DIGGING IT!

Each year the United Nations [UN] recognises World Environment Day to encourage us all to greater awareness of the environment we are responsible for, and to promote political environmental responsibility.  This year on Saturday June 7th the Forest of Tranquility will be hosting a celebration for World Environment Day ....'cos we dig it!

There will be activities and speakers throughout the 3-day weekend - it's the NSW Queens Birthday long weekend - but the focus on the Saturday is the environment and for that day only, entry will be by gold coin donation.   Here is the list of speakers on the day:

ENVIRONMENTAL SPEAKERS for World Environment Day
INSECTS with Jeannie Lawson  ... Well-known local naturalist, Jeannie Lawson, will share her passion for the tiny life of the Forest and explain just how important they are in the eco-system. This hands-on talk will give you the opportunity to see bugs in a different light.
RAINFOREST PLANTS with Deidrie Jinks  ...Deidrie has been involved with the Sydney Rainforest Nursery for many years. She will share her experience and dedication to our rainforest species in a presentation designed to inspire the protection of our native plants. She will also have plants to sell, as well as some of her delicious native jams.
RAINFOREST BIRDS with Chris Herbert  .... Chris is a retired geologist who now spends his time researching native birds. As a member of the Hunter Bird Observers Club he records the movements of migratory shorebirds in the Hunter region and has published many papers. He will share his wealth of knowledge with us with a walk and talk to discover our local birdlife.
BUSH FOODS & MEDICINES with Jeannie Lawson  .... As well as being a passionate naturalist, Jeannie is also a qualified herbalist and can point out many of the rainforest plants that can be of use to us. This workshop is a journey back through time when the bush was all you had to provide food, shelter and medicines.
FUNGI WALK with Pam O’Sullivan   ...  Pam has been our Central Coast fungi guru for many years. She has a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for this little-known facet of the Forest eco-system. Her walk will allow you to discover these colourful and exotic organisms. You will be amazed at how many you will find.

  

OVER THE WEEKEND:
SCULPTURE WORKSHOP  learn to make artworks for the garden
TIMBER WORKSHOP   on Australian timbers and their use in instrument making
MUSIC WORKSHOP  instruments .... and live music over the weekend
BUSH FOODS WORKSHOP
ART INSTALLATIONS, STALLS, Kids Activities, Walks

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Photographer: Jeannie Lawson

With school holidays upon us already in NSW, what better way to keep the kids occupied than with a forest ramble.  On both Thursday's of the holidays, our award-winning eco-tour naturalist, Jeannie Lawson, will be conducting guided walks at 1pm.  The walks cost just $5 pp and bookings are essential.  

Photograph: Jeannie Lawson

Our Forest changes with every season and Autumn is the time to discover lots of new things like:  our fascinating fungi in all its varied colours and shapes;  

because Autumn brings lots of worms closer to the surface, it's an attraction for our many Lyre Birds to feast on their favourite foods;  the small reptiles are searching for the last of the warmth before hibernation so you may see some Dragons in the Forest.  These are just a few of the many exciting this to see in the Forest this season.
We have some planned activities to keep the kids busy too - and give mum/grandma a bit of breathing space.  {check with our staff in advance by phoning ahead of your visit}

You can also see some of the early installations for our Tranquility Exhibition leading up to World Environment Day on Saturday June 7th.  On that day we'll be having talks by artists and by environmentalists - more information on this will be posted here in coming weeks.   If you're not already a member, sign up to receive information as it's posted - it's free to join.

Remember:  Guided Walks Thursday 17^th and Thursday 24^th April – at 1pm.  
Bookings essential as places are limited.

Welcoming in the new year

2013 was such a big year with so many wonderful events and activities happening in the Forest.  We're delighted that so many visitors came to meet our residents and enjoy themselves here.
2014 is making a great start too with some exciting things happening in January and February.  Take the opportunity to bring the kids down during school holidays and keep them occupied with some of the kid-friendly activities -  like:

 Pirate Mermaids and Water Bugs -  19 January -  10 am for 10:30 start. 

Details at http://www.forestoftranquility.com/events.php

Ukulele for Absolute Beginners in fabulous outdoor setting   6 - 10 January  -  - 11am 

See http://www.forestoftranquility.com/events.php for details. 

Contact whistlestudios@gmail.com for bookings or phone the Forest of Tranquility 4362 1855. 

