River to the Sea

About our team

Activities are typically delivered by Barwon Coast’s Education and Volunteer Coordinator, who works Monday to Thursday. Sally completed a Bachelor of Arts in Nature Tourism, and has over 25 years’ experience working in the fields of environmental education, outdoor education, environmental conservation, sustainability, climate action and community development.

On occasion, activities may be led or supported by other suitably trained staff from Barwon Coast, volunteers from local environment groups, or environmental education service providers we engage.

Activity Locations

Activities are run on the coastal reserve managed by Barwon Coast.

These are the usual meeting places:

• Barwon Heads – Lahey Square rotunda
• Ocean Grove – Ocean Grove Main Beach
• Barwon Coast Discovery Centre

Who we run activities for

Barwon Coast has limited resources to deliver environmental education activities, so our focus is on providing opportunities for local children and students, and those staying in the caravan parks we manage.

We target the communities of Barwon Heads, Ocean Grove, Breamlea, Armstrong Creek and Geelong, being those who most regularly visit the coastal reserve we manage.

Barwon Coast can run activities for early childhood, primary and secondary school, and tertiary groups, with a focus on topics related to Geography, Outdoor/Environmental Studies and Sustainability. All our activities acknowledge the deep connections Wadawurrung People hold to Country, which they have sustained for thousands of generations.

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 have the knowledge of how 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 wildlife, and sharing these messages with friends and family.

Managing risks and safety

Our activity leaders hold Working With Children Checks, and all our staff operate under Barwon Coast’s Child Safe Standards Policy. Activity leaders hold First Aid qualifications (HLTAID001) and follow Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) specific to each activity and location.

Please refer to ‘What are my responsibilities during the activity’ for details of what we require from your teachers and group leaders.

What will happen before the activity

• We will receive your online Enquiry Form and get in touch about any details as needed.
• 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.

Changes to the 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. Changing Places toilet is available at Ocean Grove Main Beach.

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.

Participants with additional needs

Please note on your Enquiry Form the details of any participants with additional needs and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.

Other local environmental activity providers/places to visit

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

• Bellarine Catchment Network 
• Queenscliff Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre
• Barwon River Bird Observation Point