Excursions
Excursions
2024 Easter Excursion
to Mt Cameron Field Study Centre
Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April, 2024
The Mt Cameron Field Study Centre is located in Tasmania’s far North-east.
It is about 4.5 hours drive from Hobart (about 1.5 hours east of Scottsdale).
Located at Cameron Regional Reserve at the base of the easily climbed Mt Cameron, the area is of biologic, scenic, and historic interest, featuring granite geology. There is easy access to coastal reserves such as Cape Portland and Mt William National Park. Nearby there are abandoned mines and the unusual Blue Lake. There is also gem fossicking. A list of activities will be distributed prior to the excursion.
The intention is for excursions to finish each day by 4:00 PM. If you intend to do activities other than what the club intends to do on the day, please inform the person who is in charge for the day.
Friday 29th March
2:00 PM – Official Welcome We will meet in the lounge area of the MCFSC for the welcome and a pre-excursion briefing. After the briefing we will explore some of the tracks radiating from the MCFSC to familiarise ourselves with the local area, its plants, and animals, and become familiar with the North-east Tasmanian granite country.
After Dinner – Talk by Craig Searle on Tasmania’s offshore islands (Maatsuyker, Deal)
Saturday 30th March
9:00 AM – Day Excursion along Mt Cameron Track If the weather is fine, we will walk along the Mt Cameron Track which leaves from the MCFSC. The track is noted for its spectacular rock formations. poonerluttener / Mt Cameron is the major peak in the area.
For those wanting to climb it, it is 8.7 km out and back with about 500m altitude gain. It is regarded as medium difficulty as there is a section of boulders near the summit. Please bring lunch and water with you.
For those wanting a more leisurely walk, the track has many features along it. Close to the MCFSC are Lookout Rock and Church Spire. Further along are The Maze and Hanging Rock. Some may wish to return to the MCFSC for lunch.
After Dinner – Speaker (tbc) Discussion among group about excursions for Sunday.
Sunday 31st March
9:00 AM – Day Excursion Possibilities include:
- Galloway Creek Pools (drive and 2 hour walk return)
- Wedgetail Peak (drive and 4 hour walk)
- Cape Portland
- Boobyalla Coastal Reserve
- Mt William NP
- Blue Lake
- Mt Stronach (drive and 2 hour return walk)
- Lilydale Falls (drive and 15 min return walk)
After Dinner – Show & tell for discoveries from the excursions.
Monday 1st April
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Morning Excursion to Trent Water salt marsh, Bridport Trent Water is the lagoon at the mouth of the Brid River in Bridport. Louise Brooker (NE Field Nats) will meet us at the new section of salt marsh in Trent Water and give us a short talk and guided expedition around the salt marsh (it will be low tide).
You can find out more about it and its lifeforms from the most recent Tasmanian Naturalist where Louise wrote the article Observations of a new Patch of Saltmarsh in the Trent Water.
The Field Study Centre
Accommodation Options
The Field Study Centre has bunk accommodation with one room sleeping 16 people, another sleeping 14 and a third sleeping four. Alternatively, there are unpowered campervan, caravan and tent sites available. There is a large heated main room, a full kitchen for large groups and separate male and female rest rooms with hot showers.
More information is available regarding facilities on their brochure
How do I book?
Bookings for each night can be made through TryBooking
What are the costs?
The cost is $25 per person plus $1 booking fee per night, regardless of whether you are staying in the bunk accommodation, a campervan, a caravan, or a tent. Before purchasing, ensure that you have a ticket for each person for each night of the booking.
To help with the organising, please book early. Places are limited to 40 people.
After Monday 11th March, any unbooked places will be made available to members of other Tasmanian field naturalist clubs.
If you book and cannot attend, refunds will be available until Sunday 24th March.
Driving up on Good Friday means that some petrol stations will be closed. As the MCFSC is located well away from the closest fuel bowser, it is advisable to fill up as close as possible to the MCFSC. There is a list of petrol stations on the “Useful Information” tab, but it may be preferable to use phone apps to figure out which petrol stations are open on the day.
There are three main ways to access the MCFSC:
Via Bridport (approx. 1 hr 8 min)
- From Bridport, travel on Waterhouse Road B82 towards Gladstone.
- After approximately 49km, on the right, take the unsigned Old Port Road.
- This is a gravel road in good condition.
- Continue along Old Port Road approximately 7 km and turn left into an unnamed road with a small sign 713.
- Continue on this road, past a boom gate and up a big hill.
- After 4.6 km on this road, the MCFSC is a large building at the end of the road.
Via Scottsdale (approx. 1 hr 36 min)
- From Scottsdale, take the A3 – Tasman Hwy.
- Continue on this through Branxholm and then through Derby.
- Approximately 9.6 Km after Derby turn Left onto Gladstone Road B82.
- Follow Gladstone Road and after approximately 25km you will come to the Gladstone shop and the small township.
- Turn Left in Waterhouse Road B82 towards Bridport.
- After approximately 10.7 km, on your left, take the unsigned Old Port Road.
- This is a gravel road in good condition.
- Continue along Old Port Road approximately 7 km and turn left into an unnamed road with a small sign 713.
- Continue on this road, past a boom gate and up a big hill.
- After 4.6 km on this road, the MCFSC is a large building at the end of the road.
Via St Helens (approx. 1 hr 40 min)
This is an option for those coming from the East Coast.
- From St Helens, take the Tasman Highway (A3) in the direction of Scottsdale and Launceston.
- Just past Beaulieu St, take the Ansons Bay Road which is on the right-hand side of the Highway.
- Continue on Ansons Bay Road, past Mt William National Park and the road becomes North Ansons Bay Road.
