The Otways Biofest

How well do we really know the Otway Ranges? Would you like to find out more and contribute to recording and sharing the wonders of this biodiversity hotspot?

School holidays are on the horizon. By then, spring will have sprung! So, we’ve got a cracking experience planned for you, your friends, family and anyone you enjoy spending time outdoors with. It’s on the second last weekend of September, so pop it on the calendar!

We’re so lucky in this area to be surrounded by such a richly diverse environment. Let's share and celebrate this beauty and complexity, with visitors from near and far.

Whether you’re a bike rider, scout, walker, bird watcher, hiker, camper, team, group, family, individual, or farmer/property owner, this weekend has something for everyone. If you own property in the Otways, but don’t know who or what you’re sharing your land with? This is definitely for you!

Throughout the weekend there’ll be local legends who are specialists in their field, leading groups to different parts of the Otways to observe and connect with all the diverse creatures and critters - like birds, frogs, plants, bats, moths, possums, gliders, glow worms and fish- the friends and the foes. Some of these activities will even be under the stars.

The Otway Biofest coincides with the Great Southern Bioblitz (GSB), the southern hemisphere’s biodiversity survey with thousands of participants across 14 countries. By attending our event, you will contribute observations of biodiversity to this large-scale citizen science project, by helping observe and collect data on the flora and fauna we find together.

Over the past few years of the Great Southern Bioblitz, all across the Otways, there’s been a small group of passionate people doing the heavy lifting for us all. Rain, hail or shine, they’ve been observing all forms of biodiversity annually in a ninety-six-hour marathon. It’s time to up the ante and ignite the Aussie competitive spirit for the GSB, the southern hemisphere-wide competition! Oh, and we’ll be having some fun along the way, of course!

Participants are welcome to come along for individual sessions or continue building connections throughout the weekend; why not camp out in the Otways?

*Although outdoors, we kindly ask you to not bring dogs to these events as they may deter or harm the special species that we’re looking out for.

WHERE?

The weekend's activities are distributed across part of the Central Otway Landcare Network (see map image).

WHEN?

The Great Southern Bioblitz runs From Friday 20th to Sunday 23rd of September. All coordinated Otways Biofest activities will be scheduled for the same dates, in the Central Otways area.

Select "Get tickets" button above for session details.

These events are supported by the Victorian Landcare Grants,
through the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority.