Visitors to Central Coast are being offered a new perspective on pelican encounters, with a brand-new education programme taking them behind the scenes of marine wildlife care.

Council has partnered with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast to deliver a family friendly, educational, safe, eco-friendly pelican experience called ‘Pelican Time with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast’.  ‘Pelican Time’ is a free talk that takes place every Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays (with the exception of Christmas Day), and every day during School Holidays, at 3:30pm at Pelican Plaza, located on the waterfront at The Entrance until July 2024.

Council Director of Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said Council, together with the community, has a shared vision for the Central Coast as having a thriving, connected and supported tourism industry that provides compelling visitor experiences and positions the region as a premier sustainable tourism and lifestyle destination. 

“As part of this vision, the Central Coast is one of Australia’s first certified ECO Destinations, home to internationally acclaimed eco-tourism experiences guided by a pledge to activate and promote responsible experiences and interactions with wildlife,” Ms Smith said.

“Council Marketing and Tourism team will be working with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast over the next year to develop the programme with additional bookable eco-friendly experiences which celebrate the pelican and provide further educational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.”

“Visitors engaging with the programme will hear from passionate volunteers and wildlife experts, who will explain the role they play in caring for our marine wildlife and the local pelican population.

“Visitors can expect a deep dive into the secret world of one of the most wonderfully bizarre animals in the world: the pelican.

“This programme will also hopefully inspire guests and others to both act on, and support, the protection of wildlife and their environments in general.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said the new pelican programme is just one example of the many experiences visitors and local can enjoy on the Coast.

“I’m thrilled that a safe, educational and family-friendly pelican experience has returned to The Entrance. Visitors and locals love the Coast for these types of vibrant experiences, and there’s so much more on offer across the whole region. I’d encourage people to explore our nationally awarded gourmet foodie scene, array of coastal, hinterland and aquatic treasures, action-packed adventure and nature-based immersive experiences,” Mr Hart said.

“The Central Coast is one of Australia’s first certified ECO Destinations and we are home to internationally acclaimed eco-tourism experiences. Through Council’s support of Pelican Time with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast, this programme will be in line with the region’s commitment to our ECO Destination certification, which includes appropriate care of wildlife and is founded on the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s Green Destinations Standard.”

To learn more about the new ‘Pelican Time with Marine Wildlife Rescue Central Coast’ visit lovecentralcoast.com/pelican-time.