This year Melbourne Microbats research teams will be treated to a complete dusk till dawn experience sleeping overnight inside the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - something usually unavailable for the general public - while also being able to enjoy the Ford Fiesta Moonlight Cinema in the gardens while waiting for the microbats to come out.

Looking for a fun family activity on a Saturday night? Why not sign up for an overnight adventure inside the Royal Botanical Gardens and help uncover the secrets of Melbourne's urban dwelling tiny bats. Children, aged 10-17 are only $59 and adults are $89. All prices include accommodation, breakfast, light refreshments and a contribution to continuing this important research. Family nights are only the Saturday night teams.

This year's field research will focus on the long-term viability of microbats in Melbourne by focusing on female microbats; their breeding behaviours, reproduction, survival rates of babies, birth rates, death rates and roosting locations.

Details on the distribution, abundance and diet of bats will be recorded and later analysed in the laboratory by researchers. This information will be used to establish baseline data on the community composition and critical habitat requirements of insectivorous bats across greater Melbourne and ways to better conserve and sustain their populations.