EDUCATION IN SYDNEY AND NSW Sydney is home to many of Australia’s best museums and galleries, botanic gardens and heritage sites where visitors can learn about Australia’s cultural heritage. Discovery camps, group adventures and specialist tours are available for student/group travel. School visits Campus Summer Stays, Sydney Group accommodation (from studio rooms to apartments) is available from mid-November to mid-February. The accommodation is at Sydney University in Newtown, Macquarie University in Sydney’s north, the University of Western Sydney in Parramatta and the University of NSW in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. Tel: +61 2 9036 4008 www.campussummerstays.com.au Discovery Camps, Nelson Bay This program is designed to assist teachers, schools, sporting and community groups with the planning and organisation of excursions to Port Stephens. A selection of itineraries provides a variety of educational and recreational activities while itineraries can be tailored to each group’s requirements and budget. Discovery Camps organise all activities, accommodation, meals and transport to and from each activity. Royal National Park Tel: +61 2 4916 4546 www.discoverycamps.com.au Student Study Tours*, NSW Department of Education and Communities The NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC) runs a Student Study Tours program for school student groups, offering a point of contact between touring schools and NSW schools. Tel: +61 2 8289 4777 www.decinternational.nsw.edu.au Sydney Learning Adventures*, Sydney Cruise, Nelson Bay Students visiting The Rocks can delve into Sydney’s history and culture with Sydney Learning Adventures; programs for primary and secondary students are held at The Rocks Discovery Museum, The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre, Bangabaoui Aboriginal culture harbour cruise and Sydney Observatory. Tel: +61 2 9240 8552 www.sydneylearningadventures.com Sydney Observatory Current as at 1 May 2015 History and culture Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour Located in Darling Harbour, this must-see attraction focuses on maritime- related themes through artefacts and exhibitions; guided tours and the opportunity to board a submarine, a naval destroyer and other seagoing vessels are also available. Permanent exhibitions include: Navigators, which tracks the successive waves of sailors and settlers who have navigated the Australian shores over thousands of years; Eora First People, exploring the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s deep connection with the sea; Watermarks, exploring Australians’ love of water; Navy, showing how the Royal Australian Navy operates on the land, in the air and under the sea during peace and war; and Passengers, Australian National Maritime Museum which portrays the journeys of those who have travelled to Australia by sea. Represented by Australian Attractions. Tel: +61 2 8251 0078 (Australian Attractions) www.anmm.gov.au Art Gallery of New South Wales*, Sydney Adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Art Gallery of NSW is one of Australia’s foremost cultural institutions showcasing a collection of works by past and present Australian and international artists. A range of educational experiences will stimulate interest, enjoyment and understanding of the works to individuals and groups. Art After Hours is held every Wednesday until 10pm. Tel: +61 2 9225 1700 www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/education Museum of Contemporary Art Australia* (MCA), The Rocks Art Gallery of New South Wales The MCA is dedicated to exhibiting and interpreting the work of contemporary artists from across Australia and around the world. MCA learning programs connect students and teachers to contemporary art through innovative creative learning approaches. Art After Hours is held every Thursday. Tel: +61 2 9245 2400 www.mca.com.au National Trust*, Sydney The National Trust tells the story of Australia's heritage through its Sydney properties including Experiment Farm and Old Government House in Parramatta. A range of tours is available to educational groups of all ages. Tel: +61 2 9258 0123 www.nationaltrust.org.au/nsw/home Museum of Contemporary Art Image courtesy and © the Museum of Contemporary Art Limited; Photography Brett Boardman Current as at 1 May 2015 Sydney Living Museums*, Sydney The Sydney Living Museums manages historic properties in Sydney, including Hyde Park Barracks, Museum of Sydney and Government House in the city centre, as well as Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta. Introductory talks and tours are available at all properties for groups of 10 or more. Special interest or themed tours can also be arranged. The Sydney Museums Pass offers entry into four museums under one ticket - Hyde Park Barracks, Justice and Police Museum, Museum of Sydney and Susannah Place Museum. The pass is valid for three months from the purchase date. Tel: +61 2 8239 2288 Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge at www.