As the days grow shorter here in Australia, we approach a special time of year: the Winter Solstice! On or around June 21st (depending on the year), we experience the shortest day and longest night. While it might sound a bit gloomy, the Winter Solstice is actually a beautiful turning point – a celebration of the return of the light…

Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke A visit to Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens in the Dandenong Ranges during autumn is a wonderful experience for families with children. The gardens are renowned for their stunning displays of autumn foliage, with a vibrant array of colours from maples, beech trees, and golden ginkgos. Kids will love exploring the winding paths and…

As autumn paints the world with vibrant hues of orange, yellow, and red, it’s the perfect time to get outside and embrace the beauty of nature with our children. One of the most delightful ways to connect with the season is by transforming fallen leaves into art. This creative activity fosters imagination and helps children appreciate the wonders of the…

School holidays are here, and that means it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather with the kids. With so many wonderful parks and reserves to explore and outdoor activities to choose from, you’re sure to have an unforgettable time with your kids in Melbourne this spring. So, pack a picnic, grab your sunscreen, and get ready to…

There’s nothing more captivating than watching a baby experience the pure joy of nature for the first time. The sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees, the gentle breeze on their face, perhaps the sound of rustling leaves in trees or that lovely soft sensory feeling of grass beneath their tiny feet. These early experiences are a delight to witness and experience for babies…

With all this fabulous fungi popping up we have been learning all about fungi here at Eco Explorers! Last week our Bush Kids & Forest School children made delicious fungi pizzas which were actually a big hit so we wanted to share this simple recipe with you. Ingredients: Directions: Cook over a fire or in an oven, saucepan or even…

We care about the environment and we are committed to do everything we can to care for it while enjoying all the wonderful benefits of nature and the outdoors. World Environment Day is held on the 5th June each year and Earth Day is on 22nd April and each year we hope to inspire families to embrace sustainable practices and…

We are so lucky to have some simply stunning intertidal rockpools in Melbourne for families to explore and having lived and worked at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary for nearly 10 years, it gives me immense pleasure seeing families discovering the rockpools there. As a marine biologist, regular snorkeler and Eco Explorers facilitator, I’m passionate about supporting families to rockpool safely…

Stop! Freeze! Yell ‘SNAKE’ and walk backwards slowly if safe. Bush safety education and awareness is an important part of our Forest school program and our Mornington Peninsula Forest School kids had a wonderful opportunity to put this into practice when a large brown snake was recently spotted by some walkers crossing the path they take to the waters edge.…

I have always been drawn to trees. I grew up in Melbourne, on a large suburban block. The backyard was filled with these spectacular towering Gum trees and a storybook Weeping Willow. The front yard had a Liquidambar that would burst into glorious autumn colour every year. The first home I purchased had a flowering Gum as centrepiece of the…