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The 20th IBRC will offer a range of field trips that will allow delegates to experience the amazing flora, fauna and culture of Northern Australia and the Pacific region.
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Short field trips
Several short field trips will visit sites in the Cairns and Kuranda region and these can be booked through the conference registration page. Select each title below for more information.
cATTANA wETLANDS bAT waLK
Dates: Tuesday 5 August and Wednesday 6 August
Time: 5pm-9pm
Capacity: 80 people on each day
Price: AUD$55
The Cattana Wetlands are a beautiful 80-hectare nature conservation park located about 20 km north of Cairns, Queensland. Originally a sugarcane farm and sand mining quarry, it has been transformed into a thriving wetland habitat. The park features a 420-meter boardwalk through a feather palm forest, freshwater and saltwater lakes, and supports an abundance of plant and birdlife.
The wetlands are a fantastic spot for birdwatching, with species like the Green Pygmy-Goose, White-browed Crake, Comb-crested Jacana, Black-necked Stork (aka Jabiru), Black Bittern and Crimson Finch recorded at the site. The site is also a great spot for detecting a range of echolocating bat species and occasionally Spectacled and Little Red Flying-foxes are observed.
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings following the conference sessions, up to 80 delegates on each night will be transported on buses to Cattana Wetlands from Cairns Convention Centre (~20 mins) and returned to the Convention Centre at the end of the night. During the evening, delegates will get a chance to look for Spectacled and Little Red Flying-foxes. Sponsors will also be running a bat detecting walk through the wetlands to observe echolocating bats. This will be a fantastic opportunity for delegates to use some of the products that our sponsors will be displaying during the conference. Of course, delegates are welcome to bring their own detectors or other devices to the walk. More details about the walk will be provided closer to the conference, but do remember to pack your head torch and walking boots. Delegates will be guided by Cattana volunteers along paths at the wetland. It is important that delegates follow the directions of Cattana volunteers and stick to paths as crocodiles do occur at the site. Delegates will be provided with a light dinner (sandwiches, fruit platters, water, juices and soft drinks (soda)).
The cost of attending includes return transport and dinner. As places are limited, please apply for just one of the nights.
Time: 5pm-9pm
Capacity: 80 people on each day
Price: AUD$55
The Cattana Wetlands are a beautiful 80-hectare nature conservation park located about 20 km north of Cairns, Queensland. Originally a sugarcane farm and sand mining quarry, it has been transformed into a thriving wetland habitat. The park features a 420-meter boardwalk through a feather palm forest, freshwater and saltwater lakes, and supports an abundance of plant and birdlife.
The wetlands are a fantastic spot for birdwatching, with species like the Green Pygmy-Goose, White-browed Crake, Comb-crested Jacana, Black-necked Stork (aka Jabiru), Black Bittern and Crimson Finch recorded at the site. The site is also a great spot for detecting a range of echolocating bat species and occasionally Spectacled and Little Red Flying-foxes are observed.
On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings following the conference sessions, up to 80 delegates on each night will be transported on buses to Cattana Wetlands from Cairns Convention Centre (~20 mins) and returned to the Convention Centre at the end of the night. During the evening, delegates will get a chance to look for Spectacled and Little Red Flying-foxes. Sponsors will also be running a bat detecting walk through the wetlands to observe echolocating bats. This will be a fantastic opportunity for delegates to use some of the products that our sponsors will be displaying during the conference. Of course, delegates are welcome to bring their own detectors or other devices to the walk. More details about the walk will be provided closer to the conference, but do remember to pack your head torch and walking boots. Delegates will be guided by Cattana volunteers along paths at the wetland. It is important that delegates follow the directions of Cattana volunteers and stick to paths as crocodiles do occur at the site. Delegates will be provided with a light dinner (sandwiches, fruit platters, water, juices and soft drinks (soda)).
The cost of attending includes return transport and dinner. As places are limited, please apply for just one of the nights.
Tolga Bat Hospital
Dates: Sunday 3 August and Wednesday 6 August
Time: Sunday: 8.30am-2pm (departing Tolga back to Cairns at 12:30pm) and Wednesday
Capacity: 50 people on each day
Price: AUD$65
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit the Tolga Bat Hospital, where you’ll get an up-close look at bat conservation in action. This day trip includes a stop at a Spectacled Flying-fox camp, where we’ll observe these fascinating bats in their natural habitat and a visit to the hospital to learn about Tolga’s work - rescue, rehabilitation, research, wildlife-friendly fencing and ecotourism. Delegates will be transported by bus from Cairns to Tolga Bat Hospital and back.
The trip will be offered on two different days during the conference, Sunday 3 August before the Welcome Mixer and Wednesday 6 August on the workshop day. Participants should bring their own snacks/lunch, as we’ll return after lunchtime. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of Australia’s leading bat care and conservation facilities.
