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.

Wyolie
Woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

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.

The expedition fee covers food and transport from Adelaide. Although aimed at the 16-25 year age group, successful expeditions have been conducted for both mature and mixed age groups.

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.

What’s Planned for 2023?

The next expedition is to Nature Foundations – Witchelina Nature Reserve scheduled for Friday 14th April – Sunday 23rd April 2023. To register interest please use the Contact Page

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.

In General:

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.

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.
  • 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
  • 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)
  • 2010 : Bimbowrie – Conservation Park in the eastern part of SA near Olary
  • 2011: Arkaroola Part 1A – Private Wilderness Sanctuary North Flinders Ranges (revisit same area as 2009 after plenty of rain). Annette Vincent Ant Report Arkaroola 2011 (Reprinted with kind permission of the Editor, The South Australian Naturalist)
  • 2012: Nullarbor – Sites from near Colona west of Penong to the WA border at Merdayerah and two north of Hughes and Cook on the East-West railway
  • 2013: Hiltaba – Two expeditions to Hiltaba, a Nature Foundation property on upper Eyre Peninsula to obtain baseline data following removal of feral goats
  • 2014: Nangwarry – In the South-East of South Australia to study the effects of various burning regimes in native forest on fauna and flora
  • 2015: Witchelina – Phase 1 (Near Pug Hut) – Witchelina is a former pastoral property that comprises a magnificent outback expanse. extending from Lake Torrens in the south to Marree in the north. Witchelina 1 Expedition Manual 2015 and Annette Vincent Ant Report Witchelina (Reprinted with kind permission of the Editor, The South Australian Naturalist)
  • 2016: Witchelina – Phase 2 (Near Main Homestead and Woolshed). Witchelina 2 Expedition Manual 2016 and Witchelina 2 Data Report 2016
  • 2018: Ikara-Flinders Rangers National Park – 95000, hectares including the Heysen Range, Brachina and Bunyeroo Gorges and Wilpena Pound. Annette Vincent Invertebrate Report Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park
  • 2019: Innamincka Regional Reserve (Malkumba-Coongie Wetland Wonders) (May) – The area includes dune fields and gibber plains supporting threatened species listed under Federal Environmental Legislation. Annette Vincent Invertebrates Report Innaminka – Malkumba Coongie Wetland Wonders
  • 2019: Innes National Park – Southern York Peninsula – baseline data collection for the Great Southern Ark Project for the re-wilding of the Southern York Peninsula (September)