About Pure Green Discovery Learning and Adventure Opportunities

About Pure Green Discovery

A region rich in experiential learning and discovery, the Southern Gold Coast is the perfect location for your next school excursion, environmental education outing or eco-holiday.

Pure Green Discovery recognizes the many Southern Gold Coast businesses and not-for profit organizations that celebrate our natural environment, culture and history. They do this by:

• Implemented care programmes for our wonderful land, from sand dunes to wetlands to flora and fauna; • Local cultural programmes ranging from sculpture to bonsai creations to indigenous history; and • Teaching and learning opportunities for visitors (school children and tourists of all ages) about these care and culture programmes, and how they complement our history and lifestyle.

The natural environment of the Southern Gold Coast is characterized by its 9 kilometers of Pacific Ocean, beaches, headlands, wetlands, creeks, mountains and sub-tropical rainforests.

All of these were produced by a unique natural phenomenon which occurred many millions of years ago- The Mount Warning volcanic eruption, which created Australia’s Green Cauldron.

The history of the Southern Gold Coast is based on the culture of care and respect shown by our forbears to this wonderful, natural environment.

Our current generation is the custodian of that proud cultural history and we now share it with the World at large, for those who value such a rich offering: we call this our Pure Green Discovery.

Learning and Adventure Opportunities

Our Pure Green Discovery offers learning experiences based on: • Heritage: The traditional owners of the land are the Kombumerri people, a clan group of the Yugambeh language region which stretches from the Logan River to the Tweed region of New South Wales. Our region is one of the few regions in Australia where aboriginal names have been retained and celebrated for each of its major villages:

Currumbin (meaning "Place of fat fish"); Tugun (meaning "Two Hills"); Bilinga (meaning "Place of Bats"); Kirra (meaning "Boomerang"); and Coolangatta (meaning "Splendid view")

Indigenous Australians, along with South Sea Islander- indentured labor, worked with the early settlers to open up much of the region to settlement and banana farming. By doing so, they provided us with the regional amenity and history we have today.

• Australia’s Green Cauldron- Coastal Access: We are Queensland’s green, coastal gateway to the Northern Rivers of NSW, the centre of which is Mount Warning, which is only 45 minutes away. Mount Warning is the volcanic plug remaining after the volcanic explosion that has created the Green Cauldron, of which the Southern Gold Coast is the north-easterly section, with its own beauty and charm.

• Australia’s Green Cauldron- Inland access: The majestic and richly-green Currumbin Valley offers this route along the Tomewin Mountain Road, which was the road used by early settlers to access New South Wales. It rises up over the spectacular Mount Tomewin, the first place in Australia where bananas were grown in the early 1900s.

• Currumbin Valley: This is our green spectacular. It is a Valley only 1-2 kilometers wide and walled on the northern side by sheer escarpments and on the southern side by high peaks. If offers the Mount Cougal Section of the Springbrook National Park, which is World Heritage Listed subtropical rainforest, but 20 kilometers from the Currumbin Surf Beach. It is also part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Eastern Australia. The beautiful Currumbin Creek has its headwaters at Mt Cougal. It flows to the Pacific Ocean via Currumbin Alley which is an estuarine, aquatic playground for all types of water sports and pastimes.

• Green coastal headlands: Currumbin; Tugun; Kirra; Greenmount; Snapper Rocks and Point Danger , each with their own majesty, flora and fauna and beachfront walkways, which enable both enjoyment and learning.

• Rolling surf and glistening beaches: The northerly ocean current sweeps sand past the mighty Tweed River, around Point Danger (Queensland mainland most easterly point) and on to the north- facing beaches of Rainbow Bay, Greenmount, Coolangatta, and the Golden Four Beaches of Kirra, Bilinga, Tugun and Currumbin. This creates our World-renowned, sand-bottomed point breaks, which are the home to many; international elite surfboard riding competitions including the ASP World tour.

Providers

CWS educates students about the wonder of Australia's native animals and their plight. Offering a variety of programs including, animal presentations, aboriginal appreciation, sustainability tours and even high ropes courses to inspire, increase awareness, encourage compassion, exert energy and build self esteem.

Day time excursions from $10.50pp (including exclusive animal encounter) Twilight Tours from $29.50 pp (including fully guided walk and dinner) Camp Crocodile Sleep Over from $74 pp (includes tents, guide and all meals)

P | 0755340846 F | 0755981764 E | [email protected] W | www.cws.org.au

The Currumbin Community Farm Campus is an environmental and outdoor education center located in the Southern Gold Coast Hinterland. We provide overnight residential programs and full day learning experiences for schools, internationals and community groups.

