Frequently Asked Questions

Our visitation season operates from 1 April – 31 October. As a remote private nature reserve managed for conservation purposes, Hiltaba and Witchelina are sometimes closed to all visitors during this period. This might be due to weather, cultural, conservation or reserve management actions.

Bookings are required to visit and stay at Hiltaba and Witchelina, including nature drives, and the person booking must either be an existing Nature Foundation member, or join during the online booking process.

There is further information about this process below.

We look forward to welcoming you. Please browse the documents below to answer questions you may have regarding bookings, payments, getting to the nature reserves, nature drives, walking trails and more.

• Visit Hiltaba FAQs
• Visit Witchelina FAQs

Visit & Stay Q&A

The below covers a range of questions and answers related to visiting and staying at Hiltaba and Witchelina, particularly related to the recent change for Nature Foundation members and non-members.

For any further questions, please email [email protected] or call (08) 8340 2880 during business hours.
 

Can I visit and stay at Nature Foundation’s Hiltaba or Witchelina Nature Reserves?

Nature Foundation members can book to visit and stay in the camping or accommodation facilities, and/or experience the nature drives as either day visits or as part of an overnight/multi-night stay.

Non-members can join Nature Foundation during the booking process.

Visitation is available from 1 April – 31 October, pending availability. Please note: The nature reserves may be closed at times due to reserve management actions or other activities, and bookings and visitation will not be possible at these times.

Why did Nature Foundation make this change to allow only members to stay at Hiltaba and Witchelina?

Nature Foundation are committed to conserving, restoring and protecting landscapes and engaging and inspiring people to connect with and conserve native habitats. The Nature Foundation Board made this decision to ensure we are able to continue our focus on protection and conservation of these nature reserves, while also providing visitation for likeminded people who support the organisation’s values and work.

I’m a Nature Foundation member how do I book to visit and stay at Hiltaba or Witchelina?

Your unique Member ID can be used to verify your Nature Foundation membership when booking. Simply choose the reserve you would like to visit, select your dates and visit options, and add your Member ID where requested on the "Create Booking" section before payment.

Member IDs have been emailed or posted to current Nature Foundation members (depending on their communication preferences).

I don’t know my Member ID, what do I do?

If you don’t know your Nature Foundation Member ID you can search through recent emails or letters from us to locate it.
You can also call the head office during business hours on (08) 8340 2880 and ask a staff member for assistance, or email [email protected] (please allow 1-2 business days to respond).

Does everyone in my booking group need to be a member?

No, only the person who is making the booking needs to be a Nature Foundation member, though we warmly welcome other members, and new members who may wish to join from your group.

The dates I want to book are unavailable (greyed out).

Our nature reserves are sometimes closed due to reserve management activities, weather conditions and other situations. In these cases the dates will be unavailable (grey) and the reserve closed.

The accommodation options may also be booked out and unavailable.

We recommend planning ahead and checking the calendar and booking before your visit to avoid disappointment.

My Member ID isn’t working when I try to book, what do I do?

Only Member IDs for current financial members will be valid. If you are unsure if your membership is active, please contact [email protected] or call (08) 8340 2880 during business hours.

It may take 24-48 hours for a new Member ID to be synced with our booking system. If you have only recently joined, please contact us to check your Member ID status, or try booking again later.

Member IDs can only be used after you have added your camping/accommodation/nature drive permits to your order.

Make sure you are adding only your Member ID where indicated on the "Create Booking" page. The Member ID cannot be added on the payment page. You can go back a step to the "Create Booking" page to try adding it again.

If the new membership prompt is shown more than once, add your Member ID to each instance to verify your existing membership and remove the new membership cost.

If you continue to have issues, please contact head office during business hours on (08) 8340 2880 and ask a staff member for assistance, or email [email protected] (please allow 1-2 busines days to respond).

I’m not a Nature Foundation member, how do I book to visit and stay at Hiltaba or Witchelina?

