Aussie Animal Adventurers
Our Aussie Animal Adventurers get a chance to meet our Aussie icons up close and learn more about the unique animals who call this continent home.
Meet Australian animals up close and learn about the features, life cycles and habitats of these unique icons. Aussie Animal Adventurers gives students the chance to learn about the animals that make this land unique and how to become a hero to help wildlife.
Explore the sanctuary in small groups, experiencing close up animal encounters and enjoying feature shows and keeper talks. Learn about Wurundjeri connections to wildlife, how to care for animals and sustainably manage the world around us.
Students will learn:
- Animals’ unique characteristics, habitats and life cycles and how to group them accordingly
- Aboriginal history, culture and sustainability
- How they can help save wildlife
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture
- Principles of sustainability
Can’t make it to one of our zoos? Our Digital Program gives you direct access to your own expert Zoo Teacher and unique zoo content. Location is no longer a barrier.
Use the activities in the Teaching Guide (below) to spark students’ curiosity before their zoo visit.
Connect and Understand
Students will learn about different kinds of animals, their body coverings, features, habitats and life cycles and how to group them based on these differences. Students are encouraged to bring and consider questions about Australian animals, particularly endangered wildlife, and the effect humans have on native habitats and wildlife.
Your zoo visit will include: Introduction (for arrivals between 9:50am-10:10am), Healesville Sanctuary Teacher-led activities, Spirits of the Sky presentation and keeper talks. Check out your Teaching Guide for other ideas of what to do at the zoo.
Use activities in the Teaching Guide to deepen students’ learning back at school.
Use the Teaching Guide to enable students to master their knowledge and skills in real-world contexts.
Program maps and itineraries
Digital maps will be provided to you on the day.
Victorian Curriculum 3-4
Living things can be grouped on the basis of observable features and can be distinguished from non-living things (VCSSU057)
- Students will encounter Australian animals and learn to identify the variations in their features and group them accordingly
Different living things have different life cycles and depend on each other and the environment to survive (VCSSU058)
- Students will learn about the life cycles of different Australian animals and how they depend on the environment to survive
Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions (VCSSU056)
- Students will discover how science contributes to understanding and problem solving issues related to human impacts on native wildlife
The many Countries/Places of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia, and the custodial responsibility they have for Country/Place, and how this influences views about sustainability (VCGGK080)
- Students will discover how the Wurundjeri peoples’ ways of living were adapted to the resources of their Country/Place
Types of natural vegetation and the significance of vegetation to the environment, the importance of environments to animals and people, and different views on how they can be protected; the use and management of natural resources and waste, and different views on how to do this sustainably (VCGGK082)
- Students will explore how vegetation provides habitat for animals and the sustainable use of natural resources
Plan your excursion
Aussie Animal Adventurers is an outdoor all-weather program; the students will need appropriate clothing for weather conditions. This could include a raincoat, hat and sun protection.
School groups will enter Healesville Sanctuary via the Main Entrance. Organising teachers please check in with our Admissions team upon arrival. More information.
All onsite excursion bookings are subject to coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions and as such are subject to change in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s advice. We will be in contact with all teachers prior to their booked date if we need to clarify any new requirements.
Book your education experience
Fill out an online form to request a booking for your zoo education experienceRequest booking now
You will need to know the following to book your zoo excursion or online workshop:
- Education program of your choice (if applicable)
- Preferred date
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and their year level