Water environments | Stage 1 HSIE geography excursion
Program overview
Students investigate the natural and human features of creek and river environments and how they are used and cared for.
When selecting excursion dates please avoid days with a high tide between 11am and 1pm – tide chart.
Learning intention
- We are learning to identify the natural and human features of Buffalo Creek and the Lane Cove River.
- We are learning to describe the ways people use, value and care for creek and river environments.
Activities
Students will bushwalk through the mangrove mudflats of Buffalo Creek and eucalypt forests to the banks of the Lane Cove River. Along the way they will use geographical tools to locate and observe the natural and human features of these environments.
Students will experience the value of river environments to people and animals by stopping for sensory activities including nature play and crab spotting (tide dependent).
The ways Wallumedegal Peoples value water Country will be recognised and acknowledged through Dreaming stories and immersive on-Country activities.
The program concludes with a construction of a memory map of the day's journey. Students will present their findings, describing features and human activities observed, and suggest actions for caring for these precious water environments.
Location
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Main location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Essential information
Cost and details
Cost 2026 |
DoE $27 per student – GST free Non-gov $37 per student – GST free, min charge $750 per class Term 1 – Non-gov weeks 3 to 6 cost = DoE cost – GST free, min charge $750 |
Classes |
Maximum 4 classes. |
Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
View |
Preparing for your excursion |
Welfare |
Rugged bushwalking, limited wheelchair accessibility. May not suit recently unwell participants. For medical or special needs notify staff prior to program. |
Extreme or wet weather |
Program may be modified, postponed or cancelled due to predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms. |
Booking policy |
Confirm student numbers and classes 7 days in advance. |
Cancellation fee |
Less than 30 working school days – $600 Less than 7 working school days notice – full cost Weather or fire danger cancellation – $0 |
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45 - 10.30 | Introduction, toilets and recess |
| 10.30 - 12.30 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 12.30 - 1.00 | Lunch and toilets |
| 1.00 - 2.00 |
Activities Nature map |
| 2.00 - 2.15 | Pack up, toilets and depart |
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Syllabus outcomes and content
Human Society and its Environment K-6 Syllabus (2024)
People are connected to places and groups
Outcomes
- Describes ways people connect to and care for places, water environments and each other, using geographical information HS1-GEO-01
Content
People care for Australia's water environments
- Observe and describe natural and human features of Australian rivers, lakes, beaches and oceans by collecting and representing data
- Compare the ways people use water environments in Australia by posing questions to collect data
- Explain how people can use and care for water responsibly
Human Society and its Environment K-6 Syllabus © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024
Book now
Book your primary excursion using our online booking form.
Social stories
View social stories that explain what to expect on an incursion or excursion.
Learning resources
View online lessons that support primary incursion and excursion programs.
Flora and fauna fact sheets
View our curriculum-aligned fact sheets on Australian animals, plants, ecosystems and environments for NSW primary and secondary students, ideal for research, projects and classroom learning.