About our centre

nature items pressed into two clay items on the forest floor
Our centre is part of the NSW Department of Education’s Environmental Education Centres network. Illawarra EEC leads environmental education by modelling exemplary teaching for students and fostering innovative partnerships with teachers across our school community. We aim for students to understand human impacts on the environment and develop a deep connection with the natural world that inspires lifelong custodianship.
background
off white

Our environments

Our centre is based in Killalea Regional Park, Shell Cove, which is north of Kiama on the Illawarra coastline. Our diverse coastal environments accross the Illawarra and Shoalhaven feature beaches, forests, mangrove estuaries, littoral and subtropical rainforests, freshwater lagoons and wetlands. The area holds rich Aboriginal and European heritage, reflecting its long history of cultural and environmental significance.

view through a coastal banksia tree to the Farm Beach with blue sky and blue ocean
Coastal
Large old fallen tree trunk in the rainforest with a carpet of ferns
Subtropical rainforests
Killalea lagoon with a small island of reeds
Lagoons
Greenfield Beach Vincentia, with calm shallow water and very white sand
Beaches
Aerial view of the blue and turquoise waters of the Minnamurra River estuary and rainforest sand spit
Estuaries
High tide in an old mangrove forest
Mangroves
A large rockpool with neptunes necklace seaweed and the ocean in the background
Rocky shores
View from a jetty looking out over the Minnamurra River to mangrove forests on the other side
Rivers
Orange kayaks and blue canoes tied up on the shore of the Minnamurra River
Rivers
Three bright orange toadstools with moss-covered rocks and damp earth
Rainforests
Dried gum leaves on the forest floor with a trapdoor spider whole in the centre
Forests
Clear, shallow waters of Bushrangers Bay with rocky outcrops on either side
Bays
Large old tree in forest with a huge burnt-out hollow
Forests
Large old grey mangrove tree branches in the mangroves with the river in the background
Mangroves
Green pigface plants with some crimson flowers in the foregrand and ocean
Coastal dunes
Tall forest trees on either side of a shallow, rocky river
Mountain Rivers
Looking up at a huge rainforest tree with large birds nest ferns on the trunk
Subtropical rainforests
Huge strangler fig in rainforest
Subtropical rainforests
View of Mystics Beach from Farm Beach Headland and Saddleback Mountain in the background
Beaches
Large canoe sitting in shallow water near the mouth of the Minnamurra River and Stack Island in the background.
Estuaries
Young mangrove saplings and aerial roots under water
Mangroves
Slightly damaged drystone wall at Killalea.
Heritage sites
Undercut section of sandstone with orange and cream layers and tall trees down a slope.
Escarpment
Looking up towards the sky at the huge, green, round leaves of a stinging tree
Rainforests
Early morning light shining on coastal wattle leaves in the dunes and ocean and clouds in the background
Coastal dunes
Sunlight at sunrise shining on the ocean, sand and a clump of sea weed in the foreground
Beaches
Brown moth on the forest floor with excellent camouflage
Forests
Rusty wagon wheels on the rocky shore and ocean.
Rock platforms

Working with schools

We work with all NSW public schools. Schools can book our centre for our co-curricular learning programs and teacher professional development. We also support teachers with teaching resources, assessments and pre and post excursion learning activites to extend learning beyond the excursion.

Learning programs

We run hands-on excursions for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Our programs are designed to be an integral part of the student's learning and can be tailored to meet the students' needs.

Many of our programs incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives to deepen students’ understanding of caring for the environnment.

Our staff

background
off white

Teachers

Our teaching team are high qualified, experienced, experts in environmental and outdoor education. They guide students through active, real-world learning experiences that inspire curiosity and connection with the natural world. Students are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and think deeply about their environment.

Nikki Bodel - Principal
Steve Leake - Teacher
Maddy Williams - Teacher
Will Cook - Teacher
Andrew Smee - Teacher
Ben Anderson - Teacher
Josh Swinton - Teacher

Administration

Our administration team is friendly, efficient, and makes excursion planning simple. Communication is clear and regular, ensuring that schools and EEC staff have all the information they need for students to have a safe and enjoyable excursion day.

Cheryl Bird - SAM
Jess Commings - SAO

Make a booking

For information on availability, program details, availability and how to book, please contact us using the link below.

Booking enquiries

background
dark

Contact us

Get in touch to ask a question, plan a visit or find out more about what we offer.

About our centre

Learn how our centre helps students explore, learn and connect with nature.

background
off-white