Dr Stefan Eberhard – Wild Caves of lutruwita / Tasmania (and the Nullarbor Plain)

When: Thursday 5th November.

Time: 7:15pm for a 7:30 start.

Place: UTAS Sandy Bay Campus – Law Building Seminar Room (Room 132).

About: Karst landscapes and cave systems are among the most interesting and least visible natural environments on Earth. Beneath Tasmania’s rugged mountains and dense forests lies a hidden underground world of sculpted caverns and waterways, spectacular formations, and specialised cave-dwelling fauna. This illustrated presentation showcases the aesthetic grandeur and heritage value of Tasmania’s wild caves and karst landscapes through the eyes of a scientist, explorer and photographer. Read more. It may also include a brief audio-visual journey to the vast limestone landscapes of the Nullarbor Plain, the world’s largest arid karst region and area of outstanding natural, scientific, and cultural value. The Nullarbor contains cave systems of World Heritage significance and is currently facing potential impacts from a large-scale renewables-driven hydrogen / ammonia export proposal. Read more.

Speaker: Stefan Eberhard is a scientist, explorer, and photographer with extensive experience studying subterranean ecosystems across Australia. He completed a zoology degree at the University of Tasmania and PhD at Murdoch University in Western Australia. He is the founding Director of Subterranean Ecology Pty Ltd, a former Honorary Associate Western Australian Museum, former Adjunct Senior Lecturer University of New South Wales, and currently an Honorary Adjunct Senior Lecturer Adelaide University. Since returning to Tasmania in 2015, Stefan has combined his scientific expertise with photography and videography to document the state’s wild caves and karst landscapes. In 2024, he and his wife Bronwen founded Save The Nullarbor Inc., a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness about the natural and cultural heritage values of the Nullarbor Plain and the threats facing its remarkable cave systems.

Registration for Non-members: Non-members are welcome. If you think that the club is a good fit for you and you would like to regularly attend events, then we ask you sign up as a member (https://tasfieldnats.org.au/member).