The 2019 APS Get-Together – Newcastle Area
Hosted by the APS Newcastle Group on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th August 2019
An Invitation…
You are cordially invited to the 2019 APS NSW Get-Together. This not to be missed event is being held at a varied range of locations in the Newcastle area.
There are a range of different native vegetation communities available to explore. Your visit will take you to some of the gems of the area and you will be able to see the spectacular coastal flora at its peak.
Agenda
Saturday morning – Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
We’ll start at the award-winning Hunter Region Botanic Gardens (https://www.huntergardens.org.au). The Newcastle Group has been involved with the Gardens since its creation in 1986. The Gardens covers 133 hectares of Eucalypt forest on the deep sands of the Tomago sandbeds. There are many themed gardens amongst the forest that show our flora, both local to the Hunter Valley and the rest of Australia.
The morning features a talk by Dr Stephen Bell on the “Endemic Flora of the Hunter Region”, before guided walks around the Gardens.
Enjoy morning tea and a catered lunch at the Gardens.
Saturday afternoon – Walks in Port Stephens area
We’ll head towards the Port Stephens area for walks, guided by our local members. These will feature a range of different plant communities and the coastal flora as well as some spectacular coastal scenery.
Saturday evening – Dinner at Mayfield
From 6 pm, meet at Wests in Mayfield for dinner (at own expense). There is a good range of food choices to cater for a range of tastes. https://www.westsnewcastle.com.au/casual-eats/the-bistro
Sunday morning – Two walks: Glenrock Scout Camp and Awabakal Reserve
There are two walks, with time to do both.
1. Visit the Glenrock Scout Camp to see the garden of John Le Messurier, the 2018 ABC Gardener of the year
2. Walk out to the bluff at the Awabakal Nature Reserve, the destination for the annual “Awabakal Wildflower Walk”. We will be visiting at the spring peak for wildflowers.
Sunday afternoon – Hunter Wetlands Centre
Enjoy a catered lunch at the Hunter Wetlands Centre, the home base for APS Newcastle Group (https://wetlands.org.au), followed by guided walks around the wetlands and a visit to the Newcastle Group’s nursery for an opportunity to buy plants from the wide range of native plants produced by the “Thursday Mob.
Please register and pay by 15 July 2019
Registration for the weekend is $40 and includes lunch and morning tea on both Saturday and Sunday.
Please fill out and return the attached form with payment (either by bank transfer or cheque).
Download the information and registration form here.
