The next Pilliga Tag-a-Long tour will be Wed 20th September to Friday 22nd September. The tours are not-for profit. No-one working for the tours are paid, but incur costs for their activism. All participants pay their own costs, travel, food and accommodation.
The Pilliga Tag-along tour is a not-for-profit tour. It is an activist tour aiming to educate and highlight the dire impacts of coal seam gas. It is tour that contrasts the beauty of the Pilliga with the visible impacts of mining.Car sharing is encouraged, as fuel is the largest cost. Self-catering is an option; costs are kept to a minimum.
We will then visit either the Barradine Forest Discovery Centre, the Sculptures In The Scrub or Fire tower and Salt Caves and the Sandstone Caves. From the top of the fire tower enjoy extensive views of The Pilliga, the Warrumbungles and Mount Kaputar. If time permits we will visit Dandry Gorge; take a 3 km walk to see the beauty of this rugged country and the amazing sculptures, then a 1.7km walk to view the beautiful colours and Aboriginal art in the Sandstone Caves.
Day 3 we tour the coal seam gas fields: visit ‘produced water’ spills; and see poorly rehabilitated areas on old exploration sites, gas pipelines, pilot production wells, and previously unlined produced water ponds. Santos’s infrastructure and hear about the risks to the Great Artesian Basin.
The Santos leasehold in the Gunnedah Basin includes 53 current wells in the Pilliga and 850 proposed wells in the Pilliga and adjoining farmlands.
Pat Schultz, National Parks association, Armidale Branch
Wando Conservation and cultural Centre Sustainable Living Armidale
Bookings essential Pilliga registration Sept 23 DOCX 17KB
National Parks association, Armidale Branch and Wando Conservation and Cultural Centre invite you to join Pat Schultz on a tag-a-long tour of the culturally and ecologically significant & wonderful Pilliga Forest. The proposed program is flexible and depends on numbers attending and weather conditions.
Tuesday 19th — If time permits it is most enjoyable to have a day at the Pilliga Hot Bore Baths prior to the tour.
Wednesday 20th — Arrive at Pilliga village on Wednesday 20th May to camp & relax at Pilliga hot bore baths ($5) or book into the Pilliga Pub, the pub has two family rooms Phone 02 6796 4320 for bookings. Dinner available at the pub. No bookings required for camping.
Thursday 21st — Leave at 8.30am Drive to Baradine Forest Discovery Centre, with interesting displays and the history of The Pilliga, then on to Sculptures in the Scrub or the Salt Cave & the Fire tower for expansive views across forest vista to Warrumbungle and Nandewar ranges. If time permits visit Gamilaraay Sculpture Walk and possibly the Sandstone Caves. Stay at Barkala Homestay (Pilliga Pottery) where camping, private room or share a room in unique accommodation is available and dine in the Blue Wren Cafe. No bookings required for camping.
Friday 22nd — Leave at 8.30am to tour Santos coal seam gas fields & infrastructure, accompanied by a local Pilliga resident who will share their love and knowledge of Pilliga biodiversity and give an update on the controversial Narrabri Gas Project impacting on the forest, surrounding farmlands & the serious risks to the Great Artesian Basin For those with commitments the tour ends to allow travel home on Friday afternoon or for those staying the accommodation is the same as for Thursday night.
Saturday 23rd — For those who have more time, we’ll visit any destinations missed on Saturday or meet the Interests of participants, for example bushwalks and other related activities.