 

Lunar Chinese New Year - 8 February    

Ink Calligraphy 

Healing Gongs

Laughter Yoga

Live Earth Music

FINALE! Celebrations

As we come to the end of our 2013 Firefly Season we're reflecting on a key issue - the environment.  Because we have seen some changes in this year's season that we've never seen before and are finding hard to explain.  We've also seen visitors to the Forest this season that are highly attuned to their surrounding environment - and some that are totally NOT attuned.  Stay posted and we'll explain further in next month's article.
For now, we're working to get ready for our Firefly Finale  - it will be a BIG weekend on  21/22 December - and you're invited to join us!   Here are the details:

21 December Firefly Finale Wizard Festival  - 4pm - 10pm. Wizard Workshops commence 4 pm. This will be followed by Firefly Closing Night Walk around 8:30pm and Music to end the Season. For bookings contact events@forestoftranquility.com

•     Artistic Photo Tips for the smart phone 4pm
•     Laughter Yoga.
•     Healing Gongs - Songdahla Sound Bath in the Forest. 5pm
•     Body Percussion
•     Firefly Night Walk after 8pm
•     Live Music Melting Pot until 10pm.

Firefly Magic Weekend Night Live Music and 21 Dec Firefly Finale Wizard Entry Prices: 
Adult $35.00   Pension Card Concession $25.00 Children $25.00 Students $35
Family (2 adults, 2 children) $85.00    
Bookings open for Sat 21 December by contacting events@forestoftranquility.com.au

 22 December Rainforest Family Christmas Festival -  11-2pm

Come dressed as your favourite Christmas character ...all Christmas elves and angels welcome! Bring a picnic lunch.
Prices:  Adults $20  Child $15  Family $50 {2 A + 1-2 C}

FIREFLY SEASON HAS STARTED

We're very excited here in the Forest because the first of the fireflies have started to emerge - earlier than usual.  Our Firefly Season starts this weekend on Saturday 9th November and we have lots of things happening between now and mid December to celebrate this season.

Firefly Magic is a unique festival at the beautiful Australian Rainforest Sanctuary, known locally as the Forest of Tranquility.

That enchanting hour between day and night is when creatures of the forest stir from their afternoon slumbers and venture out to play.  The Fireflies come out at Dusk and like humidity. However they do vary nightly, so we suggest the evening is deemed an opportunity for a twilight stroll and evening picnic. A torch is recommended - for footsteps - not for viewing.

 

Due to dry conditions and bush fire smoke we have decided to move the Wizard Costume Event and workshops to the closing of the Firefly Season on the 21 December. This will coincide with our Musical Melting Pot weekend 21 and 22 December and Xmas activities on the Sunday. 

The Wizard Costume event and workshops will be followed by Healing Gongs and live music with  local group "Lightning Bugs".  Here is a snapshot of the program for that day:

21 December ~  Wizard - Costume Event and Workshop Details - Park entry from midday on Saturday. $30 per person. Wizard Workshops commence 3pm. Finish 5:30pm.

• Laughter Yoga.
• Healing Gongs - Songdahla Sound Bath in the Forest.
• Artistic Photo Tips for the smart phone
• Fire Twirling Beginners

Wizard Costume Competition - Awards and prizes for originality, aesthetics, creativity and sustainability.

LIGHTING UP NOVEMBER

It's nearly that time again ... 
 FIREFLY SEASON ... mid November to mid December is when these remarkable creatures turn out for the most spectacular light show and here at the Australian Rainforest Sanctuary  we have arguably the best show in Australia!

This year, we have quite a feast of activities and events planned around the season and here's an early taste:

WIZARD FIREFLY MAGIC

OPENING PROGRAM

• short workshops
• long workshops
• dress-up competition with prizes awarded
• live music
• Asian Noodle Dinner
• Firefly Magic Forest Walk
• Wizard Minstrels

...more details will be posted in coming weeks. 
Preliminary information:

• On-line booking is available via our blog http://forestoftranquility.blogspot.com.au/ by clicking the book now button.

• Prices are published on the website www.forestoftranquility.com

• Early bird tickets $65 adult and $30 for children must be booked direct with the Forest of Tranquility by emailing fireflies@forestoftranquility.com. Note ratio of one child per adult. Early bird price still includes asian noodle dinner for adult and child.

•  On line tickets are $85 and are non refundable but in the event of bad weather the event will be moved to the following weekend. 

•  Remember to come in costume and bring a rug and torches for your feet.

 TEMPORARY CHANGE TO OPENING HOURS:

Currently we are closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays until Firefly Season opens  in order to carry out further track repairs.

WHAT A WELCOME TO SPRING!