Hi everyone,
Sorry, but this is another of those requests for details about where to visit. I
really appreciate any and all help. I would like to build up a list of local
names to contact whilst in the area for up-to-date information. If you are a
guide let me know as I am interested in finding the key endemics and night
birds. As I am with a non-birding girlfriend a heavy days birding with a serious
guide at any of the major birding sites would be very welcome....
I will be visiting your fair land from mid November through to early December.
My girlfrind also wants to visit an opal mine (I have a feeling I going to lose
a lot of money there!), visit a friend in Brisbane, tour Sydney and go scuba
diving. So I need to concentrate my birding very carefully as I have managed to
piss her off on other trips.
My tentative plan (it's supposed to be a compromise but there is a heavy
emphasis towards the key birding areas!):
November 15th - arrive Sydney.
Spend two days driving to Lamington NP stopping at spots including one for the
Relict Crow. Are there other good sites on route? Any recommendations as to
where to stay on route to Lamington?
November 17th-19th
Lamington NP. I plan for three mornings and maybe a couple of afternoons. Does
that give me enough time to cover the best areas of the park? Is it worth the
cost of staying at O'Reilly's? If not where is the nearest place other than
camping which my girlfriend dislikes (snakes, spiders, sounds of the night
etc!)? Are there any sites around Lamington worth visiting for endemics that
cannot be seen in the park?
November 19th-21th
Drive to Lighning Ridge (for opals!) and down to Sydney or Wollongong.
I presume Lighning Ridge is part of the outback so I would like to get a few
representatives of this habitat. Are there any sitesclose to this town. How
about on the return to Sydney such as Glen Davies etc? Are there any good places
to stay in or near Wollongong or can I just drive down from Sydney in the
morning?
Am I just crazy to drive to Lamington and back via Lightning Ridge??
November 22nd
Wollongong pelagic with Tony Pallister. After the trip (assuming I feel okay!)
is there enough time to visit Barren Land NR before it gets dark or do I need to
stay overnight andbird the next morning?
November 26th - December 6th
Fly to Cairns. Need to balance two scuba sessions (total four days) with trips
to Atherton tablelands and Mission Beach. I'm inclined to use Kingfisher Park as
a basis for birding the tablelands and spend a day or two down at Mission Beach
for the Cassawaries. Anywhere else worth visiting? What's the weather like at
that time of year? In fact what's the weather like at Lamington and around
Sydney?
December 7th - leave for SFO, USA.
I know this just seems a never ending list of questions but I appreciate any
advice. Furthermore, I would like to get to know some local contacts at each of
these places.
Regards
Jim Hully
Foster City, CA
p.s. Which cricket team will be touring this summer? I need to educate my German
girlfriend about the finer details of this great sport.
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