For school groups exploring nature, culture, and conservation in the South West.
The Margaret River region is one of the most breathtaking and ecologically diverse places in Australia. With ancient forests, wild coastlines, and rare wildlife, it’s not just a playground for adventurers – it’s a living classroom.
But with this beauty comes responsibility. As visitors, students, and community members, we all share the duty to protect, conserve, and learn from the land – and there’s no better time to start than on a school excursion.
Why the Margaret River Region Matters
Located in one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots, the Margaret River region is home to:
- Over 8,000 native plant species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth
- Critically endangered animals like the Western ringtail possum
- Majestic karri and jarrah forests
- Unique marine life in the Ngari Capes Marine Park
But this fragile environment faces threats – from land clearing and invasive species to plastic pollution and climate change. That’s why conservation education is a powerful way for school groups to get involved.
Local Leaders in Conservation and Culture for Schools
1. Cape to Cape Explorer Tours
This award-winning eco-tour company helps school groups connect with the land through guided hikes and educational field trips along the Cape to Cape Track.
Experiences include:
- Interpreting native flora, fauna, and geology
- Learning about coastal erosion, biodiversity, and Leave No Trace principles
- Cultural storytelling and sustainability practices
2. Nature Conservation Margaret River Region
This grassroots organisation works to protect the natural environment through hands-on programs and community education. School groups can:
- Join tree planting days, dune restoration, or wildlife monitoring
- Participate in school-friendly environmental workshops
- Learn about local species and sustainability practices
3. Undalup Association
The Wadandi People are the traditional custodians of the Margaret River area. The Undalup Association provides cultural knowledge and environmental insight drawn from over 60,000 years of living in harmony with the land.
They offer:
- Cultural immersion experiences and bush tucker education
- Guided walks with Wadandi elders
- Stories of Dreaming and connection to Country
Respecting Aboriginal culture is key to understanding environmental protection in this region.
What School Groups Can Do
At Cape to Cape Education we are passionate about the environment and conserving the natural world for future generations.
We believe in fostering a love of place and nature, a sense of belonging and ecological responsibility that students take away with them to their own communities.
We aspire to engage, educate and empower young people to become advocates for the environment and encourage them to participate in conservation practices to protect the fragile natural world.
ALL of our Margaret River Adventure camps and Educational packages will involve an element of ‘Giving back’ working alongside local volunteer organisations to help protect this fragile environment.
We are committed to the protection of Boodja and share this responsibility.
Schools and Youth Groups can contribute as a part of their camp to environmental protection and conservation on Boodja.
Activities include:
Bush Regeneration – Brushing, planting, removal of non-native invasive weeds.
Beach Clean ups – Collecting plastic and other waste from our beaches – To be used to create a visual arts piece.
Here are 5 powerful ways to contribute while learning:
- Clean Up Beaches or Bushland
Organise a litter collection event at Redgate Beach, Prevelly, or along the Rail Trail. - Plant a Tree, Save a Species
Partner with Nature Conservation to plant native trees that support endangered possums and birds. - Walk Country, Listen Deeply
Go on a cultural bushwalk with Undalup and learn how the land speaks through stories, fire, and song. - Adopt a Patch
Some schools “adopt” a local area to care for year-round—monitoring wildlife, pulling weeds, and planting natives. - Take Conservation Back to School
After your visit, start a student-led sustainability project: reduce plastics, create a native garden, or launch a water-saving challenge.
The Future Is in Your Hands
The next time you hike through Boranup Forest, hear a black cockatoo cry, or see waves crash on the granite cliffs of Cape Naturaliste, remember: this land is unique. It deserves to be understood, respected, and protected.
As students and educators, you are not just visitors. You are future stewards of the environment.
Together, we can make sure that Margaret River remains wild, thriving, and full of life – for generations to come.