National parks | Stage 2 | HSIE Geography excursion | Field of Mars EEC
Program overview
National parks is a Stage 2 HSIE Geography excursion in which students explore and experience the beautiful natural environments of Lane Cove National Park (Buffalo Creek Reserve). Creating a park map and visitor brochure as they journey along the bush tracks, students will record the reserve’s natural features and management strategies that protect them. Along the way they will identify plants sustainably used by the local Wallumedegal Peoples. Immersed in the national park environment, students will experience first-hand management strategies that protect and conserve the environment directly and strategies that help people use the environment responsibly.
Learning intentions
- We are learning to observe and record the natural features of a national park that make it a special place worth protecting.
- We are learning to describe management strategies used to provide community access and protect the environments within a national park.
- We are learning to describe how Aboriginal Peoples sustainably use natural resources.
Activities
Locating
Students engage with a variety of maps that locate and represent Lane Cove National Park. Maps will include topographic, track and sketch maps. The conventions that make maps readable, accurate and consistent will be identified – border, orientation, legend/key, title, scale, and source – as well as consistency in colours and symbols.
Bush walk and map making
Students journey along the boardwalk, bridge and bush tracks of the reserve observing their surroundings using multiple senses. They record their observations as sketches, symbols, notes and rubbings using pencil and coloured pencils on individual park brochure templates. As they journey through the reserve, management strategies such as tracks, signage and protection devices will be identified and recorded. Students also choose from student-guided fieldwork tasks to deepen their immersion in the national park’s natural environment.
Management
Students investigate how places in a national park are managed for conservation and sustainable use. They examine park signage and visitor infrastructure, then discuss why particular strategies are used (e.g. track design, boardwalks, habitat protection, waste reduction). Students consider how different groups value and use the park and how management decisions balance environmental protection and visitor access.
Sustainable resources
Along the bush track, students will use bingo-style cards to identify plants used by the local Wallumedegal Peoples of the Darug Nation. Students will see and touch plants and natural resources used for food, shelter, tools, weapons and clothing.
Concluding activity
Students complete a short role play or decision-making game that explores how people use national parks and how management choices can protect environments. Students reflect on how their actions (e.g. staying on tracks, minimising waste, respecting wildlife) support caring for places.
The program supports the DoE Stage 2 HSIE Unit 5, particularly Lessons 3, 7, 9, 11 and 12.
This program is also available as an incursion if you have significant natural environments near your school.
Location options
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Main location – including risk assessment and risk management advice, bus map and track overview.
Buffalo Creek Reserve provides the entrance point to Lane Cove National Park.
Blackman Park
Alternative 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 |
Recommended maximum 4 classes per site with up to 30 students per class. |
Activities |
Activities may change to suit student needs, the selected site and weather conditions. |
Bring |
Sports uniform, backpack, medication, low-waste food, water bottle, sunblock, raincoat, hat, sturdy shoes, reusable name tag. |
View |
|
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, recess, equipment bags distributed |
| 10.30 - 1.00 | Bushwalk and activities |
| 1.00 - 1.30 | Lunch and toilets |
| 1.30 - 2.00 | Concluding activities |
| 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)
Geographical information is used to understand the world
Outcomes
HS2-ACH-01 describes Aboriginal Peoples’ obligations to Country, Culture and Community
HS2-GEO-01 explains how people care for Australia’s environments and participate in Australian society, using geographical information
Content
Aboriginal Peoples use and care for the environment sustainably
- Identify and use appropriate terminology when sharing Knowledges about Country
- Describe how Aboriginal Peoples sustainably use the resources of Country
People have responsibility to care for Australia's environments
-
Compare the objectives of managing places for conservation and managing places for sustainability
-
Describe how reserved lands are managed in New South Wales at Mungo National Park, Kosciuszko National Park, Wollemi National Park and Barrington Tops National Park
-
Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander food practices that are sustainable
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 National parks 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.