Lessons Afloat

How do I book an excursion?

To book an excursion please provide the following details:

• Your school or college name

• The name of the teacher responsible for the excursion

• Which day and time you prefer.

  • Half day: 10:00 – 12:00 or 12:15 – 14:15.

  • Full day: 10:00 – 14:00 incl. lunch break

• The anticipated size of your group

• We will send you a written confirmation for you to sign and return. We then send you a worksheet to copy for all of your students

You can make an enquiry here

Where do we go?

• The main Sydney Harbour area

• Stop at Clifton Gardens or Watson Bay for lunch (only available for full-day excursions)

See the route map here

What do we do?

• Lessons Afloat has been successfully conducting excursions for school groups for over 40 years on Sydney Harbour – a stimulating and diverse learning environment.

• A Lessons Afloat excursion provides students with fieldwork opportunities in the real world such as observation, recording, mapping and exploration of different issues and has been planned to achieve the Education Department’s syllabus outcomes.

• Students are encouraged to bring a camera to enhance their fieldwork activities.

• Key competencies of identifying, analysing and organising information and communicating ideas and information are integral to each excursion.

• The excursions are designed with an emphasis on student participation (We do not provide a standard guided tour).

• Each excursion is a lesson afloat, on board a private ferry.

• Commentary by an experienced Lessons Afloat excursion leader is via a public address system throughout the ferry and geared to the understanding level of the group.

We have a Lessons Afloat Excursion Summary available here

Useful Research Sources

• NSW Department of Environment and Heritage

• NSW Maritime Authority

• National Parks and Wildlife

• Sydney Morning Herald

• Sydney Harbour Federation Trust

• National Trust

• Port Authority of NSW

• Professional Historians’ Association of NSW

• Museum of History NSW

What does it cost?

• Half Day: $23.50 per student, GST inclusive (minimum of 60 students).

• Full Day: $33.50 per student, GST inclusive (minimum of 60 students).

• Minimum costs involved for groups of less than 60 students, therefore consider combining groups e.g. Geography and History or HSIE Stage 2 and 3.

• 140 students is recommended as the maximum to ensure of an effective excursion. Should numbers exceed 140 students two ferries can be used.

What do you see?

• Parks, wetlands, wharfage, industry, transport, housing, business and shopping districts, historical landmarks, tourist and entertainment attractions, changing urban developments.

Risk Management?

“The WHS Act and Regulation require that before approving any excursion, principals need to ensure that staff organising excursions have completed a satisfactory risk assessment. This will confirm that all reasonable steps are taken to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of students, staff and others on excursions.” - NSW Department of Education Excursion Planning and Management [3.1].

Lessons Afloat and Rosman Ferries are committed to ensuring the safety of all our passengers. Please read the Lessons Afloat Risk Assessment prior to your school visit.