Tuesday, 25 July, 2017 - 11:45
Why you should spend the night on your next school excursion
Take the stress out of planning an educational trip by staying in safe, clean and affordable accommodation tailored to groups with YHA Australia.
You’ve collected the permission slips, loaded the lunches onto the bus, seated the students, done a head count after the last straggler has finally arrived 15 minutes late . . . and just as you’ve set off on your excursion, it feels like you’ve only got a couple of hours before you need to jump back on the coach and head home again.
Skip the stress and give your students more time to learn in exciting new surroundings by turning your next school excursion into an overnight trip – and with dozens of secure properties offering group-specific facilities, YHA is Australia’s leading provider of affordable group accommodation.
Stuck on where to take your students in 2017? From archaeological digs in Sydney to spending the night in a prison cell in WA, here are six great options for your next overnight excursion.
Sydney Harbour
Excursions don’t get more hands-on than the Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre at Sydney Harbour YHA, with a range of educational programs tailored to classes from Years 1-11 presented by Sydney Learning Adventures. Step through archaeological remains of Sydney’s convict era directly beneath this YHA located in the heart of the historic Rocks district, walking distance from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
Canberra
Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon, the National Gallery and Museum of Australia, the Australian Institute of Sport, the Royal Mint . . . it’s little wonder why our national’s capital is also the capital of school excursions. Canberra City YHA is the most centrally located group accommodation in Canberra to help you make the most of your time in the capital. PACER rebates available.
Fremantle Prison
It’s one thing to learn about the UNESCO Heritage Listed Fremantle Prison on a tour . . . but it’s another thing altogether to spend the night in one of the old cells! Located in the women’s wing of the converted 1850s lock-up, Fremantle Prison YHA brings history to life for your students – and it’s just as secure as you’d expect an old prison to be, with 24-hour reception and room card keys for security.
Blue Mountains
Only two hours from Sydney, it’s tempting to consider the Blue Mountains just a day trip from Sydney – but you don’t know what you’re missing if you don’t spend the night in Katoomba. An overnight excursion gives your school group more time to explore Echo Point, Scenic World, Jenolan Caves, and plenty of other nearby attractions – and Blue Mountains YHA is the leading provider of group accommodation in Katoomba.
The Grampians and Apollo Bay
Explore western Victoria at these two eco-friendly YHAs. Apollo Bay Eco YHA – located right on the beach, 200km south-west of Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road – is your school group’s perfect launch pad to visit the Otway National Park, while Grampians Eco YHA – 250km north-west of Melbourne – is perched on the doorstep of the Grampians National Park.
Your nearest capital city
Taking your students on an adventure to the city gives them valuable experience away from home and the thrill of learning in a new environment – and YHA is ready to host your class in your nearest capital. Safe and central YHA accommodation is equipped to welcome your school group in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin.
About YHA
YHA Australia welcomes thousands of school groups every year, providing secure, clean, and affordable accommodation for groups as small as 10 and as large as 150. YHA hostels have excellent facilities for groups – including catering options, common areas, key card security and lockers, and dedicated Group Coordinators to arrange activities. Risk assessments are available for all properties plus staff are trained to handle emergency situations. Visit yhagroups.com.au to start planning your safe, affordable, quality school group getaway today.