Take the kids on a WilderQuest adventure in nature this summer!
Over fifty National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) WilderQuest ranger-guided tours await adventurous children in national parks across the state during the summer school holidays.
From experiencing the spellbinding forest of Kosciuszko National Park to discovering the fascinating world under the waves in Merimbula Lake near Bournda National Park – there is something for every kind of explorer.
NPWS Community Education Coordinator, Shani Milgate said the WilderQuest activities are designed to nurture a curiosity and appreciation of nature.
“These guided tours are designed to engage children aged five to 12 years and provide a fun and interactive way to experience and appreciate our national parks,” said Shani.
“Children can discover the amazing world of rock pools, become a Junior ranger, or join an Aboriginal ranger on a search for bush-tucker in the forest,” said Shani.
The tours are scheduled at various times during December and January and a full list of WilderQuest tours and more information is available below or at WilderQuest school holiday tours.
Bookings must be made in advance in order to secure a spot on the day and take part in discovering the hidden mysteries of NSW national parks.
For those who can’t make it to a NSW national park during the school holidays, children can still learn about nature by visiting the WilderQuest website or playing the award-winning educational WilderQuest app.
Photos for media: WilderQuest adventures
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Location |
WilderQuest tour |
WilderQuest tour summary |
Dates and times |
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Kosciuszko National Park |
Fun and wonder-filled experience exploring the forest. |
28-31 December: 9am-4pm. 3-11 January: 9am-4pm. |
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Follow the tracks of some amazing animals. |
30 December & 6 January: 10am-12pm. |
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Merimbula area |
What wonderful sea creatures can you spot beneath the surface? |
28 December: 10am-11.30am & 11.30am-1pm 4 January: 2.30pm-4pm & 4pm-5.30pm 12 January: 10.30am-12pm & 12pm-1.30pm |
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You'll discover an enchanting flock of shorebirds and have heaps of fun as well.
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28 December & 13 January: 3.30pm-4.30pm 4 January & 18 January: 11am-12pm |
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Do you like muddy places where interesting creatures thrive? |
29 December: 5pm-6.30pm 19 January: 11am-12.30pm |
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Arakoon National Park |
Run in the recycling relay and find out lots of interesting things too. |
3 January: 3pm-4pm 9, 16 & 23 January: 5pm-6pm |
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Hear about some mysteries of the past at this historic gaol. |
3, 10, 17 & 24 January: 4.30pm-6.30pm |
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Glenrock State Conservation Area |
Learn about Aboriginal culture on this adventure through Glenrock State Conservation Area. |
5 January: 9.30am-11.30am |
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Uncover the mysterious world beneath the rocks at Merewether Baths. |
12 January: 4pm-6pm |
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Dharawal National Park |
Explore the bugs of Maddens Falls in Dharawal National Park and find out where they’re hiding. |
4 & 11 January: 10.30am - 12pm |
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Hat Head National Park |
Explore the tallest lighthouse in NSW. Will you make it all the way? |
5, 12 & 19 January: 10am-11.15am & 11.15am-12.30pm |
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Budderoo National Park |
Get creative and make a work of art to all your own in the magical rainforest of Budderoo National Park. |
5, 12 & 19 January: 10.30am - 12pm |
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Booti Booti National Park |
Do you have heaps of questions about what it's like to be a national parks ranger? |
6 January: 9.30am-11.30am |
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Sydney Harbour National Park |
Find out what it was like to be a convict transported to NSW. |
6 & 20 January: 10.15am-1.30pm |
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You’ll explore rockpools and rock platforms, finding starfish and other wonderful creatures. |
7 January: 9.30am-12.30pm |
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Do you love stories about long ago? Take a trip to Goat Island and into Sydney's past. |
10 & 25 January: 10.15am-1pm |
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Morton National Park |
Join in the WilderQuest fun to experience what it's like to become an NPWS ranger. |
7, 14 & 21 January: 10am-11am, 10.30am-11.30am, 11am-12pm, 11.30am-12.30pm, 12pm-1pm, 12.30pm-1.30pm |
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Seven Mile Beach National Park |
Join the quest for hidden jewels in the rock pools at Seven Mile Beach. |
10 January: 1pm - 2.30pm |
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Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park |
Get up close to your favourite estuary creatures at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. |
10 January: 10am-12pm |
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Do you like all kinds of insects? Join this fun and safe insect-discovery adventure. |
17 January: 10am-12pm |
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Munmorah State Conservation Area |
Help look for bush food and animal tracks with an Aboriginal WilderQuest ranger! |
11 January: 11am-1pm 13 January: 12pm-2pm |
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Woko National Park |
Would you like to be a national parks ranger when you grow up? |
11 January: 9.30am-11.30am |
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Tathra area |
Help search for aquatic mini-beasts in Tathra. Some of these critters are even older than dinosaurs! |
12 January: 3.30pm-5.30pm |
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Murramarang National Park |
Join the quest for hidden jewels in the rockpools at Depot Beach. |
13 January: 3.30pm - 5pm |
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Experience the WilderQuest fun and find out what it's like to be an NPWS ranger |
6 & 20 January: 3.30pm - 4.30pm & 4.30pm - 5.30pm |
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Kamay Botany Bay National Park |
Go back in time to London in 1820, where you'll be sentenced to life as a convict and transported to Botany Bay. |
17 January: 10.30am-12pm |
