2025 Conference Field Trip Program

Field Trip #1 – Half Day Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium Walking Tour
The development of plantation forestry in South Australia and Adelaide’s Botanic Gardens are closely linked. This walking tour will explore the famous gardens via a hosted indigenous cultural tour which ends at the Museum of Economic Botany and café. It’s then a short walk to the State Herbarium for a hosted visit to its extensive collections and research activities. This is adjacent to the National Wine Centre and participants may decide to visit for lunch and a tasting tour.

Departure time: 8:30 am
Return time: Noon – or extend with visit to National Wine Museum (not included)
PPE required: Walking shoes, sun protection

Field Trip #2 – Restoring Forests & Landscapes
This field trip focuses on the theme of Restoring Forests and Landscapes, featuring site visits to the Forktree Project, Currency Creek Arboretum, and other sites demonstrating practices in ecological restoration and conservation in South Australia.

The journey begins at the Forktree Project, a community-driven habitat restoration and environmental education project transforming degraded farmland into biodiverse native habitat. This visit will highlight practical approaches to revegetation, nursery/seed orchard management soil health improvement, and carbon capture, illustrating how degraded landscapes can be regenerated through collaborative stewardship and ecological design. Together, these sites offer valuable insights into the science, practice, and community engagement necessary for restoring forests and landscapes in a changing climate.

At Currency Creek Arboretum, participants will explore one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Eucalyptus species, emphasizing the role of scientific research and ex-situ conservation in supporting the resilience of native forests. Discussions will centre on the ecological significance of genetic diversity and the arboretum’s contributions to restoring Australia’s unique woodland ecosystems.

The itinerary includes additional stops in the region, offering participants a diverse and practical understanding of ecological restoration in action. The field trip will conclude with the group’s return to Adelaide, enriched with insights into the challenges and successes of restoring forests and landscapes in a changing environment

Departure time: 8:30am
Return time: 6:00pm
PPE required: Closed shoes suitable for walking tracks, sun protection: hat, sunscreen/ long sleeve shirt and pants

Field Trip #3 – A Journey Through Multi-Use Forestry
Explore the multi-use forestry operations at Kuitpo Forest, just an hour from Adelaide CBD. This tour offers forest industry professionals a comprehensive look at innovative recreational and cultural initiatives within sustainable forest operations.
Start with a Kaurna Welcome and exploration of a cultural coolamon (shield) and yuki (canoe) cutting site. Visit CABN sites showcasing eco-friendly accommodation amidst radiata pines. Experience TreeClimb Kuitpo, promoting environmental education and conservation through adventure tourism. Finally, tour Chookarloo Campground, ForestrySA’s most popular campsite.

Learn how ForestrySA manages over 10,000 hectares of plantation forest and 4,000 hectares of native reserves, balancing timber production, conservation, and recreation.

Departure time: 9:30am
Return time: 4:00pm
PPE required: Closed shoes suitable for walking tracks, sun protection: hat, sunscreen/ long sleeve shirt and pants.

Field trip #4: Technology, innovation, and design
This field trip, centred around University of South Australia’s Mawson Lakes campus, offers a unique window into the cutting edge of forestry technology, innovation and timber-based construction. The program will showcase innovations including interactive applications, virtual reality, stand simulation software, and the latest developments in drone and sensor technologies for forest monitoring and planning. Participants will also explore UniSA’s design and construction research facilities, which are pioneering sustainable timber and flatpack housing solutions for remote communities—combining social purpose with material innovation.  The trip will also include a visit to a timber-rich building in metropolitan Adelaide to illustrate the growing role of engineered timber and sustainable design in major urban developments.

Departure time: 9:00am
Return time: 4:30pm
PPE required: Closed shoes, high visibility vest and a hard hat

Field Trip #5 – Half Day Creating Foresters Forest
In 1993 Dame Roma Mitchell – the governor of the time – planted the first tree in Foresters’ Forest. Over the decade that followed, community groups and organisations planted the remainder of the area into 12 distinct forest and woodland ecological communities.

This collaboration created an urban forest with 12 areas, each with their own characteristics and species. These 12 areas provide a unique chance to appreciate a diversity of plants and animals in a metropolitan setting. Featuring species endemic to interstate or even overseas, you would only otherwise be able to see these species by travelling far and wide. The Foresters’ Forest brings them together in a central location for community to explore.

What is a forester?
A forester is someone trained in forest science and tasked with managing or conserving forests and woodlands.
After the area of Foresters’ Forest was identified as available for revegetation by the Office of Recreation and Sport, foresters came together with community groups and organisations to create this unique environment.

Acknowledgement
Peter Bulman and Rick Underdown, two of the original foresters involved in creating this unique area for community to enjoy, wish to pay tribute with this project to Graham Blackwell, who championed making South Australian forests accessible for the enjoyment of all.

Departure time: 9:00am
Return time: 11:30am
PPE required: Shoes suitable for walking

Field Trip #6 – 3 day Green Triangle Field Trip | From Seedling to Structure
This dynamic three-day technical field tour traverses the Green Triangle forestry region, providing an end-to-end exploration of the modern plantation forest products supply chain – from advanced genetics and propagation to harvesting, processing, and final product development. The program highlights innovation, research, and sustainability practices underpinning Australia’s largest plantation forestry region.

This tour brings together visits to Tree Breeding Australia and commercial nursery operations (OneFortyOne Glencoe and Murray Bridge Nurseries), investigates the science of genetic improvement, seedling production, and plantation establishment. The itinerary progresses through operational plantation forests and harvesting sites, enabling participants to observe silvicultural practices, fire management infrastructure (including surveillance towers and Australia’s largest AI-enhanced fire detection camera systems), and forest health responses to drought, pest, and disease.

Participants will engage with the new South Australian Forestry Centre of Excellence to examine active R&D initiatives, workforce development pathways, and integration with university and industry research. Sawmill site visits will demonstrate log processing and engineered wood product manufacturing, followed by an exploration of circular economy solutions through organic waste reprocessing.

Designed for technical professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, this field trip offers a comprehensive and practical overview of the plantation forestry sector’s lifecycle, challenges, and opportunities.

Departure time: 7:30am – Thursday 23 October
Return time: 5:00pm – Saturday 25 October
Cost: $950pp – the cost of this Field Trip is not included in any registrations. The fee covers all transport, food and 2 nights accommodation at The Commodore in Mt Gambier.