Check out our events
and activities

Coming Events

Birds of Altona Masterclass February - May 2025 

Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre is very pleased to be able to hold a second Birds of Altona Masterclass in early 2025, presented by Kevin Wood. With the support of the Victorian Government’s Port Phillip Bay Fund, eight (8) x
2 ½ hour classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 22 February (excluding public holiday weekends). You will gain an in depth understanding of the birds of the region, their habitats and challenges. 

THIS LINK takes you to the Eventbrite page, which provides all the details and where you can buy your ticket. The ticket covers all 8 sessions and is $50.00 (non-refundable). 

Free Workshops for Members - Wetlands Discovery series

Each workshop will be held at the Underkeeper’s Cottage, Truganina Explosives Reserve, 274 Queen Street Altona.

The Wetlands Discovery program will provide members with in-depth information about the various ecosystems of the wetlands and the history of how the area came to be what it is today. HBWC has developed a detailed walk map and corresponding guide notes. HBWC volunteer walk guides will be able to use these to take friends, family and others on walks in the area around Truganina Park.

Help to spread the word about our amazing local wetlands and how everyone can help to protect them for future generations.

HBWC Citizen science program 

Our Citizen Scientists have many activities in the pipeline, including carrying out an iNaturalist-based project for our future site at the HD Graham Reserve. Let us know if you’d like to join in the fun by sending an email to info@hobsonsbaywetlandscentre.org.au.
We’ll send you dates and details of our activities. You don’t need any experience, just enthusiasm and a desire to help the environment.

Citizen Science

Citizen science activities include:

‣ Waterwatch (Melbourne Water)
‣ Carbon Sequestration (Blue Carbon Lab)

Wetlands
Self-guided walk

There are a number of easy, self-guided walks you can do:
• beginning at Apex Park, at the end of The Esplanade in Altona
• along the Coastal Trail along Laverton Creek
• around Truganina Park and the Hundred Steps of Federation
You could also begin your walk near the Truganina Explosives Reserve, to the Laverton Creek and continue on, or do the various walks around Truganina Park, starting at the carpark there. See a map and info sheet here.

Past Events

We’ve held a number of Open Days, workshops and Citizen Science events.  In 2019 and 2020 our Open Days included celebrating World Wetlands Day and World Mental Health Day.  These featured guest speakers on migratory birds, Blue Carbon Research and evidence of the benefits of contact with nature for mental health and wellbeing.

Hope, Coping and Wellness: Mental health benefits of connecting with nature.  

Keen to learn more about the relationship between between mental health and nature, as well as active coping strategies?  

Check out our conversation with Dr Rebecca Patrick, Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion and Planetary Health, Deakin University and youth leader Sandy Gonzalez de la Vega here.

Bird & Wetlands
- a journey with art and shorebirds

Watch the November online workshop with local ‘natural historian’ and artist Rob Mancini here in an exploration of the fascinating local, resident and migratory shorebirds and about the local habitats they frequent. Also learn about his art and the way these birds and places have inspired him.

Suitable for all birding skill levels, with only an interest in the natural world required.

Our wonderful wetlands
- explore the wetlands of Hobsons Bay with Gordon Lescinsky.

Watch Gordon’s presentation here.

Saltmarsh Discovery
If you missed this one, join Gordon Lescinsky as he looks more closely at our saltmarshes – salt-tolerant plants and why they can thrive in these unique areas, and learn more about salinity, flooding and dynamic coastlines.

Check it out here.