Bathurst

“Students investigate the past to understand the present.”

Bathurst provides a rich context for exploring Australia’s colonial history and gold rush era. Through immersive, hands-on experiences, students examine daily life, migration, and the social changes that shaped early Australian communities. These experiences support inquiry into continuity and change, historical perspectives, and the significance of key events in Australia’s development.

Key Experiences:

• Bathurst Goldfields (living history experiences)

• Life in Colonial Australia activities

• Abercrombie House

• Gold rush interpretation and storytelling

“Students explore the relationship between people and their environments.”

Students investigate how natural resources, such as gold, influenced settlement patterns and the development of regional communities. Through outdoor exploration and observation, they examine how landscapes are shaped by both natural processes and human activity. These experiences support geographical inquiry and understanding of land use, resource management, and environmental change.

Key Experiences:

• Bathurst Goldfields

• Regional landscapes surrounding Bathurst

• Blue Mountains transit experience (if included in program)

“Students develop scientific knowledge, understanding and skills to investigate the natural and physical world.”

Students explore geological processes, material properties, and the science behind gold formation and extraction. Hands-on activities such as gold panning provide opportunities to investigate physical properties and apply scientific thinking in a real-world context. These experiences support inquiry, observation, and evidence-based learning.

Key Experiences:

• Gold panning activities

• Bathurst Goldfields mining demonstrations

• Exploration of geological formations

“Students deepen their knowledge of Australia by learning about the world’s oldest continuing cultures.”

Students gain insight into Aboriginal cultural practices, connection to Country, and traditional knowledge systems. Experiences such as cultural activities and storytelling support understanding of First Nations perspectives and encourage respect for the cultural significance of land and heritage.

Key Experiences:

• Aboriginal boomerang throwing

• Cultural interpretation and storytelling

• Connection to Country discussions

“Students develop an understanding of the importance of making informed economic and business decisions.”

The gold rush era provides a real-world context for exploring economic activity, resource use, and entrepreneurship. Students examine how the discovery of gold drove population growth, trade, and the development of local economies, shaping regional Australia.

Key Experiences:

• Bathurst Goldfields

• Gold panning and trade simulation concepts

• Interpretation of gold rush economies

“Students design and produce solutions to identified problems.”

Students explore how tools, machinery, and techniques were developed to extract resources and improve efficiency during the gold rush. These experiences provide insight into problem-solving, innovation, and the evolution of technology over time.

Key Experiences:

• Gold mining tools and techniques at Bathurst Goldfields

• Demonstrations of historical mining methods

“Students develop knowledge, understanding and skills to support their health, wellbeing and physical activity.”

Outdoor and hands-on activities encourage physical engagement, teamwork, and resilience. Students participate in active experiences that promote wellbeing while building cooperation and social skills in a group environment.

Key Experiences:

• Goldfields activities

• Outdoor exploration

• Campfire experience