Covering over 12.9 million hectares (31.8 million acres), AWC owns, manages or influences more land for conservation than any other non-government conservation organisation in Australia. At certain times of the year, we welcome visitors to 11 of our locations around Australia, to experience the benefits of AWC’s effective conservation first-hand.
© Michael Hains
Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary has a long reputation as a reliable birding site with a bird list of more than 200 species, including nine threatened species. Three species of Australian Babblers are present and the rare Grey Falcon has been known to breed on the sanctuary.
A number of bird monitoring programs are in place at Bowra and all visitors are encouraged to assist.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Charnley River-Artesian Range Wilderness Camp is a naturalist’s paradise, providing refuge for over 200 species of birds and a diverse range of other wildlife. Charnley River-Artesian Range has a vital role to play in protecting and restoring the endangered wildlife of northern Australia. Charnley River-Artesian Range Wilderness Camp provides a comfortable base from which to explore this remarkable 300,000 hectare sanctuary.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary is located approximately an hour east of Perth near the small town of Chidlow. This sanctuary is the first property owned by AWC, purchased in 1991 to protect the threatened mammals of the northern jarrah forest. Visitors can experience the magic of Karakamia by participating in a two-hour guided walk at dusk. Visiting Karakamia Wildlife Sanctuary is like going back in time to experience the bush as it was 200 years ago, before the arrival of feral animals.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary is a hotspot for birdwatchers with 208 bird species recorded within the sanctuary. At least three nationally threatened bird species find refuge on Mornington, including the Gouldian Finch, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren and Red Goshawk. AWC offers many enjoyable day trips around Mornington. Popular activities include early morning guided bird-watching tours, canoeing down Dimond Gorge, and exploring Sir John Gorge.
© AWC
Located on the botanically rich boundary of the central wheatbelt and Murchison regions, Mt Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary covers more than 130,000 hectares of spectacular semi-arid woodland including salmon gum and gimlet straddling the west side of Lake Moore.
AWC offers a selection of self-guided drives and walks at Mt Gibson. For the nature loving traveller, this is a unique opportunity to experience one of Australia’s beautiful landscapes while also helping to save Australia’s endangered wildlife.
Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is located in central Australia. Covering almost 262,000 hectares, and located near the intersection of three central Australian bioregions, Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Australia’s largest non-government protected areas.
The scenery at Newhaven is spectacular: dramatic quartzite mountains overlook extensive parallel sand dunes and shimmering salt lakes and clay pans. Newhaven is a hotspot for the wildlife of central Australia and is home to threatened species including the Black-footed Rock-wallaby, the Brush-tailed Mulgara and an important population of the Great Desert Skink.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Only an hour out of Perth in the stunning Avon Valley, Paruna Wildlife Sanctuary offers a number of spectacular walking trails through Jarrah, Wandoo and Powderbark forest combined with heathland and riparian habitat. Walks can be arranged during our open season which is usually April to November. With spectacular woodland, wildflowers, creeks and waterfalls, there are trails suited a range of ages and abilities.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Kalamurina is a vast desert wilderness, stretching from the north shore of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre to the southern boundary of the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert Regional Reserve. Spanning over 140 kilometres from east to west, Kalamurina features vast, spectacular dunefields, a network of freshwater and saline lakes, riparian and floodplain habitats and small gibber plains. It provides refuge for a diversity of desert wildlife including the Crest-tailed Mulgara (Ampurta), the Dusky Hopping Mouse, and the Eyrean Grasswren.
© Wayne Lawler/AWC
Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary is the only AWC property with a dedicated education program for primary to tertiary students. Students can stay at the sanctuary for a unique and exciting school camp experience, with AWC staff providing education and activities on threatened species and scientific methods of conservation. Although Yookamurra Wildlife Sanctuary is mainly closed to general visitors, it has occasional open days for the general public to visit.
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