Adelaide Scenic Coastal Day Tour Experience

Join professional wildlife photographer Amanda Vallance of Avian Adventures Australia for a full-day, hands-on bird photography workshop exploring South Australia’s finest bird habitats.
This immersive experience is designed for beginners and experienced photographers alike. You’ll not only visit spectacular wetlands and coastal sites but also learn how to photograph birds step-by-step — from camera setup and composition to lighting, fieldcraft, and ethics. Each stop includes guided instruction and personalised feedback to help you master your skills in real time.

What's included:

• Bottle of water and Lunch to all visitors
• Birdwatching guide or Ornithological guide
• Birdwatching binoculars

What to expect:

Duration: 10 hours

Mount Lofty

Mount Lofty, Cleland SA 5152, Australia

Journey into the Hills and Wetlands
Meet in Adelaide’s CBD and enjoy a scenic drive through the Mount Lofty Ranges. As you travel, Amanda introduces camera modes, exposure basics, and what to expect from the day’s workshop. Light refreshments are provided while you leave the city behind for open countryside.

Pass by without stopping

Laratinga Wetlands

Bald Hills Rd, Mount Barker SA 5251, Australia

Reflections and First Light
Begin your workshop at Laratinga Wetlands, a peaceful series of ponds alive with morning activity. Learn to balance exposure and composition to make the most of the soft, early light.
Regular Birds (verified via eBird): Australasian Grebe, Musk Duck, Blue-billed Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Grey Teal, Hardhead, Australasian Shoveler, Great Egret, Little Pied Cormorant, Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Black-fronted and Red-kneed Dotterels, Superb Fairywren, New Holland Honeyeater, Welcome Swallow.
Workshop Focus: Reflections, aperture control, and framing subjects through natural vegetation.

1 hour, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Mount Compass Wetlands

28 Victor Harbor Rd, Mount Compass SA 5210, Australia

Through the Heart of the Fleurieu Peninsula
Enjoy a 40-minute scenic drive south, passing farmland and low wetlands where raptors often soar. Amanda explains focus tracking and anticipation of movement while you travel.
11:00 AM – Mount Compass Wetlands

Hidden Voices of the Reeds
A haven for shy waterbirds, Mount Compass Wetlands invites slow, mindful photography. Learn silent-shutter use, spot metering, and manual focus for subjects in dense reeds.
Regular Birds (verified via eBird): Australasian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Black Swan, Spotless Crake (occasional), Australian Reed-Warbler, Little Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola, Purple Swamphen, Eurasian Coot, Dusky Moorhen, Swamp Harrier.
Workshop Focus: Bird behaviour, anticipating movement, and shooting through reeds in variable light.

1 hour, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Port Elliot Bakery

31 North Terrace, Port Elliot SA 5212, Australia

Country Flavours and Camera Recharge
Stop at the iconic Port Elliot Bakery, a local favourite famous for its pies and vanilla slices. Enjoy a relaxed coastal lunch and review your morning images while Amanda provides feedback on exposure and composition before heading to the seaside for the next session.

1 hour, 15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Victor Harbor

Victor Harbor, South Australia

Victor Harbor & Granite Island Causeway
Seabirds in Motion

Victor Harbor delivers dramatic coastal scenery and constant bird movement. Walk the causeway or photograph from shore as gulls and terns glide above the surf.
Regular Birds (verified via eBird): Crested Tern, Pacific Gull, Silver Gull, Pied and Sooty Oystercatchers, Ruddy Turnstone, Red-necked Stint, Bar-tailed Godwit (seasonal), Australian Pelican, White-faced Heron, Little Pied and Great Cormorants, Nankeen Kestrel.
Workshop Focus: Fast shutter techniques, panning for motion, and flight tracking for sharp, dynamic shots.

1 hour, 30 minutes

Granite Island

Victor Harbor, 5211, South Australia

From the Victor Harbor foreshore, you can cross the historic causeway to Granite Island, a rugged and windswept island known for its striking granite boulders, sweeping ocean views, and rich wildlife. The walk itself is scenic and relaxing, or you can ride the famous horse-drawn tram for a unique experience. Once on the island, follow the Kaiki Walk, a loop trail offering panoramic views of Encounter Bay and chances to spot seabirds, dolphins, and even whales during migration season. Granite Island is a natural gem just minutes from the mainland, full of coastal beauty and wildlife encounters.

30 minutes

Nature's Eye

Granite Island SA 5211, Australia

Explore one of Granite Island’s hidden gems is Nature’s Eye – a naturally formed rock pool surrounded by granite, resembling a giant eye gazing out to sea. It’s a stunning spot along the Kaiki Walk, perfect for a photo and a reminder of nature’s quiet artistry.

10 minutes

Murray Mouth Lookout

South Australia

Where River Meets Sea
Conclude the workshop at the River Murray estuary, capturing birds bathed in golden light.
Regular Birds (verified via eBird): Australian Pelican, Caspian Tern, Whiskered Tern, Great Egret, Royal Spoonbill, Red-necked Avocet, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Black Swan, Chestnut Teal, Musk Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Little Black Cormorant.
Workshop Focus: Golden-hour lighting, silhouette techniques, and storytelling composition.

( Time permitting )

15 minutes

Adelaide

Adelaide SA, Australia

Homeward Bound – Review and Reflect
Relax on the journey home as Amanda leads an informal discussion on image review, white-balance correction, and post-processing tips. Arrive back in Adelaide around 5:45 PM inspired and confident in your new bird-photography skills.

1 hour