Living Country, living culture

Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Geography, Katoomba area

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Overview

Aboriginal bush tools, Red Hands cave, Blue Mountains National Parks. Photo: Craig Marshall/NSW Government

Perrys Lookdown drive, Blue Mountains National Park. Photo: Nick Cubbin

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Stage 1 Geography Living Country, living culture

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Join us for Living Country, living culture – a Stage 1 (Years 1-2) Geography excursion in and around Katoomba. Our Aboriginal guide will take students on a journey through traditional and contemporary culture.

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Students will learn how Aboriginal people have a strong connection to their environment, known as connection to Country.

Together we'll examine Aboriginal artefacts and learn of their uses. We'll explore the bush environment and discuss how specific plants were used for medicine and bush tucker. Students will take part in fun, hands-on activities such as ochre blending.

They'll leave with an appreciation of Aboriginal culture in this region.

This excursion is staged at several key areas in the Blue Mountains. Choose from:

Three Sisters walk at Katoomba
Wentworth Falls track at Wentworth Falls
Fairfax Heritage walking track at Blackheath
Red Hands Cave track at Glenbrook

This excursion is designed to support the Features of Places unit from the K-10 syllabus.

For program outline, safety and practical information about this excursion, see info for teachers

Stage	Stage 1 (Years 1-2)
Learning area	Geography
Student outcomes	GE1-1. Describes features of places and the connections people have with places GE1-2. Identifies ways in which people interact with and care for places GE1-3. Communicates geographical information and uses geographical tools for inquiry
Objectives	Students will: Learn about traditional and contemporary culture with an NPWS Aboriginal guide Examine a range of Aboriginal artefacts Understand the different roles within a traditional Aboriginal community Take a guided walk and explore natural resources, including traditional ochre for paint, and other bush materials. Listen to Aboriginal stories of family, culture and place Learn how Aboriginal people relate to the local environment around them, and why this is so fundamental to life. Learn about Aboriginal spiritual life.

Excursion details

When: Monday to Friday during school term
Availability: Guided. Available on request.
Where: Katoomba area in Blue Mountains National Park in Sydney and surrounds, Country NSW
Duration: 2hrs 30min
Grading: Medium. Wentworth Falls track, Three Sisters walk and Red Hands Cave walking track are medium grade. An easy grade option is available at Fairfax Heritage walking track.
Price: Prices start from $395 incl GST per group (up to 20 students).
Accessibility: Hard
Meeting point: Three Sisters walk: Lilianfels Park, outside the coach drop-off zone on Echo Point Road, Katoomba.

Wentworth Falls track: Wentworth Falls picnic area at the end of Falls Road, Wentworth Falls.
Fairfax Heritage walking track: Blue Mountains Heritage Centre, Govetts Leap Road, Blackheath.
Red Hands Cave walking track: Red Hands Cave carpark located at the end of Red Hands fire trail
Other locations by request
Equipment provided: Yes
Booking: If you would like to organise a NPWS school excursion please get in touch with local staff or use the 'Enquire' link for the online form.

Operated by

School excursion inquiries - Blue Mountains
02 4784 7301 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
BlueMtns.Education@environment.nsw.gov.au

Park info

in the Katoomba area of Blue Mountains National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Katoomba area is always open but some locations may close at times due to maintenance, poor weather or fire danger.

See more visitor info