2025 NSW Events

Field Trip & Dinner: Red Gum Forests of the Murray River – Management and Future

The Forestry Australia NSW Branch warmly invites you to an upcoming weekend field trip and dinner, focusing on the management of red gum forests in the Mathoura area.

The Saturday field day will inspect Private Native Forestry operations, hosted by NSW Local Land Services; management and thinning of red gum forests by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service; and silviculture and water management of red gum State Forests by Forestry Corporation of NSW. The optional Sunday field day will tour Barham firewood processing sites, which are very large operations. The tour will conclude in the early afternoon following inspections of the Arbuthnot red gum sawmill in Koondrook. The dinner on Saturday night will be at the Timber Cutter restaurant at Picnic Point, with a presentation by host Chris Crump, owner, PNF customer and sawmiller.

There will be an informal gathering on the prior Friday evening for drinks and dinner at the Timber Cutter restaurant at Picnic Point.

Dates: Saturday 23 and/or Sunday 24 May 2026
Sunday field trip is optional

Meeting Point:
Timber Cutter restaurant at Picnic point
1021 Picnic Point Road, Mathoura, NSW
Click HERE for Google Map

Program

Saturday 23 May

9.00 am – Visit to Private Native Forestry operations near Picnic Point, with host Chris Crump.
10.00 am – 12.00 pm – Tour of NPWS red gum forests and thinning trial sites, hosted by NPWS staff.
12.00 pm – 1.00 pm – Lunch and travel.
1.00 pm – 4.00 pm – Visit to Perricoota, Koondrook and Campbells Island State Forests, focusing on red gum forest silviculture and forest flooding, hosted by Forestry Corporation staff.
4.00 pm – 5.00 pm – Travel back to accommodation.
6.30 pm – Dinner and drinks at the Timber Cutter restaurant at Picnic Point, with a presentation by host Chris Crump, owner, PNF customer and sawmiller.

Sunday 24 May — Optional

9.00 am – 10.00 am – Travel to Barham.
10.00 am – 12.00 pm – Tour of Barham firewood processing sites, including O’Brien’s Redgum and/or Gelletly Red Gum Firewood. These are very large operations that drive the excellent silvicultural outcomes being achieved in the red gum forests.
12.00 pm – 1.00 pm – Lunch.
1.00 pm – 2.00 pm – Visit to Arbuthnot Sawmills in Koondrook, specialising in river red gum timber.

Meals

• Lunch: Provided during the Saturday and Sunday field trips. Please bring your own water.
• Dinner: At your own expense. Meals and drinks can be purchased from the Timber Cutter restaurant. Registration will cover some pre-dinner drinks and nibbles.

Transport
Self-drive in convoy. Attendees will be encouraged to carpool. Please provide your preference when you register.

Equipment
Enclosed footwear, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Hard hats and vests will be provided.

Suggested accommodation
Any of the tourist parks at Picnic Point offer a range of opportunities from camp/van sites to cabins. Nearby Mathoura offers Motels, while a range of very high-quality accommodation is available at either Echuca/Moama or Deniliquin (adding roughly 40kms travel to Picnic Point). Picnic point options enable a short walk from dinner/drinks venue and for those interested in the early bird PNF session.

Registration (Incl. GST)
To access the member price, please log in to the membership portal with your membership number and password.
Registrations will close: at 10.00 am on Wednesday 20 May 2026.

Saturday and Sunday | Field Trips + Dinner
Forestry Australia Member: $55
Non-member: $70

Saturday Only | Field Trip + Dinner
Forestry Australia Member: $35
Non-member: $45

Saturday Only | Field Trip Only
Forestry Australia Member: $20
Non-member: $30

Saturday Only | Dinner Only
Forestry Australia Member: $15
Non-member: $20

Sunday Only | Field Trip Only
Forestry Australia Member: $20
Non-member: $30