Organ Pipes National Park, located off the Calder Fwy in Melbourne’s West suburb of Keilor North. The Organ Pipes, a set of basalt columns formed by the cooling and cracking of molten lava, are the most well known feature of the park. The area offers a wonderful and diverse location for our bush playgroups with wildlife to spot, a river to explore and environmental centre. There is a steep paved hill that you need to walk down to access the park which is pram friendly. We take the walks slowly for young children and stop along the way but you do need to be relatively fit to walk the tracks.

Eco Explorers Organ Pipes National Park bush playgroup is run by Kirsti, a highly experienced Early Childhood Teacher who has worked in Kindergartens, Child Care Centres and Primary Schools, as well as a Sessional Lecturer at Victoria University, teaching in the Bachelor of Early Childhood/Primary Education Degree course.

Our playgroups offer you the best of nature play in a relaxed, supportive and positive environment. There is plenty of free and unstructured play as well as nature craft activities and loose parts play in our popular mud kitchen. The sessions are relaxed and completely child led and parents are encouraged to follow their child’s lead.

Our program has been developed to give your child optimum opportunity to build their gross motor and physical skills through climbing, balancing, walking and fine motor skills during our craft activities. Research clearly shows that the more time your child spends in nature, the better they are prepared for school, both physically and emotionally.

Eco Explorers bush playgroups allow parents to disconnect from their busy lives (and technology) and re-connect with their child in nature. This time is as much for you as it is for your child. Our playgroups bring together a community of like-minded parents who are supportive and welcoming.

Bush playgroup is an all weather outdoor playgroup so you need to make sure you bring appropriate weather protection and clothing. Children must have closed footwear when walking in the bush, sun hats, sunscreen, wet weather gear, plenty of snacks and water and a change of clothes. Our playgroup will only be cancelled in the event of an extreme weather warning; fire, storm, high temperatures and strong wind and you will be offered a make-up class initially for the first one and then a refund for any other cancelled sessions. We do not offer make up classes if you can’t attend.

Ages: 1 – 5 years (siblings under 18 months are welcome to attend for free).

*Parents are responsible for their children at all times.