The workshops were created to meet an Australian need for a practical introduction to help honours and postgraduate students plan and execute the practical aspects of their work. With that in mind, the emphasis is on providing researchers with an introduction to the methods available and how to employ them in a project, including planning sampling and fieldwork. We thus aim to provide access to a wide spectrum of equipment and give ready access to experts for more detailed discussion. The speakers give their time freely and an effort is made to find cost-effective venues and accommodation, so that students will get excellent value for their money. The event is normally planned for early in the year when student accommodation is vacant and cheaper! Or in the case of the Daintree, to avoid the rainy season ..