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Organ Pipes National Park, located off the Calder Fwy in Melbourne’s West suburb of Keilor North. The Organ Pipes, a set of basalt columns formed by the cooling and cracking of molten lava, are the most well known feature of the park. The area offers a wonderful and diverse location for our bush playgroups with wildlife to spot, a river to explore and environmental centre. There is a steep paved hill that you need to walk down to access the park which is pram friendly. We take the walks slowly for young children and stop along the way but you do need to be relatively fit to walk the tracks.

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Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris is part of the Bunurong (Boon Wurrung) Peoples of the Kulin Nations Sea Country and is a significant site with middens, fresh water wells, ochre pits and special gatherings places for women and children. (Reference: https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/coastal_trails_indigenous.pdf)

This area now protected under Parks Victoria from the high tide mark to 500m out to sea, and stretching 3km between Black Rock and Beaumaris, is a unique place to visit.  Clear shallow waters (less than 5m deep in most areas), rocky reefs beneath the water and intertidal rockpools filled with sea snails and crabs make Ricketts Point the perfect place to discover the marine life of Port Phillip Bay. Please tread carefully if you walk on the platforms and reefs and avoid the sensitive seagrass meadows that serve as nursery habitats for many species.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. The beach, when patrolled by Beaumaris Life Saving Club, is a safe place for kids to swim and with picnic tables, toilets and BBQ’s can be found adjacent to the Ricketts Point Beachside Cafe.
      2. Rockpooling! With clear shallow waters (less than 5m deep in most areas) make Ricketts Point the perfect place to discover the marine life of Port Phillip Bay. Don’t forget to download your set of rockpool ramble ID cards that we have developed, especially for Ricketts Point Sanctuary.
      3. Go for a coastal track walk and you might spot a Burrunan dolphinwhere you can immerse yourself amongst the native coastal plants, perfectly adapted for sandy soil and salty sea breezes.
      4. Ricketts Point Sanctuary is the perfect location for birdwatching the local and migratory seabirds. You can purchase a downloadable copy of our seabirds bird scavenger hunt printables here.
      5. Grab your snorkel to meet one of the 50 odd species of fish that call the sanctuary home, Southern Fiddler Rays included!

FLORA & FAUNA 

• • • Local and migratory birds
    • Intertidal rockpool organisms – crabs and sea snails
    • Fish and invertebrates and some dolphin visitors
    • Indigenous Sand dune and cliffed coast plants

You can find more about the incredible marine creatures that live at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary using our rockpool ID cards and enjoy a rockpool ramble this summer. This stunning set of 24 hand illustrated rockpool identification cards have been designed locally incorporating common marine animals found in the Port Philip bay.

Eco Explorers runs school holiday and term based programs at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary in Beaumaris and you can find out more about our nature playgroup programs here.

As a Parks Vic tour operator, Eco Explorers runs Bush Playgroup, Bush Kids, Forest School and School Holiday programs at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.

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Lysterfield Park is truly an oasis nestled in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and offers our little explorers the chance to explore both bush and water play.

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Gresswell Forest Wildlife Reserve is just that, a forest in suburbia! Located in Melbourne’s north-east suburb of Macleod. This forest location provides children and their families the opportunity to immerse themselves in nature as it’s bush all the way! There will be a fair bit of kangaroo and wildlife spotting along the many tracks, a creek, nature cubby’s and logs to climb and balance on.

The Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves, made up of Gresswell Forest, Gresswell Hill and Gresswell Habitat Link, protect 70 hectares of important flora and fauna habitat. Experience the area’s diverse vegetation and abundant wildlife on the reserves’ many walking trails, and explore this precious pocket of wilderness in Melbourne’s north-east.

Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve is the largest of the three Nature Conservation Reserves. Here you’ll find remnant River Red Gum woodland that’s home to many different bird and animal species.

