Best School Excursions in Wollongong, Shellharbour & Illawarra

Wollongong and the Illawarra offer remarkable school excursion venues, programs and sites. These inspire learning and breathe fresh air into the curriculum. There are great educational, cultural, and creative excursions options for preschools, primary and high schools. Planning school trips or excursions is a vital part of educating students. Find inspiration here to combine the curriculum outcomes with these hands-on experiences.

The Illawarra region encompasses Wollongong, Kiama, and Shellharbour. School excursions that blend natural beauty, art, science, and many other curriculum criteria are available in each one. Let Parents Guide Illawarra help you find and book Wollongong’s top school excursion destinations. We have even included curriculum links, educational values, and age ranges. These should guide you in planning your next school trip!

Wollongong Botanic Garden

Wollongong Botanic Garden is a beautiful place to visit. All students get something out of being on the grounds. But it also offers students an immersive experience in botany, ecology, and sustainability. Spanning 30 hectares, it features themed gardens, rainforest walks, and hands-on learning opportunities.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Programs tailored to younger students focus on basic plant biology and environmental stewardship.
• High School: Advanced workshops delve into biodiversity, ecosystems, and conservation strategies.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• Science: Plant biology, ecosystems, and sustainability.
• Geography: Natural resource management.
• Environmental Studies: Climate change and conservation.

Benefits:

• Encourages ecological responsibility.
• Enhances understanding of native flora and fauna.
• Provides a serene outdoor learning environment.

Booking Information

Follow the link for more information on booking the Wollongong Botanic Garden for your next excursion. Contact the education officer to tailor programs for your class. Group discounts and picnic facilities are available.

Wollongong Art Gallery

Wollongong Art Gallery is one of Australia’s largest regional art galleries. It boasts an extensive contemporary and Indigenous art collection. Staff are friendly and motivated to make you and your students feel welcome and inspired. A tour of the gallery gives you a rich lesson in history, visual arts and storytelling. The hands-on workshops take your excursion to the next level. They develop art skills and a practical appreciation for art theory and new techniques.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Interactive workshops like “Creative Kids” inspire artistic expression.
• High School: Programs explore art theory, critical analysis, and advanced techniques.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• Visual Arts: Artistic techniques and appreciation.
• History: Indigenous culture and historical artworks.
• Critical Thinking: Analysing and interpreting visual narratives.

Benefits:

• Boosts creativity and innovation.
• Promotes cultural awareness and empathy.
• Teaches visual literacy skills.

Booking Information

Visit the Wollongong Art Gallery link to contact the gallery’s education team to schedule your visit. Online resources are available to prepare students beforehand.

Science Space Excursions & Group Tours

Science Space is a premier STEM education centre at the University of Wollongong’s Innovation campus. It features hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and live science demonstrations. UOW students who are majoring in STEM fields teach students. They are a passionate group who spark enthusiasm into each area they teach. The exhibitions inspire students. The facilitators “wow” students with engaging experiments and workshops.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Interactive exhibits simplify complex scientific principles.
• High School: Advanced workshops focus on robotics, physics, and space exploration.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• Science & Technology: Physics, chemistry, and astronomy.
• Mathematics: Real-world applications of mathematical concepts.
• STEM: Robotics, coding, and engineering.

Benefits:

• Engages students with practical science experiments.
• Encourages interest in STEM careers.
• Fosters problem-solving and analytical skills.

Booking Information

Visit the Science Space website or call their team for group bookings. Inquire about special STEM-focused days for schools.

Early Start Discovery Space School Tours

The Early Start Discovery Space is Australia’s only dedicated children’s museum. It has a wide range of fantastic exhibitions. Each one is designed to encourage young learners to explore and learn through play. Exhibitions include archaeology, a LEGO room, a construction zone, outdoor areas, and many more. The passionate educators enhance the experience with their keen interest in knowledge-sharing. This educational centre is a must-visit!

Age Range:

• Pre-schoolers: Hands-on activities that incorporate play and learning.
• Primary School (K-2): Interactive experiences, stimulating programs and learn through play opportunities 

Curriculum Connections:

• Early Childhood Education: Social skills and creative thinking.
• Literacy & Numeracy: Interactive storytelling and counting games.
• Science & Arts: Simple experiments and artistic exploration.

Benefits:

• Nurtures cognitive and emotional development.
• Offers hands-on, play-based learning.
• Promotes collaboration and communication.

Booking Information

Contact the Early Start Discovery Space‘s education team to arrange guided or self-directed visits. Special sessions are available for smaller groups.

