Nature is not somewhere that you visit; it is coming home.
Come to this place with respect, and ask yourself ‘what can I learn?’.
Visitors with a professional, personal and/or research interest
relevant to understanding the biodiversity of Grasstrees are welcome.
Please contact us to discuss your needs for either day visits, overnight or short term accommodation.
Access
Grasstrees is accessed from the New England Highway. The entrance road is unsealed; it includes a creek crossing, some steep grades and many winding turns.
It is suited to 4WD or AWD vehicles only.
From the highway, it is approximately 1km to the entrance gate and then another km to the house yard and accommodation.
Day visits, Overnight and Short Term Accommodation
Day visits
Day visitors are welcome by prior arrangement. Day visits can include access to The Gatehouse for use of kitchen and bathroom amenities. A fee will be charged to cover cleaning costs.
Short term accommodation – minimum 2 night stay
Short term accommodation is available in The Gatehouse – a self-contained cottage with spectacular views from its spacious verandah. The cottage had been refurbished recently to better meet the needs of researchers/ students/naturalists. Features include:
• single bed triple bunk (all bed linen provided)
• 3 work tables with desk lamps
• satellite TV, digital radio, excellent 4G reception
• wood-fired stove (all firewood provided)
• full kitchen (electrical cooking appliances as options for warmer months)
• portable gas BBQ available on request
• ensuite bathroom (enviro-friendly bathroom products provided).
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Overnight and short term campsite for fully self-contained caravan or RV
Stringybark Campsite has been prepared to suit self-contained caravans or RVs (up to 7m long). One site only.
Tent camping available ONLY as an extension of a booking for The Gatehouse
Tent camping at Stringybark Campsite allows for members of your group to enjoy camping out while accessing the kitchen and bathroom facilities of The Gatehouse. The campsite is located uphill and approximately 25m from The Gatehouse.
Exploring and observing Grasstrees
Close encounters of the local kind are available by strolling along our network of mowed walking tracks, 4WD tracks, GPS guided walks or roaming freely across the nature reserve. Spring and Summer are usually best for plant investigation, although the second week of July (approx 3 weeks after winter solstice) is when we expect our Hoveas to bloom and tell us that a new cycle has begun. Some of our bird species are with us all year, but there are a few notable seasonal changes. For example, the arrival of Jacky Winters and Scarlet Robins in Autumn, and the raucous calls of Chanel-billed Cuckoos arriving in mid October.
Our visitors are welcome to wander freely across Grasstrees. If asked, we welcome the opportunity to share our local knowledge and assist with observations and investigations. As some rough and rocky tracks may challenge even experienced “bush-bashers”, we strongly suggest that our visitors advise us of their intended destinations prior to departure.
Things you need to know about staying at Grasstrees
Detailed information on finding our entrance from the New England Highway can be provided prior to your arrival.
It is 19km from Grasstrees Private Nature Reserve to the nearest supermarket, servo and hotel in Deepwater. Please remember, The Gatehouse comes with starter supplies for coffee and tea-making only; we do not provide meals.
The Gatehouse kitchen provides all cutlery, essential utensils and crockery; pots & pans; and assorted glassware. A fridge/freezer and ample cupboard space provide storage for your supplies of perishable goods. Appliances at your disposal include microwave, large fry-pan, ceramic hot plate, rice cooker, toaster and kettle.
The wood-fired stove has 2 stove–top cooking plates, and an oven big enough to take a 32cm pizza tray. All firewood and fire-starters are provided. A gas BBQ will be installed on the verandah on request.
All bedroom and bathroom linen is provided for The Gatehouse. Three single bunk beds will be prepared with a fitted sheet and doona. Flat sheets, pillows+ p/cases, bath towels, bath mats, hand towels, face washers, throw rugs and tea towels are stored in the linen cupboard and available for use by visitors as required.
Visitors are welcome to make use of our campfire (fire pit). Firewood is supplied. Safe use of the campfire is paramount; please be understanding if dry and/or windy conditions render it unsafe (and potentially illegal) to light an open fire at that time.
Sitting at 1010m above sea-level, the daily weather at GPNR can fluctuate dramatically. Please come prepared with warm clothing for sub–zero nights and frosty mornings in winter. Even at the height of summer, a cool change and a strong easterly wind may require long trousers and a warm jacket for comfort outdoors. And don’t forget a beanie or a hat!
Please be aware that we operate an On-Site Wastewater Treatment System powered by thousands of hungry composting worms. Some chemicals commonly found in body wash, hair care or cleaning products can be toxic to the composting environment. If you think this may be the case with your products, please minimise their use during your stay. Alternatives are provided.
Grasstrees is 100% solar-powered and has been operating completely off-grid since 2012. The system was upgraded in 2025 to take advantage of improved technology.
PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED in Grasstrees Private Nature Reserve including in The Gatehouse.