Primary Excursions

Primary Excursions

RBGV's Primary age programs are designed to offer a hands on, immersive experience for students. All programs are Victorian Curriculum aligned and can be tailored to meet the needs of your group. 

For an easy way to see all available Early Childhood programs on the booking portal and apply your own filters, click here.

To book for 2024, please email: learning@rbg.vic.gov.au.

Please note that there is limited availability remaining for Term 4.

Wellbeing Programs

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Health and Wellbeing in Nature

Melbourne Gardens

Through a playful exploration of Melbourne Gardens, students will be encouraged to see themselves as part of the natural world and consider how being in nature can contribute to positive emotional and physical wellbeing.

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Health and Wellbeing in Nature

Cranbourne Gardens

Through a playful exploration of Cranbourne Gardens, students will be encouraged to see themselves as part of the natural world and consider how being in nature can contribute to positive emotional and physical wellbeing.

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Scents and Senses

Cranbourne Gardens

Explore the natural beauty of the Cranbourne Gardens using all five senses.

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Art in Nature

Melbourne Gardens

Students will engage their senses and use their observations and imagination to create visual artworks in nature. They will identify different patterns, colours, textures and forms as they explore the landscapes of Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

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National Science Week

The Sensory Garden

Melbourne Gardens

The Sensory Garden is a program designed for children who would benefit from a quiet, small group experience where children are immersed in a sensory environment. The program will be inclusive of the developmental and communication needs of the students.

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Science & STEM Programs

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I Wonder Why? - Early Years

Melbourne Gardens

Explore the wonders of the natural world by observing plant features up close, posing questions and learning how nature can inspire ideas for design.

In this nature-based STEM learning program, children practice the foundational skills of the emerging discipline of biomimicry.

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Minibeasts

Melbourne Gardens

Discover the myriad of mini creatures that make up the majority of the animal kingdom.

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Minibeasts

Cranbourne Gardens

Get close to the myriad of mini creatures that make up the majority of the animal kingdom.

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Nature Knows How

Melbourne Gardens

Students will observe the tried and tested biological strategies and patterns of nature and design their own nature-inspired STEM ideas for a healthier planet. 

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Nature Knows How

Cranbourne Gardens

Students will observe the tried and tested biological strategies and patterns of nature and design their own nature-inspired STEM ideas for a healthier planet. 

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Designed by Nature

Melbourne Gardens

Students will observe the tried and tested biological strategies and patterns of nature and design their own nature-inspired STEM ideas for a healthier planet. 

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Designed by Nature

Cranbourne Gardens

Students will observe the tried and tested biological strategies and patterns of nature and design their own nature-inspired STEM ideas for a healthier planet. 

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Carbon Futures

Melbourne Gardens

Students will learn about the carbon cycle and the impacts of a changing climate on species survival. Through real-life examples, students will examine how organisations are responding to climate change and be challenged to consider what they can do themselves at home and school.

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Sustainable Gardening

Melbourne Gardens

Through a hands-on experience, students will learn about water conservation, gardening, and composting. While exploring the Gardens, students will gain skills and inspiration for gardens in their community.

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Sustainable Gardening

Cranbourne Gardens

Students will learn about water conservation, sustainable garden practice and worm farming. While exploring the Gardens, students will consider ideas for improving biodiversity and sustainability.

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Plants and Animals

Melbourne Gardens

Get to know the plants and animals that live at Melbourne Gardens. Students will learn about cycles in nature and the fascinating plant and animal interrelationships and adaptations that exist in different environments.

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Plantworks

Melbourne Gardens

Students will investigate the amazing adaptions and features from a variety of Melbourne Gardens’ botanic collections and, using microscopes, will identify the anatomy of a flower and other plant features.

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Seasonal Garden Discovery

Melbourne Gardens

Students will connect with the natural environment and discover how plants, people and place interconnect as they explore the varied uses of Melbourne Gardens, such as relaxation, animal shelter, environmental and conservation purposes.

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Seed to Tree

Cranbourne Gardens

Students will be introduced to the role plants play in sustaining and creating the ecosystem. They will learn how plants adapt to the Australian environment and discover how they disperse their seeds and interact with other living things.

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Scientist for a Day

Melbourne Gardens

Hear stories from the Herbarium and learn about what the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria Science Team do in their work. 

Children will build on what they already know about plants and nature, and explore their properties more deeply.

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Geography Programs

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Food Forest

Melbourne Gardens

Students will observe and harvest seasonal produce growing at Melbourne Gardens, develop connections between plants and healthy diets and be introduced to composting and other sustainable gardening methods.

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The Rainforest

Melbourne Gardens

Explore the diversity of rainforest plants from Australia and around the world. Students will experience different rainforest environments, investigate the structure and ecology of a rainforest and be challenged to consider the importance of rainforest conservation.

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Australian Environments

Cranbourne Gardens

Discover the diversity and adaptations of animals and plants living amongst the extremes of Australian landscapes.

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Play Based Programs in Nature

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Children's Garden Discovery

Melbourne Gardens

Come on a guided exploration of the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden and discover a sustainable and diverse outdoor space centred around creativity and artistic expression.

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First Peoples Programs

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Connecting to Country

Melbourne Gardens

"Develop a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and practices through plants. Students will learn about unique plant usage and some of the sustainable land practices used by First Peoples across Australia.

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Shared Country

Cranbourne Gardens

Develop a greater understanding and respect for First Peoples culture.

Students will discover the importance of the environment to the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung People and their connection to Country and explore how plants can be used for fibre, medicine, tools, and food.

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Vacation Care Programs

Specially-designed programs at Melbourne and Cranbourne Gardens will take your vacation care group on a journey of discovery and play.

For our Melbourne Gardens program, please click here.

For our Cranbourne Gardens program, please click here.