Green Connect

Green Connect is an award-winning site offering educational tours on sustainable farming, permaculture, and waste reduction. Students explore the farm and learn how food is grown sustainably.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Basic tours and hands-on activities like planting and harvesting.
• High School: Workshops on permaculture principles, food systems, and waste management.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• Agriculture: Sustainable farming practices.
• Environmental Science: Ecosystems, resource use, and recycling.
• Health & Nutrition: Understanding food sources and healthy eating.

Benefits:

• Teaches the value of sustainable agriculture.
• Enhances awareness of food systems and nutrition.
• Provides hands-on opportunities in a real-world setting.

Booking Information

Visit Green Connect’s website for booking details. School tours can be customized to align with curriculum requirements.

Illawarra Light Railway Museum

Overview

The Illawarra Light Railway Museum showcases historical locomotives, steam engines, and rail history. It’s a unique excursion blending history, engineering, and transportation. Students can ride on mini steam trains, investigate trains and learn how they work. They can also ask experts in train modelling and train mechanics their questions. It’s a great excursion for engineering, history and mechanical minded students.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Interactive rides and history lessons about early transport.
• High School: Detailed tours on engineering, industrial history, and mechanics.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• History: Evolution of transportation and its impact on society.
• Science & Technology: Engineering principles behind steam engines and railways.
• Social Studies: Economic and cultural significance of rail transport.

Benefits:

• Sparks interest in history and engineering.
• Provides a tactile learning experience with historical artifacts.
• Highlights the importance of transportation in societal development.

Booking Information

Visit the Illawarra Light Railway Museum website for group bookings and educational programs.

HARS Aviation Museum

The HARS Aviation Museum provides an engaging educational experience for students ages 5-18. Each program is aligned to history, science, and technology curricula. School groups can take part in hands-on activities. Each one relating to flight history, aviation technology, and STEM principles.

Students explore iconic aircraft, take guided tours, and engage in interactive workshops. Flight principles, aircraft design, and aviation’s global impact are at the forefront of learning here. Key experiences include visits to restoration workshops, aviation displays, and cockpit simulators. Each activity enhances your students’ understanding of aviation’s past and future.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Interactive exhibits, flight simulators, tours, workshops and demonstrations.
• High School: Career insights, learning from enthusiasts, themed educational programs, workshops and activities.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• History: Explore the development of aviation and its role in wartime and peacetime.
• Science & Technology: Aerodynamics, engineering principles and the role of STEM.
• Geography: Global impact of aviation, environmental impacts and how maps, charts and modern technology are used.
• Mathematics: Fuel consumption, flight times, speed, scale and proportions of planes and how they impact aircraft performance.
• Art & Design: Restoration, design, aesthetics, and colour schemes for military and commercial use.

Benefits:

• Tactile, visual, and immersive learning experience.
• Deepen understanding of the technological progress and historical events related to aviation.
• Explore career paths within the aviation industry.

Booking Information:

Contact the helpful team at HARS Aviation Museum to book your next excursion.

Fun School Group Excursions:

Flip Out Albion Park

Looking for an exciting way to keep students active and engaged? Flip Out Albion Park is the perfect spot for teamwork, agility, and endless fun! Special deals available—enquire now.

Here are some other School Excursion options in Wollongong & Illawarra:

Illawarra Environmental Education Centre

The Illawarra Environmental Education Centre offers excursions at several locations, including wetlands, forests, and coastal sites. These programs focus on environmental science and the importance of sustainable ecosystems.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Fun, hands-on learning experiences about habitats and ecosystems.
• High School: In-depth exploration of environmental issues like water quality, biodiversity, and conservation.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• Science: Ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity, and sustainability.
• Geography: Human impact on the environment and natural resource management.
• Environmental Studies: Conservation and climate education.

Benefits:

• Provides experiential learning in natural settings.
• Builds an appreciation for local biodiversity.
• Connects students to real-world environmental challenges.

Booking Information:

Visit the Illawarra Environmental Education Centre’s official site to book an excursion. Tailored programs are available to suit specific learning goals.

Djungga Kultural Tours

Djungga Kultural Tours offers a rich and immersive cultural experience for students. Their program is transformational. It impacts students long term and gives them a sense of belonging. The programs dive into the rich culture and history of indigenous people. They also teach students the skills and importance of bush tucker and plants medicinal uses. Each experience can be tailored to suit different age groups.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Engage in activities like storytelling, arts and crafts, and learning about bush foods. 
• High School: Delve deeper into the history, political issues, and social structures of Aboriginal societies. 

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• History: Investigate the significance of places and objects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Geography: Explore sustainable land and water management practices in Indigenous cultures.
• Arts: Learn about traditional Indigenous art forms and their meanings.
• Civics & Citizenship: Understand the significance of cultural identity and the impact of historical events on contemporary Aboriginal life.

