Community invited to explore, learn and protect the coastline this summer

City of Newcastle staff member Eliza Hoyland and UoN PHD student, Hayden Swift stand alongside young participants of City of Newcastle's environmental event 'Hidden Life of Sand'.

City of Newcastle is encouraging Novocastrians to discover the hidden wonders of our local coastline this summer through a free, hands-on coastal education program.

Kicking off on 12 January, Coastal Curiosity is a series of six free workshop designed to help people of all ages connect with Newcastle’s unique coastal ecosystems.

City of Newcastle Executive Director Michelle Bisson said the program empowers the community to actively care for the coastline through participation and connection to place.

“Coastal Curiosity gives the community the chance to be hands-on and to learn from scientists and cultural knowledge holders, while contributing to real data that helps protect Newcastle’s coastal environments,” Ms Bisson said.

“The sessions are spread across different days of the summer school holidays and are tailored for families, young people and adults interested in nature, science, culture and sustainability.

“Participants will play an active role in protecting our coastal environments through a range of engaging, practical activities.

“By combining environmental education, cultural connection and citizen science, Coastal Curiosity aims to deepen understanding of Newcastle’s coastal ecosystems and inspire positive behaviour change to support biodiversity protection.”

The program’s guided workshops will be held at local coastal locations, including Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach and the Cowrie Hole, with each session designed to reflect the distinctive ecosystems at each site.

This year’s program includes a strong focus on building practical skills, with participants guided on how to identify and record coastal plants and animals, as well as collect and report data on marine debris and microplastics.

Activities also include a community beach clean-up that transforms collected debris into artworks, highlighting both the issue of marine pollution and opportunities for positive action, as well as hands-on dune planting that contributes to coastal restoration efforts.

The sessions are free, but bookings are required and are now open to Newcastle Local Government Area residents, with a waiting list for participants outside the area. All sessions are delivered outdoors and are subject to weather conditions.

For program dates and session details, check out the dedicated booking page.