Hello all. I know people are probably getting tired of this topic but some things have been said that are at best ill considered, and at worst, just plain rude. If you think $450.00 for a days guiding to see one of Australia’s most difficult birds, then that’s fine. But don’t go making accusations about “Rip offs” and “profiteering” without knowing anything about how the fees have been constructed. First of all, the permit is not just “a piece of paper” allowing you to enter someone’s land. It covers the costs involved in escorting you through that land. The indigenous owners have decreed that they don’t want people wandering willy nilly through their property (gee I wonder why not?) The logistics of making this happen are not even remotely comparable with what happens in Thailand, so why even bring it up? Just remember there are huge distances involved here. People came from Alice Springs to co-ordinate this which is a four and half hour drive away, and petrol is expensive out there. Our indigenous guides camped out in the middle of nowhere to meet us on the morning of the viewing. Come on guys, there is more involved here than people realise. I don’t know how the figure is arrived at myself, and yes, it was expensive for me too. But I wouldn’t dream of calling it a rip off without knowing all the facts. And to criticise those that are prepared to pay the amount on the grounds that it encourages gouging.well, that’s just beyond the pale.
Steve Murray
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Doesn’t cost me $450 dollars to come to work in my office for a couple of days, but I do exect to get paid for my time…
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Ok guys , if you think it’s OK, go ahead. But I don’t think it costs $450 for a couple of guys to camp out in the donga for a few days. And as I said before, I’d rather find the birds for myself. Missing out for the time being is not all that unmanageable and I’ve still got my $450 to spend on another trip looking for PPs some other time.
Better than being spoon fed I reckon.
Tony.
All pretty simple really – where theres a buyer prepared to pay the price theres always a willing seller! ……….. Good luck to them – if they can earn $2250 bucks for a few hours work and someones prepared to pay them then I say well done!
cheers David Taylor
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David Taylor Brisbane damasa@bigpond.net.au
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Well said Steve. If I hadn’t seen them in hundreds already I would consider it money well spent. Among other things they are providing security. Imagine the cost and risks of mounting your own expedition to where the birds are supposedly ‘common’ but remote from a major centre. Those who miss this opportunity on economic grounds deserve to miss out on Princess Parrot in the wild.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136
Hi Steve
I agree with your comments and if I had the time would have jumped at the idea. I guess it gets down to if you want to see the bird pay the money and if you dont be prepared to wait a long time until you do see them (If your lucky).
Regarding the $450 price there would be a lot of hidden cost im sure apart from the ones mentioned such as permit fees, petrol, guides daily rate. This money hopefully is then spread amongst the others in the community so all can benefit. Insurance to take people to this area and tourist class licence may be some things people are forgetting.
I guess the other way of looking at it is that $450 dollars is a lot cheaper than getting caught trespassing and having to pay a fine after legal action. From earlier postings clearly some people have unfortunately done this and have given birders a very bad name publicly.
Cheers Adrian Boyle
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I agree with Steve, When I was doing bird guiding in sw Gippsland up to 6 years ago I really needed to clear at least $200 a day to cover costs – I never paid myself a wage. Insurance is an immense cost to small nature guiding tours, not to mention cost of running vehicles and remember four guides – one from CLC and three local landowners who need a lot of knowledge to avoid sacred sites and inadvertent trespass and damage to them. The aboriginal guides probably devote about 3 days to a one day tour with customers.
As Steve said, the distances cover and the resultant wear and tear on vehicles to get guides to the meeting place, food and other supplies all cost and costs out there are exorbitant to travellers and locals alike. Don’t assume that the guides are sitting around doing nothing waiting for the occasional tour group to come along. They probably have some other work they have to leave undone or pay for someone else to do.
Comparing outback Australia to places like Thailand is ridiculous and insensitive. I too missed out of seeing the Princess parrot while I was up there earlier this year. While the cost would be crippling for me living on ill-health retirement superannuation, I might have somehow made it happen – maybe even forego the two nights most basic accommodation (not counting food) at Yulara.
Cheers Elizabeth Shaw Phillip Island Victoria
I agree Steve.
The Princess Parrot is such an enigmatic bird that I jumped at the chance, twice, to go to Kings Canyon to see it. The first time without a permit and didn’t see it, but had a great time anyway. The second time when I knew I could get to the right area, with a permit, sure it cost $450 for the permit, but what a bird. I think its a bargain.
It was only with some major efforts by the CLC, the traditional owners and others that this became possible at all.
Yes, the birds may disperse into easy to get at areas, but my bet is that they won’t. They will most likely disappear back into the desert from where they came.
Anyway I am as pleased as punch that I went and saw them.
Happy Birding.
John
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