Australian Mammal Society / Australasian Bat Society conference field trips
Description
Registration for the field trips has now closed (10/6/2026).
There will be two weekend post-conference field trips after the joint Australian Mammal Society / Australasian Bat Society conference in Canberra in July 2026 - a day trip to Tidbinbilla and an over-night weekend trip to Eden. Note that these trips are running concurrently so you can only go on one, not both.
TIDBINBILLA FIELD TRIP SATURDAY 11th JULY 2026
Day visit to Tidbinbilla and Deep Space Station
Departure from Shine Dome at 8:30 am, with return to Shine Dome at 5 pm.
Itinerary:
This day trip will visit the following four places
1. Jerrabomberra Wetlands
At these wetlands it may be possible to view Rakali, kangaroos and Platypus. The wetlands serve as a refuge to the protected Latham's Snipe and many other bird species
2. Fyshwick Markets
Note that there are no facilities to buy food at Tidbinbilla or the Deep Space Station, so there will be a stop off at Fyshwick markets so you can get your supplies for morning tea and lunch. Alternatively bring your own food and drinks.
3. Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
At this reserve, it may be possible to observe Platypus, Eastern Bettongs and Southern Brown Bandicoots, as well as Koalas.
There will be a series of tours and talks on threatened species found at Tidbinbilla, including:
Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon
The Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon is a small lizard found at higher altitudes and in cooler regions than any other earless dragon. It is endangered under national and ACT legislation.
Northern Corroboree Frogs are brightly coloured with yellow and black patterning. They are a small frog, getting to only 3cm in length and live in sub-alpine woodlands and tall heathlands.
Southern Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby
Tidbinbilla is the only place in the ACT where Brush-tailed Rock-Wallabies can be found.
4. Deep Space Tracking Station (closes at 4)
The Deep Space Tracking Station Visitor Centre offers visitors the chance to learn about the role that Australia plays in the exploration of space. You can take in magnificent views of the largest antenna complex in the southern hemisphere.
Transport arrangements:
Transport options are either to travel on the bus provided, or to self-drive. The cost of the bus is $50.00 per person.
Costs:
Bus transport and entry into Tidbinbilla $50
Entry into Tidbinbilla if using your own vehicle (up to 8 seats), to be paid for at the entry gate $15.53
Bring your own food, or buy it at the Fyshwick markets
Capacity limits: numbers are limited for this field trip. People will be accepted in the order in which they register. So if you are interested, we recommend you book early.
Deadline for booking: 20 May 2026
For more information, contact: amsabs2026@gmail.com
EDEN WEEKEND FIELD TRIP, SATURDAY 11TH TO SUNDAY 12TH JULY, WITH OPTIONAL EXTRA ON FRIDAY 10TH JULY 2026
FRIDAY EVENING 10th JULY SMOKY MOUSE BREEDING FACILITY optional:
Note: This excursion is exclusively for participants going on the Eden Field trip, but is optional for those participants.
Visit the smoky mouse captive breeding facility - the source of mice released to Nungatta. This captive facility will be the only opportunity to see this species. The natural and reintroduction habitats will be visited on the way to Eden.
Indicate on the registration form if you wish to attend.
COST: Free. No food or drinks provided so eat before or after (times to be confirmed later)
TRANSPORT: Bus (provided – costs covered by the weekend trip)
Note: Numbers are limited for the Smoky Mouse Breeding Facility visit. Once capacity numbers are reached, any additional applicants will be put on a waiting list in case of late cancellations. So book early if you want to go.
WEEKEND TRIP TO EDEN, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 11-12th JULY 2026
To keep the costs down and to enable personal preferences, we are asking participants to:
· BOOK THEIR OWN ACCOMODATION AND MEALS FOR ONE NIGHT IN EDEN
· BOOK FOR WHALE WATCHING TOUR or WHALING MUSEUM IN EDEN
· BUY THEIR OWN FOOD
Itinerary:
Departure: Saturday 11th July 2026, 8:30am from the Shine Dome
Travel to Bondi State Forest with a potential visit to the Bombala Platypus Reserve.
There will be a comfort and coffee break at Nimmitabel or Bombala.
You will need to purchase your morning tea / lunch at this stop as there are no shops from here until Eden.
The Bondi State Forest is the site of rediscovery of the long-footed potoroo in NSW in 2023 and an ongoing longitudinal study. It presents an interesting and sometimes counter-intuitive mosaic of habitats and disturbance history when thinking about a restricted, specialist, endangered species.
Saturday Lunch - Travel to Nungatta Feral Predator Free Area (visible from and abutting Bondi State Forest). This forested safe haven is in the final stages of introduced predator eradication across its full 2000 ha. The 200 ha Stage 1 is the site of an ongoing reintroduction of smoky mice. Long-footed potoroos are one proposed species for reintroduction and the sanctuary already protects resident species such as southern brown bandicoots and eastern pygmy possums.
Saturday Afternoon - Eden hinterland State Forests. A tour of key management areas with a focus on potoroo and southern brown bandicoot habitats. Impacts of the 2020 fire will be highly visible for parts of this tour and a focus of discussion relating to post-fire monitoring in the forests.
Saturday Dinner - in Eden, hopefully preceded by some free time and settling in to your accommodation.
NOTE: YOU NEED TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMODATION AND MEALS FOR SATURDAY NIGHT IN EDEN
Saturday evening - Spotlighting and thermal observations of arboreal and ground mammals in Beowa National Park and adjoining State Forest, key target species would include yellow-bellied gliders, eastern pygmy possums, long-nosed potoroos. This can be structured as a multi-site trip to allow participants to drop out during the night as they wish.
POSSIBLE ACCOMMODATION AT EDEN (with a range of other options also available)
· https://www.edengateway.com.au/accommodation
· https://www.hotelaustralasia.com.au/south-coast-nsw-accommodation-rooms
Sunday Morning - Breakfast, free time.
Sunday 10:00 am - Whale watching tour for those interested. An alternative for land-lubbers is to visit the Killer Whale Museum (which opens at 10:15 on a Sunday). Please book these yourself.
Whale watching tour
· https://www.sapphirecoastaladventures.com.au/eden-whale-watching-cruise
o $ 75 student $85 adult
Land-based option
· Killer Whale Museum tour from 10:15am
o https://killerwhalemuseum.com.au/
o From $17.50
NOTE THAT IT WILL BE HOLIDAY PERIOD AND ACCOMMODATION AND WHALE WATCHING TOUR/WHALING MUSEUM WILL FILL QUICKLY.
WE RECOMMEND YOU BOOK THESE AS SOON AS YOU DECIDE TO GO, AND WE HAVE CONFIRMED YOUR PLACE ON THE TRIP.
Sunday Afternoon - return to Canberra, potentially via Nullica Section of SE Forest NP to see smoky mouse habitats where founders of captive program and release program originated.
You will need to purchase your own lunch on Sunday.
Return to Shine Dome in Canberra: Sunday 12th at 5 pm
Transport:
Transport options are either to travel on the bus provided, or to self-drive. THE COST OF THE BUS IS $150 FOR CANBERRA TO EDEN RETURN
If you are self-driving, please indicate this when you register. Also indicate if you would be happy to provide transport for other attendees.
Capacity limits: numbers are limited for this field trip. People will be accepted in the order in which they register. So if you are interested, we recommend you book early.
Deadline for booking: 20 May 2026
For more information contact: amsabs2026@gmail.com
If there are further updates to this information, it will be included on the conference websites:
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity