Great Ocean Road Study Tour

Fieldwork is an essential component of Geography education. Not only does fieldwork allow for the personalisation of learning, it is well recognised that a more sensory experience aids memory and meta-cognition. The practical skills that are gained in the field are important in connecting the theories of processes, systems and interconnections and offer students the opportunity to develop their knowledge in ways that add value to their everyday experiences in the classroom.

The Year 8 St Margaret’s students are fortunate to experience their Geography fieldwork over the course of a three day study tour to the Great Ocean Road. Over the course of the camp, students learnt about local indigenous history, investigated coastal processes and management, discovered the maritime history of the region at a sound and light show and enjoyed a ferry ride across Port Phillip Bay. Sites visited included Tower Hill, Middle Island and the Warrnambool breakwater, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum, London Bridge, Loch Ard Gorge and The Twelve Apostles along the Great ocean Road, Melba Gully in the Otway Ranges and the Point Nepean Quarantine Station.

In the words of the students themselves:

“I loved making the connections between Geography, Science and History.”

“For people who learn visually, I feel this trip was great”.

“Seeing the features in real life helped me to understand what we had been learning in class even better.”

“The real life examples helped me make clear connections and it helped me apply the theory.”

“I had such a fun time and learned so much.”

“A fantastic bonding experience.”

“Best camp ever!”

Mrs Sherril Gurney
Head of Gipson House