Birdwatching in Victoria (VIC)

Close to the city

Western Treatment Plant
The Western Treatment Plant is one of Victoria’s most popular birdwatching spots and an operational site. For your safety, you must be granted access to birdwatch at the Plant, or join a licensed tour operator. More information is on Melbourne Water’s website. At the Treatment Plant, you will see birds of prey like Swamp Harriers and Whistling Kites, and a range of waterbirds like crakes and rails. Flocks of shorebirds arrive in Summer, like the Red-necked Stint, and this is the most popular time for birdwatching.

Don’t have a car? Try the Royal Botanic Gardens or Royal Park, which surround the city centre.

Road trip

Great Otway National Park
Three hour’s drive from Melbourne is this picturesque national park. It stretches from Torquay, along the world-famous Great Ocean Road and up through the Otways hinterland. Discover windswept coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls in tall mountain forests. This national park has been identified by Bird Life International as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because it supports populations of Rufous Bristlebirds, Striated Field Wrens and Pink Robins.

Closer to Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges National Park makes a great day-trip.

eBird hot spots

eBird Hotspots are publicly accessible locations where birdwatchers frequently submit their sightings. There are often great locations for birdwatching. Read about VIC eBird Hotspots.

Guest recommendations

Over 100 birdwatching locations are now on the Weekend Birder Google Map.

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