The Outback Classroom

The Outback Classroom programme is filled with activities that challenge students’ physical and mental abilities, boost their imagination and build self-confidence.

Fresh air, healthy food, exercise and watchful supervision encourage the children’s self expression and, most of all, everyone has a lot of fun.

The Undara Experience is pleased to present every modern parent’s dream - The Outback Classroom.

Undara is an award winning eco tourism attraction with exceptional group facilities.

In the Outback Classroom program, the children camp out in style in either the Swags Tent Village (68 beds), or the Wilderness Lodge (36 beds).

All camp accommodation has linen, first class amenities with hot water and laundry facilities.

Special meal packages are available and teachers and parents accompanying the students are offered special rates.

Participants are welcome to use all the resorts facilities including the swimming pool and licenced bistro at the Undara Lava Lodge.

The program of activities in The Outback Classroom are supervised by Savannah Guides.

Savannah Guides are a network of professional tour guides that work as custodians of Australia’s natural heritage and received world wide recognition in 2000 at the British Airways ‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ awards.

Interpretive bush walks, lava tube tours and evening campfire activities are just some of the many highlights.

3 day Outback Classroom packages are available including accommodation, meals and activities.

Curriculum Choices

Undara’s Geology and Ecology

Every Outback Classroom Group must include this fascinating and educational tour. The Undara Lava Tubes were formed some 190,000 years ago when a major volcano erupted, its molten lava flowing down a dry river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes.

As the eruption slowed and then stopped, the lava drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long, hollow tunnels. Ancient roof collapses created deep, dark and moist depressions where fertile pockets of rainforest can now be seen.

Each tube offers a rare insight into this unusual geological wonder. So far, 69 separate sections of cave have been identified from over 300 lava tube roof collapses and several sections are accessible.

It is some of these sections that we visit with the students exploring the ancient world of volcanic eruptions and the subsequent geological and ecological development of the area.

Skippy School

Meet the diverse members of the kangaroo family that call Undara home. Luckily the largest species are the most common and are easily viewed from around the Lodge in their natural habitat.

From the curious and very cute Rufus Bettong to the Eastern Grey Kangaroo - only slightly smaller than the Big Red of Central Australia; from the Swamp Wallaby with its unique genetics to the Antilopine Wallaroo, endemic to Tropical Australia. By the time the group have “met the locals” they will have a much better understanding of kangaroo feeding, breeding and living habits and also have some great pictures to take home to their friends.

Snake Show

Undara is home to a diverse species of snakes. Students discover a variety of our harmless residents through this entertaining and educational presentation. They will learn about their feeding, breeding and living habits. The myths of snakes will be dispelled and students will have a new, and more realistic, understanding of these essential members of our ecosystem. There is an opportunity to handle a number of different pythons (non-venomous). The largest snake they will meet has a girth the size of a man’s arm. The smallest is a Children’s Python just 50cm in length.

Nocturnal Animal Spotlighting

Many animals of the outback are nocturnal. Undara Experience staff can help the students learn the secrets of these species with the aid of hand-held torches on a planned night walk. At different times of the year you can spot Rufus Betongs, tawny frog mouth owls, bats and sometimes the night tiger (harmless snake). At sunset watch the departure of 100’s of micro bats from the Lava Tubes to feed on insects and native fruits.

Basic Entomology

Students peg out a 10 metre square of bush including grass, trees and rocks and collect every insect to be found within the square, by gently brushing it into a small container.

Under supervision the group will then examine insects using magnifying devices. Observations include: What characteristics does each insect have? What would it eat? Is it a day or night-time creature? How could it defend itself, camouflage, etc? Competition? Who has found the most interesting/biggest/smallest insect? All insects are then returned - unharmed - to their home.

Bush Skills

The group pretend we are miles from anywhere, lost in the bush. We encourage the students’ observation skills.

We must find shelter, food, water, light a fire.

What are our resources? How can we keep warm/cool?

Do we try to walk out, or wait to be found?

Campfire Bush Poetry and Singing

All guests at Undara are welcome to join our Lodge campfire each evening. Bush poetry and sing-alongs are regular events and these can be tailored to suit English, drama and performing arts students’ particular needs.

Our guides will work with the students and teachers to develop composition and presentation skills and a concert to the other Lodge guests is arranged.

Hidden Treasure / Orienteering

A twice daily activity designed as an introduction to orienteering. The students split into two groups. The first group hides the “treasure”, making a map with distances and compass bearings and geographic features to assist the second group finding it.

The second group uses the map to find the treasure. No paper trails, no clues along the way, only a map and compass.

Sensory Walk

Blindfolded students walk single-file along an environmental path designed to enhance their senses other than sight -touch, sound, smell, texture.

While completely safe (students use a rope guide), the trail will challenge their perceptions and confront their fears - wet, dry, up, down, over, under, through, etc. Students then discuss their sensory experiences while both blindfolded and with vision, and then return along the trail visually.

The Life of a Tree

Students learn about the natural life cycle of arid region flora. Explore special needs for germination, growth, maturity and flowering (e.g. fire). Also investigate the trees’ role in other life cycles - particularly animals and insects.

As a memento of their visit, each group has a ceremonial planting of a suitable native tree around the Lodge. Students are encouraged to return to see how their tree is growing.

Weather Awareness

A twice daily activity. The students monitor temperature, barometric pressure, wind direction and speed; examine cloud formations; insect, plant, bird, animal responses to weather changes.

Depending on climatic conditions during the visit particular activities will be included. If wet, experiment with exposed soil and the erosion process, or if windy, undertake kite-flying on the 100 Mile Swamp.

Walk the Line

One of the telegraph lines to link Australia to the world was constructed in the 1870’s from Cardwell to Normanton. This interpretive walk follows some of this original line.

Your guide will encourage discussion of the challenges faced by the line layers, the residents of this (then) very isolated region and the impact on the indigenous people of the region. Duration 2 hours.

Transfers

Coach transfers to and from The Undara Experience can be arranged on request. Other transfer options (with prior arrangements) include the Savannahlander train experience.

Return to Undara home page.