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Welcome to the Directory of Australian Pelagics

Wollongong, NSW (Aboard the Sandra K)

The boat leaves Wollongong Harbour at 0700, returning approximately 1600 on the fourth Saturday of every Month. Additional trips may also be planned during peak periods. Trips are rarely cancelled, Species to be expected are many and will vary according to the time of year. Over 75 species have been recorded so far or about 1/3 of the Worlds seabirds (discounts are offered to SOSSA members)

For more information take a look at the SOSSA homepage
and do your bit for seabird conservation - consider joining SOSSA
 

Trip Length: About 8-9 hours.
Cost: $70 per person (approximately).
Contact: Lindsay Smith (02) 42716004 or
0418-603007

Email: Lindsay Smith or Pete Milburn


Sydney, NSW (Aboard the Halicat)

The "Halicat" leaves Rose Bay Public Ferry Wharf at 0700), returning c1500 on the second Saturday of every month. Additional trips may also be planned depending on demand. Trips are rarely cancelled, Species to be expected are the same as those recorded from Wollongong. The boat is particularly fast allowing additional time in deeper waters. for information look at www.sydneypelagics.info or email hepstein@bigpond.net.au

Trip Length: About 8 hours.
Cost: $110 per person.
Contact: Tony Palliser (02) 94911678 or Hal Epstein 0411-311236 or 61.411-311236
 

0411 311 236

Email: Hal Epstein


Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand

Regular pelagics from one of New Zealands most famous sea bird areas. Specialising in trips for small groups, some great birds. Tours are operated by "Oceanwings". email for more information or visit their excellent web site www.oceanwings.co.nz.

Address: 58 West end, Kaikoura, New Zealand
Phone: +64 (3) 319-6777
Fax: +64 (3) 3196534
Freephone in New Zealand: 0800 733 365
Email: info@oceanwings.co.nz


Eden, NSW (Aboard the Connemara)

The "Connemara" Departs Eden Wharf at 0800, returning c1600 on the fifth Sunday of each month during 2000 (which includes Jan 30, April 30, July 30 and October 29). Species to be expected are the similar to those recorded from Wollongong, although Southern ocean species are generally more common. Anyone particularly keen on albatross could not go wrong on one of these trips. All pelagics from this part of the world come highly recommended. Accommodation is relatively inexpensive and food shops open early

Why not make an advance booking for all trips and make sure of your place? These trips are arranged for you by the Far South Coast Birdwatchers Inc.

Trip Length: About 8 hours.
Cost: Approximately $50-$70 per person.
Contact: Barbara Jones ph 02-6495 7390

Email: Barbara Jones


Southport, QLD

The Gold Coast Seaworld research vessel runs pelagic trips by special arrangement with SOSSA and the Brisbane Pelagic enthusiasts. Trips are generally planned every 4-6 weeks leaving from the Gold Coast Seaworld at 0700 returning at c1400-c1500. During the summer months Tahiti Petrels are regularly recorded.

Trip Length: About 7-8 hours.
Cost: approx. $75 per person.
Contact: Paul Walbridge (07) 33918839 (ah)

Email: paul.walbridge@health.qld.gov.au


The Birds Australia-Victoria Pelagics from Port Fairy, VIC

Normally, a Port Fairy boat trip is organised for the first Sunday of each month (with some exceptions).  Because of the fickle nature of the weather in the Southern Ocean resulting in conditions that will be too rough or dangerous, more than half of the trips are postponed to the second Sunday of the month (again with some exceptions).  If that second trip does not go, the trip for that month is then cancelled, which happens about half the time.

Each trip can only accommodate 12 people.  There is a waiting list established when a trip is fully booked because, for various reasons, we have people who have to pull out, often at the last moment.  This occurs particularly if a trip is postponed as many people have already made other plans for the next weekend.  The cost of the trip is $90-110, depending on the number of people on the boat.

The 2007 and 2008 trips are fully booked but you can go on the waiting list if you wish.  Bookings for 2009 will be taken by the organiser, Chris Lester, from after noon on 11 July 2008.

Trip Length: About 9 hours.
Specific trip details from the Birds Australia-Victoria web site, the Babblers Nest, at
http://www.babblersnest.com/ under “Activities”.
Contacts:  Chris Lester on
Chris.Lester@dse.vic.gov.au or on (03) 9370 7418 (AH) or Mike Carter on (03) 9787 7136.

Eaglehawk Neck, TAS

Chris Lester and Bill Wakefield arrange pelagic trips from Eaglehawk Neck in Tasmania.  Currently, they are organised on the last Sunday in February, September and November, with an occasional winter trip available in July.  The boat takes 13.

As with other privately organised pelagic trips in Australia you are welcome to join us but entirely at YOUR OWN RISK. These are not commercial ventures, which means that you should not consider going if you want someone else to be responsible for your health and safety.

Trip Length: About 9 hours.
Cost: approximately $100 per person, but this varies according to the number of passengers
Contacts:  Chris Lester on
Chris.Lester@dse.vic.gov.au or on (03) 9370 7418 (AH) or Bill Wakefield on elsandbill@iprimus.com.au.


Perth, Western Australia

Frank O'Connor organises two trips a year from the Hillarys Boat Harbour using the 70ft Blue Strike (30 people) from Mills Charters. The trips are provisionally scheduled for the last Sunday of June and the second Sunday of August but may change. Soft-plumaged Petrels have been common on every trip during this period. Kerguelen Petrels and prions have been seen several times. The most unusual sightings have been a nominate race Yellow-nosed Albatross, a Sooty Shearwater, a Lesser Noddy and Arctic Tern (three times).

Trip Length : 7am to 3:30pm
Cost : $65 to $75 per person (depends on numbers)
Contact : Frank O'Connor (foconnor@iinet.net.au)
Web Site : http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au

Frank also tries to organise one or two pelagic trips a year from Albany on the south coast when he can find at least 9 other people.  The cost is $100 to $120.  Check his web site for details.