Tour: 10am -1 pm.
Please arrive at 9.45am to register, as this is a sequential, guided program that starts at 10am.
Join us for an immersive experience as this guided tour takes you along a stretch of the Gawler River, that flows along the northern edge of The Food Forest permaculture farm, cutting its way through the Adelaide Plains creating cliffs, flooded flats, red gum forests and waterholes on its journey to the coast at the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary.
You’ll learn about the biodiversity borne by water in our dry environment as well as the human history of land-use along the river.
You’ll see the massive efforts of local people to restore the natural ecosystem destroyed by mining and the introduction of exotic animals and prickly & poisonous plants. Thousands of native plants established by the community are naturalizing into forests, hedges and clearings, and indigenous wildlife is returning.
Listen to the sounds of the wind in the trees, the flow of water, the calls of birds. You may well see the web-footed Rakali, bearded dragons, dragon flies, sacred kingfishers, tiny wrens, or different birds of prey; perhaps even a turtle.
The river walk flows into the farm walk which takes you through The Food Forest’s organic vegetable gardens, vineyards and orchards and demonstrates the integration of chickens, geese and mini-sheep to control weed and pasture growth in the orchards.
The farm produces fruit, nuts and many other types of food and wine and relies on the beneficial birds and insects from the river corridor to control pests.
You will also be able to view passive solar-designed buildings, some of which are constructed with strawbales, such as the extension to the heritage-listed homestead, as well as water capture projects and smart irrigation techniques.
In summary, this walk highlights how permaculture design allows for the efficient flow of nutrient, water and energy cycles that underpin the abundance of The Food Forest and it offers a greater understanding of the vital nature of the Gawler River.
Please note that we welcome children to come along but they must be accompanied by an adult and need to be supervised at all times.
Cost: $25 (incl GST) + BF. Children under 12 free. No pets.
Sales of trees (pomegranates, figs & grapevines), wine and pistachios will be available at the end of the tour.
See our website for more Food Forest info: www.foodforest.com.au
We will email you closer to the event with more details.
Please note: Booking is essential! No tickets available at the gate.
