Day 1: Morning arrivals into Melbourne International Airport (MEL). We'll head south to Geelong via the coastal wetlands, searching in particular for the bizarre Musk Duck, Fairy Tern, Red-necked Avocet, Banded Stilt, freshly-arrived Latham's Snipe, and the range-restricted Striated Fieldwren. First-timers on the continent will marvel at an abundance of stunning species like Crested Pigeon, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, Eastern Rosella, Superb Fairywren, Red Wattlebird, New Holland Honeyeater, Australian Magpie, Pied Currawong, and Magpie-lark. Overnight in Geelong. 

Day 2: Our day trip down the Great Ocean Road starts with the endemic Rufous Bristlebird, and ends with near-guaranteed sightings of Koala! Along the way, various stops will be targeting Gang-gang Cockatoo, Blue-winged Parrot, and the many more widespread southern forest species which can be found here like Crimson Rosella, Spotted Pardalote, and Satin Bowerbird. Overnight in Geelong. 

Day 3: Focus this morning will be on some suburban parks in Melbourne where roosting a Powerful Owl or two are usually staked out, and potentially rarer visitors like Freckled Duck or Black-backed Bittern can be twitched. After lunch, we head to Phillip Island where the bizarre Cape Barren Goose is tame and approachable, while a nearby beach often holds Hooded Plover. At dusk the famous Little Penguin parade will entertain us, as hundreds of birds come ashore for the night and provide intimate views. Then we'll continue to Cape Liptrap where migrating Tasmanian Boobook are on their way south to breed, this tricky species usually ridiculously approachable here at night. We may see Short-beaked Echidna, Common Wombat, and Eastern Grey Kangaroo as we drive back to our hotel. Overnight in Packenham.

Day 4: In the tall wet sclerophyll forests east of Melbourne at dawn, we will be in search of the incomparable Superb Lyrebird, as well as Pilotbird, Red-browed Treecreeper, and stunning Pink Robin. Heading inland around lunchtime while keeping an eye-out for Long-billed Corella and White-winged Chough, some stops might produce our first Eastern Shriketit and perhaps Black-chinned Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, or Speckled Warbler. Overnight in Bendigo. 

Day 5: The remaining woodlands of central Victoria in spring offer some truly superb birding, with our main focus this morning being scarce breeders like Black-eared Cuckoo and Painted Honeyeater. Birds like Southern Whiteface, Shy Heathwren, and Diamond Firetail should all be seen before we continue north into New South Wales, watching for Superb Parrot on the way.

In the evening, it will be time for the main event. A long but nearly always successful spotlighting session in search of the unique Plains-wanderer, at the only reliable place to see this threatened and extremely cryptic species. We could also encounter Stubble Quail, Banded Lapwing, and Inland Dotterel. Overnight in Deniliquin. 

Day 6: Today will allow us to look for any missing species as we work westwards along the Murray River, keeping the itinerary flexible. There are more chances for uncommon birds like Australian Shelduck, Australian Crake, Superb Parrot, and White-fronted Chat, with potential to drop by any areas which are currently hosting nomadic species like Black Honeyeater, Pied Honeyeater, or Crimson Chat. In the evening we'll target two more special parrots: the spectacular Pink Cockatoo, and range-restricted Regent Parrot. Overnight in Ouyen. 

Day 7: Full day in the mallee of Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, which is the last real stronghold of Endangered and diminutive Mallee Emu-wren. We will have our first go at many mallee endemics here, including Malleefowl, Striated Grasswren, Chestnut Quail-thrush, Southern Scrub Robin, and Gilbert's Whistler. Crowd favourites like Splendid Fairywren, Crested Bellbird, and Apostlebird are all sure be cooperative too! This evening, some spotlighting should produce Australian Owlet-nightjar and maybe Spotted Nightjar. Overnight in Ouyen.

Day 8: More time in Hattah if needed, before heading into South Australia via stops for Greater Bluebonnet, Mulga Parrot, Chestnut-crowned Babbler, White-browed Treecreeper, and Varied Sittella. If time allows, we will already make a first attempt for the threatened Red-lored Whistler this afternoon, and we have more chances for Malleefowl. Overnight in Berri.

Day 9: Another shot at Red-lored Whistler, or general mallee birding at one of the nearby reserves in search of any missing targets. After stopping at a few places for Redthroat along the way, we drive to the top of the Spencer Gulf and check in at our hotel. Late afternoon will see us enjoying some spectacular Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby encounters, plus with luck the uncommon Elegant Parrot. Overnight in Port Augusta.

Day 10: Looking for Purple-crowned Lorikeet and Western Grasswren in the morning, before subsequently taking a long drive right up into the desert where we can expect to see the extremely range-restricted Chestnut-breasted Whiteface with relative ease. Several encounters with the impressive Wedge-tailed Eagle can be expected, as they feast on roadkill along the highway. Overnight in Coober Pedy.

Day 11: This morning will be all about Thick-billed Grasswren, a difficult and retiring species which typically takes some effort to see well. We may also come across several more widespread desert birds like White-winged Fairywren, Orange Chat, Gibberbird, Cinnamon Quailthrush, and of course Zebra Finch. Then it will be time to return south and search for Chirruping Wedgebill this evening. Overnight back in Port Augusta.

Day 12: An early departure will see us arriving at Mount Ive for dawn, where we will be looking for Short-tailed Grasswren. It's a long drive after this as we continue west, skirting the dramatically scenic Great Australian Bight. Overnight on the Nullarbor Plain. 

Day 13: An exciting day looking for two of Australia's most far-flung species: the superb Nullarbor Quail-thrush and delightful Naretha Bluebonnet. This barren habitat has a few other choice species like Slender-billed Thornbill and Rufous Fieldwren, while a slow evening drive will surely allow us to see Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat and Red Kangaroo. Overnight on the Nullarbor Plain. 

Day 14: Backtracking east, we'll stop at some good spots for Copperback Quail-thrush and Rufous Treecreeper, with an outside chance for Scarlet-chested Parrot and Sandhill Grasswren (these latter two should really be considered long-shots). After turning down the Eyre Peninsula, we'll reach the southern tip this evening. Overnight in Port Lincoln.

Day 15: The heath of Lincoln National Park is rich in special birds, maybe the most sought-after being White-bellied Whipbird. Today we will be kicking Emu out of the way as we wander around searching for Brush Bronzewing, Painted Buttonquail, Rock Parrot, Blue-breasted Fairywren, Purple-gaped Honeyeater, Western Yellow Robin, and Grey Currawong. Along some beautiful white sandy beaches and rocky coastline, we will encounter the stunning Pacific Gull, many Black-faced Cormorant, and have more chances for Hooded Plover. Overnight Port Lincoln.

Day 16: Drive to Adelaide International Airport (ADL) via stops for any missing targets, arriving in time for evening departures.

NOTE: We do not target Black-eared Miner on this itinerary, since almost all remaining birds in accessible areas are hybrids and finding a pure one is not realistic without multiple days searching. We can arrange this with a local guide out of Adelaide after the tour for anybody who wishes to try.