Professional guided hands on Expeditions

Your expedition is headed by Todd Walsh who captures, tags and releases the amazing crustacean to help in the long term recovery of this threatened species

Options and Prices:

*Payment is strictly cash on the day, we do not have credit card facilities in the bush” “Your money goes toward funding further research and conservation work”.

Freshwater Lobster Displays/Talks: Within 50km of Ulverstone, Tas - AU$20.00 per person; minimum 10 people, or minimum AU$200.00;
Outside 50km from Ulverstone, Tas, additional charges will apply           
*Please Note : Sufficient notice must be given to ensure a specimen is available.
Please contact us if you would like to incorporate a display into your event.
Schools: AU$2.00 per child; minimum 150 children .

School Talks outside of NW Tasmania are encouraged to liaise with other schools in their immediate area to help organise multiple school visits as travel costs can preclude visits to individual schools outside the NW Coast.

Film crews: AU$1200.00 per day; 1 day minimum
Tour Operators: If you would like to incorporate a lobster display/talk into your tour, please contact us to discuss.

Population Survey Conditions
Itineraries may change slightly if weather conditions are unfavourable (heavy rain and flooding can halt lobster surveying for safety reasons), but every effort will be made to make the outing a successful and enjoyable one.
Population Surveys should be booked at least 7 days in advance; longer notice would be advisable to avoid disappointment..
Be aware that as this is not a tour, but an actual ecological survey, so a reasonable fitness level is required and appropriate clothing (e.g. sturdy footwear, long pants, hat, raincoat) should be worn. You need to organise your own transport and meals for the day.

Population Monitoring Surveys - An Ecological Expedition
"The experience of a lifetime"
Join in an actual giant freshwater lobster population survey. Help catch, tag, measure and release the giants back into their unique habitat. Travel to different areas with "The Lobster Man". Assist in the protection and long-term survival of Tasmania's and the world's largest freshwater crustacean. The surveys take place in many varied locations in North West Tasmania. You could be capturing the rare blue lobsters in the far North West or the giant specimens in various regions. Walk up the shallows to capture the tiny juveniles as they hide from predators in their early years. See large rivers and small creeks. No two surveys are the same as they are actual scientific research operations.
Learn about the freshwater ecosystem from someone who has spent much of their life, exploring, fishing, studying and ultimately protecting this fabulous wilderness. Follow him through small creeks and steep gullies to the monitoring sites and see some of the most beautiful scenery imaginable. There is no trail marked, only your guides knowledge of the area, this is not a regular tourist trail, but a "real bush bash", with strenuous hill climbing, log climbing and creek wading possible.
Walk into the prehistoric like North West Tasmanian forest beneath massive Tree Ferns and Myrtle giants. A towering canopy of Blackwoods, Sassafrass and Eucalypts keep the sun from penetrating, cooling the forest. Moss covered logs, native shrubs and smaller ferns carpet the forest floor. See the clear tannin stained creeks filled with logs and other plant material. The cold water cascades over millions of rocks, hiding the teeming macro-invertebrate life, including juvenile lobsters. Scan the creek for the possible sighting of the reclusive and cryptic giant. Hear the stories of giants being spotted, making their way slowly up the creek. Learn about the waterways inhabitants from the larger fish species, to the smaller unknown species such as the magnificent stoneflies, water pennies and caddis flies.

** A BUSHWALKERS DREAM **
(This walk requires reasonable fitness and is not recommended for those with health problems). The surveys are full day operations. Travelling time may be up to 2 hours to each site. Walking through difficult terrain is also a possibility. They are also one of the best chances to experience the wild and remote areas of Tasmania that rarely sees visitors.

** PLEASE NOTE **
These are scientific expeditions are carried out under strict guidelines from the Threatened Species Unit and Inland Fisheries Service. The names of people acting as assistants on these expeditions must be forwarded to this department 48 hours before the expedition is undertaken. Under no circumstances are the assistants allowed to handle the specimens. To do so would mean the cancellation of the special permit given to "The Lobster Man". Assistants will otherwise participate fully in the monitoring.
These surveys are full day operations. The capture of the giant lobsters is time consuming and can be arduous. People with health problems should consult their doctor before undertaking these expeditions.
The Lobster Man reserves the right to disallow people from undertaking the survey due to perceived health risks and behaviour.
Transportation is NOT provided; food and equipment are the responsibility of the individual. Waders can be provided for some people if required, however, this is a case of one size fits all.

Freshwater Lobster Displays/Talks
See the Giant Freshwater Lobster up close and learn its life history from “The Lobster Man”
Learn about the life cycle of the lobster, its food, predators, habitat and so much more. A live adult and juvenile specimen will be transported to the agreed location and an in depth talk will be given about the animal, its habitat and “anything else” the client wishes to learn. The talks run for a minimum of one hour, but can go on for much longer if necessary. Larger displays can be set up for up to seven days to assist in awareness raising. (Extra costs will apply to longer displays/talks).  *Please note : The animals have to be captured prior to any display/talk as current Threatened Species provisions preclude holding animals for more than 7 days.””

School Talks
Have “The Lobster Man” come visit your school with a live specimen or two. See and learn about the worlds largest freshwater invertebrate and the unique Tasmanian freshwater ecosystem they inhabit, See the baby lobsters that can fit into the palm of your hand, or see a claw that can break an mans arm. Learn about the giant inhabitant of Tasmania’s inland waterways from the world recognised expert and professional aquatic ecologist. See why many schools consider “The Lobster Man” one of the most interesting and entertaining speakers to visit their school. An experience that will inspire students and teachers alike. A talk you’ll never forget”