Hobart Meet-up

Friday 24 - Sunday 26 October 2025

Celebrate the Aussie Bird Count with us

We’re celebrating National Bird Week and the Aussie Bird Count by heading to Southern Tasmania. This birder's paradise offers a unique blend of coastal, montane and temperate rainforest habitats. We will visiting Bruny Island, exploring local Hobart hot spots and enjoy a Game Called Birds game night.

This is Weekend Birder Meet-up is an exclusive and budget-friendly long weekend in collaboration with local birdwatching guides. It is designed for birdwatchers of all experience levels, from beginner to expert, and for people who want to have fun.

Cost: $540 per person + additional costs (see what’s included below)

Itinerary

A more detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking. Here’s a summary of each day:

Thursday 23 October - arrive in Hobart
If you don’t live in Hobart, we recommend you arrive on Thursday (or before) so you’re ready for an early start on Friday morning. Airport pick up will be available from 3:00-6:00pm.

Friday 24 October - Bruny Island
This day on Bruny Island includes a private tour at Inala Conservation Reserve - home to all 12 of Tasmania’s endemic bird species (including the Forty-spotted Pardalote). Lunch is at Hotel Bruny and we’ll be back in Hobart for dinner.

Saturday 25 October - morning birding, afternoon relaxation and A Game Called Birds game night
An early morning start will enable us to birdwatch at local hot spots near Hobart, including Gould’s Lagoon. We’ll be back by lunch so that you can relax or explore Hobart in the arvo. After dinner, the creators of A Game Called Birds will teach us how to play their board game.

Sunday 26 October - morning birding before finishing up
We’ll have a little bit of a lie in and then head to more local hot spots near Hobart, including Orielton Lagoon. We’ll be back by lunch so you’ve got time to head home (or head off on your next Tassie adventure). Airport drop-off will be available from 1:00-4:00pm.

What birds we might see

We’ll aim to tick off all 12 Tasmanian endemic bird species. There are lots of other Southern Australian birds to enjoy as well.

What you’ll get

Here’s what we’ll organise for you:

  • Time with Kirsty Costa, creator of Weekend Birder

  • Time with Ramit Singal, local birdwatching guide

  • Time with Corey and Chris, creators of A Game Called Birds

  • Fully organised itinerary

  • ‘What to Bring’ list for packing your suitcase

  • Group accomodation rates

  • Ferry and mini bus travel, you won’t need a car

  • Airport pick-ups and drop-offs, see times above

  • Entry and tour at Inala Conservation Reserve

  • A Game Called Birds board game

  • Weekend Birder t-shirt and tote bag with goodies inside

Additional costs

To make this Meet-up affordable for your budget, we have left the following expenses up to you:

  • TRAVEL TO HOBART - we’ll let you organise travel that suits you. We’ll let you know by early July if the Meet-up has 15 people booked in and is going ahead. If you want to book your flights before then, you could consider adding travel insurance or getting a flexi flight in case we have to cancel.

  • ACCOMMODATION - we’ve booked group accommodation at the Old Woolstore in Hobart’s CBD for $239 per room per night ($717 for 3 nights). We can organise your own room or see if someone wants to twin-share ($358.50 for 3 nights). If you’d like to make your own accommodation arrangements (like staying with a friend), you’ll need to meet us at the Old Woolstore each morning.

  • FOOD - we’ll do a supermarket runs so that you have the food you need. Friday lunch will be at Hotel Bruny and Saturday night will be at a pub near the Old Woolstore. Both of these venues have a range of meal choices. You will choose and buy your meals to suit your taste and budget.

  • MEDICAL COVER - this is a Weekend Birder Meet-up, not a tour, and we won’t be able to cover any medical expenses. If you are not eligble for public health care in Australia, you will need to ensure that you have insurance to cover any incidents that may arise. One of our hosts has first aid training to assist if anything happens and we will complete a risk assessment to reduce wherever possible.

Other important things

  • GROUP SIZE - this Meet-up needs a minimum of 15 people to go ahead and the group size will not exceed 23 guests.

  • REFUNDS - if we don’t reach our minimum number of 15 people by July 24 (3 months before), the Meet-up will not go ahead and you will be fully refunded. No refunds will be given outside of this and you are welcome to transfer your booking to another person if you are no longer able to make it.

  • WEATHER - this Meet-up will go ahead in all weather conditions except if severe storms, bushfires or floods are forecast.

  • KIDS - this Meet-up is suitable for children aged 12 years and over. Children under 18 years need to be accompanied by an adult. Mini bus hire and tour of Inala Conservation means that you will need to pay a full fee for their attendance. If you want to discuss this further, you are welcome to contact us for a chat.

  • FRIENDS AND FAMILY - you are welcome to pay for friends and family to join you on the Meet-up. Or if they want to visit Hobart, they could do other things around Hobart while we’re birdwatching. There will be ‘free time’ on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and they are welcome to join us for FREE at the A Game Called Birds games night on Saturday night.

  • ACCESSIBILITY - we won’t be walking up any mountains but some walking will be involved during this Meet-up. If you have any mobility or accessibility requirements, you are welcome to contact us for a chat.