On the Expedition
Dusk till dawn - an overnight eco adventure.
This year Melbourne Microbats research teams will be treated to a complete dusk till dawn experience sleeping overnight inside the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - something usually unavailable for the general public - while also being able to enjoy the Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinema in the gardens while waiting for the microbats to come out.
Families welcome Looking for a fun family activity on a Saturday night? Why not sign up for an overnight adventure inside the Royal Botanical Gardens and help uncover the secrets of Melbourne's urban dwelling tiny bats. Children, aged 10-17 are only $59 and adults are $89. All prices include accommodation, breakfast, light refreshments and a contribution to continuing this important research. Family nights are only the Saturday night teams.
Why Microbats are so Important
Most of us know the feeling of being eaten alive by mosquitoes in summer. Microbats play a vital role in our ecosystems especially in the warmer months by keeping mosquitoes at bay, eating up to 600 an hour!
Join a Microbats Team
- Conduct night surveys by trapping bats and locating bats with bat detectors
- Learn about the threats facing microbats
- Enjoy free entry into the Moonlight Cinema, subject to Moonlight Cinema conditions
Meals and Accommodations
Overnight accommodation (dorm style) will be provided inside the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.
Snacks will be provided during the evening and breakfast will also be supplied.
About the Research Area
This year's field research will focus on the long-term viability of microbats in Melbourne by focusing on female microbats; their breeding behaviours, reproduction, survival rates of babies, birth rates, death rates and roosting locations.
Details on the distribution, abundance and diet of bats will be recorded and later analysed in the laboratory by researchers. This information will be used to establish baseline data on the community composition and critical habitat requirements of insectivorous bats across greater Melbourne and ways to better conserve and sustain their populations.