Residential Camping Program based on Environmental and Outdoor Education. Full Day Programs: Life on the Farm, All Creatures Great & Small, Water Watch, Sustainable Futures & Outdoor Adventure.

P | 0755330312 E | [email protected] W | www.thebeachschool.eq.edu.au

Surf World is a museum dedicated to the history of surfing and beach culture. This is achieved through the collection, preservation and exhibition of surf boards, photographs and other memorabilia.

$4 per student. Each visit takes approx 1.5hrs. Teachers FOC for every 10 students

Karen Hutchinson M | 0439226057 F | 0755815299 E | [email protected] W | www.surfworldgoldcoast.com

Retail outlet for bonsai both finished and pre bonsai. We also stock a full range of bonsai incidentals such as tools pots etc. We also conduct training in bonsai.

Red Dragon Bonsai offers 'All Day' workshop in the class titled "Introduction to Bonsai", a hands on approach to all aspects of creating bonsai.

238 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Valley, 4223 P | 0755939916 E | [email protected] W | www.reddragonbonsai.com

Honey World is one of three retail shops and tourist attractions, where visitors can sample and buy our full range of Australian honey and other bee products.

Live bee shows where you will learn all about how honey is produced, from the beehive to the jar. Honey World school project workbook is provided as a part of the excursion.

P | 0755984548 F| 0755984549 E | [email protected] W | www.superbee.com.au

The Ecovillage is an award winning sustainable residential estate located in Currumbin Valley on the Gold Coast where residents enjoy a vibrant community lifestyle while living harmoniously with the environment.

Innovation Estate Tour Visit the Ecovillage’s 100 year old fully restored Queenslander which is self-sufficient in water and energy, healthy and accessible. This is suitable for grades 3-7. For High School students the Guided Tour of the estate is recommended and further information can be found at www.sustainablegreen.com.au.

639 Currumbin Creek Road Currumbin Valley P | 07 5598 7771 E | [email protected] W | www.theecovillage.com.au OR W | www.sustainablegreen.com.au

An annual free outdoor sculpture exhibition in September comprising of 55 artists works along the Currumbin Beach ocean walkway. Swell engages in education programs, environmental art programs, Swell smalls gallery, master classes, sculpture sales, artist in residence program to name a few.

An invaluable opportunity to engage in the Swell Kids programs during and leading up to the Swell Sculpture Festival.

P | 0755253392 E | [email protected] W | www.swellsculpture.com.au

Envirotech Institute of Education delivers high quality training in horticulture, Landscape, Arboriculture and environmental science, equipping graduates with relevant skills and knowledge to enter the workforce or go on to further tertiary education.

Envirotech can offer students excursion around the campus grounds and a selection of short workshops in areas of interests to the participation school delivered by our trainers and professional staff.

P | 0755330046 or 0755330707 F | 0755330047 or 0755330755 E | [email protected] W | www.envirotech.qld.edu.au

Gecko is the peak environment organisation for the Gold Coast region. Gecko undertakes environmental education, advocacy, community representation, community outreach through Green Day Out festival, coordinating Clean Up Australia Day, General Meetings and Speaker nights; Gecko coordinates three bush care groups.

GeckoEd offers class room visits, school excursions, special programs and program design of carefully crafted learning activities blending ecological concepts, contact with the natural world and active participation to evolve a sense of ownership of learning, feelings and outcomes

P | 0755341412 F | 0755341401 E | [email protected] W | www.gecko.org.au

Departs 9am at the western side of The Boardwalk at Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta, for a six-hour tour. The mysteries of Mount Warning, known by local Indigenous peoples (Bundjalung) as Wollumbin or 'cloud catcher are many'. For the Bundjalung it is a place of cultural and spiritual significance. Like an aging grandfather who holds the secrets of life, Mount Warning’s geological library is brimming with tales of the underground.

Geotour Danger Warning will take you on a journey to: Learn about prehistoric seas from a time before The Green Cauldron was formed. Ancient water falls (involves a gentle 400 meter walk). Sample the treats for purchase at Uki Café at lunchtime. The ominous shadow of Mount Warning. The Devils Causeway. Costs are based on 10-30 students in your own bus $15/student.

E | [email protected] W | www.therockdoctor.com.au

Walkin' On Water Surf School is renowned as the Premier Surf School on the Gold Coast. A fully licensed Surfing Australia and Surfing Queensland Surf School, operating at Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta.

We cater for all ages and abilities and can run flexible programs to suit specific requirements from one off surfing sessions to multi lesson/multi day programs. Our programs range from surf safety and surf awareness programs with Nipper and basic surf activities to comprehensive surf lessons for all skill levels. We offer the Surfing Australia Safe Surfing Program, endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission.

We can also package our programs with accommodation as well as include other services including Surf Life Saving Qualification course.

P | 0755341886 E | [email protected] W | www.walkinonwater.com

The Academy of Surf is the leading surf safety, surf awareness, emergency care and surf qualification provider on the Gold Coast. The Academy is licensed by the Australian Lifesaving Academy of Queensland to provide Surf Life Saving Australia qualification training programs including the Surf Survival Certificate, Surf Rescue Certificate and Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)/Bronze Medallion Courses. We train lifesavers, lifeguards and the general public, including a number of schools in aquatic safety, surf rescue and emergency care.

We can provide informal sessions like basic surf awareness and surf safety with beach and surf activities to formal qualification programs. We are flexible in our delivery and program options to suit specific requirements.

P | 07 5534 1886 M | 0418 780 311 E | [email protected] W | www.academyofsurf.com

Learn to Surf lessons at the best Gold Coast location, with the most experienced instructors on the coast. Best value lessons on the coast! Surf instruction for all levels, and surf hire, at Currumbin Alley.

We can offer Surf lessons, surf awareness & surf safety instruction, all equipment supplied. We can run ASI school surf programs with student workbooks & teacher guides. We also offer Surf Survival Certificate courses and Surf Instructor training.

P | 07 55256818 F | 0755256818 E | [email protected] W | www.surfeasy.com.au

Surf Lessons: Beginners, Intermediate and High Performance! Surfing Services Australia is a licensed Surfing Australia Surf School - Council approved: Surfing on the Gold Coast at beautiful Currumbin Alley with Mark Richardson - 3x Australian Champion Surfer & Head Coach for The Australian Junior Surfing Team & his experienced team of Surfing Australia qualified coaches - endorsed by Joel Parkinson (WCT professional surfer).

The Safe Surfing program endorsed by the Australian Sports Commission and delivered by Surfing Australia surf schools: Our coaches look after the participants and put them through the different levels offered of the certificate program. e.g., Program content for Level One Safe Surfing Certificate: Reading surf conditions and identifying dangerous situations Basic fitness for surfing Paddling Catching broken waves Wave zone negotiation Wiping out safely Equipment for surfing Sun smart behavior Sport safe behavior Environmental awareness. Learning to surf is a fantastic confidence builder and brings with it a great sense of achievement, responsibility and self-confidence.

P | 0755355557 M | 0411235080 E | [email protected] W | www.surfingservices.com.au

Join millions of others who have found out why Stand Up Paddle boarding is the world’s fastest growing sport. See what it feels like to "Walk on Water" at Jamie Mitchell's School of Paddle and Surf with lessons held on spectacular Currumbin Creek. Our fully qualified and friendly instructors will teach you the right techniques to have you up and paddling in no time at all. We cater for all ages and levels from first timers to experienced paddlers as well as offering private and group lessons. Stand Up Paddle boarding is easy, fun and good for you… come and join us today.

Prices vary depending on number of students participating in this activity. Lesson time 90 minutes. 10 to 15 students $20 per person over 15 students $15 per person.

M | 0416 075 994 E | [email protected] W | www.jmsurf.com

Self-Paced Learning Coastal Lookouts Captain Cook Memorial, Point Danger, Boundary Street, Coolangatta. This Memorial is one of the most visited sights on coastal Queensland. It is Queensland mainland’s most easterly point and delineates the border with New South Wales. Its plaques recognize the history of the visit of Captain James Cook on his discovery voyage to the East Coast of Queensland; commemorates the loss of Australian merchant and hospital shipping and members of their crews in the Coral Sea in the Second World War at the adjacent Centaur Memorial and Remembrance Walk; and has an explanatory display of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Project, a significant, oceanic, hydrological-engineering project which pumps life-blood sand under the Tweed River to the magnificent southern Gold Coast beaches. • To the south east, Tweed River entrance to the Pacific Ocean and D’Bah Surf Beach and back to Cook Island and Fingal Lighthouse; and • To the north over Snapper Rocks, home of the Quiksilver and Roxy Pros, Rainbow Bay and all the way up to Surfers Paradise and South Stradbroke Island.

Greenmount Hill, Hill Street, Greenmount Beach: • To the east, Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks surf beaches; • To the north, the surf beaches of Greenmount, Coolangatta, Kirra and all the way up the coast to Surfers Paradise and South Stradbroke Island; • To the west, glimpses of the McPherson Range incorporating Springbrook National Park, Currumbin Valley and Mt Tallebudgera, all part of Australia’s Green Cauldron.

