Grand Australia: Tasmania Extension: Oct 30—Nov 05, 2010

Tasmania is a lush, craggy island greened by regular rains and cooled by seas that roar in from the Antarctic. As a result of its isolation, Tasmania not only supports a number of exciting endemic birds, but also provides safe haven to a number of species, especially Australia's beleaguered mammals, which have declined on the nearby mainland due to the introduction of the red fox. Our exploration will begin in Hobart, from where we wind our way to Cradle Mountain National Park (the beauty and serenity of this park has to be experienced to be believed), and eventually on to Launceston. Some of the very special birds and mammals we hope to see include the huge Tasmanian Native-hen; Hooded Plover; Pacific Gull; Swift Parrot; Green Rosella; Masked Owl; the exquisite Pink Robin; Dusky Robin; Scrubtit; Tasmanian Thornbill; Yellow Wattlebird; Yellow-throated, Strong-billed, and Black-headed honeyeaters; the rare Forty-spotted Pardalote; Beautiful Firetail; and Black Currawong. Mammals include platypus, short-beaked echidna, spotted-tailed quoll, eastern quoll, Tasmanian devil, common wombat, Tasmanian bettong, and Tasmanian wallaby.