Wooglemai EEC
Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre is proud to be one of 24 Environmental and Zoo Education Centres (EZECs) operated by the NSW Department of Education. Our mission is to support schools in delivering the NSW DoE Environmental Education Policy for Schools through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
What we offer
We provide a wide range of programs designed to inspire students and enrich classroom learning:
- Centre-based programs – Available as single-day visits or residential programs spanning two to three days.
- Curriculum-linked environmental education – Practical, hands-on activities aligned with the NSW Syllabus for the Australian Curriculum. Students might go bushwalking, birdwatching, dip-netting, catch an invertebrate, or even make a boomerang.
- Outdoor recreation challenges – High ropes, low ropes, archery, and kayaking activities that build confidence and teamwork.
- Peer support and transition programs – Initiative games and transition to high school programs.
- In-school incursions – Single-day sessions delivered at your school.
- School-based environmental projects – Support for student environmental groups, including conducting audits and sustainability initiatives.
- Special events participation – Engagement in school celebrations such as NAIDOC Week.
- Empower schools with engaging environmental and sustainability programs.
Our environment
Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre is located on the eastern edge of Nattai National Park which is a part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Wooglemai is located at 45 Sheehys Creek Road (just off Barkers Lodge Road), approximately 7 kilometres south of the township of Oakdale.
The site is owned by Guntawang Catholic Youth Centres Inc and is leased by the NSW Department of Education.
The traditional custodians of this site and surrounding areas were the Gundungurra and the Dharawal people. The centre takes its name from a Gundungurra man, Wooglemai, who appears in the 1802 diaries of the explorer Francis Barrallier.
Caring for our environment
At our centre, we embrace the local natural environment to make learning active, enjoyable, and connected to real life. Outdoor experiences help students build a stronger bond with nature and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them.
Working with schools
We partner with all NSW public schools, offering access to our centre for engaging co‑curricular learning programs and teacher professional development. Schools can easily book with us to enrich student learning and support educators in their professional growth.
Connecting students with nature
At Wooglemai Environmental Education Centre, we create hands-on learning experiences for students from Kindergarten to Year 12. Our programs are designed to complement classroom learning, spark curiosity, and inspire a deeper connection with the environment.
Guided by expert teachers, students explore the natural world through active, engaging activities that encourage questioning and discovery. Many of our programs also include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, helping students learn about culture, Country, and caring for the land.
Support for visiting teachers
At Wooglemai EEC, teachers find their visits both rewarding and enjoyable. The centre offers a unique opportunity to connect with students in a relaxed environment, away from the traditional classroom setting.
Our dedicated staff work closely with visiting teachers to ensure every experience is meaningful and well-supported. While teachers take on a supervisory role—assisting EEC educators during activity sessions—they are also provided with valuable resources and opportunities to grow professionally.
We support visiting teachers through:
- Engaging workshops for professional learning
- Access to practical teaching resources
- Guidance with lesson and program planning
- Comfortable spaces for staff meetings and student workshops
Visit Wooglemai EEC website.
