Field Trips

Delegates are invited to participate in one of five field trips offered to delegates on the afternoon of Wednesday 27 September. To keep the Organising Committee sane, please indicate on the Registration Form your preferred field trip. All delegates will be provided with a Boxed Lunch (roll, sweet treat, piece of fruit and OJ) whether they are going on the field trips or not.

What to Bring for the Field Trips

Hat and sunscreen
Wet weather gear (coat, jumper)
Comfortable walking shoes
Sense of humour

Field Trip 1: Canoe Trip down the Mighty Murray

You will be picked up at the conference, taken to a beautiful spot on the Murray River, squeezed into a lovely, colourful canoe, pushed into the swift current and spend two wonderful hours paddling down this majestic river. Once you have arrived at Nouriel Park, you will be met with a gourmet BBQ and you can sit back and marvel that you survived. What more could you want?

Cost: $53 – includes pick up, drop off, canoe and PFD hire and gourmet BBQ and finger food.

Field Trip 2: Albury's innovative sewage treatment works and Wonga Wetlands tour

You will be picked up at the conference, taken to the outskirts of Albury, where you will be shown Albury City Council’s state-of-the-art sewage treatment works. They process pooh faster than you think! You will then travel the short distance to Wonga Wetlands, where the Environmental Projects Officer, Mike Copland, will show you how the treated water is used to enhance environmental values. He will give you a tour of the wetlands, show you the prolific bird populations and regale you with long and involved stories about his life. The tour is just worth it for Mike!

Cost: $20 – includes pick up, drop off, tours and coffee and bickies at Wonga.

Field Trip 3: Rutherglen winery and olive farm tour

You will be picked up at the conference, taken on a shortish bus ride to the famous and historic Rutherglen wine-growing region, where you will visit a variety of some of the best wineries in Australia. You will get the chance to taste some beautiful wines and to buy what you like at cellar-door prices. If you are still sober, you will then visit an olive farm (or at least you will remember it), where you will be shown the process of growing, harvesting and pressing of olives. Fascinating stuff! Cheese and crackers will be provided to cleanse your pallet as you move between wineries.

Cost: $49 – includes pick up, drop off, tours, cheese and crackers and Panadol.
Note: if more than 40 people register for this tour, there will be a discount and you will be reimbursed at the conference.

Field Trip 4: Restoration Works

Join staff from the NSW Murray Wetlands Working Group and North East Catchment Management Authority around the Murray and Ovens Rivers viewing a variety of rehabilitation initiatives including wetland and river restoration projects.

Cost: $25 – includes pick up, drop off, and tours.

Field Trip 5: Tour of the Albury Botanic Gardens

The Albury Botanic Gardens are located at the western end of Albury’s main shopping area (Dean Street) on a 4 hectare site. The gardens feature an impressive plant collection of both native and exotics. The first trees were planted in 1877 and the tallest tree is a 41m Queensland Kauri Pine. Sweeping lawns, shady trees and the tranquil atmosphere makes the gardens a pleasant setting for a stressed delegate.

Departing from ACPAC, the Gardens are a short stroll away. You will have a 1 ½ hour guided tour, followed by a yummy afternoon tea provided by the Friends of the Botanic Garden.

Cost: $10 – includes tour and afternoon tea.

What to do if not going on the Field Trips

Albury Regional Art Gallery

Dean Street , Albury
Free admission, open 10:30am to 5:00pm 
Check out what exhibitions are current at http://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/gallery/frameset.htm

Albury Regional Museum

'Australia Park ', Wodonga Place , Albury
Free admission, open 10:30am to 4:30pm 
Check out What's On at http://www.alburycity.nsw.gov.au/museum/

For more information click on Albury Wodonga Australia or Walkabout Australia