WCEI Members Only Exclusive: Picnic at Milford Forest – Where Conservation and Conversation Can Change the World

Let’s start the WCEI festivities for 2026 with connection and conversation on the land of the environmentally significant Milford Forest. Milford Forest is the 8th oldest family business in Australia and its current custodian Robyn Lewis, is a WCEI member. Robyn Lewis has generously extended an invitation to WCEI Members to come and enjoy an afternoon of conviviality and relaxation, including a guided tour of parts of her extraordinary property.

The Milford Forest Ecocentre will be where we will gather as Robyn shares with us the significance of the flora and fauna of the area and the conservation activities that occur within the Forest and the adjacent beachfront nature reserve.

Milford Forest is a historical property on the outskirts of Hobart. Milford Forest is the most biodiverse habitat in Southern Tasmania lutruwita, consisting of 40ha of old growth white gum (Eucalyptus viminalis) woodland, which has never been logged nor cleared, and has not been grazed for 100+ years. Milford Forest is rich in plants, especially its 30 species of orchids, 2 of which are found nowhere else in the world, due to the destruction of the remainder of their habitat. Robyn manages this area of Milford for conservation.

Milford Forest extends to the waterline, and is unique in SE Tasmania, “where the forest meets the sea”, especially given its proximity to Hobart. It is also home to several endemic and threatened species of fauna, including Tasmanian devils, masked owls and wedge-tailed eagles, and is an important nesting site for many birds from the region, given the large number of old trees with nesting hollows. There is also a preserved wetland, and the shoreline reserve is the summer feeding ground for Critically Endangered migratory waterbirds. Bring your binoculars!

We invite you to bring a plate to share and something to drink (water is available). Robyn will provide some welcome treats. A  foldable chair wouldn’t go astray if you have one to hand and of course hats, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and your insect repellent of choice. The event will be partly outdoors.

There is no ticket fee for this event, we do require you to RSVP so that appropriate arrangements can be made for the day

Robyn looks forward to hosting us and sharing a special part of Tasmania, not normally open to visitors.

Further Information: 

Date/Time: 2.30pm – 4.30pm, Sunday, 18th January 2026

Location: Milford Forest

Tickets:  – Free for Members: Secure your spot here 

RSVP: 11 January 2026

Cancellation Policy

Participants may cancel their registration without penalty up until 7 days prior to an event, by giving written notification via email to the Secretariat Office of WCEI.

Cancellations received in the same manner less than 7 days before an event but within 24 hours of such event will incur a 20% administration fee. Cancellations received the day before, the day of, or after an event will not be eligible for a refund.  Substitute attendees are welcome and encouraged with notice of such being given to the Secretariat Office of WCEI.