Western Treatment Plant: Tertiary/Tafe Tour

Explore Melbourne’s largest sewage treatment plant by bus and discover how wastewater treatment, renewable energy and biodiversity conservation work together at one of Victoria’s most significant sites.

Students will learn how sewage is transformed into valuable resources through innovative technology and sustainable design, while also exploring a Ramsar-listed wetland that supports diverse ecosystems and endangered wildlife.

Book now

Student activities

Students will:

• Take a 2 hour guided tour through the Western Treatment Plant in your bus. During this tour they will
  • Observe the process of sewage treatment and see how it is transformed through a series of sophisticated treatment stages into resources that can be safely reused or released
  • Investigate real-world sustainability in action, exploring how the site integrates circular economy principles, renewable energy systems and water‑wise engineering solutions to support Victoria’s water future
  • Explore the diverse bird and wildlife species that visit the Ramsar listed wetlands and discuss management of this conservation area and the essential ecosystem services that it provides

  • Examine how the site is managed to balance environmental protection, community needs and long‑term water security, uncovering the complex decision‑making involved in maintaining a liveable, resilient environment

Future Water Story (optional add on)

Enhance your students's understanding of systems thinking, sustainability and water security by including a session of the award-winning Future Water Story digital experience. Students take on the role of thinkers, innovators and collaborators and use teamwork to test possibilities for the future of their digital city in a way that is hands‑on, engaging and fun. Students leave feeling empowered to influence a more sustainable, liveable future. For more information about this experience, visit the website.

This is a sample schedule of how the excursion will run with just the 2 hour tour. The Future Water Story would extend the experience by an hour, and is limited to 30 students per session.

Learning outcomes

Students will:

• Understand how Melbourne’s largest sewage treatment plant operates
• Observe the treatment process from inflow to recycled water, resource recovery and environmentally sustainable management
• Identify clean energy and resource recovery technologies, including methane capture and renewable energy production
• Explore how recycled water supports permanent wetlands and ecological health
• Learn how Melbourne Water monitors and protects threatened species
• Explore management strategies that protect native flora and fauna
• Discover the site’s cultural heritage, including the historic township of Cocoroc and local agricultural practices

Prepare for your visit

Before your visit, read the following information and make sure you understand the safety requirements to attend this site before your visit. 

Best suited for

Students studying Engineering, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Ecology, Conservation, Biodiversity, Systems Thinking, Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Circular Economy, Land Management or Agriculture.

Cost and Group Size

$360 per group. 

Maximum of 25 students per group, and two groups maximum per session.

Duration and Availability

Available Tuesdays to Thursdays.

2.5 hours arrival, welcome and departure.

Approximately 3.5 hours if you include the Future Water Story experience. A sample schedule is below.

Time	Description
10:00am - 10.15am	Arrival at the Western Treatment Plant Greeting, Acknowledgement of Country and introduction to the program
10:15am-11.15am	Future Water Story digital experience in the Education Centre
11:15am-11:30am	Break
11:30am-1:30pm	Western Treatment Plant bus tour on school bus with a focus on your subject area
1:30pm	Conclusion and farewell from the Education Centre

Safety and Risk Information

We are committed to the safety of all visitors to our sites. Please make sure you are familiar with our safety information below:

1. Western Treatment Plant Venue and Safety Information - All participants over the age of 18 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.

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
• cover any open wounds, and report any minor cuts or abrasions that occur while onsite to Melbourne Water 

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

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

How to get there

By car or bus

​Travel outbound 30 km on the Westgate Freeway/M1 towards Geelong, take the second C109 exit off to Werribee after you have passed the Werribee Open Range Zoo and Werribee River. Once you exit turn left and enter at the Melbourne Water William Thwaite's​ Drive gate. Follow the signs to drive to the Education and Cultural Precinct.

The address for the Western Treatment Plant is Metropolitan Farm Rd, Cocoroc VIC 3030

View our location on Google maps