Give your kids some outdoor adventures these school holidays with our NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Junior Ranger tours.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Hunter Central Coast Acting Director Anthony Signor said Junior Rangers play a role in helping to preserve our precious pockets of wildlife.
'The Junior Ranger series lets the whole family walk alongside a Discovery Ranger to find out what plants and animals live in various parks, and how they survive in these magical environments,' Mr Signor said.
Kids can sign onto Junior Ranger tours at coastal or inland parks and reserves.
Junior Rangers can walk along the shores of Seven Mile Beach in Booti Booti National Park and learn about the local inhabitants, or join a fossilised forest ramble on the rock platforms of Dudley Beach in Glenrock State Conservation Area.
Meanwhile at Towarri National Park, Junior Rangers can stroll the banks of Middle Brook to Washpools waterhole, and learn how plants and animals survive here.
Other school holiday adventures include insect hunting in Wyrrabalong National Park, bird-watching with binoculars in the Hunter Wetlands National Park, or joining a ramble coastal tour at either Glenrock State Conservation Area or Tomaree National Park.
Connect with Country by joining an Aboriginal Ranger on a guided tour National Park on January 12, or join an Aboriginal Ranger for a tour in Blue Gum Hills Regional Park, near Minmi, on January 5.
The Upper Hunter also provides the Burning Mountain adventure where you can discover Australia's only naturally burning coal seam in this ancient landscape near Scone.
Or step back in time and uncover the hidden treasures of Mountain Maid gold mine in Copeland Tops State Conservation Area. Discover historic buildings, old mining machinery, and pan for gold on this tour in the rainforest – which also has a magical tour at twilight.
'The NSW National Parks Junior Ranger tour program runs each school holidays and inspires kids to become a Ranger for a day and learn the natural and cultural values of our national parks,' Mr Signor said.
Fees apply and bookings are essential, either by calling 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) or going online to NPWS Kids' and family activities.
