• Explore Coastal Environments: Syllabus-Aligned Field Studies for Students

Syllabus-aligned coastal and marine fieldwork for secondary students

Ecotreasures delivers engaging, curriculum-aligned school excursions and field studies across Sydney’s coastline. Designed for Geography, Marine Studies, Science and Outdoor Education, our programs help students apply classroom learning in real coastal environments through guided observation, fieldwork techniques, data collection and hands-on marine experiences.

Choose from land-based fieldwork, in-water snorkelling programs, or combined coastal investigations tailored to your stage, subject and learning outcomes.

What Teachers Say About Our Programs

“We brought our Year 12 Geography students to Shelley Beach, Manly as part of their HSC study on ecosystems, specifically focusing on reefs. The snorkel experience was such a great way for them to connect what they’ve learned in class to a real-world marine environment.”
Luke Gillmer, Scots All Saints College – Bathurst

Ideal For Geography, Marine Studies & Coastal Education

  • Stage 4–6 Geography
  • Stage 6 Marine Studies
  • Science and environmental education
  • Outdoor education and coastal learning
  • School groups seeking authentic Sydney case studies

Locations include:

  • Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Manly
  • Queenscliff Lagoon to Shelly Beach
  • Long Reef Rock Platform
  • Mona Vale Beach and rock platform
  • Collaroy to South Narrabeen coastal management sites
  • Northern Beaches and Eastern Beaches whale migration locations

Why teachers choose Ecotreasures

Real-world Sydney case studies

Our excursions use accessible coastal locations where students can observe marine ecosystems, coastal processes, human impacts and management strategies in the field.

Syllabus-aligned learning

Programs are designed to support NESA syllabus outcomes and can be tailored to your class topic, assessment focus and fieldwork requirements.

Flexible delivery

Choose a land-based excursion, an in-water snorkel experience, or a combined program depending on your students’ confidence, learning goals and school requirements.

Experienced environmental educators

Our team combines local coastal knowledge, marine interpretation and practical field teaching to create safe, engaging and meaningful learning experiences.

Planning support for teachers

We provide risk assessments, insurance documentation and pre-trip planning support to make excursion organisation easier.

Transport options available

Bus charter can be arranged for your school group if required.

Program options

Coastal Systems & Marine Ecology

Explore rocky shores, marine habitats, biodiversity, ecosystem interactions and coastal processes through guided fieldwork in some of Sydney’s best coastal study sites.

Popular locations:

  • Manly – Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve
  • Queenscliff Lagoon to Shelly Beach
  • Long Reef
  • Mona Vale rock platform

Coastal Management Case Studies

Investigate erosion, beach profiles, sediment movement, human impacts and management responses in dynamic coastal environments.

Popular location:

  • Collaroy and South Narrabeen

Whale Migration & Coastal Observation

Study seasonal whale migration, marine megafauna interpretation, coastal landforms and ocean observation from selected headland and beach locations.

Locations available:

  • Northern Beaches
  • South Head
  • Bondi and Eastern Beaches

Shark Safety & Ocean Education

Build ocean awareness through practical, engaging education about shark behaviour, risk reduction, ocean confidence and respectful use of marine environments.

Available as:

  • School excursion
  • School incursion

What students can do

Depending on your chosen program, students may:

  • Conduct field observations and record primary data
  • Explore coastal landforms and processes
  • Identify marine organisms and habitat features
  • Practise field sketching and environmental mapping
  • Investigate biodiversity and ecosystem interactions
  • Examine human impacts and management responses
  • Participate in guided snorkelling in calm, protected waters
  • Contribute to citizen science activities

Teacher support and inclusions

To help schools plan with confidence, we provide:

  • Risk assessments
  • Public liability insurance certificates
  • Pre-excursion planning support
  • Syllabus-aligned student worksheets
  • Options to customise activities to your topic or assessment task
  • Bus charter coordination if required

We work closely with teachers to align each excursion with classroom learning and intended outcomes.

