmania, Port Fairy Harbour, Port Fairy, Victoria, Port MacDonnell, South Australia, Portland Harbour, Portland, Victoria, and Sydney, New South Wales.
Which operators run pelagic trips in Australia?
Birdswing Wildlife Tours, Inala Nature Tours, Life Gone Wild, Naturaliste Charters, Paul Walbridge, Port MacDonnell Fishing Charters, Sea to Summit Expeditions, SOSSA (Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association), and Sydney Pelagics & Nature Watching Tours operate pelagic birding trips in Australia.
What are the main pelagic birding regions in Australia?
Australia's pelagic trips are spread across Lord Howe Island (New South Wales), New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, and Western Australia.