Little Desert Wildlife Monitoring
Little Desert, Victoria

Tour Rating
Moderate

Tour Location
This voluntour is based at Little Desert Conservation Reserve, which is located 375km west of Melbourne, towards the South Australia border. Lodge-style accommodation is provided at the Little Desert Nature Lodge (LDNL) – a conservation reserve owned by Conservation Volunteers Australia.

Conservation Impact
Over 30% of Australian mammals are extinct or critically threatened. This wildlife eco tour supports Rewilding the Desert, a wildlife conservation project aiming to combat species extinction in Western Victoria. The initiative will reintroduce some of Australia’s most vulnerable wildlife back into their original habitats including the Western Quoll, Malleefowl and Western barred Bandicoot, among others.

Travel
Little Desert National Park is located 375km west of Melbourne, near Dimboola in western Victoria. Participants can self-drive. Alternatively choose our transfer package which includes return coach transfers to the lodge, departing from Adelaide or Melbourne. 

Itinerary
Day 1 - Travel to LDNL. People travelling by coach will be met by our staff in the local town of Nhill and transferred back to the lodge. Meet our guide and researcher for the week, Graeme Creek. Graeme has worked in the Little Desert region for over 30yrs and is an expert on the  local flora and fauna. In the late afternoon we head out into the conservation reserve to set up the wildlife traps. On return enjoy meeting your fellow travellers over dinner.

Day 2 to Day 6 - Leaving on sunrise, but you’ll be rewarded with beautiful sunrise vistas and wildlife.  Alongside our experienced staff help to check  pitfall traps and record data on the wildlife that has been captured. During the day there is time to relax at the lodge, or a self-guided walk on the property and national park. The region is home to interesting flora and fauna, including over 220 bird species. Our afternoons are spent re setting the traps for the following morning. During the evenings enjoy some of the clearest night skies and stargazing or help to feed our captive wildlife.

Day 7 - Breakfast before your return journey home. Transfers to Nhill will be provided for those returning to Adelaide or Melbourne by coach. 

Duration
7 Days and 6 nights

Departs
Self Drive: Little Desert Nature Lodge
Meeting Time: 2pm at Little Desert Nature Lodge Nhill Harrow Road, Nhill

From Adelaide City
Departs: 6.50am Central Bus Station, 85 Franklin Street Adelaide

From Melbourne City
Departs: 7.30am Southern Cross Station Melbourne

Sunday 10 – Saturday 16 September 2017
Sunday 17 – Saturday 23 September 2017
Sunday 29 October – Saturday 4 November  2017
Sunday 12 – Saturday 18 November 2017

Returns
6.50pm Adelaide Central Bus Station
7.05pm Southern Cross Station

SELF DRIVE PRICES
Standard Ensuite Room
Twin/Double ensuite: $700 AUD per person
Single ensuite: $1,080 AUD per person

Garden View Ensuite Room
Twin/Double ensuite: $750 AUD per person
Single ensuite: $1,150 AUD per person

TRANSFERS FROM ADELAIDE OR MELBOURNE  PACKAGE
Standard Ensuite Room
Twin/Double ensuite: $850 AUD per person
Single ensuite: $1,230 AUD per person

Garden View Ensuite Room
Twin/Double ensuite: $900 AUD per person
Single ensuite: $1,300 AUD per person