Educational Experiences

1. How do I make a booking?

· You can fill in a booking request form here or contact our reservations team on 03 5951 2830 or bookings@penguins.org.au

2. How far in advance should I book?

· There isn't a fixed "maximum advance booking" period, but dates are typically available for sale well into the future. We recommend booking early as early as you can to avoid disappointment. The penguin parade can sell out during warmer months. There’s no cap on visitation to the Koala Conservation Reserve or Moonar’mia (Churchill Island) so you can book tickets for those whenever suits your schedule.

3. Can I make changes to my booking after it has been confirmed?

· Yes. School group bookings can be amended subject to availability. You can cancel your booking or change dates up to 10 days before your visit and you can amend student numbers up to 4pm the day prior to your visit. Please contact our reservations team as soon as possible if you need to change participant numbers, dates, programs or other booking details.

4. What is your cancellation policy?

· You can cancel your booking up to 10 days prior to your visit and receive a full refund. Please note that our attractions are ‘all weather’ events and will only be cancelled by us in the event of severe or dangerous weather. If this occurs, we issue full refunds or ticket replacements.

5. Can we visit more than one attraction in a day?

· Absolutely. Many schools choose to combine multiple attractions and programs into a single excursion. Multi park passes - 3 Parks Pass and 2 Parks Pass, are also available to reduce the overall cost of visiting attractions. Our team can help you create an itinerary that makes the most of your visit.

6. What does admission include?

· Admission includes entry to the attraction and access to all general visitor experiences within that attraction. Educational programs and guided experiences are booked separately unless otherwise specified.

7. Are guided education programs an additional cost?

· Yes. Guided education programs are charged in addition to attraction admission fees. Program costs vary depending on the experience selected.

8. Do teachers and support staff receive free admission?

· We provide complimentary admission for teachers and support staff in accordance with the required supervision ratios. Additional adults outside these ratios are charged at the applicable group rate.

9. How do we pay for our excursion?

· Schools can pay via invoice or credit card. Payment details and due dates will be confirmed when your booking is processed.

10. Which year levels are your programs suitable for?

· Our education programs cater for students from Foundation through to Year 12, with curriculum-aligned experiences available across a range of learning areas.

11. Are lesson plan packs included with a booking?

· Yes. Our curriculum-aligned lesson plan packs are provided free with selected education bookings. These resources are designed to support learning before, during and after your visit. You can see which packs are currently available here. 

12. Can programs be tailored to suit our learning objectives?

· Many of our programs can be adapted to align with specific curriculum outcomes and learning goals. Please discuss your requirements with our education team when you arrive or with our reservations team when making your booking.

13. What supervision ratios are required?

· Minimum supervision ratios vary depending on student age and the activities being undertaken. We recommend following your school's excursion policy and the Victorian Department of Education guidelines.

14. Who is responsible for student supervision during the visit?

· Teachers and accompanying adults remain responsible for student supervision and behaviour at all times, including during guided programs. In the event of an emergency, our trained staff will take control and coordinate the appropriate response.

15. Do your staff hold Working with Children Checks?

· Yes. All of the staff at The Nature Parks hold current Working with Children Checks. Our education team also undertake regular training in child safety and wellbeing.

16. Can you accommodate students with additional needs?

· We are committed to creating inclusive learning experiences and welcome discussions about any accessibility or support requirements. Please let us know your needs when making your booking so we can work with you to provide the best possible experience.

13. What should students bring?

· We strongly recommend weather-appropriate clothing, enclosed footwear, a water bottle and any items specified by your school. As many experiences take place outdoors, warm and waterproof clothing is often advisable. The viewing stands at the Penguin Parade can get very cold – even on warm days.

14. What happens if it rains?

· Our educational experiences are ‘all-weather’ events and will go ahead if it’s raining. It sometimes makes it more fun! We recommend students bring wet weather appropriate clothing and shoes, especially if you’re visiting in the wetter months.

15. Can you cater for dietary requirements?

· If catering is included as part of your booking, we can accommodate most dietary requirements with advance notice. Please advise us of any allergies or dietary needs when confirming your booking.