- Continue North Ansons Bay Road and after 25km you will come to the Gladstone shop and the small township.
- Turn into Waterhouse Road B82 towards Bridport.
- After approximately 10.7 km, on your left, take the unsigned Old Port Road.
- This is a gravel road in good condition.
- Continue along Old Port Road approximately 7 km and turn left into an unnamed road with a small sign 713.
- Continue on this road, past a boom gate and up a big hill.
- After 4.6 km on this road, the MCFSC is a large building at the end of the road
The MCFSC has bunk accommodation with one room sleeping 16 people, another sleeping 14 and another sleeping four. At the February general meeting, it was agreed that the rooms would have mixed sleeping. There are also unpowered sites if you want to bring your campervan, caravan, or tent.
There is a large heated main room, a full kitchen for large groups and separate male and female rest rooms with hot showers. The full kitchen includes fridges, crockery, cutlery, cups, glasses, pots, pans, full cooking facilities, BBQ sinks for dish washing and tea towels.
Because of Easter shop opening hours and that we will be some distance from shops and food outlets, it is recommended that you bring all your own food and drink requirements for the duration of the camp (3 nights / 4 days). Single mattresses are provided so please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, fitted sheet, or whatever bedding you prefer.
For those sleeping in the main building, here is a list of useful things to bring:
- Items of a personal nature such toiletries, towels and medications
- Camera / phone and charging cables
- Changes of clothing and pyjamas (bring something warm in case of poor weather!)
- Sun hat and sunscreen
- Suitable clean footwear for excursions and for inside the MCFSC
- Raincoat
- Day pack
- Water bottles (on excursions, the creeks are likely to be dry!)
- Snacks
- Torch
- First aid kit
- Insect repellent
- Notepaper and pencil
- Bathers and towel (in case we go to the coast)
The list of commercial establishments may not be complete.
Fuel
Most service stations will be closed on Good Friday so please top up your tank on Thursday. Many service stations may also be closed on Easter Sunday. The nearest service station to MCFSC is the Gladstone General Store about 26 minutes’ drive away, and please check its operating hours.
Apps such as Google Maps and the RACT Fuel Saver can give reliable information on current opening times.
Gladstone: Gladstone General Store (BP), 30 Chaffey St Gladstone
Bridport: Ampol, 71 Main St, Bridport
Scottsdale: Shell, 2 George St, Scottsdale BP, 7 King St, Scottsdale
St Helens: BP, Circassian St, St Helens United, 16 Cecilia St, St Helens
Food
Gladstone: Gladstone General Store, 30 Chaffey St Gladstone
Bridport: Bridport IGA, 83 Main St, Bridport Bridport Sugar and Spice Bakery, 87 Main St, Bridport The Bridport Café, 97 Main St, Bridport
Scottsdale: IGA Express, 6 George St, Scottsdale Woolworths Scottsdale, 1 Victoria St, Scottsdale Cottage Bakery, 9 Victoria St, Scottsdale There are also several cafes.
St Helens: Numerous food and beverage outlets
Pharmacies
Bridport: Bridport Pharmacy, 93 Main St, Bridport
Scottsdale: Guardian Pharmacy / Terry White Pharmacy, 15 King St, Scottsdale Scottsdale Pharmacy, 21 Alfred St, Scottsdale Galloways Pharmacy, 35-39 Listers Rd, Scottsdale
St Helens: St Helens Pharmacy, 36 Cecilia St, St Helens
Accident and Emergency
Scottsdale Hospital, 28 Fosters Rd, Scottsdale
St Helens District Hospital and Community Centre, 10 Annie St, St Helens
COVID
TFNC follows Tasmanian Government COVID safety guidelines on all excursions which can be found HERE. If you are unwell or have “flu-like symptoms”, please get tested and stay at home. Feel welcome to wear a mask.
Sharing of Vehicles
If you wish to share a vehicle on the drive to the MCFSC this can be arranged privately or at the March monthly general meeting. Please ensure contact phone numbers are exchanged so any late changes to arrangements can be discussed.
If you do arrange to vehicle share, please be ready to leave at the appointed time and remember to pay the driver a reasonable share of travel costs. This a contribution towards travel costs and not a fare.
Up to 40 people could attend the Easter Excursion. Over the three days, we may be travelling to several destinations. At some destinations, safe parking may be limited. This means some carpooling for each day’s excursion may be desirable. This can be arranged each day. Because of COVID, the club respects the right of attendees to not participate in carpooling. Carpooling is each attendee’s individual choice.
If you are going to be late for the start of an event or if you become disoriented and need help, please call the people below.
Please note that mobile phone coverage in the area is patchy and not guaranteed.
Mt Cameron Field Studies Centre 03 6355 2215
Keith Martin-Smith 0448 891 086
Peter Crofts 0429 416 950
Eddie Gall 0429 417 980
Find out more from the following links:
- Friends of Mt Cameron Field Study Centre Facebook Page
- MCFSC Brochure
The area is mostly granite hills, ridges, and mountains with similarities to Freycinet National Park. There has been mining for tin and gemstones. The open forest is a mixture of black peppermint, white gum, stringybark and bulloaks. Gullys carry wet forest and patches of remnant rainforest. The area abounds with wildlife.
Since June 2021, observations from TFNC excursions have been recorded as projects on iNaturalist.
More observations made on excursions can be added at any time, so it is never too late. If you are familiar with any of the species observed, we would appreciate if you could either agree with the species ID or suggest the possible ID so the observation can become “research quality” and available to other users.
You may also become a member of the TFNC umbrella project to receive notifications from iNaturalist when excursions are updated.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we study natural history.