As the benefit of booking to visit and stay in the campaing or accommodation facilities, and using the nature drives at Hiltaba and Witchelina is reserved for Nature Foundation members only, you will need to join Nature Foundation ahead of your stay.

You can join online through our website at: naturefoundation.org.au/join then use the Member ID issued in your confirmation email to book as per the steps above.

Please note: It may take 24-48 hours for your new Member ID to be synced with the booking system.

Alternatively, you can join as an Individual member during the booking process. You will see this option available during the booking process, and no Member ID is required for new members joining while booking.

Once your new membership is processed you will receive your Member ID which can be used for future bookings.

Please allow 24-48 hours for your membership to be processed and to receive your new Member ID via email.

Please note: Only Individual annual memberships are available through the “book and join” process (an additional $50 fee). To become a Couple or Lifetime member, you will need to join via: naturefoundation.org.au/join

You can see full details about Nature Foundation membership including all benefits here.

I have stayed at Hiltaba or Witchelina before and am not a Nature Foundation member, can I stay again?

Thank you for your previous patronage, we appreciate the support! For future visits you will need to become a Nature Foundation member for a small fee, which supports our work . Please see details above and contact [email protected] with any further questions.

I’m not sure if I am a Nature Foundation member, what do I do?

If you are not sure if you are a current Nature Foundation member, you can call the head office during business hours on (08) 8340 2880 and ask a staff member for assistance, or email [email protected] (please allow 1-2 business days to respond).

I’m part of an organisational group looking to stay at Hiltaba or Witchelina, what do I do?

If you are a Nature Foundation member and the dates and options available online suit your group, you are welcome to book your visit online.

If you are not a Nature Foundation member or have other questions about your visit, we invite you to contact us to discuss your options. Please call the head office during business hours on (08) 8340 2880 and ask a staff member for assistance, or email [email protected]

How do I visit other Nature Foundation nature reserves?

At this stage only Hiltaba and Witchelina Nature Reserves have the option to visit and stay from 1 April – 31 October (pending availability). Some access to our other nature reserves is available for volunteers undertaking support tasks, or through member or supporter events.

Visit our Events page and subscribe to our emails to be notified of any upcoming events occurring on the nature reserves. You can also learn more about our Volunteer Program and register your interest to join here.

I’m a Traditional Custodian of Hiltaba or Witchelina, how does this change impact me?

There is no change to the access for Traditional Custodians on Hiltaba and Witchelina and we welcome your ongoing engagement with the land.

I’m a Nature Foundation volunteer, contractor or staff member, can I stay at Hiltaba or Witchelina?

Anyone engaged to conduct work on Nature Foundation nature reserves are able to visit and stay, and online booking and payment is not required.

If you wish to visit and stay in a non-work capacity, you will need to be a Nature Foundation member and follow the online booking process outlined above.

I’m a researcher, can I stay at Hiltaba or Witchelina?

Researchers who are engaged by Nature Foundation or who have successfully applied to conduct research on Nature Foundation nature reserves are able to visit and stay, and online booking is not required. Researchers need to contact the Science & Knowledge Program Manager to complete a Reserve Visit Application Form.

If you wish to visit and stay in a non-work capacity, you will need to be a Nature Foundation member and follow the online booking process outlined above.

I’m a school looking to participate in the Kids on Country™ Junior Ranger Program, do I need to be a Nature Foundation member?

No, you do not need to be a Nature Foundation member to participate in Kids on Country™. All Kids on Country™ enquiries should be directed to the Youth Programs Coordinator who handle these types of visits directly through the Junior Ranger Program.

I didn’t know I was a Nature Foundation member, or I didn’t know my Member ID and booked my stay and joined as a member at the same time; what happens now?

Our team are on the lookout for duplicate memberships, and if found, they will delete the additional membership and refund the $50 membership payment. You can also contact us to let us know this has occurred. The best approach is to email [email protected] Refunds can typically be processed within 1-2 business days.