The best way to learn about nature is by visiting one of Victoria’s amazing parks. Use the following information for planning your next excursion.

Choosing a park

Victoria has an amazing diversity of parks to explore. While each park provides a unique learning experience, some parks are better suited for school groups and to particular activities.

Use the Explore section to find out what facilities, trails and experiences can be found in each park.

As part of the DEECD Safety Guidelines for Education Outdoors all schools must speak to the local park office prior to any visit. The park office will be able to discuss suitable areas in the park for your intended activity as well as provide information about limits on group sizes in the park.

Call 13 1963 for the contact details for park offices.

Minimal impact

The larger size of many school groups can have a significant impact on the environment. All schools must follow the Minimal Impact Guidelines for Schools for all park visits. This is a requirement of the DEECD for all Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools planning an outdoor excursion.

In general, a smaller group size has less of an impact on the environment as well as enhancing the experience for your students.

Help keep our wildlife wild by ensuring your students do not feed native animals. Feeding natives human food can cause them harm (as well as being against the law).

Getting the most from your visit

To get the most out of your park visit you should consider drawing on the expertise of the following in delivering education or recreational activities

Park Victoria’s Education Centres

Located at Wilsons Promontory National Park, Dandenong Ranges National Park and Werribee Park, our experienced educators will help your students learn more about these unique environments.

Ranger talks

Parks Victoria’s rangers can share their knowledge, expertise and experience from their daily work in managing and conserving our parks. Talks are dependent on ranger availability and may not be available at all parks or at certain times of the year.

Teaching activities

A range of hands-on and engaging activities and teaching ideas are available to help your students connect with and learn about Victoria’s parks.

Licensed Tour Operators

All outdoor education and tour providers who run activities in Victoria’s parks must be registered with Parks Victoria. To find out more the types of activities Licensed Tour Operators run and the parks where they can run these activities for your school visit the Explore section.

Keep informed about park conditions

As the organiser of a school excursion it is your responsibility to keep up-to-date with the current conditions in the park and be aware of any closures or hazards that may be in the park. Please refer to the following immediately prior to your visit.

• Change in park conditions - any change of conditions will be listed on the individual park's page.
• Code red park closures - information about park closures due to Total Fire Ban.