Excursions and Incursions
New South Wales
Excursion: Sydney Fish Market
The Sydney Fish Market is southern hemisphere's largest fish market offers a range of experiences for high-school students, which can be customised to suit any budget, as well as specific learning outcomes and subjects, from hospitality, to business, to food technology.
Book a private Behind the Scenes Tour for your students to experience all the hustle and bustle of Sydney Fish Market's daily auction (normally closed to the public), discover over 100 seafood species, and learn all about how a true marketplace functions (both in terms of logistics and economics). The on-site Sydney Seafood School also offers private cooking experiences and demonstrations for high-school students, focusing on seafood education, food preparation, kitchen safety and hygiene, and essential hospitality skills.
Excursion: The Fish Whisperers
The Fish Whisperers are passionate about providing unique and unforgettable fishing incursions for kids, offering an experience that’s second to none. Promoting outdoor play, learning and allowing kids to connect with nature and learn new skills in a fun and engaging way. Committed to environmental sustainability, The Fish Whisperers employ eco-friendly practices and sustainable fishing techniques. They are recognised as an approved Commercial Recreation Tour Operator by NSW Parks. This activity can be an incursion or excursion.
Excursion: Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre
The Wirraminna Environmental Education Centre offers tailored school visits designed to enhance students' understanding of local ecosystems, sustainability, and Indigenous culture. Each program is customised to align with the school's curriculum and grade level, ensuring relevance and engagement. Activities may include exploring native gardens, studying wetland ecosystems, and learning about local wildlife.
Northern Territory
Excursion: Junior Angler Education Clinic
The Junior Angler Education Clinic, run annually by the Palmerston Game Fishing Club since 2004, introduces 100 young people (ages 8–15) to recreational fishing through hands-on skills like knot tying, lure casting and cast netting. A highlight includes a visit to the Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm, where participants apply their new skills and catch their first barra. Supported by experts from government, education, and safety agencies, the clinic is highly popular with spots filling within hours of opening each year (usually held May/June).
Excursion: Humpty Doo Barramundi
Humpty Doo Barramundi offers educational opportunities for students interested in aquaculture and sustainable farming. Programs like the "Watch it Grow" initiative provide hands-on experience in barramundi farming, supporting learning pathways in aquaculture. The farm has also hosted visits from educational institutions, allowing students to engage directly with aquaculture practices.
Incursion: Fisheries School Talks
The NT Government offers tailored school talks for students in Years 1 to 10 focusing on the management of aquatic resources in the Territory. These sessions cover topics such as sustainable marine environments and the viability of the seafood industry, aligning with the Australian Curriculum.
Fisheries School Talks
The NT Government offers tailored school talks for students in Years 1 to 10 focusing on the management of aquatic resources in the Territory. These sessions cover topics such as sustainable marine environments and the viability of the seafood industry, aligning with the Australian Curriculum.
Queensland
Excursion: 2 Bent Rods
Provide incursions and excursions to teach kids how to fish, an important life skill. These can be done at school or a local beach, dam or river.
Incursion: Ocean Life Education
Ocean Life Education ‘Brings the Sea to You’ with fun marine education programs designed to inspire students of all ages to appreciate and take responsibility for the marine ecosystem. Marine educators arrive with fascinating live marine animals, artifacts, games and information, blending ‘hands on’ interaction with science and humor. Mobile incursions are imprinting a sense of ownership and protectiveness of our oceans. We visit children and adults all over Southeast Queensland, wherever our education vans will take us.
Excursion: Moreton Bay Environmental Education Centre
The centre offers immersive field programs for senior students, focusing on marine biology and environmental monitoring in Moreton Bay. Students engage in data collection and analysis, supporting their understanding of marine ecosystems and conservation efforts.
South Australia
Excursion: Marine Discovery Centre
The centre located at Henley Beach aims to provide inspirational discovery learning experiences whilst empowering students to actively protect South Australia’s coastal and marine environments. We are the only coastal and marine educational facility for school students and the broader community in SA.
The centre features interactive learning stations covering topics such as sustainable fishing, applying sustainable practices at home, Aboriginal culture and the importance of preserving our unique marine environments. Our aquariums feature local marine wildlife species and we provide engaging beachside marine trails to complement the Centre’s indoor educational facilities.