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au night Sydney Opera House, Sydney Joining a tour or experiencing a performance beneath the white sails of this World Heritage jewel is a must-do Sydney experience. The Sydney Opera House Tour and the Backstage Tour both provide an expansive look at one of the modern wonders of the world. Tel: +61 2 9250 7250 www.sydneyoperahouse.com Aboriginal Heritage Tour, The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney An Aboriginal guide leads this informative tour of the gardens, highlighting the significance of the site to the first Aboriginal inhabitants as well as modern-day Aboriginal people of the Sydney city area. This walking tour also provides an introduction to traditional music, dance, artefacts and bush foods. Tel: +61 2 9231 8134 www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au Science and nature tours The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Guided tours for groups include commentary on the gardens, colonial and Aboriginal heritage and conservation and botanical research programs. Tel: +61 2 4634 7935 www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/annan Australian Museum, Sydney The Australian Museum houses extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts dedicated to natural history, dinosaurs, indigenous Australians and Australia’s unique wildlife. The newly-refurbished Indigenous Australians exhibition traces Aboriginal culture dating back 40,000 years and presents the themes and issues in the lives of indigenous Australians today. Personal tours of this gallery and other exhibitions are available on request. Tel: +61 2 9320 6000 www.australianmuseum.net.au Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Current as at 1 May 2015 Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Powerhouse Museum*, Darling Harbour The museum’s diverse collection spans history, science, technology, design, music and transport to provide a comprehensive insight into Australian culture and modern day lifestyle. Regular tours, demonstrations, performances, workshops and special events complement a range of educational services and tours for groups. Tel: +61 2 9217 0222 www.powerhousemuseum.com Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Sydney Observatory*, The Rocks Built in 1858, the Sydney Observatory was essential to shipping navigation, meteorology, timekeeping and the study of astronomy in the southern hemisphere. Today, the Sydney Observatory houses a museum and public observatory. Tours include indigenous astronomy, opportunities to view the sun, moon, stars and far away galaxies through powerful telescopes as well as short films in the 3-D space theatre. Tel: +61 2 9921 3485 www.sydneyobservatory.com.au SAW (Sydney Architecture Walks)*, Sydney Choose to walk or cycle through Sydney, exploring the city with a local architect and SAW guide whilst learning about the concepts behind the city’s buildings and how they relate to Sydney’s culture, history and natural environment. All tours are available in English. Some tours are also available in Mandarin, Dutch or German. Tel: +61 403 888 390 www.sydneyarchitecture.org Technical Insight Tours*, Sydney Olympic Park Queen Victoria Building (QVB) Learn about the incredible scientific, engineering and ecological Anthea Horton; image courtesy of QVB advancements used at the 2000 Olympic site including water recycling and environmental sustainability. Tel: +61 2 9714 7888 www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney Student groups can experience nature in the heart of the city as they learn about plants used by Aboriginal people at the Royal Botanic Garden; witness plant conservation at work in PlantBank at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan; and learn about the rich culture of the local Aboriginal people with a guided walk through the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden, Mount Tomah. Lunch and picnic packages are available. Tel: +61 2 9231 8134 www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au Sydney Olympic Park aerial Current as at 1 May 2015 Sports tours and lessons Lets Go Surfing, Bondi A surf lesson is an exhilarating way to experience the waves at Bondi Beach or Byron Bay. Learn how to read surf conditions and get all the basics so you can stand up on a board. Available in English, Mandarin, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean. Tel: +61 2 9365 1800 www.letsgosurfing.com.au Manly Surf School, Manly Learning to surf at Bondi Beach North of the harbour, take to the waves with Manly Surf School. Daily surf lessons teach the basics from paddling to standing up on a board as well as surf safety. Tel: +61 2 9977 6977 www.manlysurfschool.com SCG Tour Experience*, Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, Moore Park The SCG Tour Experience is a 1.5-hour behind-the-scenes journey through the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Allianz Stadium and the SCG Museum. Sit in the dressing rooms where many of the world's sporting legends have prepared for their finest moments; visit the SCG ground and run down the Allianz Stadium player's tunnel. Tel: +61 2 2 9380 0377 Surfers, Manly Beach, Manly www.sydneycricketground.com.au ANZ Stadium Tour*, Sydney Olympic Park Enjoy a one-hour interactive tour of the ANZ Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park. Walk in the footsteps of champions at Sydney Olympic Park, visit the media centre, players’ change rooms and grandstand, before running down the players’ tunnel into the arena, with the simulated roar of a capacity crowd.