Money is tight. But that's the great thing about getting outdoors, there's loads to explore and it doesn't have to cost a cent.

Here's our quick guide to getting the most out of the great outdoors during the school holidays.

1 Go rock hopping 

Yes, it’s cold but there’s still lots to see. My favourite spot is the rock shelf at Sandon Point. There’s an incredible diversity there, teeny nudibranchs, wearing a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns, hermit crabs picking at microscopic particles and octopus that unfurl a tentative tentacle or two. Top tip: spend some time sifting through the shell grit at the water’s edge and you might find an octopus beak or a stingray mouth plate!

2 Attend a drop-in workshop where fantasy meets zoology

Okay, you have to be between the ages of four and 12 for this one (or at least have access to a child that age so you can tag along). Visual artist Tamara Gulic guides you through WILD NESTS at the Wollongong Botanic Garden, using sticks, mosses, flowers and bark to create a crown or a tiny animal home. You can even make little animals out of clay. For more details head here

3 Meander along the Marina

The ‘new’ marina at Shellharbour, is becoming quite the wildlife watching spot. As you walk along the boardwalk, keep your eyes peeled for the local Grey Nurse Sharks, and stingrays as they patrol the water. Dolphins have even been spotted cruising through the waters here. If you’d like to get a little closer, hop onboard a cruise with Shellharbour Wild.

4  Play bird bingo at Lake Illawarra

Fancy a walk with a view? There’s heaps to see around beautiful Lake Illawarra and thanks to the local councils you can easily access information regarding walks in the area and the birds you’ll likely see. See how many you can find. The guide can be found here

5 Forage for fungi

Get excited: it’s fungi season! As the weather cools, the hunt for mushies heats up. On the surface, this might not sound like the most interesting activity. But look amongst the leaf litter, underneath ferns and old tree stumps and a whole new world opens up. A world of teeny umbrellas of bright blue, or zombie-like fingers reaching up out of the ground or veiled stinky stems that attract spore-spreading insects. Top tip: take a little hand-held mirror to see underneath the tiny parasols to reveal the hidden gills.

To see what species you could find in the Illawarra, look no further than this handy guide.