Birdwatching
in the
Bathurst Region
Bathurst has a wealth of birdwatching opportunities with a wide variety of ecosystems that provide habitat for a host of endemic and migratory birds. This guide will detail some of the best spots in the Bathurst region to go birdwatching. This is not an exhaustive list of birdwatching localities but rather the places that are most accessible and well known for their birdwatching opportunities. You may also be interested in our National Parks in the Bathurst Region & Surrounds and Camping in the Bathurst Region and Surrounds for more locations you can explore for birdwatching.
All bird species lists used are the property of Ebird.org so please consider contributing your sightings to Ebird.org during your stay in Bathurst. Additionally you can report bird sighting to environment@bathurst.nsw.gov.au or post to sustainablebathurst on Facebook.
Boundary Road Reserve
Comprising of 80 hectares of rehabilitated bushland, Boundary Road Reserve is a community managed land restoration project right on the edge of Bathurst. Filled with native Box Gum Grassy Woodland and home to one of the largest remnants of Yellow Box and Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland close to the city.
Chifley Dam
Comprising of 80 hectares of rehabilitated bushland, Boundary Road Reserve is a community managed land restoration project right on the edge of Bathurst. Filled with native Box Gum Grassy Woodland and home to one of the largest remnants of Yellow Box and Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland close to the city.
Edgells Lane
This area is currently in the works of a wetlands restoration project. During wet seasons or after heavy rain the wetlands and old clay quarries fill with water attracting a wide variety of native and migratory birds. Keep an eye out for future developments with proposed plans to build boardwalks and birdwatching platforms in the near future.
Evans Crown Nature Reserve
Evans Crown Nature Reserve protects a 425 hectare pocket of remanent vegetation and spectacular granite tor formations. With over 76 recorded species of native birds and evidence of Peregrine Falcon nesting sites, Evans Crown Nature Reserve is a great place to spend a day enjoying the sights and birdwatching.
Popular Birdwatching areas in the Bathurst Region
Flat Rock Picnic Area
This public reserve is a popular picnic and swimming spot with locals. Situated on the Fish River upstream from O’Connell. The riparian zone of Fish River provides habitat suitable for Painted Honey Eaters, and a range of water and terrestrial birds.
Macquarie/Wambuul River
This public reserve is a popular picnic and swimming spot with locals. Situated on the Fish River upstream from O’Connell. The riparian zone of Fish River provides habitat suitable for Painted Honey Eaters, and a range of water and terrestrial birds.
Macquarie/Vittoria Woods
Made of up of four main areas: Heritage Grove, The Arboretum, Farm Tree Demonstration, and Demonstration Forest. Bird watchers to the area may enjoy a walk through the arboretum area where trees planted from all over the world provide habitats suitable for various bird species.
Peel Flora & Fauna
Peel Flora and Fauna Reserve supports a diverse range of woodland bird species, with more than 80 species recorded in the reserve. The native forest and woodland habitats provide important refuge for several threatened species, including the Gang-gang Cockatoo, Scarlet Robin, Diamond Firetail and Speckled Warbler.
Turon River
Stretching from Hill End to Capertee there are some great spots to go birdwatching along the Turon River. See Camping in the Bathurst Region & Surrounds for information about several free campsites you can access along the length of the Turon River to set up and enjoy a day by the water birdwatching.
Wattle Flat Heritage Lands
This managed Crown Land Reserve has some good quality box gum woodland and yellow and white box trees, with a large dam central to the Northern Reserve. There are some great birdwatching opportunities to be had. With sightings of the vulnerable Speckled Warbler and Varied Sitella being of particular note.
Winburndale Nature Reserve
This is the largest and most diverse state reserve close to Bathurst. 132 species of native birds, 7 of which are vulnerable have been spotted here. Lyrebirds are commonly heard in the valleys here and Wedge-tailed Eagles and Peregrine Falcons can be seen along the conglomerate cliff lines of this reserve.