art, science, nature camps on Bimblebox

Jude Roberts, artwork onsite, Bimblebox Nature Refuge, 2013, photo Jill Sampson

To register your interest in future Bimblebox art, science, nature camps or to ask questions please contact John and Malcolm via this email.

Future camps will be advertised via social media and listed on this website.
Instagram: @bimblebox153 @bimblebox_nature_refuge
Facebook: Bimblebox 153 Birds and Bimblebox Nature Refuge.

The camps give attendees the opportunity to explore the Bimblebox Nature Refuge and pursue their area of interest, be it botany, drawing, painting, writing, wood carving, music, film, performance art, photography, bird watching, sound recording or exploring the night sky. The camps usually run for one week and are catered with one main cook and volunteers, while attendees are expected to pitch in and help at different times.

The Bimblebox Nature Refuge is a remote location and the camp attendees must fund, organise and manage their own travel to and from site. There will be a low, daily cost that goes toward food. You need to bring your own tents or swags.

Annual Bimblebox art, science and nature camps were held from 2012 to 2017.  In 2018 deepening drought conditions cancelled that years camp while subsequent years saw continuing drought and then covid19, keeping the camp on pause. In 2020 The Bimblebox Alliance fundraised to upgrade camp facilities and in 2022 the camps resumed.

Read about previous camps here
Scroll down for photos.

This video looks at the Bimblebox art, science, nature camp through the eyes and hands of artists Bronwyn McKean and Peter McLean. Video filmed and created by Malcolm Paterson 2023/2024.

The Bimblebox Nature Refuge is in central western Queensland. It is approximately 450km west of Rockhampton and then 50km north of Alpha (see map below). The nearest airpot is at Emerald from where you would need to hire a vehicle to drive the rest of the 220km to Bimblebox. A twice weekly train travels from Brisbane to Longreach, stopping in Alpha on the way. To learn more about the Bimblebox Nature Refuge.

Interested in volunteering on the Bimblebox Nature Refuge? Go here.

Past camps:

4 – 12 September, 2022
3 – 11 September, 2017
3 – 11 September, 2016
3 – 13 September, 2015
13 – 20 September, 2014
7 – 15  September, 2013
8 – 17 September 2012

Map by Megan Evans, reproduced with permission.

Camp site, Bimblebox Nature Refuge, photo Jill Sampson
Howard Butler and his daughter Sarah make a coolamon on the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, 2012.
Gerald Soworka drawing on the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, 2012
Boyd audio recording at a water trough on Bimblebox Nature Refuge, 2012. Photo by Glenda Orr.
Paula Peeters and Rosie Lloyd-Giblett at the Bimblebox Nature Refuge, 2016, photo Tangible Media.
Artists Participating in a guided walk by Eric Anderson, Bimblebox Nature Refuge art, science and nature camp, 2016. photo Tangible Media

Artist Alan Tulloch, Bimblebox Nature Refuge, 2016, photo Tangible Media

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