What Are Expeditions?

Expeditions are usually a fortnight in duration. They address a need for the accumulation of useful scientific and cultural data in cooperation with the appropriate institutions.

Scientific Investigations may include:

  • Mammal, bird, reptile, invertebrate and vegetation surveys, and ecological monitoring
  • Water quality and surface water studies
  • Hydrological and water catchment studies including some monitoring programs
  • Geological and geomorphological studies.

Cultural Projects may include:

  • Aboriginal and European heritage.
  • Human impact on the environment.

General Information:

Leadership is by a volunteer team of chief leader and five or six leaders, as well as visiting experts. Leaders are chosen to have good scientific backgrounds and extensive outdoor experience. There are usually about 25 expeditioners, preferably with experience in camping.

There is a fee charged to join an Expedition. The amount will vary depending on any subsidies that may be received by SEG from the hosting party (eg for fuel and accommodation), the remoteness of the location, the facilities available to SEG etc. The expedition fee covers food and transport from Adelaide. Student fees are usually subsidised.

Anyone is welcome to join in a SEG Expedition with those under 18 needing to be accompanied by an adult.

Expeditioners learn new skills by cooperating to achieve the scientific and cultural aims of the expedition, sometimes under trying conditions. Some expeditioners have returned to become leaders of later expeditions. SEG practices minimum impact camping.

Expeditions are usually held in the Spring (late September to early October) of each year, however, extra or out of time expeditions can occur.

Destinations and dates are usually confirmed by the middle of each year.

What’s Planned for 2026?

There is no major Expedition planned for 2026. Our hard working Science and Expedition leaders are taking a short break while they work on something special for 2027.

In the meantime, why not try one of our other project activities.

Maybe you’ve never seen a malleefowl or have never been on a Mallee fowl count. See if this floats your boat.

How about a mini bio-survey conducted over five days at Minnawarra. Come for a day, come for the whole time with camping available.

The third project is VGRaSP in the Gammon Ranges, assisting with pluviometer work, official vegetation photopoints, or sometimes just lugging in equipment or water to various points. Some hiking and camping experience is required due to the remote location. We are away from vehicles for 2-3 days.

Wyolie
Woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

Past Expeditions

  • 1985: Chowilla – The Chowilla Creek region of the River Murray along the NSW and SA border.
  • 1986: Freeling Plateau – a remote, rugged and mountainous region in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
  • 1987: Canunda – a coastal and sand dune National Park in the South East of South Australia.
  • 1988: Coongie – a remote wetland area near Innaminka in the northeast of SA. Coongie Expedition Report
  • 1990: Gammon Ranges – a remote, rugged mountainous terrain in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
  • 1991: Lake Newland Phases I and II – The Conservation Park of central western Eyre Peninsula.
  • 1992: Kangaroo Island – Flinders Chase National Park at the western end of the Island.
  • 1993: Venus Bay – Conservation Park on the West Coast of SA.
  • 1993: Kangaroo Island – further work in Flinders Chase National Park.
  • 1995: Gawler Ranges – a little studied region of northern Eyre Peninsula.
  • 1996: Gammon Ranges – remote, rugged mountainous terrain in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
  • 1997: Balcanoona – on the eastern side of the Gammon Ranges National Park.
  • 1999:Warraweena – A private conservation park in the North Flinders ranges east of Beltana. Waraweena Expedition Report
  • 2000: Gluepot – A Birds Australia reserve in the Murray Mallee north of the River Murray.
  • 2002: Munyaroo – A Conservation Park which is between Whyalla and Cowell on Eyre Peninsula. Munyeroo Expedition Manual
  • 2003: Witjira – A Conservation Park which is is in the far north of South Australia
  • 2005: Moonabie – The western end of Munyaroo Conservation Park. Moonabie Expedition Report
  • 2006: Boolcoomatta – A private conservation reserve which is is near Broken Hill
  • 2007: Scrubby Peak – in the Gawler Ranges on Eyre Peninsula. Scrubby Peak Report and Annette Vincent Ant Report Scrubby Peak (Reprinted with the kind permission of the Editor, The South Australian Naturalist)
  • 2008: Marqualpie – far North East of South Australia about 100 km north of Innaminka. Annette Vincent Ant Report Marqualpie (Reprinted with kind permission of the Editor, The South Australian Naturalist)
  • 2009: Arkaroola – Private Wilderness Sanctuary North Flinders Ranges (Baseline Survey – Drought Year). Annette Vincent Ant Report Arkaroola 2009 (Reprinted with kind permission of the Editor, The South Australian Naturalist). Also see the 2009 article by Duncan MacKenzie and there is also a great poem by Russ Sinclair. These are on pages 2-7 here.