Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin

Murray Valley National Park

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Overview

Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.

When

Contact Australian Ornithological Services for tour dates and times.

Accessibility
Medium
Grade
Easy
Price

Contact Australian Ornithological Services for tour price information.

Bookings
Bookings required. To book email Australian Ornithological Services.
Please note
  • Excursions to see plains wanderers must take place after dark and can last many hours.
  • Up to 3 birders can share the cost of a personal tour.
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These flexible tours with Australian Ornithological Services are your passport to the vibrant birdlife and unique ecosystems in NSW's outback. 

Philip Maher is your highly experienced and knowledgeable guide, known far and wide for his ability to lead visitors to sightings of the rare and endemic plains wander. His tailored tours are perfect if you're an overseas birder on a tight schedule who wants to find rare species. 

Sign up for just 1 night to see the plains wanderer in the vast plains north of Deniliquin, or work with Phil to create a tour as long as 8 days. The plains wanderer may be a star attraction, but this area has many other rare and elusive species sought by keen birdwatchers, so your days with Phil will be time well spent. These excursions are also a great way to experience the majestic river red gum forests and other special habitats in Murray Valley national and regional parks.

Australian Ornithological Services is a licensed commercial tour operator with a Parks Eco Pass

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Current alerts in this area

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Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/guided-tours/personalised-birding-tours-deniliquin/local-alerts

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Australian Ornithological Services logo.  Photo © Australian Ornithological Services

Park info

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Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin.

Getting there and parking

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Get directions

    Contact Australian Ornithological Services for directions.

    Parking

    Contact Australian Ornithological Services for information on parking.

    Maps and downloads

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - medium

    Small personal tours can accommodate a wheelchair and guests who can get into and out of a 4WD vehicle.

    Learn more

    Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin is in Murray Valley National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Aboriginal heritage

    Two friends fishing at the river, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    The river red gum forests of the Murray Valley are the traditional Country for Aboriginal people. The landscape and all that it contains; rivers, forests, birds and animals are part of cultural beliefs and feature in Dreaming stories. The park provided a wealth of resources, including plants that were used as medicines and in tool making. The river was a rich food source; in some seasons the water was so clear and the fish plentiful. When you're exploring the park, keep your eyes open for Aboriginal sites, especially middens, oven mounds and scarred trees, where bark has been removed from the tree to make canoes, coolamons and shields.

    An abundance of treasures

    Bird watching on the river, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    The Ramsar-listed Murray Valley wetland is home to over 60 threatened native animal species and 40 threatened plant species. Lay down the paddle of your canoe and sit in the silence, enjoying the company of egrets and cormorants, and keep an eye out for the superb parrot, slender and bright green. You may also see night herons, black swans, yellow rosellas, ducks, falcons, cockatoos, tree creepers, pardalotes, kingfishers and owls - this is truly a bird-lover's paradise.

    • Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
    • Murray River canoe trails These 4 canoe trails in Murray Valley National Park and Victoria’s Barmah National Park offer something for every paddler. Canoe the flowing Murray River, secluded creeks or Barmah Lake.
    • Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.
    • Reed Beds Bird Hide boardwalk It’s an easy walk along the boardwalk to Reed Beds Bird Hide, with fun things to do along the way. Listen to see how many different bird calls you can hear on the way.

    Forestry history

    Woman observes red gum logging, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: Gavin Hansford

    The magnificent river red gums have made this an important area for forestry and milling since the mid-nineteenth century. By the 1870's, construction of railway lines brought great demand for red gum sleepers; logging became a key feature of this area's industry. Wood-chopping events have long been a feature of local festivals and many people who live in Mathoura are third and fourth-generation timber workers.

    River red gum country

    View of the river, Murray Valley National Park. Photo: David Finnegan

    This iconic landscape features the huge river red gums soaring from the banks of the Murray and wetlands that make up this part of the Riverina's important ecosystem. This new park, formed from a number of former state forests, is part of the largest continuous river red gum forest in the southern hemisphere and is an important and unique ecosystem.

    • Moira Drive The scenic Moira drive takes you through the gorgeous river red gum forest around the mighty Murray River. Walk to the water bird observatory and stop for a picnic lunch.
    • Personalised birding tours around Deniliquin Keen birders will love these tailored outings by Australian Ornithological Services. They're a great way see rare and endemic birds, including plains wanderers, in the unique ecosystems near the outback town of Deniliquin.

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Five pelicans stand at the beach shore in Bundjalung National Park as the sun rises. Photo: Nick Cubbin © DPE

      Australian pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

      The curious pelican is Australia’s largest flying bird and has the longest bill of any bird in the world. These Australian birds are found throughout Australian waterways and the pelican uses its throat pouch to trawl for fish. Pelicans breed all year round, congregating in large colonies on secluded beaches and islands.

    • Eastern snake-necked turtle on a rock. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

      Eastern snake-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis)

      Found across most of NSW, the eastern snake-necked turtle, also known as the eastern long-necked turtle, can be found in swamps, lakes and inland waterways. This freshwater turtle is carnivorous and lives most of its life submerged on the water’s edge, searching for worms and snails.

    • Closeup of a laughing kookaburra's head and body. Photo: Rosie Nicolai/OEH

      Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

      Of the 2 species of kookaburra found in Australia, the laughing kookaburra is the best-known and the largest of the native kingfishers. With its distinctive riotous call, the laughing kookaburra is commonly heard in open woodlands and forests throughout NSW national parks, making these ideal spots for bird watching.

    • Brush tail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

      One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

    Plants

    • River red gum, Murrumbidgee Valley National Park. Photo: Paul Childs

      River red gum (Eucalpytus camaldulensis)

      Australian native plants, majestic river red gum trees are widespread across Australian inland river systems. The river red gum is a dominant tree species of the Murray-Darling basin which spans NSW, Queensland and Victoria. This iconic native eucalypt grows to a height of 30m and is thought to have a lifespan up to 500-1000 years.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)