Into the Woodlands X Creatures of the Night

Experience Mt Rothwell Safe Haven across two worlds as the golden hours of a late afternoon bird walk blend into a night tour while the safe haven’s nocturnal wildlife comes to life.

Rich in tree hollows, fallen timber and diverse understorey shrubs, and protected from invasive predators, Mt Rothwell supports an exceptional diversity of birdlife with around 130 species recorded. Depending on the season, you may encounter wedge-tailed eagles, rainbow bee-eaters, zebra finches, southern whitefaces, eastern barn owls, restless flycatchers, white-winged trillers and much more. The safe haven is also home to a captive breeding and reintroduction program for the critically endangered bush stone-curlew, with around 20 individuals now roaming freely across the 473-hectare reserve.

As darkness falls, the sanctuary reveals another side entirely. Mt Rothwell is one of the few places in Victoria where you can encounter a remarkable array of threatened mammals in the wild. Keep an eye out for eastern barred bandicoots, rufous bettongs, eastern bettongs and possibly even an eastern quoll, all self-sustaining species now thriving across the landscape. You'll also have the chance to spot the critically endangered southern brush-tailed rock-wallaby among the rocky outcrops, with fewer than 100 remaining in the wild.

Event details

• 2 hours of guided birding, followed by a 45-minute BYO dinner break, then 1.5–2 hours of nocturnal spotlighting
• Starts 2 hours 45 minutes before sunset
• Duration: approximately 5 hours
• Host: Lucy Farmer, birdwatching and conservation enthusiast

What to bring

• Water bottle
• Dinner!
• Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, enclosed footwear
• Binoculars, torches and cameras welcome (flash is OK)

Tickets

• $99 per person (inc. GST) plus a $7.14 Eventbrite booking fee
• Participants must be 12 years and over
• Bookings essential

Please note

• Smoking is not permitted on the tour
• Basic fitness required; includes uneven tracks and a moderate hill climb
• Birding requires suitable weather conditions. If the forecast is unfavourable, the tour will be rescheduled. We will provide as much notice as possible (at least 24 hours).
• Please include your phone number when purchasing tickets so we can contact you if the tour is rescheduled

Directions

There are multiple Mt Rothwell Roads in Little River and Google Maps may not always direct you correctly. Enter 5 Mt Rothwell Road, Little River and ensure it takes you to the dirt road off Little River–Ripley Road. You can also search for Mt Rothwell Safe Haven.

Access

You will see two gates on arrival. The first will be closed but unlocked. Please drive through and close it behind you. Continue to the second gate and park in the area before it. Use the pedestrian gate to enter the sanctuary and walk towards the buildings. The second building on your right is the Interpretation Centre, where you will meet Lucy.

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Host or Publisher Mt Rothwell Biodiversity