Benefits:

• Fosters an appreciation for Indigenous perspectives
• The hands-on activities make learning enjoyable and memorable.
• Teachers can use the excursion to foster student teamwork, respect, and understanding.
• Develops critical thinking

Booking Information:

Visit the Djungga Kultural Tours Facebook page for bookings, educational programs, and more information.

Shoalhaven Zoo & Adventure World

Shoalhaven Zoo and Adventure World have excursions that combine education with excitement. Students can explore the diverse wildlife of Australia and beyond. All while learning about the importance of conservation and biodiversity.

There are a range of animal encounters available. Adventure activities that encourage fitness and teamwork are also on offer. Shoalhaven Zoo has created an unforgettable experience for all ages. Perfect for engaging young minds. This trip will inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world. It also instils an importance in protecting it for future generations.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Participate in guided tours, interact with animals and learn about protecting endangered species.
• High School: Delve deeper into animal conservation, biodiversity, veterinary care, and zoology.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• Science: Understanding the diversity of living organisms, their habitats, and the interdependence of ecosystems.
• Geography: Understanding the role of zoos in local and global conservation efforts.
• Physical Education: Engaging in physical activities that promote teamwork, coordination, and fitness during the adventure play zone and zoo exploration.

Benefits:

• Students engage directly with wildlife, encouraging them to observe, question, and explore.
• It is a dynamic way to learn about biology, conservation, and ecosystems.
• Students gain a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting endangered species and their habitats.
• The Adventure World playground and adventure activities promote physical fitness, teamwork, and social skills.

Booking Information:

Book online or contact Shoalhaven Zoo for more information on excursions or group bookings.

Gumaraa Cultural Experiences

Gumaraa Cultural Experiences offers immersive, hands-on excursions for primary and secondary school students. Students gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s rich cultural heritage. They also have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities. These allow students to connect with the knowledge and traditions of First Nations people. Each activity on offer provides meaningful connections to their learning and the curriculum. These excursions provide an enriching experience that highlights Indigenous history, art, language, and connection to the land.

Age Range:

• Primary School: Students experience the living culture of Indigenous communities through storytelling, music, dance, and art. 
• High School: Deep dive into the history of Australia’s First Nations peoples. Topics include colonization, the Stolen Generations, and the ongoing struggle for recognition and reconciliation.

Curriculum Links & Outcomes:

• History: Explore pre-colonial Australia, learning about Indigenous communities, their cultures, and their sophisticated systems of governance and kinship.
• Geography: Insight into the importance of land and environment in Indigenous cultures, connecting to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the relationship between people and place.
• English: Storytelling is integral to the excursions, providing students with opportunities to develop their narrative and analytical skills through oral traditions and written expressions of Indigenous culture.
• Art: Learn about traditional Indigenous art forms, such as painting, weaving, and storytelling, their cultural significance, and the techniques behind them.
• Civics & Citizenship: Through learning about the history of Indigenous rights, governance, and contributions to Australian society, students develop critical thinking about social justice, equality, and reconciliation.

Benefits:

• Students learn about the rich cultural practices passed down for thousands of years.
• Discover the role of storytelling in preserving history and imparting important lessons.
• Explore the evolution of Indigenous cultures in the modern era.

Booking Information:

To book or for more information on Gumaraa Cultural Experiences, follow the link to their website.

Planning Tips for Teachers:

• Choose Age-Appropriate Excursions: Ensure the program aligns with students’ developmental levels.
• Coordinate Early: Book well in advance, especially during peak school excursion seasons.
• Prepare Students: Provide an overview of the excursion’s objectives to maximize engagement.
• Prepare Parents: Sort the permission notes, costs, and comms for the parents and carers across multiple channels and with reminders!

FAQs on Illawarra School Excursions:

1. Are these excursions suitable for special needs students?

Yes, most venues are accessible and offer tailored programs. Please check with each provider

2. What group sizes are allowed?

Typically, venues can accommodate groups of 20–50 students.

3. Do these venues offer lunch facilities?

Many sites provide picnic areas, and some have on-site cafes. Check with each venue.

4. Are parent chaperones allowed?

Yes, most excursions welcome parent volunteers.

5. What is the cost per student?

Prices vary, but group discounts are usually available. Cech with each venue

6. How can I book transportation?

Contact local bus hire services or check public transport options.

Wollongong, Shellharbour, and the Illawarra region offer exceptional school excursion opportunities that combine education, creativity, and fun. By incorporating these enriching experiences into the curriculum, teachers can inspire lifelong learning and curiosity in their students. Start planning your visit today and watch your students thrive outside the classroom!

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About the Author: Lisa Hagan
Lisa grew up in Thirroul and is a mum of four children. A student to life, Lisa loves learning and searching for the most fun things to do with her kids. She loves exploring the Illawarra and surrounds. Searching for fun and educational activities are her favourites for her kids whom she homeschools. 

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