External learning opportunities for 2026
By Gemma Easton , Editor
Students form some of their best school memories through education outside the classroom.
Studies have consistently shown the benefi ts of external learning on student achievement and overall wellbeing. Outside the classroom, students can observe native wildlife, explore di erent cultures,
and visit iconic buildings and landmarks. These encounters provide opportunities to interact with things that are not available within the school grounds, providing new and exciting experiences.
Excursions and field trips have also been found to promote greater social ties for students. Small group work is o en necessary during school excursions, providing an opportunity for students to socialise with peers they
may not ordinarily interact with in the classroom.
Whether it’s a trip to your local art gallery, an excursion to a zoo or wildlife park, a visit from an adventure or challenge provider, or a multi-day camp, external learning is a powerful tool for strengthening and reinforcing classroom learning.
Museums and galleries
With fake news and misinformation pervasive
problems, and in an era where online sources dominate museums provide a point of truth. Objects held in a museum’s collection can be confidently viewed and understood by students to be the real thing.
This means incorporating museum visits into your teaching can help students appreciate the value and importance of seeking out real-world sources, particularly primary sources, and not simply relying on the internet.
Images courtesy of Queensland Museum Kurilpa
Similarly, educators at museums can be trusted as sources of accurate, reliable information.
Many museum educators devote their professional life to studying a certain topic, becoming experts in their field. Their knowledge will o en be deeper than a teacher’s, meaning they can enrich student learning in a way a classroom teacher cannot.
More than this, the dedication of museum sta can help students witness and understand the
StayKCC:
value of lifelong learning. In turn, this may spark their own lifelong learning journey.
Located at the Cultural Centre, South Bank, Queensland Museum Kurilpa o ers engaging, curriculum-aligned programs designed to spark curiosity and deepen learning.
Through hands-on experiences in SparkLab, encounters with real specimens and guidance from experts, Queensland Museum Kurilpa brings STEM,
Learning beyond the classroom
StayKCC is the ideal destination for school groups looking to learn, connect and grow outside the classroom.
Set in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, StayKCC o ers a safe and inspiring environment where students can explore nature, build friendships and develop new skills.
With a variety of comfortable, group-style accommodation options and beautiful natural surroundings, every school camp becomes an adventure. Days are filled with
engaging activities and opportunities for teamwork, while evenings around the campfire encourage reflection and meaningful conversations.
StayKCC’s dedicated team ensures every group feels supported and secure, allowing teachers and students to focus on learning and having fun. Whether you are planning a school camp, outdoor education program or end-of-year celebration, StayKCC provides the perfect backdrop where your students can thrive, make lasting connections and create memorable experiences that will be cherished long a er departing.
history and culture to life for students of all ages.
In 2026, schools can access exclusive, school-only sessions of Croc! Lost Giants to Living Legends – a brand-new exhibition exploring one of the world’s most powerful and enduring animals, the crocodile. Self-led and guided programs are available for Prep to Year 12, supported by teacher guides and activity sheets.
Also launching in 2026, Meet the Expert: Digital Incursions connects classrooms across Queensland with museum experts and collections, through interactive presentations and Q&As. Delivered on selected days in Terms 1 to 4, the program is suitable for primary and secondary schools located throughout all of Queensland.
The museum’s popular Museum Meet Up series will also return for Terms 2 to 4 2026, o ering students in Year 5 and above unique opportunities to meet professionals and explore real-world examples of Science and HASS.
The 2026 World Science Festival Brisbane (WSFB) school program returns from March 25 to 27, 2026. This year WSFB has aligned with the Australian Curriculum Version 9 and expanded the program to o er educators and students an unparalleled opportunity to connect with leading science experts and new approaches to learning.
Since 2016, WSFB has welcomed more than 30,000 students and educators to explore the wonders of STEM—from launching rockets and building bridges to uncovering microscopic worlds. In 2026, festival highlights will return, including Australia’s favourite science communicator Dr Karl, alongside handson activities and resources designed to spark imagination, ignite curiosity and connect your students with the fascinating science shaping our future.
Whether you’re looking to energise your lessons or immerse your students in the wonders of STEM, WSFB empowers them to thrive in our ever-changing world.
Images courtesy of World Science Festival Brisbane, Photos: Atmosphere Photography
Image courtesy of World Science Festival Brisbane, Photo: Justin Nicholas
Camps and outdoor adventures
School camps bring together the benefi ts of many EOTC activities—providing handson learning opportunities, helping to build teamwork and communication skills, and giving students access to education experts beyond their classroom teachers.
Camps can be tailored to suit your school group, with age appropriate activities, and suitable accommodation
Nestled in the northeast of Victoria, Alexandra Adventure Resort provides adventure activities and camp experiences, making it a popular destination for schools.
Located less than two hours from Melbourne, the accredited camp boasts large facilities with more than 200 beds in fi ve lodges, with central heating and cooling in all rooms.
Programs include a combination of instructor led activities and teacher led activities. Outdoor programs are tailored to each school and more onsite activities can be organised to enhance your stay.
With over 16 onsite activities on o er, the instructor led activities are guided and supported by the team, taking students through activities ranging from fl ying fox, rock climbing, high ropes, leap of faith, giant swing, crate stacking and canoeing. Activities are suitable from Years 3 to 12, challenging students and building personal development while participating in a safe, fun outdoor environment.
