Field Trip Program

Field Trips are a wonderful way to have a hands-on learning experience. There are five options for Field Trips this year and more detailed information and an itinerary for each Field Trip will be available soon.

Field Trip attendance is included in all full registrations. Additional attendees and partners are able to attend at a cost (subject to availability).

Please note:

  • Field Trips all run at the same time, so delegates can only register for ONE option. All Field Trips are subject to maximum numbers, which are allocated on a first in, best dressed basis.
  • Field Trips depart from and return to Rex Hotel, Canberra City
  • Field Trips will take place on Friday 9 October. We will do our best to ensure return by time advised on field trip outline, however we cannot guarantee that you will be back in time to meet flights. Confirmed timings will be released soon.
  • Field Trips are subject to change without notice.

Field Trip #1 – Urban Forestry

Join us in Canberra this October for an engaging urban forestry field trip exploring the city’s evolving green spaces, tree canopy, and urban landscape. This Field Trip will offer opportunities to connect with local context, observe practical examples, and consider the role of urban forests in shaping liveable, resilient cities. A more detailed itinerary will be available closer to the event.

Departure time: 8:30am
Return time: 5:00pm
PPE required: Closed shoes suitable for walking tracks, sun protection

Field Trip #2 – Research and Legacy (ANU)

This Field Trip will offer opportunities to reflect on the role of research, innovation, and long-term knowledge in shaping Australia’s forest and environmental sectors, with crucial focus on the legacy of important institutions like ANU. Further details will be shared closer to the date as the program continues to take shape. A more detailed itinerary will be available closer to the event.

Departure time: 8:30am
Return time: 1:00pm
PPE required: Closed shoes suitable for walking tracks, sun protection

Field Trip #3 – Balancing Community Access and Plantation Forestry | Parks and Conservation Service

This full-day field trip provides participants with an on-ground exploration of how plantation forests in the ACT are managed to balance timber production with diverse community, recreation and conservation values. Led by staff from Parks and Conservation Service, the tour highlights practical examples of shared land use, visitor safety, and environmental stewardship within a highly visited forest estate.

The morning program focuses on intensive recreation settings within pine forests, beginning with a guided visit to an operational paintball site, where participants will discuss site safety, environmental considerations and public access in a commercial recreation context. This is followed by morning tea at Majura Pines along with a guided forest walk examining plantation management, recreation pressures and shared-use solutions for mountain bike, equestrian and high-ropes uses.

Following picnic lunch and informal networking at Cotter Avenue, the afternoon shifts to mountain bike recreation at Cotter Pines. A guided walk at the Hyles MTB area will showcase contemporary trail design, volunteer partnerships, and the integration of recreation infrastructure within active plantation forests. The trip concludes with a return to Canberra, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in balancing community access with plantation forestry objectives.

A more detailed itinerary will be available closer to the event.

Departure time: 8:30am
Return time: 4:00pm
PPE required: Enclosed shoes, such as boots or walking shoes, high-vis vests

Field Trip #4: Native and Plantation Forestry at Tallaganda State Forest

Hosted by Forestry Corporation of NSW, travel to Tallaganda State Forest for an engaging field trip exploring native and plantation forestry in a practical forest setting. This visit will consider key themes including native forest silviculture, pine plantation management and thinning, and fire management. Participants will have the opportunity to observe local forest operations and management considerations, with lunch at the Captains Flat pub. A more detailed itinerary will be available closer to the event.

Departure time: 8:00am
Return time: 3:30pm
PPE required: Closed shoes, high visibility vest and a hard hat

Field Trip #5 – The Future of Forests Under our New Climate | Alpine Ash and Snow Gums

Explore current and emerging challenges facing high-country forest ecosystems, with a focus on Alpine Ash and Snow Gums. This full-day field trip will consider the impacts of climate change, pest pressure, fire regimes, dieback and forest resilience, highlighting why protection alone may not be enough to secure the future of these landscapes. Participants will gain insight into the ecological changes already being observed, and the broader questions these raise for forest science, management and policy. A more detailed itinerary will be available closer to the event.


Departure time: 8:00am
Return time: 5:00pm
PPE required: Closed shoes, sensible for walking

If you have any questions about field trips, please email conference@forestry.org.au