Rewilding Scotia with the AWC

Trip Type
Conservation & Citizen Science, Nature & Wildlife
Twin Share
Maximum of two adults
$ 6490
Single
$ 6590

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AWC Ecologists and Field Staff

This immersive wildlife and conservation experience is hosted and run by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. AWC Ecologists and Field staff will provide a rare glimpse of Australia as it once was.

Duration

5 Days

Group Size

12 Peoples

Activity Level

Easy to Moderate

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About this tour

Join Australian Geographic Travel and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) on an exclusive small‑group expedition.

Venture deep into Australia’s red‑sand heart on an immersive wildlife and conservation journey. This small-group experience offers access to Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary, a 65,000-hectare feral-free haven in the remote Mallee woodlands of western New South Wales.

Guided by Australian Wildlife Conservancy ecologists, you’ll witness the remarkable rewilding of Australia’s lost mammals, from bilbies and bridled nailtail wallabies to pink cockatoos and malleefowl. Explore via 4WD tours, sunrise birdwatching, and nocturnal spotlighting drives for a rare glimpse of Australia as it once was: thriving, unspoiled, and wild.

Highlights

Guided spotlighting drives to see bilbies, bettongs and bridled nailtail wallabies
Visit Scotia’s 50 km predator‑proof fence protecting an 8,000‑hectare feral‑free area
Birdwatching walks in the Mallee woodlands for striated grasswrens, chestnut quail‑thrush and pink cockatoos
Walk to active malleefowl mounds and learn about species recovery programs
Explore Playa Lake, a stunning inland salt lake supporting rare vegetation and waterbirds
Get hands‑on with radio‑tracking and biodiversity monitoring alongside AWC ecologists

Included/Excluded

Included
Excluded

Pre-night at Mildura Grand Hotel in a Superior Room, including breakfast
3 nights' accommodation with shared facilities at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 4
Private small group transfer in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle from Mildura to Scotia and back
Guided 4WD tours, bushwalks and nocturnal spotlighting drives
Presentations and talks with AWC ecologists and field staff

Domestic flights to/from Mildura
Insurance
Any meals and beverages not mentioned in inclusions
Post touring accommodation in Mildura - if you like to book an additional night in Mildura after the tour finishes, please contact our friendly team on [email protected].

Itinerary

Arrive at the iconic Mildura Grand Hotel for your pre‑night stay. Check in from 2 pm and enjoy free time to explore the Murray River precinct or Mildura’s buzzing dining scene. Settle in, relax, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure starting tomorrow!

Arrive at Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary around midday and settle into your accommodation within the sanctuary grounds. Enjoy lunch with your guides and fellow travellers, followed by a 4WD journey across the red dunes and spinifex plains to inspect Scotia’s 50 km predator‑proof fence, which protects an 8,000‑hectare feral‑free area. At Sunset Ridge, sip sunset drinks overlooking vast Mallee country. After dinner back at headquarters, head out on a guided nocturnal spotlighting drive in the sanctuary’s protected Stage 1 area.

Rise early for small‑group birdwatching walks, spotting rare species like striated grasswren and chestnut quail‑thrush. Enjoy breakfast under the Mallee canopy, then visit an active malleefowl mound and learn how fox control and habitat management are supporting their recovery. After lunch, gain insight into Scotia’s operational side: field infrastructure, remote challenges, and ongoing research. Try your hand at radio‑tracking wildlife using telemetry equipment before enjoying refreshments in the field. At dusk, embark on a guided nocturnal walk within the feral‑free area to discover its secretive night‑time residents.

Begin with birdwatching or a biodiversity monitoring session to learn about small mammals like the southern ningaui and Bolam’s mouse - species still clinging to survival in the Mallee. After lunch and a short rest, travel out to Scotia’s Playa Lake, a shimmering inland salt lake framed by sand dunes and home to rare vegetation like Halosarcia lylei. During flood events, this harsh landscape comes alive, hosting large populations of waterbirds. Enjoy sunset drinks as golden light transforms the horizon. Return to headquarters for pre‑dinner drinks and a presentation on AWC’s nationwide conservation work. Your last evening ends with another spotlighting drive to see Bilbies, Bettongs and Bridled Nailtail Wallabies.