Citizen science opportunities

Add an authentic research dimension to your excursion through optional citizen science participation.

Projects may include:

  • iNaturalist Manly – recording local flora and fauna observations
  • CoastSnap – documenting shoreline change through repeat coastal photography

These activities help students contribute to real environmental monitoring while building observation and inquiry skills.

Safety and wildlife note

Student safety and appropriate supervision are central to every program. Wildlife is wild and unpredictable, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but that is part of what makes field experiences authentic and memorable.

For marine species that may be encountered at Manly, teachers and students can view the Cabbage Tree Bay Marine Identification resource.

Book a school excursion

To organise a school field study, Geography excursion or marine education program, email in**@**************om.au. We can help you choose the right location, format and learning focus for your group, then prepare a tailored quote.

Programs/Case study

Program / Case study Main subject area(s) Typical NESA unit / focus Key topics / concepts Stages / years most suited*
Manly Cabbage Tree Bay Marine Field Study (snorkel + land) Geography, Marine Studies, Science Ecosystems at Risk; Coastal Environments; Marine Environments Marine biodiversity, reef/rocky reef ecology, adaptations, threats to marine ecosystems, conservation Stage 5 & 6 Geography (Y9–12), Stage 6 Marine Studies
Queenscliff Lagoon to Shelly Beach coastal study Geography, Science Coastal Processes & Landforms; Environmental Change and Management Coastal geomorphology, erosion and deposition, human impacts, management strategies Stage 4 & 5 Geography (Y7–10); intro Stage 6
Long Reef Rock Platform Case Study Geography, Marine Studies, Science Ecosystems at Risk; Biophysical Interactions; Marine Ecosystems Rocky shore zonation, biodiversity, intertidal adaptations, field sampling methods, human pressures Stage 4–6 Geography; Stage 6 Marine Studies
Mona Vale Beach & Rock Platform Field Study Geography, Science Coastal Environments; Landscapes and Landforms; Fieldwork Skills Wave energy, beach profiles, dunes, rock platform ecology, land use conflict, field measurements Stage 4 & 5 Geography
Collaroy & South Narrabeen Coastal Management Geography Environmental Change and Management; Urban Places / Coastal Communities Beach erosion events, property risk, hard vs soft engineering, stakeholder perspectives Stage 5 Geography; Stage 6 Geography (HSC case study)
Coastal Whale Walk – Migrating Giants Geography, Marine Studies, Science Global Environments; Oceans and Marine Life; People and Economic Activity (whale tourism) Whale migration, marine megafauna, habitat use, conservation, eco‑tourism, observation techniques Stage 4 & 5 Geography; Stage 6 Marine Studies
Shark Safety & Ocean Education – Excursion PDHPE, Marine Studies, Outdoor Education Water Safety and Risk; Marine Environments; Recreational Use of the Coast Shark behaviour, risk management, surf and ocean safety, decision‑making, respectful marine use Stage 4–6 PDHPE; Stage 6 Marine Studies
Shark Safety & Ocean Education – Incursion PDHPE, Marine Studies, Whole‑school wellbeing Health, Safety and Wellbeing; Risk and Resilience Understanding risk, reading conditions, safety planning, myths vs facts about sharks Stage 3–6 mixed, depending on delivery
General Coastal Systems & Marine Ecology (any study site) Geography, Marine Studies, Science Biophysical Interactions; Ecosystems at Risk; Sustainable Biomes Systems approach to coast, energy transfers, food webs, human impacts, sustainability, field skills Stage 4–6 Geography; Stage 6 Marine Studies
Whale migration + citizen science add‑on (CoastSnap / iNat) Geography, Science, Marine Studies Geographical Inquiry & Skills; Earth’s Environmental Interactions Data collection, photographic monitoring, species observations, temporal change Stage 4 & 5 Geography; Science inquiry units