Other Activities

At midnight tonight, local time, the general public around the Southern Hemisphere will join scientists for a four day intensive data collection event to gather critical information needed by scientists to better understand biodiversity, namely the hugely complex intertwined ecosystems of plants, creatures and other life forms, and the roles each of them play in […]

Our fourth and final September/October late afternoon wander to explore our beautiful local wildflower areas will be on Wednesday 22nd October in the Walmer State Forest.  A chance to see the rare Goldfields Grevillea as well as many other treasures.  Meet: In the Car Park north of the Railway Goods Shed in Kennedy St, ready

We’re now well into spring and so wonderful to see the new growth and increasing activity in bushlands and gardens after so many months of challenging conditions. Trees, shrubs and other understorey plants are putting out new leaves and foliage, and canopies are becoming denser. Birds are calling and nesting. Frogs are croaking. Thankfully insects

Our Wednesday Wildflower Wanders will continue this week with a visit to the Muckleford Forest.  In addition to a magnificent show of different wildflowers including several orchids, we hope to see the rare Grevillea micrantha. Meet: in the Car Park north of the Railway Goods Shed in Kennedy St ready to car-pool and leave at

Our second September/October late afternoon excursion to explore the wonderful wildflowers in our local Box-Ironbark woodlands will be on Wednesday 24th September at The Monk, South of Chewton.  We will enjoy those wildflowers that favour a higher terrain, and maybe even see some stunning spiders! Meet: In the Car Park North of the Railway Goods Shed

During September and October, we will enjoy fortnightly late afternoon excursions on Wednesdays to nearby sites to enjoy the wonderful wildflower show in our local Box-Ironbark woodlands. Our first wander will be in Kalimna Park on 10th September. Meet: in the Car Park north of the Railway Goods Shed in Kennedy St ready to car-pool

Our club checks a section of the Pyrenees Highway four times a year, west of Castlemaine from the top of McKenzie’s Hill to Woodman’s Road. It is always a pleasant walk along some interesting roadside bush as we do our bit for the community.  Meet: 9am near Tait’s Decorative Iron, corner of Willy Milly Rd

The South East Australian Naturalists’ Association (SEANA) “camps” are an excellent chance to meet fellow naturalists from around SE Australia and explore a new region under the guidance of local experts.  The Field Naturalists’ Club of Ballarat Inc. warmly invites you to attend the SEANA Spring camp for 2025. The camp will be based at

Join us for a pleasant walk along some interesting roadside bush as we check our section of the Pyrenees Highway. This will be the second of our four clean-ups for the year. Meet: 9am near Tait’s Decorative Iron, corner of Willy Milly Rd and Pyrenees Highway, Castlemaine. Bring: Gloves, water, sturdy footwear. Garbage bags and

In place of our usual club excursion, we will join with staff and volunteers from the Visitor Information Centre to jointly host an informal gathering to remember Richard Piesse, who died on 28th December, 2024.  Richard was a long-term active member of CFNC and loyal volunteer with the Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre.  He knew our