Nearer to Nature Schools offers a variety of activities, including curriculum-linked school incursions, excursions and professional development.

Visit our Nearer to Nature Schools page to learn more.

Getting children and adults out and about exploring nature has never been easier!

Offering programs from diverse locations across the metropolitan area and in the south-west which cover a variety of ecosystems, there is no better way of getting out and about in nature.

In addition to the popular school holiday activities, Nearer to Nature can design a program to accommodate a community group of any size or age. Your group booking will have the added flexibility of having your experience last from one hour to a whole day, or even longer.

You can now book your school holiday and community activities online. For the Perth metro area, visit Nearer to Nature: Activities for the community to download the activities calendar and brochure, and make a booking.

For activities in the South West, visit Explore Parks Get inspired.

Nearer to Nature supports the department’s initiative of connecting people with our parks.

Accomodation is available alongside many of our venues for overnight camps for both school and family groups. Make your excursion extra memorable for your students by including an experience of the forest at night.

Apart from the Perth Hills Discovery Centre, these camps are not part of Nearer to Nature and need to be booked separately.

Perth Hills Discovery Centre

The Perth Hills Discovery Centre, operated by Nearer to Nature, is located only 40 minutes drive from Perth on Allen Road and 6km from Mundaring. The camp ground is a wonderful place to get away from it all without having to travel too far, perfect for a quick weekend away.

Set within the Beelu National Park, the ground is nestled amongst the forest and offers glimpses C Y O’Connor Lake and Mundaring Weir.  Walk and cycle trails in the immediate area offer some great recreational opportunities and the high standard of facilities (hot showers and a great camp kitchen) provide a camping experience that everyone can enjoy.

During the months December to April you can even catch a movie at the Kookaburra Open Air Cinema next door (Fri, Sat & Sun).

For group bookings please call (08) 9295 2244 or email n2n@dbca.wa.gov.au.

For further information and bookings visit the Perth Hills Discovery Centre website.

Wellington Forest Cottages

The Wellington Forest Cottages and Conference Centre is situated within walking distance of the Wellington Discovery Forest Centre and provides an ideal camp location for school studies related to nature conservation.

For further information and bookings visit the Wellington Forest Cottages website.

 RAC Margaret River Nature Park

An ideally located group campsite in the heart of Margaret River's Karri forest, only minutes from the town centre of Margaret River. Nestled among an old growth stand of karri and jarrah forest, it provides an ideal base for educational groups visiting the South-West Capes region.

For further information and bookings visit the RAC Margaret River Nature Park.

Jarrah Forest Lodge Dwellingup

Being across the road from the Forest Heritage Centre this bunkhouse style accommodation is ideal for schools wanting to experience an overnight or longer stay in Dwellingup.

For more information and bookings visit the Jarrah Forest Lodge website.

Other campsites

Parks and Wildlife operates many other campsites around WA close to nature based educational opportunities.

For locations, booking information and things to do please visit the Explore Parks website.

Our programs are delivered by a dedicated group of trained educators and school teachers, including casual education guides and Aboriginal cultural guides.

We’re currently looking for Aboriginal cultural guides to join our team. Watch the video to learn more.