Caring for Earth's Water: A Wetlands Adventure (Edithvale)

Primary Year F-2 Excursion Science Geography Water cycle Saving water Species Stormwater Waterways Wastewater

Caring for Earth’s Water: A Wetlands Adventure invites students to discover where stormwater comes from, where it travels, and why protecting our waterways matters.

Through interactive storytelling using sophisticated stormwater modelling, students dive into the hidden journey of water in our environment. They investigate the amazing diversity of wetland life by observing and identifying water bugs, exploring how these tiny creatures can reveal big clues about ecosystem health. This engaging, science‑rich experience empowers students to think deeply about taking care of Earth’s water and land, and inspires them to protect the wetlands that support our communities.

Bookings opening soon for Term 3, 2026.

A group of children are looking out the bay windows into the Edithvale Wetlands

Student activities

Students will:

Spend 45-50 minutes inside the Edithvale Education Centre exploring the world of stormwater. During this time they will:
- Participate in a shared story using the Stormwater Interactive Model where they will come to understand more about human impacts on water and pollution.
- Understand more about how wetlands work as a filtration system for water.
- Observe and identify water bugs and draw conclusions about what this might mean as an indicator for waterway health.
Take the school bus to the Seaford Wetlands Gananyu Bulukul Viewing Platform and spend 30-35 mins:
- Exploring the outdoors in the wetlands environment using their senses to identify the flora and fauna around them.
- Using simple tools such as binoculars and magnifying glasses to help identify the iconic wildlife.
- Participating in a water quality testing activity to demonstrate the effect wetlands has on water quality.

This is a sample schedule of how the excursion will run. If you are bringing two classes, the sessions will run concurrently. Maximum of 30 participants in each group.

Time	Description
9.45am -10.10am	Arrival at the Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Education Centre Greeting, Acknowledgement of Country and arrival instructions
10.10am -10.45am	The story of stormwater told with the Stormwater Interactive Model
10.45am -11.00am	Water bugs activity
11.00am -11.15am	Break
11.15am -11.35am	Drive to Seaford Gananyu Bulukul Viewing Platform
11.35am -11.50am	Where in the Wetlands treasure hunt activity
11.50am -12.05pm	Water quality testing activity
12.05pm -12.25pm	Drive back to Edithvale-Seaford Education Centre

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes and curriculum links cover all activities supplied before, during and after your excursion onsite. Engage with our teaching resources to prepare your students for their experience.

Foundation - Year 2

Students will:

Understand how human activities impact water quality and wetland health, using evidence from water testing, stormwater modelling and observing pollutants.
Suggest actions they can take to care for water and wetlands.
Learn how to use simple tools (magnifying glasses, microscopes, binoculars) to observe features of animals and collect data.
Discuss and describe ways to reduce, reuse and recycle water and materials to care for Earth's resources and explain why protecting water quality is important.

Curriculum Links

Geography: VC2HG2K01, VC2HG2K01, VC2HG2K05

Science: VC2S2U09, VC2S2U01, VC2S2U02, VC2S2I01, VC2S2I03, VC2S2H01

Prepare for your visit

To get the most out of your visit, be sure to engage with the teaching resources and make sure you understand the safety requirements to attend this site before you come.

Additional Teaching Resources

Teaching resources are coming soon!

Cost and Group Size

$240 per group.

Maximum of 30 students per group, and two groups maximum per session.

Example: I have 57 Year 2 students that I'd like to bring on this excursion - how should I book?

You would need to book 2 sessions for a total of $480. The groups will run concurrently with each rotating so that everyone gets to experience both Education Centre and the wetlands.

Duration and Availability

Approximately 2.5 hours arrival, welcome and departure.

Available Tuesdays to Thursdays.

Safety and Risk Information

1. Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Education Centre Venue and Safety Information - All participants over the age of 18 (including parents and teachers) will be asked to sign in and agree they understand the information contained within.

2. Child Safe Standards - We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, and providing a child-safe environment in line with our Child Safe Policy. All our Education Officers and Interpretation Officers have the relevant legal requirements (Working With Children Check or Victorian Institute of Teaching registration).

3. Cancellations due to safety - All tours will be cancelled on days of very poor or hazardous air quality and/ or on days of a Total Fire Ban. Please see our full Terms and Conditions when booking.

4. Public Liabilty Insurance - Melbourne Water has current public liability insurance and the certificate will be emailed to you upon booking.

Student supervision and discipline is the school/institute's responsibility. Teachers and adults accompanying school groups should actively supervise students at all times.

We reserve the right to cancel a booked tour and ask individuals or groups to leave the site immediately if any action or behaviour is unsafe.

What to bring

All participants must wear appropriate clothing for all weather conditions as activities are conducted outdoors. Clothing must meet these minimum requirements:

wear long pants/trousers
wear long-sleeved tops
wear closed-toe, flat-soled shoes – sandals and thongs are not permitted on site
Clothing suitable for all weather conditions (hat, sunscreen, raincoat etc.)

Bring food with you as there is none for purchase onsite.

Bring any learning materials (books, pens etc.) with you.

How to get here

By car or bus

The centre is located at 278 Edithvale Road, Chelsea Heights, VIC. View our location on Google maps.

There is a small car park and one bus bay.

Via Eastlink: Take the Greens Road exit then turn left at Springvale Road. Drive past Wells Road and through the first roundabout. The education centre is 100 metres down the road on the left.

Via Nepean Highway: Turn left into Edithvale Road when you reach Edithvale. Drive through the wetlands until you see the education centre on your right. Continue driving further, u-turn at the roundabout and enter the car park, 100 metres on your left.

Parking

Parking is available for two buses at a drop-off zone in front of the centre along Edithvale Road, 100 metres from the roundabout and just after the entrance to the car park. Limited parking is available in the car park in front of the centre.

By train

Catch the Frankston line train to Edithvale Station. Walk east down Edithvale Road and you will reach the wetlands. The education centre is located on your right at the east end of the wetlands. Walking time is approximately 15 to 20 minutes. There is also a bus that travels along Edithvale Road.