Home / Environmental Education Program / River to the Sea

River to the Sea

Program Snapshot

AGE

Primary and Secondary

AVAILABLE TO

Schools in Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Armstrong Creek and Geelong, and those staying in Barwon Coast’s caravan parks.

GROUP SIZE

Up to 25 (smaller is better)

DURATION

1 hour.

LOCATION

Barwon Heads.

WHEN

Mon-Thus 9am-4pm.

Suggested Resources

Wetlands and their significance to Wadawurrung – YouTube video

Bukareeyoo – YouTube video ADDED

Moved this one down Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation – browse the Resources tab

Bellarine Catchment Network – browse the Resources tab

Friends of the Bluff – browse the Learn + Explore tab

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority

Cool.org – search for teaching resources by year level, subject and topic

Wadawurrung People know the Barwon River as Barre Warre Yaluk – the great river that flows from the mountains to the sea. This walk and talk is based around the Barwon River in Barwon Heads, where students will identify different water environments including the river, wetlands, mangroves, estuary and ocean.
Learn about the diverse life that these habitats support, including threatened species, and how people have interacted with this place over thousands of years. We all have a role in continuing to care for and protect our waterways and oceans – now and for the future.

This activity will cover topics such as:

  • Wadawurrung connections to Country
  • Fresh and saltwater environments
  • Fresh and saltwater animals and their adaptations
  • People’s use and connections to water environments
  • Protecting special places – e.g. Ramsar wetlands, Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary
  • Caring for the coast – e.g. fishing regulations, protecting water habitats, marine pollution, avoiding waste and picking up litter, staying off sand dunes, leaving shells behind.

This activity may be combined with a visit to the Barwon Coast Discovery Centre depending on group size and availability.  

You may also like to visit the Barwon River bird observation point located on the river in Ocean Grove. Interpretive signs share insights about the Ramsar wetland and migratory birds, and the brochure has a list of birds to look for year-round.

 

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Things to know before your activity

About our team

Activities are typically delivered by Barwon Coast’s Education and Volunteer Coordinator.

Who we run activities for

Why we run them - care for the coast right here, building knowledge and stewardship
Kindergartens, primary and secondary school groups, TAFE and university groups…
With just one educator at Barwon Coast.. focus our time working with groups in our local communities of Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads and Breamlea, and secondary schools in Armstrong Creek and Geelong.

We also offer activities to groups staying in the caravan parks we manage - Riverview Family Caravan Park, Barwon Heads Caravan Park and Breamlea Caravan Park (add links). Visit…to find out more about booking a stay for your group.

Why our activities are free of charge

Our job is to care for the coast, and this includes what we do to encourage locals and visitors to connect with and care for Country too. Providing free education activities within our local communities, and for people staying in the caravan parks we manage, means more people are equipped with the knowledge to treat our special places with care and respect.

In return, we hope you will enjoy being in nature and look after it, for example picking up litter, staying off the fragile sand dunes, not feeding the wildlife, and sharing these messages with friends and family.

Other local environmental activity providers/places to visit

Tap into these other people and places on the Bellarine Peninsula:

In return, we hope you will enjoy being in nature and look after it, for example picking up litter, staying off the fragile sand dunes, not feeding the wildlife, and sharing these messages with friends and family.

Other local environmental activity providers/places to visit

Tap into these other people and places on the Bellarine Peninsula:

In return, we hope you will enjoy being in nature and look after it, for example picking up litter, staying off the fragile sand dunes, not feeding the wildlife, and sharing these messages with friends and family.

What will happen in the lead up to my booking?
  • When your booking is finalised we’ll email a booking confirmation letter.
  • Please get in touch a week before your activity to confirm all details.
  • We may email you a media consent form seeking permission to take photographs of participants during the activity.
What are my responsibilities during the activity?

Your teachers/leaders are responsible for:

  • Supervising participants in compliance with Victorian Department of Education (or other) requirements, including student/teacher ratios.
  • Managing participants’ safety, welfare, medical conditions and needs. At least one of your leaders must be qualified in First Aid.
  • Ensuring participants are dressed appropriately for the weather conditions and have access to drinking water, sun protection and warm clothing. Sturdy, enclosed shoes are required for outdoor activities including beach and rockpool activities.
Can I make changes to the booked activity?

Coastal and marine environments are sensitive to weather and change, which can have some risks associated. If your activity is taking place outdoors, please be aware we may alter or cancel it at short notice if safety is compromised.

On the day of your activity, if you have any issues or are running late, please contact the Barwon Coast office on 5254 1118. Note we may not have availability to change or reschedule your activity.

Is there access to toilet facilities?

Activities held at Ocean Grove Main Beach and Barwon Heads have public toilets nearby. Both provide accessible toilets, and a Changing Places toilet will open at Ocean Grove Main Beach in XXX.

Activities around the Barwon Bluff do not have access to toilets nearby, so we suggest a visit before your activity!

Activities near water

Barwon Coast does not provide activities where participants will enter water, e.g. the ocean or river. Please note that teachers/group leaders are responsible for ensuring participants follow the safety instructions we provide, particularly along riverbanks, on bridges and on rocky ledges.

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