Exciting news from the Marine Discovery Centre, seven of our baby seahorses (fry) have successfully reached 6 weeks of age. Given the delicate nature of these tiny creatures, with only a 0.5% survival rate, each day is a cause for celebration. Rest assured, we're keeping a close and caring eye on our little ones and will continue to keep you updated on their progress.

In the last image, you'll catch a glimpse of our pregnant Big Bellied seahorse, just hours before he welcomed his babies into the world. While we unfortunately missed capturing the birth as it happened during the wee hours of the night, we're still overjoyed by this miraculous event!

Curious to witness a seahorse birth? We've got you covered! Check out this captivating video from a previous birth a few years ago: [Link to video: https://youtu.be/gmhjV3axVWc]

Introducing Porci's Ocean Patrol (POP), a captivating live/animated series crafted by the Marine Discovery Centre, produced and filmed by Fastbreak Films, and generously funded by Green Adelaide. Designed with young audiences in mind, POP invites children on an exciting journey to explore the vibrant marine life thriving in the breathtaking waters of South Australia. Through this innovative series, youngsters will not only marvel at the wonders of the ocean but also learn essential ways to nurture its well-being while discovering the rich tapestry of Aboriginal culture intertwined with these aquatic realms.

Accompanied by Porci and his trusty Ocean Patrollers, Georgie and Karno from the Marine Discovery Centre, each episode sets out to amplify the voices of young enthusiasts fascinated by South Australian marine ecosystems and indigenous heritage. By infusing education with entertainment, POP transforms learning into a dynamic adventure, spotlighting local marine species, coastal marvels, and engaging viewers through interactive games and quizzes.

Encouraging curiosity and inquiry, POP features segments where viewers pose questions, with answers delivered in a language tailored to young minds. Moreover, the series inspires actionable steps toward safeguarding the marine environment, from participating in local dune replanting initiatives to advocating for conservation efforts within their communities.

Empowering children with knowledge and agency, POP equips them to become champions of marine conservation, fostering awareness, skills, and engagement crucial for promoting environmental sustainability among peers, family, and society at large.

Complementing each episode are enriching student activities and teacher resources aligned with the Australian Curriculum, providing educators with valuable tools to extend learning beyond the screen. Currently boasting three captivating episodes, POP delights audiences with new releases premiering on the 1st of every month, promising endless excitement and discovery for young ocean enthusiasts.

Episodes & Teacher Resources

One minute videos & student Activities

Porci's Ocean Patrol YouTube Channel

Book tickets>

Join the team at the Marine Discovery Centre for a morning of learning and understanding more about the Great Southern Reef, followed by a guided beach marine trail on Henley Beach by qualified marine scientists

During the session, you will have access to a variety of interactive discovery stations including Kaurna learning, sea aquariums, virtual reality headsets, and hands-on interactives and meet the team from the Marine Discovery Centre.

This event is kindly sponsored by Community Bank West Beach

An event not just for the kids!

TIMES

10.30am - 12pm - Interactive Centre Activities

12pm - 12.30pm - Guided Beach Marine Trail on Henley Beach (if weather permits)

LOCATION

Marine Discovery Centre

Cnr Seaview Road & Marlborough Street, Henley Beach, SA 5022

(Parking is available behind the Henley Beach Parish, accessible via Foord Ave, located directly across from the Marine Discovery Centre)

Enter via Marlborough Street

INCLUDES

* Aquariums featuring local South Australian marine creatures such as the Ornate cowfish, Big-Bellied Seahorses, Sea Stars, Porcupine Fish, Oysters, Red handed Shrimp, Murray River Turtle and more

* Virtual Reality Headsets giving you the opportunity to explore under the sea without getting wet. Underwater virtual reality experiences include Australian Sea Lions, Leafy Seadragons, and swimming under the Henley Beach Jetty.

* Kaurna Education Room (The Wodli) is an interactive room which highlights the relationship that Kaurna people have with the Adelaide Plains and the coast.

* Interactive models featuring our diving games, beachcombing game plus oceanography, sounds of the ocean game,  fish schooling experience, climate change interactive, marine debris, marine habitats, touchscreens, sustainable fishing, stormwater, beachcombing, and get hands-on with our microscopes.

* Henley Beach Marine Trail 12pm - 12.30pm (if weather permits)

* Each ticket holder will receive a free beachcombing sheet to take home

* Event sponsored by Community Bank West Beach

COST

$10 per person (children 3 and under are free of charge)

Book tickets>

REFUNDS

Refunds requested within 24 hours of the event will not be refunded

INCURSIONS

The Marine Discovery Centre (MDC) can bring an educational and exciting range of activities to you, for your students to experience in their classroom, performing centre or local beach. Our team bring everything and set up in your class or hall to deliver the program.

MDC experience in your class/school

Our team of Marine Scientists & an Aboriginal Cultural Educator can bring the beach and a variety of incursion programs to your school.

