As budgerigar numbers look set to explode in outback Central Australia for the third consecutive year, there have been growing calls for a targeted tourism campaign to attract more birdwatchers.
As keen grey nomad ‘twitchers’ would know, good rainfall has created perfect budgie breeding conditions again, sparking another boom.
Mark Carter, a former bird guide, told the ABC there were plenty of positive attractions in the Red Centre, and this was one of them.
“Everyone’s sick of talking about the social problems … I want to talk about the budgies,” he said. “There are really amazing things here and we can’t lose sight of that.”
Budgie numbers are going to boom. PIC: PIxabay
Mr Carter said the budgie was probably one of the area’s greatest assets.
“It would be an instant way to connect with so many people,” he said. “We’re about to have one of the world’s greatest natural wonders happening on our doorsteps, and it’s predictable it is going to happen now.”.
The imminent budgie boom should take flight at the end of March.
“We’re going to start seeing some crazy numbers — tens of thousands of birds coming in to drink,” Mr Carter told the ABC. “You don’t have to be a birdwatcher to enjoy this … this is an incredible thing to see.”
Tourism Crises and Destination Recovery author David Beirman agreed that nature tourism was a potential gold mine.
However, he told the ABC it was important to acknowledge the crime issue, and let potential tourists know what authorities were doing about it.
“I think along with that, it is also important to let people know how they can minimise their exposure to crime,” Mr Beirman said. “You can actually do a thing like, ‘Welcome to Alice Springs, we have a wonderful destination, we’ve got an incredible climate, we’ve got great sights to see. To maximise your safety, do A, B, C, D’.”
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Let’s just hope there isn’t also an explosion of grey nomad “Budgie Smugglers”. Not sure any of us are ready for that.
The budgies aren’t just in the Red Centre, they’re all over Outback NSW, QLD, SA, WA & even in Northern VIC.