Learning Centre » For schools » Excursions

Excursions and incursions

Our guided tours continue to be the most engaging, valuable and popular component of Barwon Water's education program.

Education officer Shannon Haintz with students at the Wurdee Boluc Water Treatment Plant.

Education officer Shannon Haintz with students at the Wurdee Boluc Water Treatment Plant.

Want to see where your water comes from? Or where it goes? We provide guided tours of our major sites, including: 

Our tours are provided free to schools in our service region.

Schools must organise their own transport to and from all sites.

 


West Barwon Reservoir

The West Barwon reservoir, located in the Otway ranges is an essential part of Geelong's water supply. Schools can visit the West Barwon reservoir as a single excursion, or combine with a visit to the Wurdee Boluc Water Treatment Plant.

A tour of the reservoir takes around 45 minutes and incorporates the dam, spillway, outlet tower and valve house.

Students learn about rainfall, run-off, catchments, and the water supply system.

The reservoir has toilet facilities and picnic tables and is a good place to stop for recess or lunch. The tour is outdoors, so be prepared for inclement weather.

Suitable for P–10. Best for grades 3–6

 

Directions from Geelong

  • Allow at least 1 hour from Geelong.
  • Take LaTrobe Terrace (M1) southbound and continue along the Princess Highway (A1).
  • Turn left at Cape Otway Road (C135, signposted to Moriac).
  • Continue on Cape Otway Road through Moriac and Modewarre and past the Wurdee Boluc Reservoir.
  • Pass through 2 major intersections: Winchelsea-Deans Marsh Road and Birregurra-Deans Marsh Road, before the T-intersection with Forrest Road (C119).
  • Turn left at Forrest Road and continue through Barwon Downs and Forrest.
  • Access to the reservoir is well signposted just past Forrest.

 

 

Wurdee Boluc Reservoir and Water Treatment Plant

The Wurdee Boluc Reservoir is fed from the West Barwon Reservoir. Adjacent is the Wurdee Boluc water treatment plant which filters, disinfects and fluoridates Geelong's water supply.

An excursion incorporates the reservoir and a guided tour of the plant focussing on the treatment process.

Students learn about how and why water needs to be treated before it is delivered to homes and businesses.

The plant has toilet facilities and a small indoor visitor centre. Most of the tour is outdoors.

Suitable for grade 3 upwards. Best for grade 3 to year 8.

 

Directions from Geelong

  • Allow about 40 minutes from Geelong
  • Take LaTrobe Terrace (M1) southbound and continue along the Princess Highway (A1).
  • Turn left at Cape Otway Road (C135, signposted to Moriac).
  • Continue on Cape Otway Road through Moriac and Modewarre.
  • Access to the treatment plant is via the first entrance on the right. (The second entrance, about 30 metres further along, leads to a picnic area and reservoir lookout. If time permits you may like to stop here on the way there or back).

 

 

Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant

The Black Rock water reclamation plant treats the majority of the region's sewage, producing recycled water and biosolids. The plant is located near Breamlea, about 25 minutes from Geelong.

A tour takes around 45 minutes and incorporates the new interactive visitor centre, screening hall, selector and aeration tanks, sludge drying press, ocean outfall, recycled water treatment and biosolids drying facilities.

Students learn about domestic and industrial sewage, and how it is collected, treated, and recycled.

Suitable for grade 4 upwards. Best for grade 5 to year 11.

Please note, this venue can cater for a maximum of one class (30 students) at a time.

 

Directions from Geelong

  • Allow 30 minutes drive from Geelong.
  • Take LaTrobe Terrace (M1) southbound and turn left at Barwon Heads Road (C121).
  • Continue through Marshall and Connewarre and turn right at Black Rock Road, near the Geelong Aero Club.
  • Continue past the wind turbine and turn right just before the end of Black Rock Road to access the plant.

  

 

Other venues

These are our most popular excursion venues.

We can arrange guided tours to many of our other facilities by arrangement. Please contact us for details.

  

 

Incursions

For schools completing a learning unit on water, there's no substitute for an excursion to see “the real thing”.

However, if you can't come to us, our Education Officer may arrange a school visit. Contact us for details.

 


Page last updated Tuesday 2 March 2010

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