Activities will include but won’t be limited to:

• The Great Southern Reef
• Aboriginal Artefacts - history
• Virtual Reality Headsets featuring South Australian underwater experiences with Leafy Seadragons, Australian Sea Lions & under the Henley Beach Jetty
• Marine Food Chains
• Marine Litter
• Ocean Currents
• Creature Features
• Sustainable Fishing Practices

What we bring

• 15 x Virtual Reality headsets
• 3 x Hand held discover diving games
• Marine specimens for students to hold & discover including (but not limited to)
  • Shark jaws, shark cartilage, shark eggs
  • Stingray eggs & barbs
  • Preserved marine species such as Port Jackson Shark, Blue Ringed Octopus
  • Specimens: Leafy & weedy seadragon, sea stars, porcupine fish, seahorses, cowfish
  • Cuttle
  • Shells and sea sponges
  • Turtle
• Aboriginal artefacts & tools
• Microscopes
• Marine debris & litter timeline
• Marine food chain

These learning experiences allow students to discover the wonders of our local marine environment through interactive and hands-on activities linked to ACARA.

Session Time: 60 minutes (multiple sessions/classes can be done in one day)

Cost:  $10 plus GST per student – minimum cost $400 plus GST

Link to online resources

Email now to enquire for your school

July School Holidays
Friday 12 July 10am - 12.30pm

Book tickets

Unlock your observational skills with innovative techniques pioneered by self-taught illustrator and observational artist Wildcard-Sue. Sue creates realistic illustrations of Australian native wildlife including the weird and wonderful creatures found along the Great Southern Reef.

Wildcard-Sue returns to South Australia for CuttleFest 2024 and making a one day special guest appearance at the Marine Discovery Centre

Hone your observational superpowers and try some innovative techniques developed by Sue. Discover more about the Australian Giant Cuttlefish of Whyalla. If you've already been in the water or seen these phenomenal sea-beings with your own eyes, then your creative and illustration work may have an 'extra something'. This may be a step toward discovering your own, unique style. This is a fun couple of hours where everyone is on the same level. it's a great experience when all ages interact and learn together. 

Part of the National Parks & Wildlife Service South Australia Park of the Month Program, and in collaboration with Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries

Tickets: $55 per person (minimum age is 7 years)
**Bookings essential, limited space available
Book tickets

Includes: All presentation materials, artwork materials, and a private tour of the Marine Discovery Centre with free Beachcombing sheet

Times:
10am - 12pm: Illustration Workshop
12pm - 12.30pm: Guided Tour of the Marine Discovery Centre

Location: Marine Discovery Centre, Cnr Marlborough Street & Seaview Road, Henley Beach
(Parking: Located behind the Henley Beach Parish, accessible via Foord Ave, located directly across from the Marine Discovery Centre)

About Sue Liu - Wildcard Sue

I’m an author, artist, and conservation advocate called Wildcard-Sue. I draw realistic, intricate illustrations of Australian native wildlife from land, sea, and sky using Artline pens and markers. I’m marine specialist as an artist as I scuba dive and study marine animals in their natural environment. I share my art, stories, and adventures under the sea and on land, raising awareness of lesser-known or vulnerable Australian wildlife and marine animals.

My education delivered through workshops are an innovative, integrated learning experience based on my own work to unblock creativity, nurture new skills and explore. I’m a self-taught illustrator and artist. I work to educate, engage, and inspire conservation efforts in an ‘engage, not enrage’ way. I hope to introduce, guide, and encourage others through their own
journey exploring creativity and self-expression. Find out more at wildcard-sue.com.au 

Article by Mary Gordan

The 21^st century has seen increasing pressure to tackle environmental issues that have been exacerbated by climate change, and the increased resource exploitation and pollution that comes with a growing world population. 

Here at the Marine Discovery Centre, we’re lucky to host a number of aquatic animals from our freshwater rivers as well as from the wilds of the Great Southern Reef (like Porci, our favourite little mascot!)

Article by Mary Gordon

This is the story of how the ignorance and needs of mankind drove an essential ecosystem engineer of the Great Southern Reef to near extinction, and how generations of people forgot they even existed in the first place. How can this be? And what are we doing to fix it?

Microplastics are one of the largest rising pollutants of the 21^st century as due to their increasing presence in water bodies such as, lakes oceans and seas is growing leading to health risks of marine environments and aquatic organisms.

We are very lucky to have such a caring, committed group of people. Our Volunteers will make you feel very welcome and valued. Our volunteers are a very special part of the Marine Discovery Centre. Through their personal contributions to supporting our visitors and their learning, assisting with cleaning and maintenance of our aquariums and the Centre we have been able to offer a very high-quality experience

Meet the staff, volunteers and patrons of the Marine Discovery Centre>

If you would like to get in contact with us, please call 08 8115 7402 or email info@marinediscoverycentre.com.au

We would love to hear from you.