01 Apr 2023

Hiking the highs of Honiara, Mount Austin, and more

We awoke this morning as Heritage Adventurer made her way just off Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands located on the island of Guadalcanal.

Our keen-eyed birding adventurers left well before dawn and were driven to Mount Austin, ambling down a track through lush forest, enjoying a spectacular array of birds ranging from the massive Blythe's Hornbill to the diminutive Midget Flowerpecker and Buff-headed Coucal.

At a much more civilised hour the rest of us left for a sightseeing tour around Honiara. Highlights included the National Museum, which had several fascinating exhibits explaining local practices and 'kastom' (custom), and the Honiara Central Market, which was bustling with locals stocking up on fresh produce for the weekend.

Image (c): Heritage Expeditions