Time: Sunday: 8.30am-2pm (departing Tolga back to Cairns at 12:30pm) and Wednesday
Capacity: 50 people on each day
Price: AUD$65
Join us for a unique opportunity to visit the Tolga Bat Hospital, where you’ll get an up-close look at bat conservation in action. This day trip includes a stop at a Spectacled Flying-fox camp, where we’ll observe these fascinating bats in their natural habitat and a visit to the hospital to learn about Tolga’s work - rescue, rehabilitation, research, wildlife-friendly fencing and ecotourism. Delegates will be transported by bus from Cairns to Tolga Bat Hospital and back.
The trip will be offered on two different days during the conference, Sunday 3 August before the Welcome Mixer and Wednesday 6 August on the workshop day. Participants should bring their own snacks/lunch, as we’ll return after lunchtime. Don’t miss this chance to experience one of Australia’s leading bat care and conservation facilities.
kURANDA DAY TRIP AND BAT WALK
Date: Saturday 9th August 2025
Times: 8am – 7:30pm
Meals: BBQ Buffet Lunch, plus packed Morning and Afternoon Tea
Luxury coach charter transfers included
Cost: AUD$300 p/p
Capacity: 160 people
Experience one of Cairns’ most iconic day trips, with a batty focus!
On this exclusive tour, start the day with a trip to Kuranda on the famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding just metres above the pristine jungle canopy with breathtaking panoramic views of Barron Gorge and Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Once in Kuranda, take a tour of Rainforestation Nature Park where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of Far North Queensland. Highlights include:
In Kuranda, visit BatReach facility for an opportunity to meet and learn about flying-foxes and local microbats and their conservation.
Finish your day with:
Times: 8am – 7:30pm
Meals: BBQ Buffet Lunch, plus packed Morning and Afternoon Tea
Luxury coach charter transfers included
Cost: AUD$300 p/p
Capacity: 160 people
Experience one of Cairns’ most iconic day trips, with a batty focus!
On this exclusive tour, start the day with a trip to Kuranda on the famous Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, gliding just metres above the pristine jungle canopy with breathtaking panoramic views of Barron Gorge and Australia’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.
Once in Kuranda, take a tour of Rainforestation Nature Park where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of Far North Queensland. Highlights include:
- Army Duck Rainforest Tour – Travel on both land and water through the lush rainforest.
- Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience & Dreamtime Walk – Learn about local Indigenous traditions through dance, storytelling, and boomerang throwing.
- Koala & Wildlife Park – Encounter some of Australia and North Queensland's most iconic wildlife including Southern Cassowaries, Saltwater Crocodiles, and other unique Australian wildlife.
- Enjoy an Aussie BBQ Buffet Lunch
In Kuranda, visit BatReach facility for an opportunity to meet and learn about flying-foxes and local microbats and their conservation.
Finish your day with:
- A scenic Kuranda Scenic Railway back down the mountain through the rainforest back to Cairns
- Just before dusk, visit the Cairns Botanic Gardens to embark on a bat walk and spotlight to look for some of Far North Queensland’s more elusive nocturnal creatures.
- Starts & ends in Cairns (Specific pick-up locations TBA).
- Dinner & accommodation are not included.
- Suitable for nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, and bat aficionados!
Long field trips, further afield
In addition to the single day trips outlined above, there will be at least three longer post-conference field trips, each commencing on Sunday 10 August 2025 (or soon after). Two will be showcasing the wonderful Pacific Islands, with one in amazing northern Australia, and more may be added in the future.
Details of these trips are currently being finalised, and so are not part of the Call for Registration process. As we think there will be a lot of interest in these trips, yet places are limited, we will release an Expression of Interest later in March, providing full details of each trip, including the duration, logistics and costs. This information will be loaded onto the IBRC website, and widely distributed through other mediums. Applications for the EOI will be open for a month, and applying will indicate a firm commitment to attend if successful in securing a place. Working with the field trips leaders, we will then allocate people to trips, with everyone notified soon after as to if they have secured a place on one of the field trips. Successful applicants would then be sent an invoice to arrange payment to lock in their place on the trip.
Select each title below for a short preliminary description:
Details of these trips are currently being finalised, and so are not part of the Call for Registration process. As we think there will be a lot of interest in these trips, yet places are limited, we will release an Expression of Interest later in March, providing full details of each trip, including the duration, logistics and costs. This information will be loaded onto the IBRC website, and widely distributed through other mediums. Applications for the EOI will be open for a month, and applying will indicate a firm commitment to attend if successful in securing a place. Working with the field trips leaders, we will then allocate people to trips, with everyone notified soon after as to if they have secured a place on one of the field trips. Successful applicants would then be sent an invoice to arrange payment to lock in their place on the trip.
Select each title below for a short preliminary description:
Bogainville, Papua New Guinea
Contribute to community-led science initiatives focused on bat conservation, while exploring this unique region’s rich biodiversity. Participants will have the opportunity to catch and observe bats, engage with local conservation efforts, and experience Bougainville’s natural beauty.
Vanuatu
Assist with research in a stunning island setting, including mist netting, acoustic reference collection, and biodiversity surveys.
DAintree & Beyond
Explore the incredible ecosystems of North Queensland, from Savannah woodland to tropical rainforest, with activities such as bat trapping, acoustic monitoring, a river cruise to spot crocodiles, and nocturnal wildlife observations.
