National Science Week 2026 is making a splash across the New South Wales South Coast, bringing a dynamic lineup of hands-on activities, coastal research showcases, and community engagement to region residents and visitors alike. From Wollongong down through the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and the Bega Valley, local educators, researchers, and community groups are teaming up to highlight the unique scientific richness of the coast.
Whether you’re a curious local, a student, or a visitor exploring the coast, this year’s South Coast science events demonstrate how local research addresses global environmental challenges right from your backyard.
Science and Country – Weaving Knowledge Together
When: Tuesday 11 August | 6pm – 8pm
Where: UOW Science Space, Innovation campus, University of Wollongong
What: Celebrate the official NSW launch of National Science Week 2026 with a special evening at UOW Science Space exploring how Indigenous knowledge and Western science together deepen our understanding of the natural world. Hear leading University of Wollongong researchers discuss Grandfather Sun and how Aboriginal observation and knowledge of Country complement modern science to better understand health, wellbeing and the environment. Enjoy canapes and networking with friends and guest speakers.
A spectacular touring lecture series that turns physics, light, and the cosmic fabric into a visual masterpiece. Essential viewing if you want to see the universe through a highly creative lens.
This public lecture is part of the Australian Institute of Physics’s 2026 Marie Curie Lecture Series presented by astrophysicist Dr. Karelle Siellez.
6pm – 8pm on Wednesday 19 August at University of Wollongong Science Space
Shoalhaven Libraries: Discover the Birds on Your Doorstep
Shoalhaven Libraries is excited to launch a new collection of Birdwatching Kits for both children and adults.
To celebrate, they are hosting a fascinating talk on some of the Shoalhaven’s best birdwatching locations. From coastal wetlands and bushland reserves to local parks and beaches, you’ll discover where to find some of the region’s most interesting birdlife and pick up practical tips for spotting and identifying birds.
3.30 – 4.30pm on Monday 17 August at Nowra Library
Join Shellharbour City Libraries and the University of Wollongong’s Science Space Centre for a special Science Week program. Journey through our Solar System and explore the planets, stars and other mysteries in our fantastic planetarium dome!
Planetarium Tuesday 18 August at 3.30 – 4pm & 4.30 – 5pm
Skywatching – Auroras, meteorites and eclipses Thursday 20 August at 6 – 7.30pm
Bundanon’s Science Week Symposium returns with a program of talks, walks and experiences exploring science and nature.
The annual Science Symposium hosted by Clarence Slockee returns, bringing together leading voices in biodiversity, climate science, ecology and landscape restoration for a day of talks. Continue the conversation across the weekend with more science talks by Dr Liam Engel, artist Caroline Rothwell, and a guided walk led by ecologist Carl Glaister.
Explore the University of Wollongong campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities! From spectacular science shows to science experiments, lava lamps to lizards, nursing simulations to muscle ultrasounds – we have interactivities for everyone.
Activities include:
Fire and Ice Spectacular science shows presented by the Science Space.
Anatomy models of the different parts of the body.
Interactive health and medicine activities! Have your blood pressure measured, see your muscles via ultrasound, and see how dummy patients and simulations are used in medicine and nursing
Sensory science: hold anatomical models (e.g. the heart, brain, voice-box) while listening to an audio description or reading text.
Science experiments and activities: hands-on fun where you can make a lava lamp, test your taste buds, build designer paper airplanes and more.
Displays and presentations by the Eurobodalla Council Sustainability team on local animals and wildlife.
Visit the UOW campus in Batemans Bay this National Science Week. This is a free event and all are welcome.
2:45pm – 4:30pm on Friday 21 August at University of Wollongong Batemans Bay campus
Explore the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities! From rockets to reptiles to robotics, spectacular science shows to flight simulators, and from inside your body to the sun – we have interactivities for everyone.
Activities include:
See and sit in UOW Motorsport’s latest Formula-style EV
Fire and Ice Spectacular science shows presented by the Science Space.
Dragon Training mobile zoo reptile display. See a crocodile, snake, turtle, frogs and more.
Project Bucephalus Lego robotics building and competition with prizes! BYO robot or build one here.
Tours of the observatory, view the Sun with a solar scope, and a telescope display with Shoalhaven astronomers.
Anatomy models of the different parts of the body.
Interactive health and medicine activities! Have your blood pressure measured, see your muscles via ultrasound, and see how dummy patients and simulations are used in medicine and nursing
Sensory science: hold anatomical models (e.g. the heart, brain, voice-box) while listening to an audio description or reading text.
The cafe will be open, and there will also be a sausage sizzle and a coffee cart. Visit the UOW campus in West Nowra this National Science Week. This is a free event and all are welcome.
10am – 3pm on Saturday 22 August at University of Wollongong Shoalhaven campus
Plotting the Oceans: Maps, Science and the Sea – Author talk by Sarah Hamylton
Join internationally recognised coastal geographer, Sarah Hamylton as she shares her fascinating research on mapping, monitoring and modelling diverse marine and coastal environments.
Discover broader global insights from her recent book, Plotting the Oceans: Stories of Five Powerful Ocean Maps exploring the mapmakers behind these remarkable charts and how they have shaped our understanding of the natural world and the oceans that connect us.
