Upcoming Events
Find upcoming birdwatching and bird-related events near you, from walks to festivals and everything in between.
Add your event by completing this form.
Australia-wide
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Where: across Australia
What: Exclusive and budget-friendly experiences are in collaboration with birdwatching groups and tour guides. Meet-ups vary from a few hours to a long weekend.
More info: Meet-ups
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Where: your local area
What: These seasonal bird surveys are super simple to do, and it’s free to take part. All you have to do is hop onto the Birdata website or the Birdata app, and follow the instructions. It only takes 20 minutes, plus a moment to jot down some simple information about your garden. Anybody can participate. The data you gather is vitally important for BirdLife Australia’s team of scientists.
More info: birdlife.org.au/events/birds-in-backyards-seasonal-surveys/
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Where: ACT, NSW, QLD and VIC
What: The Swift Parrot Search collects data on this species, the availability of foraging resources and other threatened other woodland birds in the area. There are nearly two thousand permanent monitoring sites on public land throughout south-eastern mainland Australia. Birdwatchers are asked to undertake a 5-minute/50-metre radius search at each fixed site location.
More info: birdlife.org.au/events/swift-parrot-search/
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Where: South-eastern Queensland, eastern NSW, ACT, eastern Victoria
What: This BirdLife Australia citizen science event collects data across the distribution of the South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo. Participant citizen scientists spend one hour (or more) at any time during the Count weekend exploring their selected survey site to collect data on Glossies and their feeding habitat. Join the Count as a group or bring a friend along for a great opportunity to enjoy time in nature while supporting the recovery of threatened birds.
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Where: your local area
What: Taking part is easy in BirdLife Australia’s Aussie Bird Count. Just spend 20 minutes in your favourite outdoor space and count the birds you see. Submit your results using the app or the web form. There’s a built-in “bird finder” tool to help you identify birds you’re unsure of. You can count as many times as you want. Every count collects data for scientific research.
More info: aussiebirdcount.org.au
New South Wales (NSW)
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When: Friday 2 May - Sunday 4 May 2025
Where: Oakwood, 675 Jamisons Road Upper Nile, NSWWhat: For three decades, Birdlife Southern NSW has been dedicated to protecting the endangered Regent Honeyeaters by planting trees in the beautiful Capertee Valley. Join our passionate team of volunteers and help us create a brighter future for these beautiful birds. There is no charge to attend the planting and bird walk activities. We also offer a limited number of tickets that include dinner on the Saturday evening for a small charge. Volunteers will need to arrange their own accommodation. There are lots of available options in the Capertee Valley NSW, including B&B, cottages and camping.
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Where: The Corner Gallery, Percival Rd & Myrtle St, Stanmore
What: Is there a bird you accidently noticed or unexpectedly encountered or one that made your heart skip a beat & fall in love with? The One that ignited your birding passion or made you appreciate your local feathered friends. If so, this is your “Spark bird” a term used by birders to describe that first bird that got them seriously interested in birding. This exhibition is very personal, it not only celebrates favourite birds, we will be sharing stories from our hearts about the flighty friends we first noticed that got us a little obsessed! This exhibition is held in in conjunction with National Bird Week. 20% of exhibition sales are always donated to BirdLife Australia.
More info: ww.birdweekaustralia.com
Northern Territory (NT)
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Where: Kakadu National Park
What: Kakadu is the perfect place to discover and learn all about the unique species of birds living in this magical part of the world, which is dual World Heritage-listed for both its natural and cultural values. During Bird Week, visitors and viewers are treated to specialist lectures, cultural events and some of Australia's best birdwatching.
More info: https://kakadu.gov.au/things-do/events/kakadu-bird-week/
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Where: Various locations around Darwin-Garramilla
What: Celebrate shorebirds in Darwin-Garramilla, Northern Territory. The aim of the festival is to engage and ignite the community about shorebirds through the arts and sciences. There is something for everyone - all welcome.
More info: shorebirdfestival.com.au
Queensland (QLD)
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Where: Bellara, Bribie Island
What: Hosted by the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), you will visit Bibimulya Wetlands and Kakadu Beach with the guidance of an experienced birdwatcher.
