Gift VOUCHER
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Perfect for friends, family, or anyone who loves wildlife, our gift card is a thoughtful way to support the care of rescued and endangered animals while giving an experience they’ll never forget.
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School Educational Programs
Edventure - Where Education Becomes an Adventure!
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What is an EDVENTURE?
What happens when you combine EDUCATION with ADVENTURE? You get an ED-VENTURE!
At Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, we believe the best learning happens when students get to explore, discover and experience the world around them.
Our EDVENTURES are more than just school excursions. They're exciting, interactive educational adventures that take learning beyond the classroom and into the real world of wildlife, science and conservation.
From discovering how dolphins learn to exploring marine ecosystems and understanding what it takes to save endangered species, every EDVENTURE brings education to life!
As a not-for-profit wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation charity, we're not just teaching students about conservation, we're showing them conservation in action!
Because learning shouldn't just be something you read about — it should be something you experience!
Education Programs
What's Included in Your EDVENTURE Day Visit?
27.50 per student | Minimum 20 students | Teachers and educators FREE
Every three-hour EDVENTURE Day Visit includes:
- Guided education with our wildlife education team
- Entry to Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary
- Access to scheduled educational wildlife presentations during your visit
- Opportunities to learn about dolphins, Australian Sea Lions, Little Blue Penguins, marine turtles and other wildlife
- Real-world insights into wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, conservation and animal welfare
- A curriculum-linked learning focus selected by your school
- Opportunities for questions, discussion and discovery
Want to make your EDVENTURE even more memorable? Choose from our optional group animal encounters and individual wildlife experiences!
Plan Your EDVENTURE
Creating your school's EDVENTURE is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Step 1 – Choose Your Day & Session Time
We offer two convenient three-hour EDVENTURE Day Visit sessions to suit your school.
Morning EDVENTURE 10am – 1:30 pm
Afternoon EDVENTURE 12pm – 3pm
Step 2 – Choose Your Curriculum Lesson listed below is recommended ages groups
Every EDVENTURE includes a guided educational lesson designed to connect classroom learning with real wildlife conservation.
Step 3 – Add Something EXTRA WILD!
Enhance your EDVENTURE with an optional animal encounter, from an exclusive group learning experience to a personalised wildlife interaction.
Want to give your students an unforgettable wildlife experience?
What Would You Like Your Students to Discover?
Choose a learning focus that suits your year level and teaching objectives.
Primary School
Early Stage 1
Living Things & Their Needs (Kindergarten)
Explore what makes something living, discover the basic needs of animals and investigate how wildlife moves, grows and survives.
Historical NSW curriculum references: STE-3LW-ST, STE-6NE, STE-7NE, STE-8NE.
2027 NSW curriculum references STE-SCI-01, STE-PQU-01
Primary School
Stage 1
Amazing Animals & Their Habitats (Years 1–2)
Discover the external features of marine wildlife and explore how different environments provide the food, water and shelter animals need.
Historical NSW curriculum references: ST1-4LW-S, ST1-10LW, ST1-11LW.
2027 NSW curriculum references: ST1-SCI-01, ST1-PQU-01, ST1-DAT-01
Primary School
Stage 2
Life Cycles, Classification & Conservation (Years 3–4)
Investigate how animals grow and reproduce, compare different species and discover how human actions can affect wildlife survival.
Historical NSW curriculum references: ST2-4LW-S, ST2-10LW, ST2-11LW.
2027 NSW curriculum references: ST2-SCI-01, ST2-PQU-01, ST2-DAT-01
Primary School
Stage 3
Adaptations & Environmental Sustainability (Years 5–6)
Explore the structural and behavioural adaptations of marine wildlife and investigate how environmental conditions affect their survival.
Historical NSW curriculum references: ST3-4LW-S, ST3-10LW, ST3-11LW.
2027 NSW curriculum references: ST3-SCI-01, ST3-PQU-01, ST3-DAT-01
Secondary School
Stage 4
Biodiversity & Marine Ecosystems (Years 7–8 )
Investigate animal classification, biological structures, ecosystems and the importance of scientific evidence in understanding wildlife.
Historical NSW curriculum references: SC4-14LW, SC4-15LW.
2027 NSW curriculum references: SC4-CLS-01, SC4-LIV-01
Secondary School
Stage 5
Conservation Science & Biological Systems (Years 9–10)
Explore the interactions between organisms, environmental pressures, biological systems and the role of science and technology in wildlife conservation.
Historical NSW curriculum references: SC5-14LW, SC5-15LW.
2027 NSW curriculum references: SC5-ENV-01, SC5-GEV-01
Secondary School
Stage 6
Biology, Research & Science (Years 11–12)
Connect senior Biology learning with real-world examples of animal physiology, biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, disease, reproduction and conservation research.
Historical NSW curriculum references: BIO11-8, BIO11-9, BIO11-10, BIO11-11, BIO12-14, BIO12-15.
2027 NSW curriculum references: BI-11-01, BI-11-02, BI-11-03, BI-12-04
marine education on the coffs coast
Looking for Something Beyond the Standard Curriculum?
At Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, we understand that learning isn't one-size-fits-all!
In addition to our curriculum-linked EDVENTURE lessons, we may be able to offer specialised educational experiences tailored to your school's interests, subjects and learning objectives.
Customised learning topics may include:
- Careers in Wildlife & Conservation: Explore career pathways in zookeeping, veterinary science, marine biology, wildlife rehabilitation, environmental management and conservation.
