Spring in Western Australia is a captivating sight and must-see for those with a botanical eye.  Two field trips are currently being organised that will capitalise on many of the botanical wonders of Western Australia during the southern hemisphere spring – a pre-conference trip to the wetter and cooler southwest region and a post-conference trip to the drier and warmer region north of Perth.

Registration for these field trips can be made on-line when registering for the MEDECOS XI Conference.

   

PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP  -  29 August to 1 September 2007

The pre-conference field trip is a must for those interested in visiting the picturesque plant diversity hotspot of the south west of Western Australia. The four day and three night field trip will travel through Dryandra forest and the picturesque towns of Albany and Augusta.

Meeting Place:   The steps at the entrance of the University Club of Western Australia conference room
Meeting Time:   8.30-8.45 am for 9.00 am departure
Cost:   $650 (includes all transport, accommodation, entrance fees and food)
Please note that accommodation will be provided on a twin-share basis only.
Limit:   Numbers strictly limited to 30 individuals

Day 1, Wednesday 29 August, 2007 - Perth to Narrogin (200 kms)

We will be travelling along the Brookton Highway to Narrogin. The motel for the night will be the Narrogin Motor Inn.

Highlights will be a large granite outcrop in the jarrah forest, remnant upland lateritic plateau and powderbark wandoo, wandoo woodland and brown mallet at Dryandra, and an evening viewing of the native threatened mammals at Barna Mia animal sanctuary.

Day 2, Thursday 30 August, 2007 - Narrogin to Albany (400 kms)

We will be travelling to Albany via the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges. The motel for the night will be the Albany Comfort Inn.

Highlights will be Bluff Knoll and Stirling Range Drive in the Stirling Ranges, the granite outcrops of the Porongurups, Mt Barker wineries and the Albany coastline.

Day 3, Friday 31 August, 2007 - Albany to Augusta (350 kms)

We will be travelling to Augusta via Walpole, Northcliffe, Pemberton and Stewart Road. The motel for the night will be the Augusta Motel.

Highlights will be the tingle forest via the Tree Top walk, the karri forest and inlet at Coalmine Beach, Reedia and pitcher plant swamps at Walpole, karri forest near Pemberton and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and surrounds.

Day 4, Saturday 1 September, 2007 - Augusta to Perth (350 kms)

We will be travelling via Margaret River and Busselton to reach the Conference Venue at UWA at approximately 6 pm.

Highlights will be the tuart forest near Ludlow, Margaret River wineries, Lakes Cave, and karri forest at Boranup.

Macropidia species	Nuytsia floribunda
Kingia australis	Corymbia ficifolia

POST-CONFERENCE FIELD TRIP– 6 to 8 September 2007

The post-conference trip is to be shared with the Seed Ecology II 2007 conference. The three-day and two-night field tour will traverse the botanically-rich region north of Perth, Western Australia. The tour will showcase the spectacular and ancient landscapes of this region and remarkable coastal geomorphology. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see first-hand, some of the world’s botanical marvels. The tour will be led by botanists from the organising committee, so you can be assured of excellent botanical dialogue throughout the trip. All meals and refreshments will be provided. Places will be limited due to high season limits, so book early!

Meeting Place:   The steps at the entrance of the University Club of Western Australia conference room
Meeting Time:   7.30 am for 8.00 am departure
Cost:   $650 (includes all transport, accommodation, entrance fees and food)
Please note that accommodation will be provided on a twin-share basis only
Limit:   Numbers strictly limited to 40 individuals

Day 1, Thursday 6 September 2007 - Perth to Kalbarri

The tour will traverse through three biodiversity hotspots that are renowned for their high species turnover of 60% every 500m - Perth, Badgingarra and Mt Lesueur. Highlights will include the heathlands in Badgingarra and rare flora conservation sites in Northampton. You will have the opportunity to spend the early evening in Kalbarri National Park.

Accommodation for the night will be at the Kalbarri Beach Resort.

Day 2, Friday 7 September 2007 - Kalbarri to Port Denison

Day 2 will be spent in Kalbarri National Park, an area that hosts unique and highly endemic flora within the sandplains and the Murchinson River gorges. Further highlights will include the inter-zone flora near the margin of Western Australia's Mediterranean-type ecosystem.

Accommodation for the night will be at the Old Priory or Dongara Motor Hotel.

Day 3, Saturday 8 September - Port Denison to Perth

Day 3 highlights will include the distinctive Banksia shrublands of the Eneabba region that hosts a variety of unique species, the Mt Lesueur biodiversity hotspot that supports 110 species /100m², the Pinnacles - a unique desert like environment - and coastal vegetation.

Rhodanthe display	Rhodanthe display
Lechenaultia macrantha	Xanthorrhoea species