More info: https://npaq.org.au/events/birdwatching-2025-01-19-bribie-island/
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Where: Atherton Tablelands, near Cairns
What: The Crane Count has been running annually since 1997 to monitor the population of Sarus Cranes. Organised with the support of Birdlife North Queensland and a great team of volunteers. Held on a weekend in September each year.
More info: birdlifenq.org/crane-project
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Where: Bribie Island
What: The Bribie Island Nature Festival was created to showcase the unique environment and natural beauty of Bribie Island.
Events include outdoor activities in stunning locations, cultural tours, visual arts exhibitions, an art trail of local galleries and artists’ studios and shops, workshops, guided nature walks, and talks and lectures by artists, scientists and community leaders.More info: bribieislandnaturefestival.com.au/
South Australia (SA)
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Where: Oaklands Wetland Reserve, Oaklands Rd, Oaklands SA
Date: Saturday 29 March 2025, 10am-12pm
What: Join us under the trees for a wander around this impressive reconstructed wetlands reserve and some chill birdspotting at your own pace. eBird notes elusive crakes and rails can be spotted here, along with pardalotes, grebes and hybridised ducks!
Bring along a picnic rug and some snacks, your birdwatching kit and your friends. Free to attend, no experience required.More info:
instagram.com/p/DGy99f-T65I/?img_index=1 -
Where: Sturt Gorge Recreation Park, Gate 24 Broadmeadow Dr, Flagstaff Hill SA
Date: Saturday 5 April, 9:15am for 9:30 start
What: Feeling a bit adventurous? Join your fellow birders in a hike along the Sturt River to the lookout at Sturt Dam, traipsing through woodland and creeks, spotting little brown birds along the way! Pack some snacks and water, get your boots and get ready to go off-road.
More info:
http://www.instagram.com/p/DH4n7B7JR-H/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== -
Where: Wadmore Park, Maryvale Rd, Athelstone SA
Date: Sunday 25 May, 9:30-11:30am
What: With lots of little circuits and intersecting paths, this is a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure style walk, with everyone free to wander together or alone. We'll re-gather at the start point around 11 for a BYO morning tea and to share observations! Bring along your birdwatching kit and your friends. Free to attend, no experience required.
More info:
instagram.com/p/DJi38UpJ6mW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Tasmania (TAS)
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Where: Hobart
What: Welcome to the 3rd Annual Birds Trophy. There’s a $1000 cash prize for this year’s winner and plenty of other prizes to giveaway. Free to enter and participants should have 3 games experience. They can either create their own table of 3-4 players or be assigned one at random for the first round.
More info: www.facebook.com/events/s/birds-trophy-2025/1403594267269381/
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Where: Across Tasmania
What: "Life on Land's Edge" takes you on an epic journey alongside migratory birds as they connect continents and cultures. A cinematic concert experience, “Life on Land's Edge” draws on art, science, and music from across the ages. Spectacular footage and soundscapes set the scene for two of Australia's most adventurous musicians. Be immersed in one of nature's greatest stories.
More info: https://bowerbirdcollective.org/life-on-lands-edge/
Victoria (VIC)
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Where: Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
What: Discover the wonderful world of the birds that call the Australian Garden home. Take a behind-the-scenes look at how they have shaped the country’s forests and wildflowers on a guided tour through the Australian Garden. See and hear them flying, feeding and nesting as you explore the landscape.
More info: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/cranbourne-gardens/whats-on-cranbourne/birds-in-the-australian-garden/
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Dates: February 23, April 13, June 15, August 3, October 12, December 14
Where: Trin Warren Tam-boore Wetlands carpark, Oak St, Parkville WestWhat: Join us as we survey 4 separate areas of Royal Park West including wetland, grassland and remnant bush, monitoring species and numbers of birds using the Australian Bird Atlas survey regime. Results are uploaded to global database Birdlife Birddata. Binoculars and field guides are available to borrow. All welcome.
More info: royalpark.org.au/birds/
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Where: ten different locations along the Merri Creek and at Edwardes Lake
What: Joining in a bird survey on the Merri Creek is a great way to find out about our fascinating local birds. It's also an enjoyable get-together, with some gentle exercise. Information collected in the surveys is valuable in showing the changes in bird populations over time, including their response to habitat restoration and revegetation along the creek. Beginner birders are welcome.
