Book Your Field Trip
- Field Trips are running on Wednesday 24 September
- All field trips will leave from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Center.
- Please be on time. The coaches will depart on time and will NOT wait for you.
- Many of the trips require you to be moderately fit.
- If you need to discuss accessibility, please contact us.
- Please pack a hat, sunscreen, snacks and water.
Already registered for the conference?
If you are already registered for the conference you will receive a communication on how to book a Field Trip.
This means you don’t need to register again.
Broadwater Discovery & Habitat Restoration Tour (walk and boat tour)
Wed 24 Sep | 6:30am – 4:00pm | $60 | Requirements: Moderately Fit
Hop aboard for a guided tour of the Gold Coast’s beautiful Broadwater! Cruise through these stunning waterways while learning about local marine life and conservation efforts. Then stretch your legs with a walk through Federation Walk, one of the region’s largest and most important coastal reserves.
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Get an insider’s look at seagrass, mangrove, and marine monitoring projects from the passionate team at Ocean Connect and discover the vital conservation work happening across the Broadwater.
You’ll also hear the inspiring 25-year story of the Friends of Federation Walk and their ongoing efforts to restore and protect this special place. Plus, you’ll get the chance to roll up your sleeves and plant a Richmond Birdwing vine—helping to support habitat restoration for one of our region’s most iconic butterflies.
Explore the City of Gold Coast’s largest littoral rainforest project and learn about its key role in safeguarding local biodiversity.
Key Information →
Requirements: Moderately fit as includes 1km walk
Location: Main Beach and Labrador
Catering: Morning tea and lunch provided
Landcare group and other community group hosts: Friends of Federation Walk, Ocean Connect, Gold Coast Shorebirds
Start Time: 6:30am
End Time: 4:00pm
Capacity: 40 people
Ticket Price: $60
Hinterland Wildlife and Waterway Tour – SOLD OUT
Wed 24 Sep | 8:00am – 4:00pm | $40 | Requirements: Moderately Fit
Join Tamborine Mountain Landcare and the Coomera River Group for an immersive tour of the stunning Gold Coast and Scenic Rim hinterland. Discover Tamborine’s 20-year conservation journey, with a deep dive into their assisted restoration, revegetation projects, and community engagement efforts. You’ll also learn about the recovery work following the 2023 storms and the Richmond Birdwing Project, focused on conserving the endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly.
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The Coomera River Catchment Group will share insights into their citizen science-based waterway monitoring and restoration work on an old dairy farm along the Coomera River, in collaboration with the City of Gold Coast.
This is a fantastic opportunity to engage with local conservation initiatives and witness the incredible work being done to protect the natural beauty of the region.
Key Information →
Requirements: Moderately fit
Location: Oxenford and Tamborine Mountain
Catering: Morning tea and lunch provided
Landcare group and other community group hosts: Tamborine Mountain Landcare, Scenic Rim Koala DNA Skywalk, Coomera River Catchment Group.
Start Time: 8:00am
End Time: 4:30pm
Capacity: 20 people
Ticket Price: $40
A Guided Experience at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
Wed 24 Sep | 8:00am – 12:30pm | $30
Come along with the Friends of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens for a guided stroll through the gardens! Discover how this dedicated group is helping protect and promote our region’s native plant life.
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Learn about local bushfoods, their traditional uses, and the cultural importance of native flora. You’ll also get insights into the community native nursery, herbarium work, and how the Friends help run the Visitor Centre. It’s a great way to connect with nature and see community conservation in action!
Key Information →
Location: Benowa
Catering: Morning tea
Landcare group and other community group hosts: Friends of Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens
Start Time: 8am
End Time: 12:30pm
Capacity: 30 people
Ticket Price: $30
Partnerships in Action
Wed 24 Sep | 8:00am – 3:30pm | $40
Join Austinville Landcare and the City of Gold Coast for a hands-on and informative tour of the beautiful subtropical rainforests of Austinville Valley.
This is a practical day out that will show real on-ground successes of partnerships between council, volunteers and private owners to restore rainforest, manage fire risks and control invasive animal species.
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You’ll also see how increased visitation from a fast-growing Gold Coast is being managed to minimise ecological impacts on this beautiful valley.
Don’t miss the chance to connect with passionate conservationists and experts who are having real success in managing sensitive environments in one of Australia’s fastest growing cities.
Key Information →
Location: Austinville Valley
Catering: Morning tea and lunch provided
Landcare group and other community group hosts: Austinville Landcare
Start Time: 8am
End Time: 3:30pm
Capacity: 30 people
Ticket Price: $40
Nerang Catchment Connections: Land, Water and Community – SOLD OUT
Wed 24 Sep | 8:00am – 4:00pm | $40 | Requirements: Moderately fit
Join Watergum Community Inc, Numinbah Environment Education Centre P&C and Seqwater for an immersive tour through the spectacular Numinbah Valley to explore leading-edge waterway protection through working with private landholders, community landcare initiatives, restoration projects and aquatic invasive species management.
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Begin your journey with a site visit to a powerful community-driven initiative led by the Numinbah Valley Environment Education Centre P&C. Discover their native planting site and learn about their deep connection to Country and the role of cultural values in environmental stewardship.
Next, visit the Seqwater Source Protection Program delivered by Watergum Community Inc, where you’ll see firsthand how riparian restoration, cattle management, and landslip mitigation are being implemented to improve water quality in the Nerang River catchment.
The tour concludes at Hinze Dam, where you’ll explore the innovative fish passage system designed to control the movement of pest fish species and support the health of native aquatic ecosystems.
This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into collaborative conservation efforts across sectors and see how local knowledge, science, and community action come together to protect the landscapes and waterways of the Gold Coast hinterland.
Key Information →
Requirements: Moderately fit
Location: Numinbah Valley
Catering: Morning tea and lunch provided
Landcare group and other community group hosts: Watergum Community Inc, Numinbah Valley Environment Education Centre P&C, Seqwater
Start Time: 8:00am
End Time: 4:00pm
Capacity: 25 people
Ticket Price: $40
Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area – SOLD OUT
Wed 24 Sep | 9:00am – 4:00pm | $50 | Requirements: Moderately Fit
An event hosted by the Kombumerri people of the Wider Bundjalung Language nation that encompasses Ngarahngwal and Yugambir language groups.
Key Information →
Requirements: Moderately fit.
Catering: Morning refreshment and lunch provided
Location: Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area
Start Time: 9:00am
End Time: 4:00pm
Capacity: 42 people
Ticket Price: $50
Farms for the Future: Exploring Biodiversity and Regeneration in the Tweed Valley – SOLD OUT
Wed 24 Sep | 8:30am – 4:30pm | $50 | Requirements: Moderately Fit
Join Tweed Landcare and Tweed Shire Council staff as we take a journey through Bundjalung country to see the wonderful work that has been done to enhance biodiversity, soils and waterways on local farms. The Tweed Valley is a living relic of Gondwana, with a high concentration of threatened species.
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You will visit landholders who are working to protect and connect fragmented habitats as part of ‘Tweed Landcare’s Filling the Biodiversity Gaps’ project, and see farms implementing regenerative farming practices with support from Tweed Shire Council’s Sustainable Agriculture Program. Some of the works include koala habitat regeneration, excluding cattle from creeks and wetland areas, carbon farming of agricultural soils, and managing and improving soil health on farms. Get ready to be inspired by the people and projects shaping a sustainable future for the Tweed.
Key Information →
Time: 8:30am – 4.30pm
Capacity: 30 people
Requirements: Moderately Fit
Ticket Price: $50
The Field Trip Program is proudly sponsored by