Gresswell Forest is perfect for families to enjoy together. In addition to the Nature Play area, the tracks are easy for young children to manage. In the early mornings and evenings, the forest is a cacophony of bird calls.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. Nature Walks and Exploring: Take a leisurely walk along the trails to explore the natural beauty of the reserve. Encourage your kids to observe different plants, trees, and wildlife. You can make it a fun scavenger hunt by having them look for specific leaves, flowers, or animal tracks.
   2. Birdwatching: Bring along some binoculars and a bird guidebook to identify the various bird species in the area. Kids can learn about the different birds they see and even try their hand at drawing them.
   3. Picnicking: Pack a picnic and enjoy it in one of the designated areas. It’s a great way to relax and refuel after a morning of exploration.
   4. Photography and Creative Nature Art: Give kids a camera or smartphone to capture their favourite sights in the forest. They can also collect natural materials on the floor (like leaves, flowers, and twigs) to create their own nature-inspired art back.
   5. Visit the playspace: Check out the nature playspace via Linacre St entrance and enjoy some cubby building with the provided cubby frame. Note: there are no toilet facilities there.

Don’t forget to download your Eco Explorers Nature Scavenger Hunt here to take with you!

Eco Explorers runs bush playgroup and a bush kids forest school programs at Gresswell Forest Reserve.

Enjoy your time at Gresswell Forest Reserve!

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Visit Newport Lakes Reserve with kids 

Newport Lakes Reserve is a beautiful 33 ha bushland reserve in the suburb of Newport, in Melbourne’s inner west and and is on the unceded land of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. 

Once a bluestone quarry and refuse tip it is now a conservation site and provides sanctuary for a wide range of native wildlife. As soon as you enter the reserve, you leave the hustle and bustle of the city only 12 kms away.   

There are picnic shelters and BBQs, a small playground, toilets and a dog off-lead area but the real highlight is the lake itself and the wonderful walking tracks that are easy for families with young kids to do. The 2km nature trail takes you around the lakes, along meandering pathways and through the gum trees. It can take approximately 40 minutes but who’s counting when you’re walking in nature! You might see a local blue tongue lizard or superb fairy wren hopping along the path.

Once you get to the bottom at the lakes, there are enormous bluestone stepping stones inviting you to cross over to the other side. It’s a great adventure for adults and children alike! And there’s an information board which lists all the wildlife that you will find in the wetlands. 

The park is open from 8am-7pm (daylight savings 9pm) and there is also a native nursery near the carpark which sells a range of local native plants.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. Rock hop on the rocks down at the lake and if you stop and be still, you might even see an eastern long neck turtle, an eurasian coot or a swan. See the information board for a full list of wildlife you may spot. 
      2. Walk the circuit and visit the bird hide at the top of the north lake, quietly observing water birds (grab your copy of our water birds scavenger hunt HERE). Check out the 5 mosaic markers along the nature trail!
      3. Visit the Arboretum, north -west of the lakes, to see many different trees from around the world and enjoy some tree climbing. 
      4. Scale the gentle cliff faces of bluestone on the eastern perimeter of the parklands. 
      5. Give back to the environment and help with native plantings on Friends of Newport Lakes activity days.

FLORA & FAUNA INFORMATION 

Newport Lakes Reserve has over 200 species of native plants and 165 species of birds, as well as reptiles, amphibians and mammals.  Not to mention the plethora of insects and water bugs that keep the omnivorous birds well-fed.

Eucalypts, acacias and casuarinas are the most common trees found here, offering homes to possums and birds such as magpies, wrens and New Holland Honeyeaters.  Water plants such as bull rush, thin duck weed and sedge provide food and safe nesting spots for Eurasian Coots, Pacific Black Ducks, Black Swans, Grebes and Cormorants.

The rocky areas and cliffs see Blue Tongue Lizards, Skinks and Tiger Snakes finding refuge.

Visit Friends of Newport Lakes for more information about the local flora and fauna 

Eco Explorers runs bush playgroup in Newport on Mondays and Fridays and a bush kids forest school on Mondays which you can find more information about on our website here.

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Visit Arthurs Seat Park with kids 

Arthurs Seat State Park is a stunning mountainous bush location with sweeping views of Port Phillip bay rising above the Mornington Peninsula about 85 km south east of Melbourne CDB. With  numerous walking tracks for families to explore and discover,  Wonga as known by our First People, was home to the Boonwurrung People prior to European settlement. On a clear day the view extends as far as the city skyline, the You Yangs and Mount Macedon.

Around the outskirts of the gardens you can find some bush tracks that can be enjoyed in every weather condition. Walking in the rain provides some beautiful opportunities to spot some creatures that normally hide when it’s sunny, the canary worm for example. 