More info: friendsofmerricreek.org.au/index.cfm?display=1166865
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When: February 2nd, 8:00-9:30am
Where: Newport Lakes, Melbourne
What: Start your February exploring Newport Lakes Reserve! This hidden urban gem is a peaceful oasis with plenty of waterbirds and bush birds. Never been birdwatching before? Perfect! FERN is all about making birding welcoming and accessible. Everyone's welcome to join at their own pace. The paths at Newport Lakes are well maintained but there are some gentle slopes. We'll take it easy and there are plenty of spots to pause and rest along the way.
More info: facebook.com/events/1116422550271249
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Where: Rutherglen
Date: 29-30 March 2025
What: This relaxed bird photography workshop is a great opportunity to spend a weekend in nature, photographing birds, learning about photography and sampling delicious local food with likeminded people. The event is designed for beginners, hosted on the property of Ian Congdon and Courtney Young from Woodstock Flour, guided by Canberra bird photographer, Olivia Congdon. The focus will be on having fun and providing you with everything you need to know when delving into bird photography as a hobby.
More info: https://events.humanitix.com/rutherglen-bird-photography-weekend
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Where: Tanunda Wetlands, Plenty Gorge, Bundoora
What: Join a Parks Victoria volunteer-led walk in a special corner of Victoria. These walks aren’t birdwatching focused but there will be time for you to stop and look at the birds around you.
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/parks-victoria-park-walks-17090208863
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Where: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
What: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne is full of incredible birdlife, from coots to cormorants, spinebills to swans. On this guided walk, spot water birds nesting around Ornamental Lake and delight in the sights and sounds of the birds that call the Gardens home. Continue your discovery with a take-home bird guide.
More info: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/whats-on-melbourne/secret-life-of-birds/
Western Australia (WA)
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Where: south-west of a line between Geraldton and Esperance
What: The Great Cocky Count is a citizen-science survey, and the biggest single survey for black-cockatoos in WA. In the lead-up to the Count each year, people are asked to keep an eye out for roost sites, which helps BirdLife plan the upcoming Count. Then, on one evening each autumn, volunteers monitor known roost sites and count black-cockatoos as they arrive in the evening. Records submitted from across the South West provide a snapshot of black-cockatoo populations, helping scientists quantify changes in their numbers.
More info: birdlife.org.au/events/great-cocky-count/
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Where: Christmas Island
What: Explore the unique birdlife on Christmas Island during this annual event. Bird lovers are offered the opportunity to get up close and personal to nature and all Christmas Island has to offer. Experienced and passionate guides, working in research and specialising in birds, help bring guests and the unique fauna and flora on Christmas Island closer together. Numbers for the event are capped to keep the group manageable and the experience intimate for guests. The group is broken down into smaller groups and rotated through a different activity each day. The guides can manage varying abilities through their program – your safety and comfort is paramount.
More info:
christmas.net.au/experiences/bird-watching-holidays/bird-n-nature-week/
and
indianoceanexperiences.com.au/packages/bird-and-nature-week/ -
Where: Greater Perth–Peel Region
What: Take part in the Alcoa Foundation Spring Cocky Count, monitoring Forest Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos at their evening roost sites. This information helps BirdLife understand their seasonal movements and informs conservation efforts.
More info: birdlife.org.au/events/alcoa-foundation-spring-cocky-count/
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Where: outer Perth Metropolitan Area
What: Rainbow Lorikeets are a declared pest in WA, and their numbers have exploded since their introduction in the 1960s, increasing from 10 individuals to over 40,000. Report your sightings of Rainbow Lorikeets from across the outer Perth Metropolitan Area.
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Where: South-West WA
What: CockyWatch road surveys are a citizen science initiative that will help BirdLife Australia find out more about the black-cockatoos of the South West. Anybody can participate, anywhere from north of Kalbarri to east of Esperance. All you need to do is be in transit – if your drive is longer than 20 kilometres, or you’re walking/cycling for at least 2 kilometres, you can conduct a CockyWatch survey.
More info: birdlife.org.au/events/cockywatch/