Give your students a high‑impact, hands‑on geography lesson on the Great Southern Reef at Manly.
This coastal field trip turns key syllabus ideas – biophysical processes, ecosystems, environmental change and management – into real‑world experiences students can see, measure and sketch.

Subject: Stage 5–6 Geography & Geography Elective

The program is designed for:

  • Stage 5 Geography – Environmental change and management; Sustainable biomes (coastal and marine environments).
  • Stage 6 Geography – Biophysical interactions; Ecosystems at risk; People and economic activity (coastal tourism and conservation).

Teachers can easily use the field data and observations for inquiry tasks, depth studies and assessment.

Program Snapshot

  • Location: Manly, NSW – Queenscliff Lagoon, Manly Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve, Shelly Beach and headland.
  • Focus: Coastal ecosystems, the Great Southern Reef, energy flow, human impacts and conservation.
  • Core skills: Primary data collection, use of fieldwork equipment, mapping, sketching, observation and reflection.
  • Fieldwork tools: thermometers (air and water), salinity and turbidity measures, compass, wave/tide observations, beach profiles and habitat field sketches.
  • Learning style: Active, outdoors, inquiry‑based, with students gathering and interpreting their own data.
  • Tech & citizen science options: Weather and ocean apps, water‑quality resources, photo‑point and species‑recording platforms.

What Students Do

Students:

  • Use fieldwork equipment to measure air and water temperature, salinity, turbidity, wind and waves.
  • Compare lagoon, surf beach and marine reserve environments along the Manly coastline.
  • Map intertidal zones, identify producers, consumers and decomposers, and build a simple food web.
  • Conduct a litter and impact audit, then suggest realistic strategies to reduce pollution and protect coastal habitats.
  • Sketch beach profiles and coastal habitats, linking physical processes to biodiversity and human use.

Why This Lesson Works

  • High engagement: Students are actively observing, recording and discussing.
  • Strong syllabus match: Supports NSW Geography fieldwork, environmental change, ecosystems and management content.
  • Real‑world relevance: Uses live conservation stories and citizen science to show geography in action.
  • Easy logistics: Manly is accessible by ferry and bus, with most activities along flat, well‑maintained coastal paths.

How to Book

To enquire, check availability or make a booking for your Manly Great Southern Reef geography field trip:

  • Email: in**@**************om.au
  • Include: school name, year group, preferred dates, approximate student numbers and any specific syllabus or accessibility needs.

You’ll receive a tailored program outline and pricing options to suit your class and learning goals.