Eyre Bird Observatory

The Eyre Bird Observatory lies within the Nuytsland Nature Reserve and was established as Australia's first bird observatory by Birds Australia (formerly the RAOU) in 1977.

The observatory is a lovely old stone building within walking distance of the beach. It was built in 1897, near the site where explorer Edward John Eyre found water during his overland journey Adelaide to Albany in 1841, to serve as the Eyre Telegraph Station. The station was deserted in 1930 and remained so until its restoration in 1977.

The building incorporates a fine natural history library and a small museum, which provides some history of the Eyre Telegraph Station and the telegraph line between South Australia and Western Australia. It also contains information and displays on the coastal environments, including past activities such as whaling.

Bird watching and more . . .

Visitors are encouraged to participate in ornithological studies conducted at the observatory. These studies include bird banding, a weekly count of shorebirds and seabirds along a 13-kilometre track in the mallee.

Special studies have been made of the malleefowl, red-capped plover, southern scrub-robin, white-browed scrub-wren and the 15 species of honeyeater recorded in the area.

Other biological studies include the nesting of western pygmy possums, banding of chocolate wattled bats in the Nullarbor Caves and winter whale watches.

The observatory offers courses in the study of birds, mammals, reptiles, plants, photography, history and art.

Apart from its nature-based activities, the observatory is also an official weather data collecting station for the Bureau of Meteorology, with recordings taken three times a day.

Accommodation and Meals

The building provides simple accommodation for visitors and staff. Two full-time wardens run the observatory and are kept very busy looking after visitors, conducting research and maintenance.

The observatory has three bedrooms and two sleepouts providing beds, mattresses and pillows for 15 people. Three meals a day are included in the booking fee. Visitors need to bring their own sleeping bag, pillowcase, towels, torch and, of course, binoculars. Day visits are possible for people in their own four-wheel-drive vehicles, but you should telephone first. As it takes three hours to do the return journey from the highway, an overnight stay is recommended.

If you'd like to stay at the Eyre Bird Observatory, you need to make a booking as early as possible to ensure availability of accommodation and transport.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Where is it?
The turn-off is 16 km east of Cocklebiddy on the Eyre Highway, and it is a further 15 km to the lookout. Beyond the lookout, you will need a four-wheel-drive and at least 45 minutes to reach the observatory. This track follows the top of the scarp for 1 km, east of the bottom of the pass and the remaining 12 km to Eyre is soft sand and may require some deflation of tyres.

Travelling time:
Approximately 643km or 7 hours from Esperance.

What to do:
Bird watching, bushwalking, beachcombing.

Whales are sometimes observed in the waters offshore from Eyre and also at nearby Twilight Cove, a popular winter nursery for southern right whales.

Facilities:
See Accommodation and Meals above.
To make a booking, phone (08) 9039 3450.

Nearest CALM office:
CALM's Esperance District Office is at 92 Dempster Street, Esperance, phone (08) 9071 3733.