CUMBERLAND BIRD OBSERVERS CLUB
Birdwatching in Sydney since 1979
Affiliated with BirdLife Australia
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
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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.
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Visitors are welcome to attend two outings prior to joining CBOC. If an outing is nearly full, priority will be given to members.
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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.
Sunday 7 December 2025 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (nearly full)
RICHMOND LOWLANDS AND SURROUNDS
Meeting place
Meet at Pughs Lagoon, Smith Park, corner of Old Kurrajong Road and Francis Street, Richmond
Leader
Paul Johnstone | 0434 350 409
Habitat
Pastureland
Grade
Grade 1. Approx. 3 km, mainly flat on paths or roadsides.
Facilities
Plenty of parking at Pugh's lagoon with toilets and picnic tables nearby. Depending on route taken after leaving the lagoon, toilets and facilities might not be nearby.
Saturday 3 January 2026 | 7.50am for an 8am start (open for booking)
FRED CATERSON RESERVE, CASTLE HILL
Meeting place
Enter Fred Caterson Reserve via Gilbert Rd, Castle Hill. Continue along Caterson Drive until you reach a car park at Fields 2 and 3. Do not turn left at any time.
Leader
Heather Cavanagh and David Cree | 0419 432 720
Habitat
Bushland
Grade
Grade 3. Approx. 3 km on bush paths, tracks and road with some uneven ground and gentle hills.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets nearby. No picnic tables but some seating near the oval.
Wednesday 7 January 2026 | 7.20am for a 7.30am start (open for booking)
SYDNEY PARK, ST PETERS AND TEMPE LANDS (morning only)
Meeting place
Meet at the carpark in Barwon Park Rd, which is next to the tall chimneys.
Leader
Gabrielle Rees | 0414 947 138
Habitat
Bush, parklands and wetlands
Grade
Sydney Park: Grade 1. Approx. 3-5 km easy walking along footpaths, grass and elevated wetland walkway.
Tempe Lands: Grade 2. Approx. 2 km loop on dirt track.
Facilities
Sydney Park: Plenty of parking. Toilets and coffee cart nearby. Need to bring chairs.
Tempe Lands: No toilets or facilities, but parks with toilets nearby.
Sunday 18 January 2026 | 7.50am for an 8am start (open for booking)
CUMBERLAND STATE FOREST
Meeting place
Meet in the car park near the Cumberland State Forest information centre, off Castle Hill Road, West Pennant Hills.
Leader
Peter Abraham | 0451 292 512
Habitat
Forest
Grade
Grade 3. Approx. 5 km on tracks that are hilly in places and can be a bit slippery at times.
Saturday 24 January 2026 | 7.50am for an 8am start (open for booking)
BOBBIN HEAD, KU-RING-GAI CHASE NP
Meeting place
Meet on the western side of the bridge at Bobbin Head picnic area, near the start of the Gibberagong boardwalk
Leader
Daniel McDonald | 0404 374 362
Habitat
Forest
Grade
Grade 3. Approx. 3 km on bush tracks with some slightly steeper sections including steps.
Facilities
Plenty of parking with toilets nearby. Some picnic tables, including some undercover.
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March 2026 (waiting list open)
Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026 (waiting list open)
WEEKENDS AWAY - KIAMA AREA
Meeting place
These two Members' weekends will be based in Kiama, 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
Sunday 1 February 2026
Central Coast Wetlands (Pioneer Dairy) and Chittaway Bay
Leader: Adrian Dick
Thursday 12 February 2026
Landing Lights - Riverine Park, Arncliffe
Leader: Greg McLachlan
Saturday 21 February 2026
Wianamatta Regional Park (Ropes Crossing section)
Leader: Damian Turner
Sunday 1 March 2026
Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights
Leader: Prasad Ganesan
Wednesday 4 March 2026
Wattle Forest and Lady Carrington Drive, Royal NP
Leader: Robyn Pedersen
Sunday 15 March 2026
Castlereagh and Windsor Downs NRs
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Wednesday 1 April 2026
Lime Kiln Wetlands, Peakhurst and Oatley Park (and Yeramba Lagoon if full)
Leader: Gabrielle Rees
Sunday 19 April 2026
Nurragingy Reserve, Western Sydney Parklands
Leader: Daniel McDonald
Wednesday 4 February 2026
Irrawong Reserve and Warriewood Wetlands
Leader: Coralie Turner-Morris
Sunday 26 April 2026
Second Ponds Creek Reserve, Rouse Hill
Leader: Damian Turner
Wednesday 6 May 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Friday 15 May 2026
Mill Creek Picnic area and Devines Hill walk, Dharug NP
Leader: Gabrielle Rees
Saturday 23 May 2026
Scheyville NP
Leader: Heather Cavanagh and David Cree
Sunday 31 May 2026
North Head - Sydney Harbour National Park and North Head Sanctuary
Leader: Bill and Nicci Raffle
Wednesday 3 June 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 14 June 2026
Richmond Lowlands and surrounds
Leader: Adrian Dick
Saturday 20 June 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 28 June 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Wednesday 1 July 2026
Australian Botanic Garden, Mt Annan
Leader: Heather Cavanagh and David Cree
Sunday 19 July 2026
Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park
Leader: Corinne Tomkinson
Saturday 25 July 2026
Floyd Bay and Mirrambeena Regional Park
Leader: Peter Abraham
Sunday 2 August 2026
Beginners and New Members, Crosslands Reserve, Hornsby Heights. Max 15.
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Wednesday 5 August 2026
West Head, Ku-ring-gai Chase NP
Leader: Coralie Turner-Morris
Friday 14 August 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Saturday 22 August 2026
Rookwood Cemetery and Sydney Olympic Park
Leader: Adrian Dick
Sunday 30 August 2026
Bushells Lagoon and Swallows Reach, Ebenezer
Leader: Damian Turner
Wednesday 2 September 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
11-13 September 2026
18-20 September 2026
​Advance notice of Spring 2026 weekends away from Friday to Sunday inclusive - location TBC
Leader: Heather Pearce
Sunday 27 September 2026
Emu Green and Penrith Weir
Leader: Robyn Pedersen
Sunday 4 October 2026
Nurragingy Reserve, Western Sydney Parklands
Leader: Daniel McDonald
Wednesday 7 October 2026
Wattle Forest and Lady Carrington Drive, Royal NP
Leader: Robyn Pedersen
Saturday 10 October 2026
BBQ - Location TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 18 October 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Saturday 24 October 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 1 November 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Wednesday 4 November 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Saturday 14 November 2026
(optional birding Sunday morning)
Capertee Valley
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Saturday 21 November 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 29 November 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Wednesday 2 December 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC
Sunday 6 December 2026
TBC
Leader: TBC