OUR OUTINGS
Outings are a great way to enjoy birdwatching, to learn about the birds and to meet new friends. We have a range of outings including:
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Weekend outings on either Saturday or Sunday
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Mid-week outings on Wednesday
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Outings for young birdwatchers - click Nestlings for details
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Weekends away to prime birding locations
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Opportunities to participate in bird surveys and other events
We have at least 3 outings per month. The outings are informal and cater for birdwatchers of all experience levels. Helpful, friendly advice is always available on all aspects of birding.
Visitors are welcome to attend two outings prior to joining CBOC. If an outing is nearly full, priority will be given to members.
For more information, click the links below, or email the Activities Officer on outings@cboc.org.au.
BOOKINGS REQUIRED for all outings
Outings will be limited to 25 people so that the group is not too large for effective birding, but may sometimes have a lower limit based on the outing location.
An email will be sent to members when outings are open for booking and a confirmation will be sent confirming your place on the outing.
Wednesday 1 May 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
AUSTRALIAN BOTANICAL GARDEN,
MT ANNAN
Meeting place
Meet near the Visitors Centre. Parking is in the P3 carpark on Cunningham Drive, Mt Annan.
Leader
Heather Cavanagh and David Cree | 0419 432 720
Habitat
Grassland, lakes and forest
Grade
Grade 1. Approx 3 km flat walking.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. Toilets near carpark. No picnic tables near the carpark.
Sunday 5 May 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
ROYAL NP – WATTAMOLLA CLIFFS and BONNIE VALE (near Bundeena)
Meeting place
Meet at the P2 car park at Wattamolla. The turnoff to Wattamolla is on the left, 10kms from Audley when coming from the north. The car park is about 5km further on, accessed from a right hand turn as you go down the hill, before you get to the bottom carpark. Entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a NP pass. Note that there is no mobile reception at Wattamolla.
Second location is at Bonnie Vale picnic area, off Sea Breeze Lane, Bundeena.
Leader
Greg McLachlan | 0405 578 967
Habitat
Heath, forest
Grade
Wattamolla Cliffs: Grade 2. Mainly flat with a few steps and a gentle hill. Approx 2 kms.
Bonnie Vale: Grade 2. Level walking on easy bush tracks. Approx 3 km.
Sunday 19 May 2024 | 7am and 9am starts - arrive 10 mins prior (waiting list open)
ROOKWOOD CEMETERY and SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Meeting place
Meet towards the end of William Dr, Rookwood Cemetery. Enter via East St, Lidcombe. Second start location at 9am near the Waterview Café at Lake Belvedere, Bicentennial Park, Homebush off Australia Ave.
Leader
Adrian Dick | 0451 825 403
Habitat
Woodland, parkland, wetlands
Grade
Rookwood Cemetery: Grade 1. Approx 2 km of flat walking.
Sydney Olympic Park: Grade 1. Approx. 2 km walking mainly on flat paths.
Facilities
Rookwood: Plenty of parking beside road. No toilets in the area that we are going but there are toilets near St Michael's chapel.
Sydney Olympic Park: Plenty of parking. Toilets available. Some picnic tables depending on location.
Saturday 25 May 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (nearly full)
WIANAMATTA REGIONAL PARK, ROPES CROSSING section
Meeting place
Meet at the car park just inside the gates off Mainwaring St, Ropes Crossing.
Leader
Edwin Vella | 0402 067 619
Habitat
Ironbark Woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 2 km on flat bush tracks.
Facilities
Plenty of parking just inside the gate. There are toilets and picnic tables in two sections of the park.
Sunday 2 June 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
MILL CREEK PICNIC AREA & DEVINES HILL WALK, DHARUG NP
Meeting place
Meet at Mill Creek Picnic Area on Mill Creek Rd off Wisemans Ferry Rd, Gunderman. Turn left before the car camping area and go past the turn-off to group camping, to the picnic area. Allow time for the ferry crossing if coming via Wisemans Ferry.
Leader
Gabrielle Rees | 0414 947 138
Habitat
Mill Creek: Bushland, creek, grassy areas.
Devines Hill: Sandstone rock formation and bushland convict history of the Great North Rd.
Grade
Mill Creek Picnic Area: Grade 2. Approx 2 km on a dirt rocky trail and a flat dirt road.
Devine Hill: Grade 3. A 3-4 km walk on a steep graded firetrail.
Facilities
Toilets and plenty of parking at Mill Creek Picnic area. Some picnic tables, but best to bring a chair.
Wednesday 5 June 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
WEST HEAD, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NP
Meeting place
Meet at the lookout at the end of West Head Road. National Park entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a NP pass
Leader
Coralie Turner-Morris | 0408 510 525
Habitat
Sandstone country
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 3 km of mostly flat walking on tracks and fire trails.
Sunday 16 June 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
FLOYD BAY and MIRRAMBEENA
Meeting place
Meet at the end of Hollywood Drive, Lansvale.
Leader
Peter Abraham | 0451 292 512
Habitat
Parkland, wetlands
Grade
Grade 2. Approx 6 km on mainly flat easy concrete paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking at Floyd Bay but no toilets or picnic tables. Mirrambeena has plenty of parking, toilets and picnic tables.
Saturday 22 June 2024 | 8.50am for a 9am start (open for booking)
BEGINNERS and NEW MEMBERS,
SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK
Meeting place
Meet by the Cafe at the Waterview Convention Centre overlooking Lake Belvedere.
Leader
Trevor Waller | 0467 977 508
Habitat
Wetlands, parkland, and woodland
Grade
Grade 1. Approx. 2 km walking mainly on flat paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking at Bicentennial Park near the café, though it can get busy on the weekends. Be aware that is a one-way road. Toilets at the Waterview Café. Not many picnic tables.
Location link
Sunday 30 June 2024 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start
MITCHELL PARK, CATTAI NP
Meeting place
Meet at the second picnic table in Mitchell Park. National Park entry fee of $8 applies unless you have a NP pass.
Leader
Paul Johnstone | 0434 350 409
Habitat
Bushland, woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Mostly flat with approx 4 km walk around the southern part of Mitchell Park.
Facilities
Plenty of parking at Mitchell Park with toilets nearby. Some picnic tables.
Friday 6 to Sunday 8 September 2024 (Mudgee B6) (waiting list open)
Friday 13 to Sunday 14 September 2024 (Mudgee A13) (waiting list open)
WEEKENDS AWAY - MUDGEE AREA
Meeting place
These two weekends will be based in Mudgee, travelling to nearby birding areas. They are now open for booking. Once the booking has been confirmed, more details will be sent to you. Do not book any accommodation until then as there will be a maximum of 30 people on this weekend.
Leader
Heather Pearce | 0412 051 951
Habitat
Various
Grade
Various
Facilities
TBC