- Animal Welfare & Behaviour: Discover how animal welfare science, enrichment, positive reinforcement training and behavioural observations support the health and wellbeing of animals.
- Water Technology & Water Quality: Investigate water filtration, testing, treatment systems, environmental monitoring and the importance of maintaining healthy aquatic environments.
- Marine Studies & Ocean Conservation: Explore marine ecosystems, biodiversity, ocean health, human impacts on marine environments and the protection of marine wildlife.
- Wildlife Veterinary Science: Learn about animal health assessments, diagnostic equipment, veterinary procedures and wildlife rehabilitation.
- Conservation Research: Discover how scientific research, data collection and monitoring contribute to the protection of endangered species.
- Sustainability & Environmental Management: Explore waste reduction, resource management, pollution prevention and sustainable practices within a working wildlife sanctuary.
- Tourism & Wildlife Education: Discover how tourism, education and conservation work together, including the role of visitor experiences in supporting a not-for-profit wildlife organisation.
Have Another Topic in Mind?
Tell us what your students are studying, and let's create an EDVENTURE around it!
Our education team can discuss customised lessons for primary, secondary, senior school and vocational education groups.
Specialised learning experiences are subject to staff availability, facilities, animal welfare requirements and the suitability of the requested topic.
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Group ADd Ons
Make Your EDVENTURE Even More Memorable!
Enhance your EDVENTURE with an optional animal encounter, from an exclusive group learning experience to a personalised wildlife interaction.
Dolphin Swim Experience
Small Group Encounter
$150 per participating student
Take your EDVENTURE into the water!
For students ready for an unforgettable marine wildlife experience, our Dolphin Swim offers a unique opportunity to enter the water with our dolphins.
Includes:
- Approximately 10-minute in-water dolphin experience
- Supervised interaction with our dolphin care team
- Dolphin hug photo opportunity
- Snorkel viewing to observe dolphins underwater
- A memorable close-up learning experience
Meet the Sea Lion
Small Group Encounter
$75 per participating student
Discover the personality and incredible abilities of an Australian Sea Lion during a personalised small-group encounter.
Students will have an opportunity to interact with a sea lion and learn about its care, behaviour and conservation.
Includes:
- Approximately 5-minute sea lion interaction
- Supervised hands-on interaction and activities, where appropriate
- Opportunity to learn about sea lion behaviour and care
- Personal photograph to remember the experience
Meet the Dolphin
Small Group Encounter
$75 per participating student
Get up close and personal with one of our amazing dolphins!
This small-group experience gives students an opportunity to interact with a dolphin alongside our experienced animal care team.
Includes:
- Approximately 5-minute dolphin interaction
- Hands-on dolphin touching and interactive activities
- Opportunity to learn about dolphin behaviour and care
- Personal photograph to remember the experience
Australian Sea Lion Anatomy & Group Encounter
Large Group Encounter
$250 per group – Maximum 50 students
Get closer to the fascinating world of Australian Sea Lions!
Discover how these endangered marine mammals are adapted for life both in the ocean and on land. Explore their anatomy, movement, communication and behaviour.
Includes:
- Guided Australian Sea Lion anatomy lesson
- Special group greeting with a sea lion
- Close-up viewing of the animal
- Educational display of behaviours and interactions
- Group photo opportunity
- Candid photographs of the group experience
Group encounters are shared educational experiences. They include opportunities for group and candid photographs, but do not include individual student portraits with the animals.
Dolphin Anatomy & Group Encounter
Large Group Encounter
$250 per group – Maximum 50 students
Discover the incredible anatomy of dolphins and how their bodies are perfectly adapted for life in the ocean.
Students will explore dolphin features, movement, senses and behaviours before enjoying a special group encounter with our dolphins
Includes:
- Guided dolphin anatomy lesson
- Close-up dolphin encounter
- Approximately 10 minutes of dolphin interaction
- Opportunity for dolphin pats, subject to animal participation
- Demonstration of natural and trained behaviours
- Candid photographs of the group experience
Group encounters are shared educational experiences. They include opportunities for group and candid photographs, but do not include individual student portraits with the animals.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Group encounters are shared educational experiences. They include opportunities for group and candid photographs, but do not include individual student portraits with the animals. For students wanting their own close-up animal interaction and photograph, choose the small group encounter.
All animal encounters are optional additions to the EDVENTURE Day Visit and must be arranged in advance. Activities are subject to animal welfare, safety and operational requirements. If an animal chooses not to participate, suitable alternatives or refunds for the affected activity will be discussed.
Dolphin Swim participation is subject to minimum age, swimming ability, safety requirements, availability and animal welfare considerations. Students must meet the applicable swim experience requirements.
Why Choose a CCWS EDVENTURE?
At Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary, education is at the heart of conservation.
Our EDVENTURES give students the opportunity to:
- Learn from people working in wildlife care, rescue and conservation
- Connect classroom science with real-world wildlife experiences
- Explore animal behaviour, adaptations and ecosystems
- Discover conservation research and endangered species protection
- Be inspired by future careers in wildlife and environmental science
- Support a not-for-profit wildlife conservation charity
Every EDVENTURE helps inspire the next generation of wildlife conservationists!
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Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and is endorsed as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR). Donations of $2 or more are fully tax-deductible in Australia.
A not-for-profit sanctuary on the NSW Coffs Coast. Every ticket, coffee & donation funds rescue, rehabilitation & cares for our animals.
The Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary acknowledges the Gumbaynggirr people, traditional custodians of this land. We pay respect to the Elders, both past and present, of the Gumbaynggirr Nation and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
