Nocturnal Neighbours: A Greater Glider Spotlight Walk

This second walk from the Queer Trails & Tales series is a guided evening wander that invites participants to explore the Tallaganda State Forest after dark in search of one of Australia’s most iconic nocturnal marsupials, the Greater Glider. Using spotlight torches, we will scan the canopy for the tell-tale glow of glider eyes as they emerge to feed on eucalyptus leaves and glide silently between trees.

You will learn about the ecology and behaviour of greater gliders, the role they play in forest ecosystems, and the challenges they face from habitat loss, logging, and increasing bushfire impacts. Greater gliders are currently listed as Endangered under Australia’s national environmental legislation, making every opportunity to observe and appreciate these remarkable animals especially meaningful.

Beyond the wildlife encounter, the walk is also an opportunity to experience the benefits of spending time in nature with friends and new friends. Walking quietly through the forest at night encourages us to slow down, engage our senses, and notice the often-hidden world of nocturnal wildlife.

Whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or simply curious about what happens in the forest after sunset, The Greater Glider Seek offers a chance to discover nocturnal biodiversity while enjoying the wellbeing benefits of time spent in nature.

Canberra Environment Centre's Queer Trails and Tales is a series of six guided nature walks celebrating Canberra’s landscapes, wildlife and biodiversity through a queer lens. Led by local scientists, each walk brings together ecology, storytelling and community to explore the fascinating diversity of the natural world.

Queer Trails and Tales is proudly supported by the ACT Government’s Capital of Equality Grants Program.

Read more about the whole program here: https://www.canberraenvironment.org/queer-trail-tales


Learn about Tina Gopalan

Tina Gopalan is a conservation researcher and enthusiast, with first-class honours research on greater glider diets and hands-on skills in wildlife surveys and animal handling. She supports sustainability outreach, and taxonomy research and publications at the Canberra Environment Centre and Australian Journal of Taxonomy respectively, alongside animal welfare work at the Domestic Animal Services.

She has also worked on immune system trade-offs in guppies, olfactory studies in psyllids, bushfire detection research, New Holland mice conservation programs, and more.

Whether she is collecting data in the field, analysing information, or helping communicate scientific findings to the public, she is passionate about using research to support practical conservation outcomes and protect Australia’s unique wildlife and ecosystems.

Accessibility considerations

The forest walk is mostly flat; however, the ground is rocky and uneven in places, which may present challenges for people with limited mobility. The walk will also take place in low-light conditions.

We will work to accommodate accessibility requirements wherever possible. If there is anything we can do to support your participation, please provide further information when you register.

Safety considerations

Please wear sturdy, closed-toe, flat-soled shoes suitable for uneven terrain, ideally walking boots. We also recommend long pants, long socks and warm layers, as temperatures can drop significantly after sunset. Please bring water to stay hydrated.

Parts of Hoskinstown Road are gravelled and Forbes Creek Road is unsealed. Both are suitable for 2WD vehicles in good weather; however, please drive to the conditions, allow extra travel time and watch for wildlife. Mobile reception is limited or unavailable in parts of the journey and during the walk.

Equipment needed

If you have binoculars, a head torch or a spotlight torch, please bring them along. Otherwise, a smile and questions are very welcome.

Inclement weather plans

The walk will proceed in suitable weather conditions. If poor weather makes the roads or walk unsafe, the event will be postponed to Saturday 24 October. We will contact ticket holders by email and/or phone no later than 12 pm on the day of the event.

Meeting point: Corner of Forbes Creek Road and North Black Range Fire Trail, Tallaganda State Forest.

Please use the map below to reach the meeting point. We encourage attendees travelling with friends or family to carpool where possible, to minimise vehicle traffic.

Light refreshments will be provided following the walk. Dietary requirements will be requested when you register.