Excursion: Fleurieu Marine Education & SA Whale Centre
The centre provides immersive educational programs focused on marine life, sustainability, and whale conservation, enhancing students’ understanding of marine ecosystems through guided tours and interactive experiences.
Incursion/Excursion: Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries
Offers supervised snorkeling tours and virtual reality experiences to explore SA's marine environments. EMS, supported by the Department for Environment and Water, offers a hands-on marine education program for Years 9–11, combining classroom learning with guided snorkelling experiences in both unprotected and protected marine environments to foster marine conservation awareness and action.
Tasmania
Excursion: Working on Water (WoW) Program
A three-day program that includes tours of aquaculture farms, fish dissection, and visits to marine research centres, offering students insights into Tasmania’s seafood industry.
Year 9-10
Excursion: Marine Discovery Centre – Woodbridge School
The centre offers hands-on programs aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Facilities include aquariums, touch tanks and a research vessel, providing students with immersive experiences in marine science and conservation.
Excursion: Seahorse World
Seahorse World at Beauty Point provides tailored educational tours for students, focusing on marine life and conservation. Guided tours offer insights into seahorse breeding programs and the importance of marine ecosystems.
Victoria
Fishcare Victoria
Fishcare Victoria is dedicated to promoting responsible fishing practices and preserving our aquatic ecosystems through engaging and educational activities. Our activity request form streamlines the process of organizing and participating in our programs, including fishing clinics, educational workshops, and community events. By filling out this form, schools, community groups, and individuals can request tailored activities to learn fishing basics, sustainable practices, and marine conservation. Provide detailed information to help us create a meaningful and impactful experience, fostering a love for fishing and a commitment to preserving our waterways for future generations.
Excursion: Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre
The Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre (MFDC) in Queenscliff offers immersive, curriculum-aligned educational programs for all ages, from early childhood to tertiary students. Visitors can engage in hands-on experiences such as rockpool rambles, snorkelling, boat-based fishing, and mudflat explorations. The centre also provides specialised programs for schools, including the "Seas-the-Day" boat excursion, and offers volunteer opportunities to support its educational initiatives. MFDC runs holiday programs.
Sea Life
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium offers self-guided and guided programs for all year levels, blending STEM studies with marine education. Students can explore marine life through hands-on activities and experiments that align with the Victorian Curriculum
Incursion: Seaweed Sally
Seaweed Sally provides mobile marine education programs for schools across Victoria, bringing interactive marine experiences directly to classrooms. Programs are designed to engage students in marine life education without the need for off-site excursions.
Excursion: Urban Green Farms – Aquaculture
Urban Green Farms partners with MainStream Aquaculture to offer school excursions to a barramundi hatchery in Melbourne, one of Australia’s leading growers of Barramundi. These excursions provide students with insights into sustainable aquaculture practices and the science behind fish farming.
Western Australia
Excursion: Dept. of Primary Industries and Regional Development
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) uses aquaculture as part of its aim to sustainably meet the needs of Western Australians while also conserving the state’s resources and environments. In this excursion, students will learn about what aquaculture is and how the Department uses aquaculture to support food production and restocking programs in Western Australia.
This excursion includes three distinct components: an introduction to Western Australian aquaculture presentation, laboratory activities and (when possible) a guided tour of our Hillarys aquaculture facility.
Incursion: Marine Water Incursion Packages
The Community Education team at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development offers an exciting range of incursions and classroom loan kits for teachers and students of all ages based around the aquatic environment.
The Northern education program is on offer to schools from Exmouth through to Kununurra including remote communities. Get in touch with our Broome based Community Education Officer who can put a marine-based program together, tailored to your curriculum needs.
Excursion: Aquarium of Western Australia
AQWA offers a range of educational programs for primary and secondary schools, providing students with the opportunity to explore WA's diverse marine life. Programs include self-guided visits, year-group tailored programs, and interactive activities such as shark sleepovers and Try Diving experiences. These excursions aim to foster a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and conservation efforts.
Incursion: Ocean Discovery Education
Ocean Discovery Education offers engaging ocean education sessions and touch-and-feel components, designed to captivate participants of all ages. The program explores the dynamic world of marine life, including seahorses, dolphins, whale sharks, and orcas while discussing conservation strategies to keep oceans healthy. Programs can be conducted directly in schools or classrooms around Perth, providing flexibility for educators.