Self-guided Excursion
AVAILABLE AT:
Design your own zoo learning experience using real animals and habitats.
This self-guided excursion offers a flexible, real-world learning experience where students explore wildlife and the natural world at their own pace. Teaching guides are available to support planning and help shape your zoo experience, achieve your curriculum goals and activate student interest across all age groups. A science ethics trail and teaching guide is also available for your visit to Melbourne Zoo.
If you would like to add a workshop with a Zoo Teacher, this is free with zoo admission.
Support for teachers
- Great day at the zoo - access to trails and scheduled keeper talks
- Teacher resources with classroom and excursion activities
- Pre-visit information to support planning and preparation
- Opportunity to celebrate learning and become a Fighting Extinction School
Choose your zoo experience
This program is delivered at Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo, with each offering a different focus and experience.
Teaching guides include more information about the excursion experience and curriculum links.
Healesville Sanctuary
Explore the trails of this bushland haven for native wildlife in the Yarra Valley.
Teaching guide - Foundation-Year 2
Teaching guide - Levels 3-6
Teaching guide - Levels 7-10
Healesville Sanctuary map
Want to know more? Join an online Teacher Information Session.
Kyabram Fauna Park
Explore the trails of this bushland and wetland sanctuary for native wildlife.
Teaching guide - Foundation-Year 2
Teaching guide - Levels 3-6
Teaching guide - Levels 7-10
Fauna Park map
Want to know more? Join an online Teacher Information Session.
Melbourne Zoo
Explore the trails of this global zoo and meet the wildlife that live in the heart of Melbourne.
1) An exploratory trail to help students learn about animals and their habitats.
2) A science and ethics trail developed in partnership with Victorian Association for Philosophy in Schools (VAPS):
- Explore the contested meaning of concept of fairness (Levels 3-4)
- Examine the contested meaning of concept of happiness (Levels 5-6)
- Explore the contested meaning the concepts of freedom and harm (Levels 7-8)
- Examine an ethical problem and explore different modes of philosophical thought to develop their viewpoint (Levels 9-10)
Teaching guide - Foundation-Year 2
Teaching guide - Levels 3-6
Teaching guide - Levels 7-10
Teaching guide - Ethics Trail - Foundation-Year 2
Teaching guide - Ethics Trail - Levels 3-6
Teaching guide - Ethics Trail - Levels 7-10
Melbourne Zoo map and itinerary
Werribee Open Range Zoo
Explore the trails and enjoy a wildlife safari adventure in Melbourne’s west.
Teaching guide - Foundation-Year 2
Teaching guide - Levels 3-6
Teaching guide - Levels 7-10
Werribee Open Range Zoo map
Planning your visit
The Plan Your Visit page has costings, risk assessments, payment information, travel details, sensory maps and social stories.
Your excursion will be outdoors. Please ask your students to dress for the weather.
Book your education experience
Use the online form to book your visit.
Make booking nowWhen you book, please include:
- Name of program
- Preferred date/s
- School name and address
- Contact details of organising teacher
- Number of students/classes and year level