Members’ Get-Together
November Fri 7 to Sun 9, 2025

The Northern Group will be hosting the state get-together on the second weekend of November. The theme is "Native Bushland on private properties" with a variety of properties available for members to visit from Friday afternoon to Sunday.

There will be the usual Friday evening soup and sandwich supper and a more substantial dinner on the Saturday evening.
There is no charge for the soup and sanwiches (provided by NG members). The cost of the catered Saturday dinner is $60pp - if you are coming, please pay by direct transfer to BSB 037 608, Account 727784 by 1 November; use your surname + no of diners as the reference.

If you are planning to come to the GTG please let Roy Skabo know by email: rlskabo@gmail.com. Also, let him know if you are coming to the Friday night soup and supper and the Saturday night dinner and which properties/gardens you wish to visit. This will help us plan the weekend.

Maps - Properties & Gardens
See the Program

Bush Properties

  • The property is on the eastern slopes of the Western Tiers and there are magnificent views to the east and north from the shack site, where people can have lunch when they arrive.

    The lower part of the property was planted with Eucalyptus nitens which have been harvested and replaced with Pinus radiata, which will be harvested in a few years time.

    The upper part of the property is wet sclerophyll forest with a variety of eucalypts, daisy bushes, a numerous ground cover species including several orchids.

  • Open Friday noon till 5:30pm only

    Launceston to Blackwood Creek via Bass Hwy/ Oaks Road/Pitts Lane etc 37 min

    From Devonport via Bass Hwy to Oaks Road etc 1hr 17 min.

    From Hobart via Midlands Hwy via Powranna/ Cressy / Saundridge Road/ Blackwood Creek Road / Top Road etc 2hr 30 min.

Plant List - TBS

  • This is a delightful remnant patch of wet sclerophyll forest in very good condition and with a large variety of species, from white gums and stringybarks to daisy bushes, ferns and orchids.

    There are good tracks which are flat to gently sloping. Toilets and coffee available.

  • Distance from Launceston 32 km and 32 mintes driving time.

Plant List - Nichols

  • This is a large, covenanted property with a range of vegetation types from wet sedgy heathland in the lower areas, through dry sclerophyll bushland on the slopes and open coastal heathland at the top of the property, where Scott has his house, from which there are magnificent 360 degree views.

    The property contains a varied flora including several threatened species, notably the rare, small grasstree (Xanthorrhoea bracteata).

    The property also contains a devil-breeding enclosure and several pondages with lots of green-and-gold frogs.

    There are lots of tracks and the walking is easy in most areas.

    Note that this property also has lots of (well fed) snakes so gaiters might be a good idea.

  • Open Saturday 9:00 till 5:30pm only

    Distance from Launceston about 65 km and about 60 minutes driving time.

Plant List - Bell

  • This property is an example of how the right treatment can produce a wonderful display of wildflowers in a very flat, damp near-coastal heathland.

    The property was used for many years as a landing strip for light aircraft, so the coastal shrubland was cleared and kept slashed, which allowed a large variety of colourful, herbaceous plants to flourish. There are water features which are ideal for the growth of small ephemeral plants including the rare Stylidium despectum.

  • 2-3 hours on property

    Distance from Launceston about 67 km and driving time about 60 mins

Plant List - Lyons

  • Keith and Megan have owned this property for over 40 years and have a long-term goal of making it viable as a commercial apiary site. To this end they have planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs which will provide nectar and pollen for bees.

    They propagate all the plants used in revegetating the property and give many plants to not-for-profit organisations and private landholders for their own revegetation projects.

    Anyone who is interested in propagation and bees and honey production would find this property of interest. Keith and Megan have a very efficient nursery on site, an impressive garden in which they grow most of their fruit and vegetable requirements and needless to say, a small apiary.

  • About 2-3 hours on the property

    Distance from Launceston about 40 km and driving time about 40 minutes.

Plant List - Darke

  • This is a delightful property with over one hundred native species including 6 Eucalyptus species, an uncommon dogwood species, Pomaderris aspera and a number of orchid species occupying a variety of habitats. Lars is an environmental scientist whose research for his thesis was conducted on his property under the guidance of Jamie Kirkpatrick. Lars’ knowledge of the flora on his property is very detailed. An interesting morning is assured. It is suggested that people bring lunch and a folding chair so they can have lunch on the property. Toilet available and hot water for tea/coffee.

  • About half a day on the property, for reasonably fit and agile people.

    We are suggesting that people visit this property on Sunday on their way home as it is south east of Launceston and a fair drive from the other properties on offe

    Distance from Launceston about 30 km and drive time about 30 minutes.

Plant List - Roberts

  • An interesting dry sclerophyll bushland in good condition. A recent burn on part of the property should result in a number of species appearing in a damp area previously dominated by bracken and shrubs.

  • Distance from Launceston 45 km north and drive time about 45 minutes

Plant List - Stevens

Gardens

  • Probably the best native garden in the vicinity of Launceston. Allow 2 hours to see this garden

    Good place to have lunch, toilets available.

  • Unusual, neat/formal, coastal garden. Combine with visit to the Lyons property. Allow 2 hrs to see this garden.

  • Thirty year old established garden at the back including 3 stunning NSW Waratah’s. Newly planted native front garden 1- 2 years with mixed bottle brush screening hedge.

  • 10 year old native planting. Initial soil preparation for a native garden and landscaping features including rockwork.

  • Margaret built in 1997, so early plantings are 28 years old, the established trees, Yate, Banksia and Lily Pily. More recent plantings were done 2 - 3 years ago making way for Vege garden.

    Wollemi Pine planted 5 years ago, hedge of Melaleuca gibbosa, and native cherry.

  • Established in 2018 on a steep 1200 sq m block, 1st layer of planting 6 years ago, 2nd stage 5 years ago.

    Two magnificent Myoporum floribundum and Callistemon “slim” makes a great hedge screen.