Wilderness Field Guide

Exploring the Wildlife of the Otway Ranges

Tucked into the ancient, weather-worn foothills of the Otway Ranges on Gadubanud Country, this landscape is a living, breathing tapestry of wild presence, ancient history, and stillness. Here in Boonah, where the wet eucalypt forests gently drop down toward the rugged coastline of Aireys Inlet, the wilderness isn't just something to look at—it is a community we can belong to.

This page is our living field guide: a space dedicated to cataloguing our encounters and photographs of the wildlife who share these seventy acres, researching the hidden trails and natural wonders of the Surf Coast, and practicing the slow, quiet art of being curious and deep mindful listening. We are learning about the inhabitants of this land so we can help protect the habitat.

For species we are unsure about we use the iNaturalist app for identification. We invite you to pause, wander through these findings, and perhaps find yourself inspired to track the wild world when you visit us. To contribute to our field guide and help us grow it through the seasons please tag us on IG @theecoretreat or upload your photos via the form below. You can also start a citizen science project in your own backyard.