River Guardians

Dolphin Watch Training- Perth
2024-11-05 18:00 - 20:00 (Australia/Perth) | Scitech, Sutherland St, West Perth, WA, 6005, Australia
Learn more about the Swan and Canning rivers and the dolphins that call them home. Join Dolphin Watch and become a citizen scientist!

Join us for this free training event and hear from leading scientists and researchers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Murdoch University.
Learn more about the Swan Canning river system, dolphin biology, the resident dolphin community, how to identify the different dolphins and the different behaviours you may be lucky enough to observe. You’ll even received a copy of the brand new 2024 edition of FinBook – an identification catalogue for dolphins observed in the Swan Canning Riverpark.
As a trained Dolphin Watcher, your monitoring reports will contribute to valuable research. Join one of the largest ‘Citizen Scientist’ cohorts in Australia and help us learn more about our resident dolphins and how they use the Riverpark.
A complimentary supper will be served upon arrival at 6pm with proceedings commencing at 6.30pm. Registrations are essential for this event – register here.

Dolphin Discovery- Mandurah
2025-01-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Village Beach, Village Beach, Wannanup, WA, 6210, Australia
Get to know the dolphins that call the Peel-Harvey Estuary home through interactive games and activities. Join us at Village Beach, Wannanup to listen to the sounds dolphins make and learn how their bodies help them swim, jump and catch food, then play a game to show us your best dolphin impression! have a go at identifying the Mandurah resident dolphins using our FinBook guide, and then learn about some of the dangers dolphins face. Don’t worry though, we will play some games to help you learn how we can all keep these precious dolphins safe! Finish the morning by decorating your dolphin craft. This activity is suitable for children 4-7 years of age. This is a free activity but tickets must be booked for participating children only. The ages for each activity are in place for your children to get the most out of their activity.
Book now!
Previous ImageNext Image

Dolphin Discovery-Dunsborough
2025-01-21 08:00 - 13:00 | Meelup Beach, Meelup Beach, Dunsborough, WA, 6281, Australia
Heading down south these school holidays? River Guardians are teaming up with the Ngari Capes Marine Park Rangers to deliver a FREE fun-filled day of dolphin activities! We’ll be at Meelup Beach, in Dunsborough from 8.00am-1.00pm with craft, a touch table and activities for kids. During the activities will you will learn about the Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins living in Geographe Bay and the threats humans can pose to them. We will then play some games to discover how we can all help look after the dolphins and keep them safe. Finish the activity with a dolphin inspired craft. The activity is open to all ages but is most suitable for ages 4-8 years old. You can join us at any time, but if you would like to join in on the activities, please book into a session via the link below.
Session times: Tuesday 21st January, 9.30am-10.00am and 10.30am-11.00am
Location: Meelup Beach, Dunsborough
Book now!

Dolphin Discovery- Bunbury
2025-01-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Dolphin Discovery Centre, Lot 830 Koombana Drive, Bunbury, 6230
Heading to Bunbury these school holidays? Join us at the Dolphin Discovery Centre to learn all about the dolphins who call Bunbury home! We are delivering FREE kids activities all day out the front of the Discovery Centre where you will learn how to identify the individual resident dolphins, and all the risks they face living so close to humans. Don’t worry though, you will also find out what we can all do to protect them! We’ll have a touch table, games, crafts and a dolphin scavenger hunt! Come see us from 10am til 2pm on Thursday 23rd of January, 2025.

Dolphin Watch Project Training- Mandurah
2025-03-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Mandurah Seniors and Community Centre, 41 Ormsby Tce, Mandurah, WA, 6210, Australia
Dolphin Watch is a collaborative, citizen science research and education project developed by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) together with Murdoch and Edith Cowan Universities in 2009 to help learn more about the bottlenose dolphins residing in Perth (Swan Canning Riverpark) and Mandurah (Peel-Harvey Estuary).
We’re pleased to announce the next Dolphin Watch training event in Mandurah! Join scientists from Murdoch University, the DBCA and Estuary Guardians teams, and learn all about the dolphins that call the Peel-Harvey Estuary home, including how to identify individuals and the behaviours you’re observing. By attending this event you’ll learn how to become a fully trained Dolphin Watch volunteer and help contribute to the research being undertaken on the Mandurah dolphin population. We will also be launching the sixth edition of the FinBook guide, with all attendees receiving a hardcopy to take home.
Come and enjoy a yummy supper and mingle with like-minded people who care about our environment and want to help protect our dolphins. We look forward to seeing you there – register for your free ticket here!
Doors open 6pm, with light refreshments provided. Presentations will begin at 6.20pm. Tickets are free, but please register via the link above.

