This highly unique field programme offers travellers, students or interested groups the opportunity to experience the incredible cultural heritage, seascapes, outback, and wildlife of Western Australia’s south coast. The programme provides practical field training, cultural activities, and workshops, centred on:

• Traditional Culture and Life Styles
• Indigenous and Maritime Archaeology Methods and Fieldwork
• Human-Environment Interactions over the last 15,000 years
• Methods of archaeological survey, mapping, recording, and excavation
• Wildlife surveys and threatened species monitoring
• Practical experience in heritage conservation and rehabilitation, and
• Bush survival, hiking and navigation.

Gabbie Kylie 2012 Field Trips

Four field programmes are run per year:
October (Spring)
December (Summer 1)
February (Summer 2)
April (Easter)

$2500 - (Includes course handbook, all instruction, travel, food, accommodation and transport from Esperance)

Email the National Trust if you are interested in more information.

trust@ntwa.com.au

Below is an example of a field trip itinerary

Research & Discovery:

A thrilling aspect of these field programmes is that each participant gains practical skills and experiences while participating in real research projects, so you quickly become part of the team and share the real-life drama and adventure of archaeological field work and wildlife adventures in this stunning and unique environment. Some of the core research areas of each programme

include:

The Ice Age & Archaeology:

There are 105 islands and 1,500 islets in the Recherche Archipelago. Up until 8,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, these islands were part of the mainland, surrounded by a sweeping coastal plain, comprising of rivers, inlets and lagoons. The Gabbie Kylie team have discovered a number of archaeological sites and developed a model from sea-floor mapping data and other sources to trace the pattern of rising seas following global warming at the end of the cold period. For each field programme, the team carry out regional surveys and localised excavations to complement the landscape approach, and participants gain practical, high-level skills in all methods of archaeological investigation.

Whalers, Sealers and - Australia’s only known pirate:

The islands were used intensively by sealers and whalers in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Black Jack Anderson – Australia’s only known pirate. Black Jack Anderson terrorised the Recherche Archipelago in the 1830s. A number of structures on Middle Island are said to have been built and/or used by Black Jack during his stay. These structures are the subject of detailed archaeological investigation and conservation. The team is also carrying out research on the unique whaling and sealing history, searching for and recording sites across the mainland and islands.

Rock Art & Symbolic

Landscapes:

The Gabbie Kylie team have been involved in large-scale rock art documentation and protection projects, focused on the Marbleerup (Mt Ridley) Heritage Complex and other local sites. The work is aimed at assessing and addressing the impacts of water erosion. Assessing the impacts of dust and other biological build-up; removing graffiti, and controlling visitor access. The protection work is ongoing, and new rock art sites and ceremonial places are continually being identified by the GK team, including complex stone arrangement sites.

Endangered Wildlife -

Survey & Workshops:

The Islands and National Parks of Esperance are home to a several species of the critically endangered animals, and the Gabbie Kylie team are working with the Department of Environment and Conservation, in order to integrate data on the movements, behaviour, breeding and feeding habits, and to understand how to protect and increase numbers Participants will take part in the monitoring, in order to contribute to the protection of these critically endangered species such as the Western Ground Parrot, Cape Barren Geese, Australian Fur Seal, Black-flanked Rock Wallaby, Ash-grey mouse, and Australasian Bittern. Data on Great White Sharks, Dolphins and Whales are collected, when encountered, which is often! The team also carry out conservation projects to protect natural habitats.