Bird watchers from across Australia and around the world will be heading to Kakadu Bird Week from 10-17th October, held right in the heart of Kakadu National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory and home to one-third of Australia’s entire bird species.

Kakadu’s 19,000 square kilometres of World Heritage listed land teems with native wildlife, luscious billabongs, rocky escarpments and breathtaking waterfalls with countless opportunities to gaze upwards as hundreds of birds simultaneously take flight, flying high above tropical green wetlands and over rocky escarpments stretching far across the horizon.

The Kakadu Bird Week program with local guides is designed to cater for both experienced and beginner bird watchers. For the keenest birders, there will be long treks in the sandstone country to search for White-throated Grasswrens and other endemic birds with Kakadu’s resident magpie geese, whistling ducks, black-necked storks and the little gems of the bird world such as the azure and forest kingfishers, revealing their incredible beauty to all. For the beginner bird watchers, there will be small interactive groups helping to identify different bird species. Just three hours drive from Darwin, Kakadu is only just the beginning of a fantastic range of bird watching safaris and tours throughout the Territory, with Birds Australia endorsing everal guides who have passed assessments of their bird watching and birdwatcher guiding skills.

Base yourself in accommodation throughout the spectacular natural settings of Darwin and Kakadu with special deals ranging from 1-night stays at Feathers Sanctuary  Darwin from $165*pp and Aurora Kakadu from $113*pp or take on a 3-day 4WD Kakadu Birdwatching Safari with specialist local guides and overnight stays in a private permanent safari camp from just $1455*pp.

Keen birdwatcher and Territory Discoveries holiday consultant, David Munro, says the contrast between Kakadu in the wet and dry seasons is incredible.

“When you drive along a road that just months before you cruised over in a boat, you come to understand that nature is in full control here, and we are just visiting. Even on the drive into the park you are likely to see a whole range of birdlife, including magpie geese, whistling ducks, black-necked storks and the Territory’s emblem, the Brolga!”, says David as he recounts just some of his bird sightings, including that of the elusive Gouldian finch right near the camp.

An alternative to the Kakadu Bird Week is the upcoming Red Centre Bird Week held from 19-27 September 2009, with highlight activities including seeking out magnificent birds of prey on the Eagle Watch Tour and testing your night vision with the owls at Nocturnal House in the Alice Springs Desert Park, with plenty more highlights to be announced. Take a 7-day Central Australian Bird Watchers Paradise 4WD Camping Tour priced from just $1800*pp and visit two fantastic areas that are a beacon for some of the 160 species of birds that inhabit this region.

To find out more about the Kakadu or Red Centre Bird Weeks and to read David Munro’s full Northern Territory bird watching review, visit www.territorydiscoveries.com/birdwatching or call 13 38 43. Some conditions do apply and these deals are subject to availability, please contact Territory Discoveries for details.