There’s also a fantastic nature playspace for kids. This beautiful nature themed children’s playground offers so many great opportunities for children to play, climb and have fun outdoors on the Mornington Peninsula.

The gardens are popular for picnics with tables, electric barbecues and toilets available adjacent to the car park. Disabled access is available to facilities and walking tracks. There is a new playspace at Arthurs Seat Park and 24 hour access to the park.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. Explore the exotic and Indigenous gardens at Seawinds Garden, you may see turtles in the pond and be sure to go through the bamboo maze and climb in the pine forest.
      2. With kids, take the easy Arthur’s seat summit 1.9-km loop trail near . An easy walk, that is mostly flat, short and kid-friendly. It starts in the parking near Arthur’s Seat Eagle cable car.
      3. See if you can find all of the William Ricketts Sculptures in Seawinds Gardens.
      4. Deciduous trees cover the floor in Autumn, providing a haven for nature play and discovery amongst the leaf litter. Don’t forget to look out for the fabulous fungi (you can download a fungi scavenger hunt pack here) that pops up during the months of March to May.
      5. Take a walk and enjoy the views of the bay and city skyline from the summit.

Eco Explorers runs a bush playgroup at Arthurs Seat Park on Tuesday mornings in term 1 2024. Find out more information or book your spot here. 

See our full Mornington Peninsula bush and beach kids programs for 2024 HERE. 

FLORA & FAUNA INFORMATION 

While walking through Seawinds Gardens you will come across a beautiful variety of native flora Throughout the year kangaroos and joeys can be spotted throughout the park, grazing and laying in the sun. The row of beautiful spotted gums provides homes for willy wag tails, rainbow lorikeets along with  possums. See if you can find their Dreys (possum nests).  Keep a look out for some creature clues … from echidna tracks and scats, blue tongue lizard tracks as well as kookaburra and cockatoo calls.  We also can’t forget the myriad of beautiful native bees that call the gardens home.

Walking through the park you will come across a beautiful variety of native flora. The row of beautiful spotted gums provides homes for willy wag tails, rainbow lorikeets along with  possums. See if you can find their Dreys (possum nests).

When walking through the Indigenous gardens you will see wattle, happy wanderer, egg and bacon pea, billy buttons, just to name a few. If you bring your nature glasses you may be able to spot some native orchids!

Bush Kinder enjoying the spectacular views from Arthurs Seat lookout.

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Braeside Park is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong (Boon Wurrung) People of the Kulin Nation. The Bunurong People hunted, camped and gathered food in the area.

Managed by Parks Victoria, Braeside Park is a huge parkland stretching from Lower Dandenong Road to Governor Road with two access points for experiencing different aspects of the park. Once you’re in the park you will feel completely immersed in this natural oasis of bush, wetlands and grasslands!

Particularly wonderful for bikes and bushwalking, the extensive tracks (12 km of trails!) connect grassed lawns, Red Gum grasslands, wetlands, , BBQ and picnic shelters, mounds of mulch, trees to climb and native plants galore.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. Take your binoculars for some wonderful bird watching as over 180 species of birds have been recorded.
   2. Go to the visitor centre (10am to 4pm) and check out the preserved native animal specimens
   3. Go for a bike ride or bush walk along the extensive tracks (12 km of trails!) connect grassed lawns.
   4. Visit the wetlands and learn about ecosystems
   5. Pack your picnic mat and some lunch and have a picnic

FLORA & FAUNA

Keep your ears tuned for frog calls and go on a scat discovery searching for signs of native and introduced animals. Echidnas, Tawny Frogmouths, Grey Headed Flying-foxes and snakes are some of the Braeside Park residents, along with an astonishing number of rabbits!

The Governor Road entrance which is best for the wetlands and bird hide is open from sunrise to 4pm, and the Lower Dandenong Road entrance which is best for access to toilets, picnic/BBQ spots and a lovely large playground is open until sunset.

Don’t forget to download your FREE Eco Explorers Nature Scavenger Hunt here to take with you!

Eco Explorers runs Bush Playgroup at Braeside Park and you can find out more about our nature playgroup programs here.

References: http://www.braesideparkfriends.org.au/Park-note-Braeside-Park.pdf