Nature Journaling Locations 2024
9:30 – 11:30am, first Sunday of the month.
Bring portable art materials, perhaps one or two of the following suggestions:
watercolours, brushes, water pot and water, pencils, pen, crayons,
sketchbook, paper.
A camp chair or picnic rug to sit on. Water and snacks. Binoculars and
camera if you have them. Your sense of wonder and creativity. No experience
necessary, all welcome.
Please wear a sun hat, longs sleeve top and long trousers, sturdy shoes for
uneven ground and snake protection.
Please note, we will be on rough tracks and uneven ground.
Please note that walks will be cancelled if severe weather warnings are in place, persistent rain is forecast, the temperature is forecast to be 35C or above during the event period, and/or a Total Fire Ban is declared. Please send an email to castlemaine@birdlife.com.au or check our Facebook page the day before the event in case there is a cancellation.
4 February
Often our hottest month, so we are headed for a cool spot in the deep shade of magnificent trees, looking over water. Great spot to sketch ducks and other water birds.
Castlemaine Botanical Gardens, Downes Rd, Castlemaine.
Car park nearest to Lake Johanna and Tea Rooms.
(-37.0530892, 144.2164055)
3 March
A very pretty spot overlooking a dam, in some very healthy bush and accompanied by flocks of woodland birds.
Dam off Porcupine Ridge Rd, Glenluce. Helge Track to the north and Wewak Track to the south.
Sign posted “Dam”, drive slowly down the track on the east side of Porcupine Ridge Rd.
(-37.1949361, 144.2101281)
The ford at Vaughan Springs might be too deep and rocky, best access is via Guildford and Tarilta to get to the northern end of Porcupine Ridge Rd.
Please drive slowly through the farm near Tarilta, animals on road.
7 April
A grassy glade deep in a meandering valley, by a picturesque dry creek bed.
Fryers-Taradale Road, Fryerstown.
700m east from junction of Fryers-Taradale Rd and Fryers Tower Hill Rd.
(-37.1294189, 144.2869138)
5 May
Choose a spot in view of the mining heritage poppet head, a couple of dams and surrounding by bush. A hot spot for woodland birds.
Red White and Blue Mine, Muckleford.
Junction Bells Lane Track and Red White and Blue Track, Muckleford
(-37.0597434, 144.1077986)
17-19 May
The inaugural Nature Journaling campout arriving Friday night on the weekend of 18-19 May.
Natural bush location to be confirmed, but it will be within about 3 hours drive from Castlemaine, and have accommodation nearby.
Camp will have a long drop toilet, but probably no other facilities. BYO camping equipment, binoculars, camera and art materials and immerse yourself in nature.
2 June
Slightly rocky woodland setting, on a ridge. Some interesting flora and hopefully mixed flocks of woodland birds.
Spring Gully Rd, Campbells Creek.
The pull out on the left/north side of Spring Gully Rd, about 1.4km from Campbells Creek Fryers Rd.
(-37.1145753, 144.2272416)
7 July
Views from a ridge top in pretty bush, close to Castlemaine and warm cafes which might be very inviting after a morning sketching. I’ve heard Painted Button-quail from this spot.
Kalimna Park Tourist Walking Track.
Kalimna Park Tourist Drive, Castlemaine.
(-37.0545681, 144.2362253)
4 August
Bit to cold for sitting in the bush for 2 hours, so stay home, keep warm and sketch what ever is outside your window. See you next month.
1 September
Fascinating quartz in a mined landscape, with surprisingly interesting flora making the most of disturbed ground.
Summit White Quartz Hill
White Quartz Hill Track
Chewton
(-37.0650564, 144.2579589)
Approach from Collies Rd
6 October
Marvel at the plant diversity, wildflowers and a magnificent view over “The Res” and it’s rich bird life.
Expedition Pass Reservoir
Golden Point Rd, Golden Point.
(-37.0527855, 144.2751445)
3 November
Birding hotspot, with some of the locally rarer species popping up from time to time, such as Diamond Fire-tail and a pair of Little Eagles. There’s always a possibility we will see the cute but ferocious insectivor, Yellow-footed Antechinus .
Rise and Shine Bushland Reserve
Junction Zumpes Rd and Drury Lane, Clydesdale.
From Hepburn Newstead Rd, turn west onto Zumpes Rd.
(-37.1671747, 144.0801315)
1 December
A gorgeous spot on the Loddon River with plenty of shade and woodland birds. Eastern Yellow Robins, Crimson Rosellas and even Painted Button-quail have been found here.
Glenluce Spring, Drummond-Vaughn Rd, Vaughn.
Glenluce Spring is sign posted off the northern end of Drummond-Vaughn Rd.
(-37.1642926, 144.2294357)
Additional information nearer the date of each session.
