Bournda Environmental Education Centre
Bournda National Park
Overview
Bournda National Park Environmental Education Centre offers school environmental education programs for Kindergarten to Year 12 students. It is located in Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
- Type
- Education centres
- Where
- Bournda National Park in South Coast
- Accessibility
- Easy
- Price
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Fees may apply. Contact the centre for more information about programs and activities.
- Opening times
- Open 8.30am to 3.30pm (Monday to Friday) during school terms
- Closed during school holidays
- Equipment
provided - No. Schools will be advised of equipment lists depending on the program selected.
- Bookings
- Bookings essential. For further information, email us, call us on 02 6494 5009, or use our online form.
- Please note
- The centre is not open to the public (schools only)
- Please bring drinking water and food as there are no facilities at the centre
- There is limited phone reception at this centre
- Bring an earth-friendly lunch, with food and packaging that can be composted, worm-farmed, recycled or reused. You’ll take your rubbish home with you.
Situated on the NSW South Coast within beautiful Bournda National Park, the centre offers a range of environmental education programs, all focused on promoting students’ learning, curiosity, wonder and engagement with the natural world. It is dedicated to supporting primary and secondary students and teachers. There are a wide range of programs available with a focus on Aboriginal education, sustainability and student wellbeing.
The programs are delivered by qualified, highly experienced Department of Education teachers drawing on an extensive suite of curriculum-based environmental education programs for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. The education centre staff are committed to providing hands-on integrated learning experiences, tailored to meet the specific needs of each visiting group. The centre has access to a diverse range of park environments, including:
- estuaries (at Wallagoot Lake or Bournda Lagoon)
- sand dunes
- littoral rainforest
- eucalypt forests
- freshwater lakes (at Bondi Lake).
Programs are also offered in schools and at other off-site locations as required.
The Bournda National Park Environmental Education Centre is one of 24 environmental and zoo education centres operated by the NSW Department of Education.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/education-centres/bournda-environmental-education-centre/local-alerts
Park info
- in Bournda National Park in the South Coast region
Bournda National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to extreme weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. This park uses a self-registration fee collection system, please bring correct change.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about Bournda Environmental Education Centre.
Maps and downloads
Learn more
Bournda Environmental Education Centre is in Bournda National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Birdwatchers haven
With around 200 species of birds in the area, Bournda is a birdwatcher's paradise. The estuarine wetlands at the eastern end of Wallagoot Lake provide roosting and feeding areas for a large variety of waders and waterfowl. Keep your eyes out for threatened species like the little tern, hooded plover and pied oystercatcher. Bondi Lake is the largest freshwater lake situated behind coastal dunes in the region, and is another important habitat for waterbirds.
- Bournda Environmental Education Centre Bournda National Park Environmental Education Centre offers school environmental education programs for Kindergarten to Year 12 students. It is located in Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
- Bournda Environmental Education Centre Bournda National Park Environmental Education Centre offers school environmental education programs for Kindergarten to Year 12 students. It is located in Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
- Bournda Lagoon Bournda Lagoon is an ideal spot within Bournda National Park, near North Tura, where kids can swim, fish and go paddling and picnic among the paper barks.
- Kangarutha walking track Kangarutha walking track, in Bournda National Park, is a hiking route with scenic coastal views and birdwatching, picnicking and swimming opportunities along the way.
- Sandy Creek loop track Taking in Bournda Lagoon, Sandy Creek and pockets of dry sclerophyll forest, Sandy Creek loop track is a hike in Bournda National Park on the far South Coast.
Get active
With so much to do, there's no excuse not to get active in Bournda. The beaches and waterways offer a range of options for watersport enthusiasts - waterskiing, boating, paddling, sail boarding, fishing, swimming and surfing. The coastal walk is perfect for hikers and those hoping to spot migrating whales. And for cyclists, the roads throughout the park are an extensive network to navigate on your bike.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, Living Culture – a Stage 2 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 3 Geography excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
Ships ahoy
There's plenty of fascinating heritage in Bournda, dating back to the 1830s when European settlement of the district began. Today, you can still see anchor bolts at Kangarutha Point, which was established as a port with Kianinny Bay in 1859. It's also believed the existing track to the point, and parts of the coastal walk, were once used to supply ships anchored there, and transport produce and passengers. Some building remains can also be found around Games Bay, which was cleared for dairy farming by settler Mr Games.
The land of generations
Bournda has been a special place for the Dhurga and Yuin people for thousands of years, with its plentiful food supply and quarry for making tools. As you explore the park and its wildlife, it'll be no surprise that 'Bournda' means 'place of tea tree and kangaroos'.
- Bournda Environmental Education Centre Bournda National Park Environmental Education Centre offers school environmental education programs for Kindergarten to Year 12 students. It is located in Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
- Bournda Environmental Education Centre Bournda National Park Environmental Education Centre offers school environmental education programs for Kindergarten to Year 12 students. It is located in Bournda National Park, near Tathra.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, Living Culture – a Stage 2 History excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.
- Living Country, living culture Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 3 Geography excursion in Bournda National Park. In this cross-curricular program, an Aboriginal guide will help students understand the importance of culture and caring for Country.