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
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.
Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026 (bookings closed)
Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026 (bookings closed)
WEEKENDS AWAY - FORBES AREA
Meeting place
These two Members' weekends will be based in Forbes, 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 27 September 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
EMU GREEN and PENRITH WEIR
Meeting place
Meet at Emu Green Reserve, corner of Palomino Road and Russell Street, Emu Plains. For Penrith Weir, meet at Weir Reserve, in the furthest car park, towards the north (far) end of Bruce Neale Dr (signposted to the Great River Walk and Rowing Club), Penrith
Leader
Robyn Pedersen | 0438 989 422
Habitat
A mix of parkland, riverside and bush reserves
Grade
Grade 2. Generally flat on gravel paths or bush tracks with up to 4 km walking at Emu Green.
Sunday 4 October 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
NURRAGINGY RESERVE, WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS
Meeting place
Meet at the Colebee Centre, Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Road, Doonside.
Leader
Daniel McDonald | 0404 374 362
Habitat
Bushland, woodland
Grade
Grade 2. Approx. 3 km on level bush tracks.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. Toilets at the Colebee Centre. Some picnic tables near the centre, but these are often being used.
Wednesday 7 October 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
WATTLE FOREST & LADY CARRINGTON DRIVE, ROYAL NP
Meeting place
Meet at Wattle Forest picnic area at Audley. Enter park at Audley end. After crossing Audley Weir, turn right onto Lady Carrington Drive. Turn right to cross the white wooden bridge, then turn left and continue to the end of this road to Wattle Forest.
National Park entry fee of $12 applies unless you have a NP pass.
Leader
Robyn Pedersen | 0438 989 422
Habitat
Rainforest and woodland
Grade
Wattle Forest: Grade 3. Approx. 2 km walk with some uneven ground, including some scrambling under fallen trees and roots.
Lady Carrington Drive: Grade 2. Approx. 5 km walk on a gravel track with some gentle inclines.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. There is a set of toilets as you go across the bridge and also at Wattle Forest. Plenty of under-shelter picnic tables.
Lady Carrington Drive has plenty of parking and toilets are a short walk away and plenty of under-shelter picnic tables.
Saturday 10 October 2026 | 10am-2pm (bookings close Tuesday 6 Oct)
MEMBERS' BBQ - FIELD OF MARS, EAST RYDE
Details
Come along and join us for a BBQ lunch. Sausages, bread rolls, tea, coffee, biscuits and juice will be provided. Each person should bring their own cup, plate, thermos of hot water for their own tea/coffee. When booking, please include any details of dietary requirements. There will also be a short bird walk in the area. More details will be provided to attendees in due course.
Meeting place
Meet at Field of Mars Reserve, Pittwater Rd, East Ryde.
Leader
TBC | TBC
Habitat
Parkland and forest
Grade
Grade 1. A short walk to the picnic area.
Facilities
Toilets nearby. There are picnic tables, but bring a chair in case there is not enough seating for everyone.
Sunday 18 October 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
BLUE GUM CREEK RESERVE, ANNANGROVE, then SCHEYVILLE NP
Meeting place
End of O'Keefe Road, Annangrove
Leader
Paul Johnstone | 0434 350 409
Habitat
Forest
Grade
Grade 2. Approx. 2 km on flat bush trail.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. No toilets or picnic tables at the reserve, but morning tea will be 15 mins away at Scheyville NP where there are toilets and picnic tables.
Saturday 24 October 2026 | 8.50am for an 9am start (open for booking)
STOCKTON SANDSPIT, near Newcastle
Meeting place
Meet under the west side of the Nelson Bay overpass, accessed from Fullerton St, Stockton
Leader
Nathan Bligh | 0412 787 150
Habitat
Wetlands
Grade
Grade 2. less than 1km walking on gravel and sandy surfaces.
Facilities
Parking under the bridge. Nearest toilets are at Corroba Park, on Fullterton St towards the point. No picnic tables.
Sunday 1 November 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
BEGINNERS AND NEW MEMBERS - SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK - Waterbird Refuge and Lake Belvedere
Meeting place
Meet at Archery Centre carpark, Bennelong Parkway, Sydney Olympic Park.
Leader
Cathy Goswell | 0418 865 421
Habitat
Wetlands and forest
Grade
Grade 2. Up to 2 km on paved paths.
Facilities
Plenty of parking. Toilets at Lake Belvedere and some picnic tables. No facilities at the Waterbird Refuge.
Wednesday 4 November 2026 | 8.20am for an 8.30am start (open for booking)
WIANAMATTA REGIONAL PARK, ROPES CROSSING section
Meeting place
Meet at the car park just inside the gates off Mainwaring St, Ropes Crossing.
Leader
Mark Fuller | 0424 440 140
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.
Saturday 14 November 2026 | 8.50am for a 9am start (open for booking)
Sunday 15 November 2026 | 8.50am for a 9am start (morning only)
CAPERTEE VALLEY
Meeting place
Meet at the corner of Glen Alice and Glen Davis Rds, Capertee Valley
Leader
Cathy Goswell | 0418 865 421
Habitat
Open woodland and pastureland
Grade
Grade 2. Short walks on hardened uneven surfaces and gentle uphill sections.
Facilities
Plenty of parking in the triangle in the middle of the Glen Davis/Glen Alice intersection. Toilets and picnic tables at Glen Davis campground.
Saturday 21 November 2026
Mitchell Park, Cattai National Park
Leader: Cathy Goswell
Sunday 29 November 2026
CLC properties "Wallaroo" and "Wombat", Mulgoa
Leader: Steve Henshaw
Wednesday 2 December 2026
Field of Mars, Sugar Loaf Point, Boronia Park
Leader: Steve Henshaw
Sunday 6 December 2026
Wianamatta Regional Park (Jordan Springs section) and Castlereagh Wetlands
Leader: Adrian Dick
Friday to Sunday 11-14 March 2027
Friday to Sunday 18-21 March 2027
Advance notice of 2027 Autumn Weekends away - possibly to Urunga
Leader: Heather Pearce