While some spoil their loved one with ruby red jewels for a 40-year anniversary, over four dozen birding enthusiasts will celebrate O'Reilly's international milestone surrounded by vibrant red Crimson Rosellas and red ruby sunsets (with a shiraz in hand of course).

This November (5 to 11) O'Reilly's Bird Week participants will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of Australia's most well known bird publishers and photographers as they spot over 200 bird species residing in World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park.

40th Annual O'Reilly's Bird Week Options:

• Hosted by 'Big Pete' O'Reilly, original founder of Bird Week (1978) and second generation O'Reilly
• 7 full days of birding tours
• Anniversary dinner
• 162 hours of informative sessions
• 42 optional tours
• 110 kilometres of bush walking throughout the week
• More than 1,000 cumulative kilometres of driving
• Bird counts assisting the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Bird Week founder and host of this year's event Big Pete O'Reilly explains, “I started organising Bird Week in 1978 (to 2002) as I wanted guests to learn about the birdlife while enjoying the experience and meeting new people.”

“Many guests would return to be part of our program every year to catch up with their friends from earlier years – in fact this is when I met my wife Annette – who was a Bird Week regular.”

“The event has since evolved into a unique, world class program, attracting a sprinkling of overseas birders each year. It's always a thrill to see their reaction when they see a black and gold Regent Bowerbird for the first time. They are sensational birds!”

“Bird Week has helped put O'Reilly's on the 'must visit list' for bird-watchers from Australia and overseas due to our unique species, such as the rare Alberts Lyrebird found no where else on earth. Other sought after rare birds include the Paradise Riflebird and the Rufous Scrubbird,” Big Pete said.

The anniversary program appeals to all levels of interest in birding, with three or seven day fully inclusive packages including guided bird tours throughout O'Reilly's World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park, nearby Kerry Valley and Stradbroke Island plus the anniversary dinner and much more.

The program includes night birding to locate the mysterious Marbled Frogmouth, Sooty Owl, Owlet-nightjar and a special 40th anniversary dinner celebration hosted at the Lost World Conference Centre overlooking the Western McPherson Ranges including a charity raffle and Bird Week awards ceremony.

Meet the 2017 Bird Week Leaders:

• Big Pete O'Reilly, Second generation O'Reilly and original founder of Bird Week in 1978
• Nick Leseberg, Ecologist, wildlife guide, nature photographer and author
• Dave Stewart, Wildlife sound recordist
• Dr Ian Gynther, Zoologist at the Queensland Environment Department
• Dr Bill McDonald, Honorary Research Associate and Author
• Glen Threlfo, O'Reilly's Activities Guide
• Duncan Fowler, O'Reilly's Senior Activities Guide
• Tim O'Reilly, Third generation O'Reilly and program host
• Mark Watson, O'Reilly's Activities Guide
• Annette O'Reilly, Avid Birder (and Big Pete's wife) 

Get to know the headline acts:

Big Pete O'Reilly

Peter O'Reilly' (now aged 84) or Big Pete as he's commonly referred too, evolved as a traditional dairy farmer into the role of guesthouse proprietor due to his sincere passion for the rugged landscape and 22,000 hectares of adjoining Gondwana rainforest.

He quickly became the face of Queensland eco-tourism due to his many accomplishments including the driving force behind construction of the world's first Tree Top Walk which also celebrates a milestone of 30-years since construction.

He then went on to receive an Order of Australia Medal in 2002 for his services to ecotourism before retiring.


Nick Leseberg

Join renowned ecologist, wildlife guide, nature photographer and author Nick Leseberg who has produced Birds and Animals of the Top End (2015) and Co Authored the 2012 photographic guide to Australian Birds. Learn about his interest in the Western Queensland Night Parrot and researcher for the University of Queenslands' School of Earth and Environmental Sciences division.

Nick is presently a researcher for the undertaking researching the Night Parrot in Western Queensland due to their dramatic proliferation of discovery in recent times.

Dave Stewart

Regional birder David Stewart has familiarity with most of the Australian bird species accrued through travelling, surveying, researching, consulting and cataloguing wildlife and in particular their calls.

Dave is the most renowned wildlife sound recordist in Australia and has the most comprehensive collection of quality digital Australian bird recordings, exceeding 700 species. His work is also catalogued in various natural history libraries and archives worldwide. David founded naturesound providing sound services across various media.

Dave has pioneered bird and frog recording (disc) series in different regions as well as all the 600 bird sound species represented on the original, groundbreaking, Micheal Morcome- Birds of Australia 'app'.

Dave will soon release a Birdcalls of Australia (call only) app spanning nearly every species as a follow up to a recent Frogs of Australia app which covers all Australian frog species.

He is also presently involved in surveying the indicated decline of small 'bush bird' species in the Brisbane region and involved in projects in Papua New Guinea and South America.

Glen Threlfo

At the helm of program continuity is O'Reilly's longest serving activities guides of 40-years, Glen Threlfo, who will proudly attend and lead aspects of this anniversary event.

Glen boasts intimate knowledge of the ecosystems of the Lamington region and is a good friend to all the birds close to the Retreat area. 

He has produced numerous publications and documentaries that showcase the spectacular flora and fauna of the park. He has travelled and filmed far and wide, taking him to Africa, India, Antarctica and much of Australia - particularly the top end. 

Glen's recent work involves filming Peregrine Falcons nesting in Sydney and weaving a new documentary from his catalogue of amazing footage.

Katherine Castle

Back by popular demand, local wildlife artist Katherine Castle from Mount Tamborine will be inspiring participants with her wildlife paintings, as well as hosting three hands-on workshops for students to craft their own pieces.

Katherine has been creating unique works of wildlife art mainly focusing on Australian birds for over 25 years. Each artwork is filled with light and colour, capturing the atmosphere of the scene and the personality of the subject. She works in exquisite ­detail, mainly in oils as well as watercolour, pencil and pastel.

Her artwork is published on books, cards and many other products as well as by Maxwell and Williams on to their ­fine bone china mugs, plates and placemats which are sold around the world.

Katherine proudly states, “I regularly visit O'Reilly's to take advantage of the beautiful walks and surroundings as inspiration for my artworks.”

“Subsequently I have been selling my prints and cards at the gift shop for close to ten years.”

“During Bird Week, I will have my original paintings and limited edition prints on display and for sale; plus doing demonstrations of my artwork and talking to other bird lovers about my work, as well partaking in many of the planned activities and doing some onsite sketching and painting,” she said.  

Australian Birding Fun Facts:

• Australia and its offshore islands and territories have 898 recordedbird species (2014)
• Of the recorded birds, 165 are considered vagrant or accidental visitors, of the remainder over 45% are classified as Australian endemics: found nowhere else on earth
• O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat boasts access to 200 varieties residing in World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park: What makes it so special?

• Comprised of World Heritage-listed ancient Gondwana rainforest, more than 225 million years old
• Lamington wasn't Queensland's first national park however it is the most significant and was regularly referred to as 'Queensland's National Park' when gazetted in 1915
• Home to more than 200 bird species, 500 waterfalls and 160 kilometres of nature trails
• Home to the endangered blue Lamington Spiny Crayfish

For booking information please visit https://oreillys.com.au/events/40th-annual-birdweek/

For historical images representative of the past 39 years of Bird Week please visit  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yns5zisoe9mcmz1/AACAx8dw7036CUCOlduxnTWQa?dl=0