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Marine Discovery Centre
Education Program | Holiday Program | Volunteer Program | Work Experience | Shop by the Sea | Teachers Resource | Online Resources
“Promoting conservation by increasing awareness and understanding of the marine environment.”
The Department of Primary Industries provides education and eco-tourism services through the Marine Discovery Centre in Queenscliff. Located on the shores of Swan Bay in Queenscliff approximately one and half hours from Melbourne, our centre provides a unique location to learn about the plants and animals that inhabit our coast and marine environment.
The Marine Discovery Centre provides curriculum-based education for early childhood, school and tertiary groups as well as programs for the general community. In addition we offer a number of specialised programs such as work experience, volunteer training, friends group and sand dune revegetation program.
Our facilities include a visitor's aquarium, student laboratory, classroom, a resource room and an educational gift shop and we are also ideally located for field activities being surrounded by a diverse range of habitats including rocky shores, mudflats, salt marshes, seagrass meadows, mangroves, sand dunes and temperate reefs. The majority of activities are conducted in Marine National Parks and Sanctuaries.
Contact
Phone number: (03) 5258 3344
Fax number: (03) 5258 1435
Postal address
Marine Discovery Centre
P.O. Box 114
Queenscliff Victoria 3225
Location
2A Bellarine Hwy Queenscliff
E-mail address
marine.discovery@dpi.vic.gov.au | Queenscliffe Location Map |
Education Program
Our experienced and qualified marine education officers know just how to engage students with exciting experiences both indoors and out.
Authentic, hands-on learning experiences are vital components in education. That’s why all our education programs, from early childhood to tertiary, are designed to provide students with enjoyable, interactive, and educational experiences.
For further information about our Education Programs, including program descriptions, how to book an education program, and the costs of our programs please visit the Education Programs section.
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Holiday Program
The Marine Discovery Centre conducts special programs for adults and children throughout the year during school holidays and on weekends. These programs aim to provide people with the opportunity to experience the wonders of the marine environment.
Our holiday programs take place during the Summer, Easter, July and September school holidays. Each day of the holidays our programs offer a variety of fun activities such as Rockpool Rambles, children's craft, canoeing trips on Swan Bay, Marine Biology Cruises and other great activities to enjoy while you are at the coast.
Centre open to the public:
Monday to Friday from 11am - 3pm
School Holidays 10am - 4pm
Adults - $8
Children/Concession- $5
Family (two adults and up to three children) $25
Current Holiday Program
Between Monday 21 September and Friday 2 October 2009 the MDC runs their Spring Holiday Program (PDF 133KB). This program is also available from the Marine Discovery Centre and the Queenscliff Tourist Information Centre.
Would you like to go onto our Holiday Program mailing list?
To receive the holiday program prior to each school holiday, please contact us with your e-mail and postal address. |
Holiday Program - Rockpool Ramble |
Even better, would you like to receive the holiday program before it's officially released?
By becoming a member of the Marine Discovery Centre, you not only receive the holiday program before anybody else, but there are lots of other perks too
- Free admission to the Marine Discovery Centre all year round
- 10% discount on all holiday program activities
- Member’s newsletter 'The Seadragon'
So don't miss out on your place for an activity and join the Friends of the Marine Discovery Centre (external link, PDF 24KB) to become a member today!
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Volunteer Program
The main role of the Volunteer Crew is to support and participate in the educational programs conducted by the Marine Discovery Centre. Volunteers assist by providing support through any or all of the following:
- Interpretative assistance - on rockpool rambles, in the Marine Discovery Centre itself, on snorkels and other boat trips (eg Marine Biology Cruise)
- Administrative assistance - greeting visitors, telephone reception, booking activities, shop sales
- Technical assistance - collecting food for our animals, feeding, maintaining tanks, photographing animals etc
Download our Volunteer Brochure (PDF 360KB) for more information about what volunteering at the Marine Discovery Centre involves plus an initial interest registration form. Please note that applications close mid August each year. | The Touch Tank at the Marine Discovery Centre |
Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding)
The Marine Discovery Centre in conjunction with William Angliss Institute of TAFE are offering volunteers the opportunity to receive a Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding) for the full course of training delivered by the Marine Discovery Centre.
Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding) Information (PDF 50KB)
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Work Experience
The Marine Discovery Centre Work Experience program is now fully booked for 2009 - no more places are available this year. Applications for 2010 open in November 2008.
The Marine Discovery Centre work experience program aims to give secondary school students an insight into the work performed by marine educators, scientists and technical support staff as well as providing an opportunity to become familiar with some of Victoria’s marine life. For further details on the program please see our Work Experience Program outline (PDF 154KB).
To apply students need to download and complete the work experience expression of interest form (PDF 306KB), then post or fax their application to the Marine Discovery Centre Work Experience Coordinator. The program runs during March, April, May, September and October each year, not including school holidays.
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Shop by the Sea
The Marine Discovery Centre shop provides a variety of marine related products for sale to meet the needs of visiting school groups and tourists. The shop also aims to stock a variety of quality books on marine related subject matters.
The objectives of the Marine Discovery Centre shop are:
- to raise funds that can be put back into the Marine Discovery Centre’s programs
- to provide a place where school children and visitors can purchase souvenirs related to their visit
- to increase awareness and understanding of the marine environment by selling a range of products that are educational and informative
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Teachers Resource
What to Wear on Your Field Trip
To find out what footwear and clothing is required for students participating in our field programs please see the following document.
What to Wear (PDF 65KB)
Accommodation and Travel Options
For information about camp or overnight accommodation, transport and/or other local attractions please contact
Queenscliff Visitor Information Centre
55 Hesse Street, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225
Ph: (03) 5258 4843 / 1300 884 843
E-Newsletter
The aim of MDC E-news is to keep you informed about our programs, educational events, special offers, new displays in the centre and our fantastic staff. To subscribe to our E-newsletter, simply e-mail us and type "Subscribe to E-news" in the subject box.
Online Resources
Intertidal Rocky Shores (external link), Marine Discovery Centre
Discover how to conduct a field study, learn about common plants and animals living on intertidal rocky shores, analyse online or download transect data collected by other groups, and find out how your school can take part in this exciting program!
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