Turtley Awesome Wetlands- Two Locations!
2025-07-08 09:30 - 2025-07-17 11:00 | WA
We’re running our super popular Turtley Awesome Wetlands activity at two locations these school Holidays! We’ll be at Canning River Eco Education Centre on the Tuesday 08/07/2025 and Piney Lakes Sensory Play Park on Thursday 17/07/2025.
The native south-western snake necked turtle is a fascinating reptile which inhabits our river and wetlands. Sadly, it faces many threats and we can all do our part to protect them. Join us on this fun and interactive activity as we explore the turtley awesome life of these interesting creatures, investigate their unique features and explore their environment in search for them! Finish the morning by making your own crafty turtle. This is activity is suitable for children 4-7 years of age. Tickets must be purchased for participating children only. Parents must accompany children at all times; older and younger siblings are welcome to stay.
Book Canning River
Book Piney Lakes

Dolphin Discovery-Perth
2025-07-11 09:30 - 11:00 | Coode Street Foreshore, South Perth
Get to know the dolphins that call Swan Canning Riverpark home through interactive activities and games. Join us at Coode Street, South Perth Foreshore to listen to the sounds the dolphins make and learn how their bodies help them swim, jump and catch food, then play a game to show us your best dolphin impression! Have a go at identifying the dolphins using our FinBook guide, and then go on a walk along the foreshore to see if you can spot them. Discover some of the things that can hurt our dolphins and what we can all do to keep them safe. Finish the morning by decorating your dolphin craft. This activity is suitable for children 4-7 years of age. Tickets must be purchased for participating children only. Parents must accompany their child at all times; older and younger siblings are welcome to stay.
Book now!

Wonderful Waterbirds- Holiday Activity
2025-07-18 09:30 - 11:00 | Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary Bayswater
Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary is home to a range of water birds of all shapes and sizes. Join us at Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary, in Bayswater to discover why each bird has a different beak and body shape and how their special features help them survive in and around the water. Scoop through the water to investigate what these birds are eating and find out why we should all say NO to feeding birds bread! We’ll play some games for you to learn about the dangers facing these birds, and how we can all help protect them. This activity is suitable for children 4-7 years of age. Tickets must be purchased for participating children only. Parents must accompany their children at all times; older and younger siblings are welcome to stay.
Book now

Our Gardens, with Josh Byrne
2025-10-03 13:30 - 15:30 | Claremont Showgrounds, 1 Graylands Road, Claremont, WA, 6010, Australia
Our Gardens with Josh Byrne helps Perth residents develop climate resilient gardens while supporting the health of our iconic Swan and Canning rvers.
Delivered by ABC TV Gardening Australia presenter and environmental scientist Josh Byrne, the audience will discover how to create diverse and productive gardens despite the challenges of climate change. He’ll demonstrate clever ways to save water, increase biodiversity and support the health of our waterways.
Come and join Josh for a special presentation being delivered at the Perth Royal Show on Friday 3 October 2025 from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
Our Gardens with Josh Byrne is supported by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the River Guardians program.

Our Gardens, with Josh Byrne
2025-10-04 13:30 - 15:30 | Claremont Showgrounds, 1 Graylands Road, Claremont, WA, 6010, Australia
Our Gardens with Josh Byrne – Better Gardens, Healthier Rivers
Our Gardens with Josh Byrne helps Perth residents develop climate resilient gardens while supporting the health of our iconic Swan and Canning Rivers.
Delivered by ABC TV Gardening Australia presenter and environmental scientist Josh Byrne, the audience will discover how to create diverse and productive gardens despite the challenges of climate change. He’ll demonstrate clever ways to save water, increase biodiversity and support the health of our waterways.
Come and join Josh for a special presentation being delivered at the Perth Royal Show on Saturday 4 October 2025 from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
Our Gardens with Josh Byrne is supported by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the River Guardians program.

