Kioloa Coastal Campus

Research  |  Student field trips  |  Conferences, retreats and workshops |  Teaching 

Welcome to Kioloa Coastal Campus - the Australian National University's coastal field station since 1975. Visit the ANU's outdoor classroom at the New South Wales south coast to engage, teach and study surrounded by national parks and pristine beaches. 

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Australian National University recognises that Kioloa is situated on Country for which the Murramarang people have been custodians for thousands of generations and on which they have performed age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal.  We acknowledge their living culture and unique role in the life of this region and offer our deep appreciation for their contribution to support our academic enterprise.

Visit us

Nestled among the spotted gum forests of Murramarang Nation Park and the pristine beaches of southern New South Wales, our campus is a great place to learn, teach, write and conduct research in a relaxed yet energizing environment away from busy campus life. Kioloa Coastal Campus is Australian National University's coastal field station since 1975.

Set on 348 hectares of diverse country on the south coast of New South Wales, the Campus, a former homestead, is rich in European and Indigenous heritage and is home to an array of natural features, vegetation types and wildlife, which provide an ideal backdrop for immersive teaching and learning.

The station lies within easy driving distance from Canberra (2.5 hours), Wollongong (2.5 hours) and Sydney (3.5 hours). Our facilities support short and long-term research projects, undergraduate/postgraduate field trips and other cultural and educational activities. Groups also visit the campus for conferences, retreats, workshops, seminars and meetings and the quiet and peaceful atmosphere on campus is much appreciated by academics and students to focus on writing. Several research projects have been conceived sitting around the camp fire in the evenings.

Research

Kioloa Coastal Campus and the surrounding area offer endless opportunities to conduct research and our field laboratory and PC2 lab provide the space to prepare and analyse collected samples.

For students - the best way to get involved in a research project at Kioloa is to approach and start the conversation with a potential supervisor early on. Several ANU academics are happy to supervise research based at Kioloa and we can assist you with the planning and organisation of the logistics for your project. Once your research project is approved you can apply for financial support to conduct research at the station, which is awarded as free accommodation and travel subsidies.

For established researchers - Kioloa Coastal Campus has a wealth of ecosystems and habitats that can be accessed for long- and short-term research. In addition, the station has a field and PC2 laboratory with basic equipment for field and molecular work. If you would like to use the station's facilities for research please get in touch with our Program Coordinator to discuss your project and research needs.

Student field trips

We are open to students at all levels. ANU offers a range of undergraduate/postgraduate courses that take advantage of the station's exquisite location and rich local history either on field trips to KCC or in intensive courses exclusively taught at KCC:

Research School for Biology

• BIOL3113/6113 - Invertebrate Biology
• BIOL2131/6004 - Ecology
• BIOL3132/6010 - Field Studies in Behavioural Ecology
• BIOL3125/6125 - Plants and Global Climate Change
• BIOL3210/6210 - Appreciating Parasites: From Molecules to Ecosystems (intensive course)

Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

• INDG2001/ENVS2023 - Indigenous Cultural and Natural Resource Management

Fenner School of the Environment

• ENVS1001/6101 - Environment and Society: Geography of Sustainability
• ENVS2018/6218 - Environmental Science Field School

Conferences, retreats, workshops, seminars and meetings

Kioloa Coastal Campus provides an ideal backdrop for small conferences, workshops and seminars as well as informal retreats and other meetings. Whether you are going on a spot-lighting tour or sitting around the camp fire at night, going for a swim or simply having a rest under a tree in the shade in your break you will enjoy the casual atmosphere at the station and the opportunity to relax and engage with nature.

Our facilities cater for groups of different sizes and for a range of activities. The London Shed houses several small meeting rooms as well as a large lecture theatre, which are equipped with a projector and large screen for presentations and lectures.

Accommodation on campus consists of several cottages of various sizes and two dormitory buildings. Food can be prepared in one of the two communal kitchens or the cottage kitchens. However, we encourage you to arrange catering with one of our local caterers.

Teaching

Located between the Murramarang Range to the west and undeveloped beachfront to the east, the campus is surrounded by spectacular spotted gum forest, temperate rainforest, mangrove communities and coastal heath. The entire catchment for Butlers Creek, including a tidal lagoon and saltmarsh, also lies within the boundaries of the campus in easy walking distance. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded here and rare species such as greater and feathertail gliders, pygmy possums and golden bell frogs have also been spotted at the station.

These varied terrestrial and marine habitats offer diverse flora and fauna for field-based teaching and learning. In addition, day trips by vehicle can be made to nearby Budawang, Monga and Deua National Parks.