Bermagui Library: 3.00 – 4.15pm on Friday 21 August
Tura Marrang Library: 10.30am – 11.45am on Saturday 22 August
Far South Coast Koala Action Network are hosting Koalas in Our Backyard, a free community education day on Yuin Country, Bermagui. This will be a fun and informative day for all ages and abilities, featuring hands-on demonstrations, up-to-date research and unique insights from the field.
Community education is a key component in protecting our wildlife and their habitat for the long-term. Come along and gain real-world citizen science skills that will allow you to participate in ongoing koala conservation efforts, alongside experts and elders.
10am – 3pm on Saturday 22 August at Bermagui Community Centre
Get inspired this National Science Week by the past, present and future of science across the South Coast. For a comprehensive list of events happening across NSW and Australia visit the official National Science Week website: scienceweek.net.au
Feature Image: Chase the Light – Capturing Bioluminescence by David Finlay
National Science Week 2026 is making a splash across the New South Wales South Coast, bringing a dynamic lineup of hands-on activities, coastal research showcases, and community engagement to region residents and visitors alike. From Wollongong down through the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and the Bega Valley, local educators, researchers, and community groups are teaming up to highlight the unique scientific richness of the coast.
Whether you’re a curious local, a student, or a visitor exploring the coast, this year’s South Coast science events demonstrate how local research addresses global environmental challenges right from your backyard.
Science and Country – Weaving Knowledge Together
The Marie Curie Lectures: Painting the Universe
A spectacular touring lecture series that turns physics, light, and the cosmic fabric into a visual masterpiece. Essential viewing if you want to see the universe through a highly creative lens.
This public lecture is part of the Australian Institute of Physics’s 2026 Marie Curie Lecture Series presented by astrophysicist Dr. Karelle Siellez.
6pm – 8pm on Wednesday 19 August at University of Wollongong Science Space
Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Come and create your own glowing world and play with the science of light this Science Week at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum.
Shoalhaven Libraries: Discover the Birds on Your Doorstep
Shoalhaven Libraries is excited to launch a new collection of Birdwatching Kits for both children and adults.
To celebrate, they are hosting a fascinating talk on some of the Shoalhaven’s best birdwatching locations. From coastal wetlands and bushland reserves to local parks and beaches, you’ll discover where to find some of the region’s most interesting birdlife and pick up practical tips for spotting and identifying birds.
3.30 – 4.30pm on Monday 17 August at Nowra Library
Shellharbour City Library
Join Shellharbour City Libraries and the University of Wollongong’s Science Space Centre for a special Science Week program. Journey through our Solar System and explore the planets, stars and other mysteries in our fantastic planetarium dome!
Growing Knowledge: Seeds of Science at Bundanon
Bundanon’s Science Week Symposium returns with a program of talks, walks and experiences exploring science and nature.
The annual Science Symposium hosted by Clarence Slockee returns, bringing together leading voices in biodiversity, climate science, ecology and landscape restoration for a day of talks. Continue the conversation across the weekend with more science talks by Dr Liam Engel, artist Caroline Rothwell, and a guided walk led by ecologist Carl Glaister.
Friday 21 & Saturday 22 August at Bundanon
Science on the South Coast – Batemans Bay
Explore the University of Wollongong campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities! From spectacular science shows to science experiments, lava lamps to lizards, nursing simulations to muscle ultrasounds – we have interactivities for everyone.
Activities include:
Visit the UOW campus in Batemans Bay this National Science Week. This is a free event and all are welcome.
2:45pm – 4:30pm on Friday 21 August at University of Wollongong Batemans Bay campus
Science on the South Coast – Shoalhaven
Explore the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities! From rockets to reptiles to robotics, spectacular science shows to flight simulators, and from inside your body to the sun – we have interactivities for everyone.
Activities include:
The cafe will be open, and there will also be a sausage sizzle and a coffee cart. Visit the UOW campus in West Nowra this National Science Week. This is a free event and all are welcome.
10am – 3pm on Saturday 22 August at University of Wollongong Shoalhaven campus
Plotting the Oceans: Maps, Science and the Sea – Author talk by Sarah Hamylton
Join internationally recognised coastal geographer, Sarah Hamylton as she shares her fascinating research on mapping, monitoring and modelling diverse marine and coastal environments.
Discover broader global insights from her recent book, Plotting the Oceans: Stories of Five Powerful Ocean Maps exploring the mapmakers behind these remarkable charts and how they have shaped our understanding of the natural world and the oceans that connect us.
Koalas in Our Backyard
Far South Coast Koala Action Network are hosting Koalas in Our Backyard, a free community education day on Yuin Country, Bermagui. This will be a fun and informative day for all ages and abilities, featuring hands-on demonstrations, up-to-date research and unique insights from the field.
Community education is a key component in protecting our wildlife and their habitat for the long-term. Come along and gain real-world citizen science skills that will allow you to participate in ongoing koala conservation efforts, alongside experts and elders.
10am – 3pm on Saturday 22 August at Bermagui Community Centre
Get inspired this National Science Week by the past, present and future of science across the South Coast. For a comprehensive list of events happening across NSW and Australia visit the official National Science Week website: scienceweek.net.au
Feature Image: Chase the Light – Capturing Bioluminescence by David Finlay
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