Nearer to Nature: activities in the South West
Getting children and adults out and about exploring nature has never been easier!
School holidays - Spring program
One for the whole family
Join us as we go on a beautiful morning walk through the Jarrah forest with Alison from Forest Explorers and the Nearer to Nature SW team at the Wellington Discovery Forest and discover the incredible flowers blooming throughout our park.
For the little scientists (3-6 yrs old)
Join Nearer to Nature and native bee expert Dr Kit Prendergast for Little Bee Explorers, a fun and hands-on adventure designed especially for curious young learners!
Enjoy a reading of Dr Kit’s newest book – Amy is an Amegilla – exploring the wonderful world of native bees, learning what they look like, how they live, and what they do in spring, before buzzing into action. Get busy with bee movements and imaginative play and explore the bush on a gentle walk to find bee-friendly plants and native bees, and finish by creating seed bombs to help support bees at home.
For aspiring conservationists (14-25 yrs) - 2 events
Are you aged 14 - 25yrs old, love the outdoors and want to know what it’s really like to work in conservation? Come along and meet DBCA’s Parks and Wildlife staff to get a real behind-the-scenes look at their jobs.
We will be holding two events. The first at Wellington Discovery Forest focusing on jobs based in the forest – all about Fire, Nature Conservation, Park Rangers and Remote Sensing. The second at the Busselton Community Resource Centre focusing on Marine and Wetlands – all you need to know about Marine Park Rangers, Turtle Education and Threatened Species Conservation.
Both events will highlight the skills and experiences you can gain through our graduate program and other opportunities that can help you follow a similar path. Come to one or come to both!
Theme: Forest Environment
- Where: Wellington Discovery Forest Centre
- When: Thursday 1 October
- Time: 10 - 12pm
Theme: Marine & Wetlands
- Where: Busselton Community Resource Centre
- When: Tuesday 6 October
- Time: 10 - 11.30am
Book your school holiday and community activities online now. Check out our Spring School Holiday Program for the South West area. Read the Terms and Conditions.
Zippy's Bush Kindy - Big adventures for little nature lovers aged 3 to 5 years
Zippy's Bush Kindy, Term 4 2026 - book now.
Join Zippy Dragonfly on an early learning adventure at Mangrove Cove Bunbury.
Set in the beautiful Kalgulup Regional Park, with one hour session per week over an 8-week term, this interactive program will ignite your child’s curiosity and strengthen their connection to nature.
Each 8-week term provides new experiences that nurture children’s confidence to explore, question and make discoveries. The program is also designed to reflect different themes, the changing seasons, and introduce new skills through nature play activities. Watch your child bloom as they learn at their own pace and grow in confidence and knowledge, with time to play, create, share stories and care for the natural world.
Zippy's Bush Kindy South West – Mangrove Cove Bunbury
- Dates: Every Monday, 19 October – 7 December
- Session One: 9.30 – 10.30am
- Session Two: 11am -12pm
For more information visit Zippy's Bush Kindy.
Homeschool programs
Boodja Nature Explorers - PP to Yr3 - Term 4
An eight-week, hands‑on, place‑based learning program designed to connect children with the Mangrove Cove and surrounding Bunbury environment. The program helps children build a deep connection with Boodja (Country) through sensory exploration, Noongar knowledge, science enquiry and caring for the environment.
- Dates: Every Wednesday – 21 October to 9 December 2026
- Location: Mangrove Cove and various Bunbury locations (to be advised)
- Time: 9.30 - 11am
Bookings opening soon.
Djarlma - The Forest and Me - A Learning Adventure on Country - Yr4 - Yr 7 - Term 4
An eight-week, hands‑on, place‑based learning program designed to connect children with the Mangrove Cove and surrounding Bunbury environment. The program helps children build a deep connection with Boodja (Country) through sensory exploration, Noongar knowledge, science enquiry and caring for the environment.
- Dates: Every Wednesday – 21 October to 9 December 2026
- Time: 11.30am - 1 pm
Bookings opening soon.
What's on in Perth?
Check out these community and school holiday activities.