National parks excursion | Stage 2 HSIE Geography
Program overview
National parks is a Stage 2 HSIE Geography excursion where students investigate the natural features and management of Lane Cove National Park during a one-way walk between Buffalo Creek Reserve and Magdala Park.
Using maps and a visitor brochure, students record natural features, examine conservation and visitor-management strategies, and learn how the Wallumedegal of the Darug Nation have sustainably used and cared for Country. The excursion supports Department of Education Stage 2 HSIE Unit 5, particularly Lessons 3, 7, 9, 11 and 12.
This program is also available as a National parks incursion if you have significant natural environments near your school.
Learning intentions
- We are learning to use geographical information to describe the natural features of a national park.
- We are learning to explain how national parks are managed and how Aboriginal Peoples use and care for Country sustainably.
Jump to: Program and curriculum | Essential information | Plan and prepare | Location | Related excursions
Program and curriculum information
Program activities
Activities may change to suit student needs, timing and weather conditions.
Locating and mapping
Students use topographic, track and sketch maps to locate and represent Lane Cove National Park. They identify map conventions including border, orientation, legend or key, title, scale and source, and consider how consistent colours and symbols make maps easier to interpret.
National park fieldwork
Students follow boardwalks, bridges and bush tracks while observing the national park through multiple senses. They record natural features, plants, animals, waterways and evidence of human use through sketches, symbols, notes and rubbings in an individual visitor brochure.
Students complete selected fieldwork challenges that encourage close observation and investigation of the park environment.
Managing protected places
Students investigate how national parks are managed for conservation, sustainable use and community access. They examine tracks, boardwalks, signs, barriers, visitor facilities, habitat protection and waste-reduction strategies.
Students consider why different management strategies are used and how decisions can balance environmental protection with responsible public access.
Sustainable resources and caring for Country
Students use identification cards to locate plants and natural resources traditionally used by the Wallumedegal of the Darug Nation. They learn how local resources have provided food, tools, shelter, fibre and other materials.
Students consider how sustainable resource use and continuing care for Country help protect environments for future generations.
Caring for national parks
Students complete a short role-play or decision-making activity exploring how people use national parks and how management choices affect protected environments.
They reflect on actions such as staying on tracks, reducing waste, respecting wildlife and following park signs.
Suggested timetable
Time |
Activities |
| 9.45–10.30 | Introduction, toilets, recess and 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 |
Syllabus outcomes and content
Students will learn to
- use maps and field observations to investigate a national park
- identify natural features and strategies used to protect environments
- investigate how tracks, boardwalks, signs, barriers and visitor facilities organise and manage a protected place
- compare management for conservation with management for sustainable use
- describe how Aboriginal Peoples sustainably use and care for the resources of Country
- explain how visitors can help care for protected places
The excursion directly supports the Human Society and its Environment K–6 Syllabus (2024) through geographical inquiry and fieldwork in a protected bushland environment.
It also supports Department of Education Stage 2 HSIE Unit 5, particularly learning about the organisation and management of reserved lands, conservation and sustainability goals and waste minimisation.
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 addressed
Aboriginal Peoples use and care for the environment sustainably
- 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
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
Tier 2 and 3 vocabulary
Essential information
Cost, class numbers and booking
Cost
DoE cost $27 per student – GST free
Non-government school cost $37 per student – GST free, minimum charge $750 per class
Term 1 non-government weeks 3 to 5 – DoE cost, GST free, minimum charge $750
Classes
Recommended maximum 4 classes, with up to 30 students per class.
Bookings for more than 4 classes will require multiple locations. Please contact us to discuss suitable options.
Program costs
Program costs may change. If program costs change after you book, you will be charged at the original cost.
Booking policy
Confirm final student numbers and classes 7 working school days before the program.
Risk assessment and accessibility
Buffalo Creek Reserve risk assessment and location information – main location
Magdala Park risk assessment and location information – main location
Blackman Park risk assessment and location information – alternative location
The main one-way walking route between Buffalo Creek Reserve and Magdala Park is not wheelchair accessible. Some program areas at the alternative Blackman Park location may be wheelchair accessible.
The program includes rugged bushwalking.
Students who are unwell should not attend.
Classroom teachers are expected to attend and actively supervise students throughout the excursion.
Notify Field of Mars EEC before the visit about medical, mobility, sensory, communication or other support needs so reasonable adjustments can be considered.
What students should bring
Weather, cancellations and rescheduling
The program may be modified, postponed or cancelled because of predicted extreme temperatures, bush fire danger, heavy rainfall, high winds or dust storms.
Cancellation or rescheduling with less than 30 school days’ notice before the booking date – $650
Cancellation with less than 14 school days’ notice before the booking date – full program cost
Cancellation due to unsafe weather or fire danger – $0
Plan and prepare for your visit
Buffalo Creek Reserve social story
Help students understand what to expect when arriving at or departing from Buffalo Creek Reserve, including walking near water, exploring bushland and staying safely with their group.
Preparing for your excursion
Find information about what students should wear and bring, transport, arrival procedures, safety and preparing classes for active outdoor learning.
Location options
Start and finish locations
This excursion involves a one-way walk between Buffalo Creek Reserve and Magdala Park. Walking routes depend on the number of classes attending. Contact the centre for planning assistance.
| 2 classes | 2 classes |
| Start – Buffalo Creek Reserve | Start – Magdala Park |
| Finish – Magdala Park | Finish – Buffalo Creek Reserve |
Buffalo Creek Reserve
Main location
Main start or finish location for 2 classes
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Buffalo Creek Reserve.
Magdala Park
Main location
Main start or finish location for 2 classes
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Magdala Park.
Blackman Park
Alternative location
Find risk assessment information, risk management advice, bus access details and walking track information for Blackman Park.
Extend student learning
Use these student-friendly fact sheets before or after your National parks excursion to support learning about protected places, bushland ecosystems, waterways, habitats and environmental management.
- Eucalypt forest ecosystems fact sheet – Explore the forest ecosystem students investigate while recording natural features, plants, animals and management strategies.
- River and creek environments fact sheet – Learn how waterways, creek banks, pools, plants, animals and catchments form connected environments.
- Habitat fact sheet – Discover how living and non-living features create places where organisms can survive.
- Tree habitat fact sheet – Explore how trees provide food, shelter, nesting places, shade and pathways for animals.
- Leaf litter habitat fact sheet – Learn how fallen leaves, bark and twigs support decomposers, invertebrates and small animals.
- Rock and log habitat fact sheet – Investigate sheltered habitats students may observe beside national park walking tracks.
Learn with us
Book this excursion
Book this Stage 2 HSIE Geography excursion using our online booking form.
Eucalypt forest learning resource
Introduce eucalypt forest features, vegetation layers, habitats and the ways animals and people use forest environments before or after the excursion.
Related Stage 2 excursions
Local Aboriginal studies excursion
Learn about Aboriginal Peoples’ continuing connections to Country, significant places, natural materials and caring for land and waterways.
Ecosystem explorers excursion
Work as field scientists to investigate living and non-living features, habitats, food chains and ecosystem evidence.