Phillip Island offers wild coastlines and estuaries, overgrown with mangrove trees so no wonder it has become a sanctuary for migratory birds. The Rhyll Inlet is a spot known for its abundance of birds, Cape Woolamai is famous for thousands of migrating waterfowl, and Swan Lake, the only permanent freshwater body on Phillip Island, is also an important habitat for wild swans and wading birds.
There are 12 nesting species of rare seabirds in the park. This is the funny Pterodroma solandri, wedge-tailed shearwater, Australasian Gannet, black tern, red-tailed tropicbird, and many others. Rhyll Inlet has become a haven for reproduction and feeding the offspring of such birds as royal spoonbills, straw-necked ibis, swans, little-pied cormorants, and the rare hooded plover.
The seaside village of San Remo near Phillip Island can offer a lookout for migrating mutton birds, which live on the island from the end September each year until the end of April. Here, every day at noon, you can see pelicans, who fish with large beaks and dance in unison, while quarrelling and fighting for food.
Victoria's symbol is the endangered helmeted honeyeater, which is endemic to the province and is listed as critically endangered. You can see semi-wild populations of this bird in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and Healesville Sanctuary, about one-hour drive east of Melbourne's centre.
Other popular birdwatching sites include Royal Botanic Gardens, Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges National Park and Toolangi State Forest for Superb Lyrebird, Pink Robin, Pilotbird and other species. Western Treatment Plant is another great birding destination with numerous lagoons and wetlands suitable for water birds. Healesville Sanctuary is famous for its birds of prey and colourful parrots.
You can go birdwatching anytime in Victoria, however, the best period is spring breeding season which lasts from mid-August to late November. Also, beware of summer bush fire hazard season which starts from early November. Some areas can be closed for tourists during this time.
Practical info
When is the best time to go birdwatching in Victoria?
Victoria's peak birdwatching season is mid-August to November during the spring breeding season when migratory birds visit. However, tourists should take care during the summer bushfire hazard season in November when some bird watching sites may be closed for safety reasons. Show more
Where are the best spots for birdwatching on Phillip Island?
Phillip Island offers numerous locations for birdwatchers to find various species. Tourists will find an abundance of birds at Rhyll Inlet, migrating waterfowl at Cape Woolamai, and wild swans and wading birds at the only permanent freshwater body, Swan Lake. Show more
What are the most popular bird species to see in Victoria?
Victoria's rare birds attract tourists to observe unique and endangered species. Tourists visiting the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve and Healesville Sanctuary can discover the critically-endangered, Victoria-endemic helmeted honeyeater. Another fascinating sighting is the Pterodroma solandri, along with several other species, such as wedge-tailed shearwater, Australasian Gannet, black tern, red-tailed tropicbird, royal spoonbills, straw-necked ibis, swans, little-pied cormorants, and the rare hooded plover. Show more
Are there any endangered birds that can be spotted in Victoria?
Numerous endangered bird species can be found in Victoria, including the critically-endangered and Victoria-endemic helmeted honeyeater. Orange-bellied parrot, swift parrot, regent honeyeater, and grey-crowned babbler, are among the others waiting to be discovered by birdwatchers. Show more
Can some areas be closed for tourists during summer in Victoria due to bush fire hazards?
To ensure tourists' safety during the early November bushfire season, some birdwatching sites, national parks, wildlife, and other reserves that can pose a threat to tourists can be temporarily closed. It is crucial for visitors to check fire warnings and consult the local authorities before planning their birdwatching activities to avoid disappointment. Show more