Kirra Hill, Garrick Street, Kirra Point: • To the east, back over the best surf beaches and point breaks in Australia- Coolangatta, Greenmount, Snapper Rocks; • To the south, over Coolangatta precinct and into the Tweed; • To the north, over Kirra Point and up the Golden Four Beaches of Kirra, Bilinga, Tugun and Currumbin; and beyond right up the entire length of the Gold Coast including Surfers Paradise and Stradbroke Island; and • To the west into Australia’s Green Cauldron, incorporating the McPherson Range, The Cougals, Currumbin Valley and Springbrook National Park, Mt Tallebudgera, & the western Gold Coast hinterland, including Mt Tamborine plateau.

Elephant Rock, on the beach- adjacent to the Currumbin Vikings Surf Lifesaving Club, Pacific Parade, Currumbin Beach: • To the south all the to Coolangatta, Rainbow Bay and Snapper Rocks; • To the north, Currumbin Rock, Burleigh Heads, Surfers Paradise and South Stradbroke Island; • To the West, back over the beautiful villages of Currumbin and Tugun.

Currumbin Rock and Currumbin Alley, Pacific Parade, Currumbin Beach: At the entrance to this precinct, a large plaque records that The Currumbin Rock is a National Environmental Sanctuary dedicated for the purpose of the study of geology and marine biology by school children and other interested students: • To the West, along the beautiful Currumbin Creek estuary and wetlands and up into the Currumbin Valley and the McPherson Ranges; • To the north, the entire length of the coast incorporating Palm Beach, Tallebudgera, Burleigh Heads, Surfers Paradise and South Stradbroke Island; • To the south, Elephant Rock and down to Kirra and Coolangatta.

Currumbin Hill Lookout - Pacific Parade, Currumbin - stairs lead from park opposite Currumbin Alley: • To the south, over Currumbin Beach and all the way to Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks; and • To the north, over Currumbin Alley and the entire length of the Gold Coast up to Surfers Paradise and South Stradbroke Island.

Hinterland Lookouts McPherson Range - Highlands Estate, Warri Way, Eco Village, Currumbin Valley: • To the north across the beautiful Currumbin Valley and into Tallebudgera Valley and on to Surfers Paradise; • To the west, down the Currumbin Valley to Mount Tallebudgera and the Cougals, all part of Australia’s Green Cauldron; and • To the east, down Currumbin Valley and to the Currumbin Alley at the Pacific Ocean.

Arthur Freeman Lookout - Tomewin Mountain Road, Tomewin, Currumbin Valley 1km west of Freemans road-side stall: • To the north and north- east, spectacular views right down the Currumbin Valley; • To the west and south, panoramic view across the Currumbin Valley to the spectacular escarpment of Mt Tallebudgera, Springbrook National Park, Boyd’s Butte, and Mt. Cougal National Park (the Cougals) - all part of Australia’s Green Cauldron".

Coastal Walks Razorback Outlook, Razorback Rd 2.5 km from Main Street of Coolangatta. You will arrive at the Tom Beatson Outlook which is famous for its views: • north east, over the Tweed River, Point Danger, Coolangatta and Pacific Ocean; • the west, over Gold Coast Airport, and into Australia’s Green Cauldron, incorporating Mount Warning, The Cougals, Currumbin Valley, Springbrook National Park, Mount Tallebudgera, and western Gold Coast hinterland; and • the south-east, Tweed River estuary, trawler fleet; marina, Cook Island, Fingal and Kingscliff

Ocean Walkway (foreshore, paved thoroughfare) incorporating Point Danger, Snapper Rocks, Rainbow Bay, Greenmount, Coolangatta, Kirra Point, Kirra, Bilinga, Tugun, Currumbin, Currumbin Alley and Currumbin Creek estuary (18km round trip- but can be shortened to suit);

"Golden Four" Beaches walk. Walk on the beach (hard or soft sand) from Kirra Point north past Bilinga and Tugun to Currumbin Rock (12km round trip, but can be shortened to suit);

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Tomewin Street, Currumbin: Forest Walk, incorporating Observation Deck with views over the Sanctuary and Currumbin and Tugun Beaches (3klm round trip). This walk is accessed as part of admission fee to the Sanctuary.

Thrower Bridge to Kropp Park Walk (Currumbin to Flat Rock Creek, Tugun) 7km roundtrip. This incorporates Currumbin Creek walkway, Winders Park, Currumbin Rock, Pacific Parade walkway, Elephant Rock and the Kropp Park Reserve. From Currumbin Rock to Kropp Park can be walked on the beach as an option.

Hinterland Walks

The Cougal Cascades Walk, Currumbin Valley. Located in the Mount Cougal Section of Springbrook National Park, which is World Heritage Listed Sub-Tropical Rainforest (part of Eastern Australia's Gondwana subtropical rainforests) and part of Australia's Green Cauldron: The Walk incorporates viewing platforms which are signposted with explanation boards of indigenous and European history, and flora and fauna (3 km round trip).