Bush Explorers

Listen

To help you get the best out of your local environment we are running a program of free Bush Explorer events which compliments our Bushcare Program.

River with small waterfall. Ingleburn Weir. Photo taken by Yvonne Budd, Nature Photo Competition, 2014

Image of Ingleburn Weir, taken by Yvonne Budd as part of the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition

These bush explorer events feature a mix of activities, including opportunities to experience a host of wildlife: be it the birds and bugs that bring the bush to life, an artist's palette of spring woodland flowers, spotlighting animals in the night or grey headed flying foxes dispersing into the night.

You will also learn about local vegetation and the unique flora and fauna that it supports, delve into the secrets of bushcare and hear firsthand about Dharawal Aboriginal culture and heritage.

Upcoming events

Bush Explorers has returned

Our Bush Explorers activities have recommenced, but things will be a little different, due to strict COVID-19 WHS guidelines, that are now in place.

Birdwatching

Birdwatching for Beginners at Park Central, Campbelltown

When	Event
Saturday 27 February 2021 1pm to 3pm	Birdwatching for Beginners - Park Central Join us for an afternoon wander through the mixed habitats of the parkland to both look for the local birdlife and learn the tricks of the trade of birdwatching at Park Central. Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy
Tuesday 16 March 2021 9am to 11am	Birdwatching for Beginners - Mansfield Creek Reserve Join us for a guided morning bird walk to look for the local birdlife and learn the tricks of the trade of birdwatching in the bushland along the Georges River Corridor from Mansfield Park Reserve. Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy to Moderate

When

Event

Saturday 27 February 2021
1pm to 3pm

Birdwatching for Beginners - Park Central

Join us for an afternoon wander through the mixed habitats of the parkland to both look for the local birdlife and learn the tricks of the trade of birdwatching at Park Central.

Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy

Tuesday 16 March 2021
9am to 11am

Birdwatching for Beginners - Mansfield Creek Reserve

Join us for a guided morning bird walk to look for the local birdlife and learn the tricks of the trade of birdwatching in the bushland along the Georges River Corridor from Mansfield Park Reserve.

Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy to Moderate

Bushtucker walk

Spring into nature bushtucker walk

When	Event
Sunday 28 February 2021 1pm to 3pm	Bushtucker Walk - Scattergood Reserve Join us for a wander via the forest and creeks of Scattergood Reserve looking for the local Bushtucker plants utilised by the traditional custodians of this land, the Dharawal Aboriginal people. We will learn how to identify plants, find out about their uses and significance and learns how the Dharawal people managed the land we step foot on. Note: These workshops are delivered by Council staff who have consulted with Aboriginal Elders and community members. Walking grade: Grade 3: Easy - Moderate
Sunday 14 March 2021 1pm to 3pm	Bushtucker Walk - The Basin Reserve Join us for a wander via the forest and creeks of The Basin Reserve looking for the local Bushtucker plants utilised by the traditional custodians of this land, the Dharawal Aboriginal people. We will learn how to identify plants, find out about their uses and significance and learns how the Dharawal people managed the land we step foot on. Note: These workshops are delivered by Council staff who have consulted with Aboriginal Elders and community members. Walking grade: Grade 3: Moderate to Hard (steep sections)

When

Event

Sunday 28 February 2021
1pm to 3pm

Bushtucker Walk - Scattergood Reserve

Join us for a wander via the forest and creeks of Scattergood Reserve looking for the local Bushtucker plants utilised by the traditional custodians of this land, the Dharawal Aboriginal people. We will learn how to identify plants, find out about their uses and significance and learns how the Dharawal people managed the land we step foot on.

Note: These workshops are delivered by Council staff who have consulted with Aboriginal Elders and community members.

Walking grade: Grade 3: Easy - Moderate

Sunday 14 March 2021
1pm to 3pm

Bushtucker Walk - The Basin Reserve

Join us for a wander via the forest and creeks of The Basin Reserve looking for the local Bushtucker plants utilised by the traditional custodians of this land, the Dharawal Aboriginal people. We will learn how to identify plants, find out about their uses and significance and learns how the Dharawal people managed the land we step foot on.

Note: These workshops are delivered by Council staff who have consulted with Aboriginal Elders and community members.

Walking grade: Grade 3: Moderate to Hard (steep sections)

Bug hunt

Spring into nature bug hunt

When	Event
Saturday 13 March 2021 1pm to 3pm	Autumn Almanac - Bugs of the Bush - Noorumba Reserve Join us for an afternoon wander through the forest to listen and look our for host of seasonal bug-life that calls the reserve home. From the beauty of butterflies to a chorus of cicadas the bushland harbours an amazing array of insects, spiders and other weird and wonderful mini beasts to fascinate you. Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy

When

Event

Saturday 13 March 2021
1pm to 3pm

Autumn Almanac - Bugs of the Bush - Noorumba Reserve

Join us for an afternoon wander through the forest to listen and look our for host of seasonal bug-life that calls the reserve home. From the beauty of butterflies to a chorus of cicadas the bushland harbours an amazing array of insects, spiders and other weird and wonderful mini beasts to fascinate you.

Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy

Night walks

Spring into Nature - A night with the bats!

When	Event
Saturday 27 March 2021 6pm to 8pm	A Night with the Bats - Milton Park Join us for a dusk visit at Milton Park to hear about the great work that is happening to conserve Flying Foxes across Campbelltown and the Sydney Region. We will then take a guided walk to look at the colony in roost and stay to watch these amazing animals fly out in the dusk twilight. Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy

When

Event

Saturday 27 March 2021
6pm to 8pm

A Night with the Bats - Milton Park

Join us for a dusk visit at Milton Park to hear about the great work that is happening to conserve Flying Foxes across Campbelltown and the Sydney Region. We will then take a guided walk to look at the colony in roost and stay to watch these amazing animals fly out in the dusk twilight.

Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy

Nature Walk

Serenity stroll down to Georges River

When	Event
Wednesday 10 March 2021 9am to 11am	Serenity Stroll - Simmo's Beach Reserve Join us for a gentle wander through the forest to the Georges River. We will focus on using all our senses to fully appreciate nature, improve mindfulness and reduce stress. Walking grade: Easy to Moderate
Sunday 28 March 2021 1pm to 3pm	Nature Walk - Ingleburn Reserve Join us for an afternoon wander via the forest and riverside to learn about the habitats and look for the array of wildlife that is found within them. We will also find out about the great work that is happening in this beautiful part of the Georges River Corridor. Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy to Moderate (steep sections)

When

Event

Wednesday 10 March 2021
9am to 11am

Serenity Stroll - Simmo's Beach Reserve

Join us for a gentle wander through the forest to the Georges River. We will focus on using all our senses to fully appreciate nature, improve mindfulness and reduce stress.

Walking grade: Easy to Moderate

Sunday 28 March 2021
1pm to 3pm

Nature Walk - Ingleburn Reserve

Join us for an afternoon wander via the forest and riverside to learn about the habitats and look for the array of wildlife that is found within them. We will also find out about the great work that is happening in this beautiful part of the Georges River Corridor.

Walking grade: Grade 2: Easy to Moderate (steep sections)

What will I need to bring?

Please wear long pants, sturdy shoes and warm clothing and bring a bottle of water, and if you have them, camera and binoculars to help you get the best out of your wildlife spotting.