Luca's Legacy clean-up event (Mandurah)
2025-10-26 08:45 - 11:30 | Port Bouvard Yacht CLub, 1 Thisbe Drive, Dawesville, WA, 6211, Australia
In 2019, Luca, a 1-year-old calf was observed entangled in fishing line. Luca was rescued and the fishing line removed but would soon become entangled another two times after this. Unfortunately, during the third disentanglement attempt, Luca sadly passed away. In response to Luca’s death, an annual clean-up event ‘Luca’s Legacy’ has been set up to remove fishing line and other waste from the Mandurah waterways.
Save the date for our 6th annual event, Sunday 26th October as we join Estuary Guardians, Coastal Waste Warriors, John Tonkin College, City of Mandurah and Mandurah Cruises to clean Creery Wetlands and the Dawesville Cut area. We will be based at Site 1, Dawesville with a range of community stalls, a coffee van and presentations from Mandurah dolphin researcher, Dr Krista Nicholson, WA Seabird Rescue, Coastal Waste Warriors and Estuary Guardians. We will also have plenty of kids’ activities, prizes and a free sausage sizzle and drink for all clean-up participants.
Full information pack available here: Lucas Legacy – Information pack or check the run-down below.
Event run down for SITE 1, Dawesville:
8.45-9am – Volunteers will sign in, receive equipment and start clean-up. Nashie’s Brews & Cruise Coffee Van will be there for your morning fix!
10.30am – Clean up finish – Time to attend the presentations, chat with stallholders, kids’ activities (games, crafts) and free sausage sizzle and drink.
11.30am. Prizes drawn and event concludes.
Event rundown for SITE 2, Creery Wetlands:
Volunteers living in Mandurah can help clean up Site 2 which will be managed by Mandurah Cruises / Estuary Guardians. Volunteers wanting to help clean up these areas should meet at Mandurah Cruises Jetty (Mandjar Square) at 8:45am (see red marker on Information Pack). There is plenty of parking available. Important notes: All volunteers will be required to walk up and down a ramp into the water, to get on and off the boat at the wetlands and Boundary Island. Limited spaces are available so volunteers MUST register for Site 2 by emailing natalie@mandurahcruises.com.au and once the boat is full, volunteers will be directed to Site 1 in Dawesville.
8.45am – Volunteers arrive at Mandurah Cruises jetty BY 8:45am
9.00am – Depart Mandurah Cruises jetty
9.30am – Arrive Creery Wetlands
10.20am – Leave Creery Wetlands
10.30am – Arrive Boundary Island
11.30am – Leave Boundary Island
11.30am – 12pm – Cruise, food, drinks and prize draw
12pm – Disembark at Mandurah Cruises jetty

Dolphin Watch training (Swan Canning Riverpark)
2025-11-20 18:00 - 20:30 | Swan Canoe Club, 16 Johnson Parade, Mosman Park, WA, 6012, Australia
Do you love dolphins?
Do you want to help with our research efforts?

Then this is the event for you!
Join us for this free training event and hear from leading scientists and researchers from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and Murdoch University.
Learn more about the Swan Canning river system, dolphin biology, the resident dolphin community, how to identify the different dolphins and the different behaviours you may be lucky enough to observe. You’ll even receive a copy of the latest edition of FinBook – an identification catalogue for dolphins observed in the Swan Canning Riverpark – and a Dolphin Watch volunteer cap.
As a trained Dolphin Watcher, your monitoring reports will contribute to valuable research. Join one of the largest ‘Citizen Scientist’ cohorts in Australia and help us learn more about our resident dolphins and how they use the Riverpark.
A complimentary supper will be served upon arrival at 6pm with proceedings commencing at 6.30pm. Tickets are essential for this event.
For more information about the Dolphin Watch Project visit Dolphin Watch – River Guardians

Mandurah Dolphin Watch information evening
2026-03-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Mandurah Seniors and Community Centre, 41 Ormsby Tce, Mandurah, WA, 6210, Australia
Learn more about the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the dolphins that call Mandurah home.
We’re pleased to announce the next Dolphin Watch information and training event in Mandurah. Join us (DBCA, Estuary Guardians, Mandurah Cruises, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council and John Tonkin College) and lead researcher, Dr Krista Nicholson (Murdoch University), and hear more about her fascinating research into the Mandurah dolphins
Join Dolphin Watch and become a citizen scientist – Register and get your free tickets here.

River Guardians Family Festival
2026-05-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Sir James Mitchell Park Playground, 2VF8+WJ South Perth, Western Australia, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia
The 2026 River Guardians Family Festival is only 2-weeks away – Saturday 2, May from 9.00am-12.00pm!
Come and join Gardening Australia’s Josh Byrne, ABC Radio’s Sabrina Hahn, Nature Play WA, scientists from DBCA, special guest speakers, wildlife and conservation groups, not-for-profits, research institutes and more (sixteen stall holders in total) working hard to protect our precious Swan Canning Riverpark.
There’ll be a choice of four awesome free kid’s activities being run all morning by Nature Play WA at this year’s festival (please see below – no need to book) and there’s also plenty for the adults including a ‘Walk n Talk’ around Lake Douglas and Dolphins and Wildlife Photography session. Click on the hyperlinks for these two sessions to reserve your spot now!
Nature Play WA – Nature Nook
A calm, welcoming drop-in space for younger children and families featuring sensory nature play, loose parts exploration, and creative nature craft activities.
Learning Through Nature – Mud Kitchens
Hands-on messy nature play using mud kitchens, natural materials, and imaginative outdoor play to explore textures, creativity and connection with the environment.
Educated By Nature – Cubby Building
Collaborative cubby construction using natural materials to encourage teamwork, creativity, and outdoor exploration.
Making Bee Hotels with Dr Kit Prendergast
Building bee and insect hotels using natural materials to provide habitat for native bees and other insects in your gardens.
Check out the full program for the morning here.
