This is one location that we all thoroughly enjoyed, no matter what age!  Located at the Eden Marina, the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre is a not for profit community organisation for education and marine research.

We started our morning off with our guides Sharee and Jade, on a Rocky Shore Ramble around a little cove down beside the Centre.  Here the kids could delve into the waters with nets and buckets and ask all the questions in the world about the sea life they were looking at.  Very soon after we started however they were a little too scared to walk and were more careful where they put their nets as the realised just how much life actually lives right there on the shore.

I think a favourite of all of ours were the Waratah Anemones that waves around in the water yet closed themselves up when the tide went out, feeling something like jelly.  Again, we got to see our kids loving hopping around on the rocks and the squeals of delight as they found something new and raced to Sharee to find out everything about it.

From starfish to jelly fish, the kids loved it.  Just remember to wear sturdy rock hopping shoes and perhaps a towel might be a good idea too!

After our Ramble we headed back into the centre.  The kids walked around the tanks with sea life an spent ages watching Matilda the octopus swimming around in her tank, tentacles waving.  They looked at everything from sand to seaweed under the microscopes, but best of all was the Touch Table.  A big table set up with everything found in the local area, dried fish and seahorses, starfish, driftwood, shells and so much more.  There were even games set up to find the items in the picture.  Jasmine and Jemma were enthralled for ages as they ran around the table in circles trying to beat each other to the item in the picture.  Teddy was enjoying himself lining up the shells on the floor but loved the sand and the star fish on the Touch Table too.

There are often new things happening at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre so make sure you check in with them before you go to make sure you don’t miss out on anything.

Details:        Snug Cove, 253 Imlay Street, Eden.  

Website:      www.SapphireCoastDiscovery.com.au  

Cost:            Entry -  Adults $7, Children $2, Families $15

Hours:         11am – 3pm Wednesday to Friday during school term, however this may be restricted should there be a large school booking.

                 11am – 3pm Wednesday to Saturday during school holidays.

                 As the Centre is run by volunteers and is not for profit it is best to check opening hours and try to avoid school groups so that you can fully experience the Centre with the assistance of a guide – it makes a big difference as they are lovely and full of information.  Call the Centre on (02) 6496 1699.

Extras:         For all Extras please make sure you pre-book on (02) 6496 1699 to avoid disappointment.                       

Rocky Shore Ramble and Beach Tours run with a minimum of 4 people and are subject to tides. They are suitable for any age and take roughly 1.5 hours.

                  Costs: Adults $5, Children $2 and Family $12

Snorkel Safaris are also available and run with a minimum of 4 people and maximum of 8.  All participants must be aged 12+ and this runs for 2 hours.

                  Costs:  Adults $25, Children $10 and family $60