Great Southern Bioblitz 2025

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What is the Great Southern Bioblitz?

The Great Southern Bioblitz is an international effort by citizen scientists to record all living species within areas of the southern hemisphere!

This year, Hobsons Bay is teaming up with over 20 Councils across metropolitan Melbourne, along with the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria, the Entomological Society of Victoria, Melbourne Water, University of Melbourne, Latrobe University, Victorian Environmental Friends Network, Hobson's Bay Wetlands Centre, Port Phillip Eco-Centre to represent Greater Melbourne on the global stage in the Great Southern Bioblitz.

Help us compete with cities from around the southern hemisphere by taking photos or making sound recordings of wild plants and animals between Friday 24 October and Monday 27 October 2025 using iNaturalist. Let's show the world the incredible biodiversity of Melbourne!

When?

Occurs annually every Spring. This year, it is across 4 days from Friday 24 to Monday 27 October 2025.

Each November in Hobsons Bay, nature is on full display. Insects are emerging, birds are calling, flowers are blooming, and reptiles begin to emerge from brumation. It's the perfect time to observe wildlife!

This year we're kicking off the Bioblitz on 23 October with a presentation on our native bees by Lynda Wilson | Book Here

Where?

Anywhere within your municipality! You can record observations in your backyard, local reserves, even while you’re walking your dog... anytime you’re outdoors!

How do I participate?

Join Hobsons Bay's project in iNaturalist. Making any iNaturalist observations within the municipality will automatically contribute them to the umbrella project! 

The Great Southern Bioblitz is a great solo or group activity and is fun and easy for kids, and community and school groups. How much local biodiversity can you find during the blitz!

iNaturalist | App Store | Google Play Store |

What can I observe?

  • Animals: birds, reptiles, mammals, insects, bugs, marine life if you have an underwater camera, exotic species (non-native), but no pets.
  • Plants including weeds and garden plants but note on iNaturalist if the observation is captive or cultivated. Be mindful that plants in many Hobsons Bay reserves have been revegetated. Even the plants in your backyard provide helpful data!
  • Fungi
  • Dead organisms also provide important data on species presence, predation and threats to wildlife!

See our step-by-step guide on making observations through the iNaturalist app!

Why is the Great Southern Bioblitz important?

We can better understand and protect our unique biodiversity by learning about the species in our local environment and where they live. But to make a difference, all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – need to join forces in documenting the incredible species around us! By joining the Great Southern Bioblitz, you’ll not only get to explore the nature around you, but you’ll also help make your city a better place for people and local species to share.