Offering an unmatched and diverse range of facilities: with a focus on comfort, community, and natural beauty
Providing a wonderful learning environment and unforgettable experience for school groups and camps. Located in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Flexible accommodation options. Indoor & outdoor programs that are designed to inspire and engage. Variety of event spaces and onsite catering.
Image courtesy of Alexandra Adventure Resort
Image courtesy of Alexandra Adventure Resort
Choose from a variety of teacher led activities such as archery, gaga ball, low ropes initiatives, ra building, orienteering, disc golf and beach volleyball.
At the resort, spacious campgrounds include a swimming pool, grassed oval and campfire area overlooking the lake. The recreation area includes a large undercover space with tables and seating as well as table tennis, foosball and a tennis/basketball court for some down time.
Set within the breathtaking World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, StayKCC o ers
an immersive outdoor classroom experience where students are surrounded by native bushland and endless opportunities for discovery.
StayKCC o ers a dynamic mix of activities and experiences— both onsite and in collaboration with partners across the Blue Mountains— that cater to every level of adventure. From energising team challenges and bush survival skills to uncovering local history and marvelling at the night sky, each program is thoughtfully designed to engage students physically, mentally and
Images courtesy of StayKCC
socially. These experiences not only support education and recreational curriculum outcomes but also foster resilience, teamwork and a deeper connection to nature, while creating lasting memories.
Comfort and nourishment are also top priorities with a selection of accommodation options tailored to suit groups of all sizes and delicious catering, ensuring students and sta sleep soundly and are well-fed with nutritious meals that fuel active days and support wellbeing.
Whether you are planning a
multi-day camp or a focused outdoor education program, StayKCC provides the perfect balance of adventure, learning and comfort. StayKCC o ers a place where students grow, connect and thrive in the great outdoors.
Bring Victoria’s golden heritage to life with an excursion to Bendigo, once the richest gold-producing city in the world. This remarkable legacy lives on, and students can experience it first-hand through Bendigo Heritage’s immersive and educational excursions.
Bendigo Heritage coordinates
school group visits to both the iconic Central Deborah Gold Mine and Bendigo Tramways.
At Central Deborah Gold Mine, students descend 61 metres underground, stepping into the shoes of past miners to see how 929kg of gold was extracted. Above ground, they’ll explore the original buildings and machinery essential to the mine’s operation, including the Blacksmith’s Shop, First Aid Quarters, Carbide Lamp Room, Engine Room, and Gold Treatment Area. A erwards, students can try their hand at panning for real gold.
At Bendigo Tramways, students board a Vintage Talking Tram to uncover Bendigo’s fascinating history and discover the city’s key landmarks and monuments.
Together, these experiences provide rich cultural and historical context that connects directly to classroom learning.
Bring history to life with immersive, curriculumaligned programs designed to captivate and educate. With custom itineraries, Bendigo Heritage o ers a safe, engaging, and unforge able learning adventure for school groups.
Images courtesy of Bendigo Heritage
Incursions
Incursions bring the fun and learning benefi ts of external learning to your school.
O en, programs can be tailored to suit di erent group sizes and learning goals.
For educators, incursions relieve the pressure of planning, se ing up, and delivering lessons. Incursions facilitators will most o en bring their own equipment, and set up and pack down activities.
Incursions can be lower cost than an o site excursion, and
o en require less paperwork and administration to organise.
A wide range of activities can be brought to your school, including adventure activities, interactive literacy and numeracy lessons, STEM workshops, outdoor adventure activities, and theatre performances.
Seeing a live show—for example a play, musical, orchestra performance or choir—can have strong learning outcomes for students. Many students will not have enjoyed these cultural experiences previously, and a school excursion to see
a live performance presents an important learning opportunity.
Students studying drama may benefi t from seeing a live play, while music students can learn through orchestra performances and musicals.
Toonworld’s vision is to encourage, empower, educate, and entertain kids through interactive workshops that are both fun and creative. These incursion workshops, hosted at your school, aim to improve communication and literacy while fostering creativity and imagination.
The stop-motion animation sessions are a fantastic and engaging way to boost comprehension, creativity, and teamwork—particularly when linked to units or books students are currently studying. Integrating stop motion in book units is a fun and innovative approach to help students be er understand the stories they read. By bringing scenes or characters to life through animation, students can demonstrate their understanding while practising storytelling and collaboration.
This hands-on activity promotes deeper thinking, enhances technology skills, and makes learning more enjoyable. Whether retelling a chapter, creating an alternative ending, or animating a favourite scene, stop motion workshops facilitated by Toonworld Education help bring reading to life in the classroom.
Bring the thrill of live performance directly into your school with Musica Viva Australia In Schools, an all-inclusive touring program o ering 14 culturally and musically diverse shows featuring Australia’s finest performers, available nationally in 2026.
Each booking includes at least 12-weeks of curriculumaligned lesson activities, as well as comprehensive teaching resources designed to enrich classroom music and cross-curricular engagement. Teachers also benefi t from online professional development webinars, where musical specialists guide you through learning activities and tools, and introduce you to your touring ensemble.
With financial assistance available for small, low-ICSEA, or remote schools via the Equal Music program, MVAIS ensures that access to quality music education is equitable and inspiring for all students.
Whether it’s telling stories, creating songs, learning new languages or making new friends, Musica Viva Australia In Schools 2026 has something for all schools.
Image courtesy of Musica Viva, Photo: James Henry
Image courtesy of Toonworld