Discovery Day at Five Rivers Reserve 2023

This Discovery Day everyone is welcome at Five Rivers Reserve, for exploring and activities! This is a unique opportunity to visit our largest reserve in Tasmania's rugged Central Highlands.

Purchased from forestry company Gunns Ltd in 2011, the protection of Five Rivers Reserve was part of the biggest private conservation deal in Australia’s history at the time. Establishing this reserve took TLC from a small, grassroots non-profit to a highly strategic conservation organisation capable of funding science and management in perpetuity.

Five Rivers Reserve is a very special 11,000 hectares of open grassland valleys, old-growth forests and woodlands, native grasslands and endangered sphagnum moss beds. It protects the five river systems it's named for: the Nive, Serpentine, Pine, Little Pine and Little Rivers. It is habitat for endangered wildlife species endemic to Tasmania, including the Tasmanian devil, Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and the Clarence galaxias fish. It hosts some of our most fascinating science projects.

WHAT WE'LL DISCOVER
Some of the many science projects that are run on Five Rivers Reserve:

• In 2019, the reserve's cider gums were hit hard by bushfires. In the years since, we've been working to ensure their survival, and we'll visit these majestic trees to hear about what's threatening their recovery, and what we are doing about it.
• Eastern quolls are declining around Tasmania, but not at Five Rivers Reserve. What is the secret to their success (and how have we discovered it)?
• The Australian Mountain Research Facility runs long-term, open-air alpine and sub-alpine grassland climate change research labs across Australia, as part of an international study. One of their facilities is at Five Rivers Reserve. We'll hear from the team about what they're learning.
• And of course there will be guided hikes (get ready to be blown away at the views!), fun activities for kids, and Dr Cath Dickson, will bring you up to date on all of our latest activities.

Overnight camp or a day trip? The choice is yours.

FRIDAY 24 March: Camp with us near the historic Roscarborough Homestead ruins

• Arrive between 4.00PM and 6.00PM
• BYO dinner (fuel stove only) and camping gear.
• In the evening watch us set quoll traps and come along for a nighttime spotlight walk.
• Early Saturday morning, come and check those quoll traps and a look and listen for animal activity. 
• We'll be serving a breakfast BBQ cook up before a big day of more exploring!

SATURDAY 25 March: Discovery Day

• Arrive from 9.00AM for a 10:00AM start.
• BYO lunch and snacks.
• Enjoy the reserve by joining the small group, guided walks or bus trip adventures run throughout the day. 
• Children ages 4+ can participate in our professionally-led nature discovery club. 
• At lunchtime we'll hear from TLC Acting CEO, Dr Cath Dickson.
• Depart at 4:00PM.

GETTING THERE

Five Rivers Reserve is located near the town of Bronte Park, on the Marlborough Hwy. Please allow 2.5 hours if you're traveling from Hobart or Launceston. 

A Google Map and navigation instructions will be emailed to participants in the week leading up to the event.  

The weather in the Highlands can be dramatic. Please be ready for cold, wind and rain (and hopefully, sunshine!) regardless of what the forecast says.

FINE PRINT

Discovery Days are always popular and places limited, so register places as soon as you can. Children up to 11 years old can attend at no charge.

In the event of inclement weather, or a regional total fire ban the event will be postponed / cancelled and you will be notified via email on the evening of Thursday 23 March. The TLC will refund tickets in full if the event is cancelled. Please note that the TLC can take no financial responsibility for attendees' pre-booked accommodation, in the event of a cancellation.

Photographs will be taken over the weekend for use in TLC publications. If you do not want your photo taken, please let us know.

This event will be run following TLC's Covid-19 safety guidelines. 

To help avoid the spread of root rot (Phytophthora cinnamomi) and environmental weeds, make sure your footwear and vehicles are free from soil, seeds and debris where possible. We will have spray for your shoes on the day.

Revenue from ticket sales goes towards covering the cost of hosting the Discovery Day.

If you have questions or need to register over the phone, please contact Phill on 0438 826 606.

The Tasmanian Land Conservancy acknowledges the palawa pakana people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Image: Serpentine Creek Valley, Five Rivers Reserve. Photo: Grant Dixon