All Year Groups
School Excursions
From the iconic and incredible to the rare and unusual - an AQWA excursion is your window to the underwater world! Monday-Friday during school term.
From: $14
Includes AQWA Entry
unique educational experiences
Excursions
AQWA Excursions
Where learning comes to life!
An AQWA Excursion offers a rare window into the underwater world, where students can discover, observe and investigate sea creatures and key curriculum concepts together. Show your students a new perspective with our expert guidance and ignite their curiosity!
Plan an excursion that suits you, with a range of educational and engaging experiences available, from self-guided visits, to year-group tailored programs and action packed activity add-ons. Take the plunge with an AQWA Excursion; plan and book below.
Step 1
Plan your excursion
We’ve collated all the essential information for a smooth excursion.
External Provider Pack
We know planning an excursion requires a lot of checked-boxes and signed paperwork! Grab our External Provider Pack for essential documents, including Public Liability Insurance certificate, evacuation procedures, arrival/departure procedures and more.
External Provider Pack
Excursion length
A Standard Excursion is 2.5 hours and you can nominate your arrival time from 9am. Excursion Programs run for half-day or full-day session and your arrival and departure time will be stipulated.
AQWA is open from 9am – 4pm
Location & Parking
AQWA is located at 91 Southside Drive, Hillarys. Bus parking is available directly in front of AQWA’s entrance. Free 4-hour car parking is also available.
Get Directions
Arrival
On arrival please gather your group at the base of our main stairs (do not ascend) while the designated teacher checks-in at Reception. If raining, please keep students on the bus. An Ocean Guide will then welcome your group and lead them inside.
Recess & Lunch
Picnic areas to eat recess and lunch are located at Marina Bay, Touch Pool and Coral Reef. Groups can also make use of the grassed area in front of AQWA's entry. School groups cannot eat packed recess/lunches in the AQWA Café.
Cafe Orders
Need student lunches? You can pre-order student snack-packs from the AQWA Cafe, served in compostable take-away boxes.
Contact Us
Storage
Personal items cannot be left in AQWA's exhibit areas, in particular school backpacks, for safety reasons. AQWA can store essential teacher's trolleys, first aid kits and eskis etc. in our Pram/Trolley parking, located near the Entry/Exit.
Amenities & Facilities
For your comfort and convenience, it's good to know the following are available: fully air-conditioned indoor exhibits; shaded or covered outdoor exhibits; lift to lowest level (underwater tunnel); male, female and unisex designated toilets; first aid room; drink water fountain; picnic areas, pram/trolley parking; wheelchair & stroller hire; Giftshop and Cafe.
Accessibility
There is an access ramp, access gate or elevator to all areas, except our Great Southern exhibit, which is set alongside a stairwell. There are large, unisex disabled toilets available. If you have any accessibility questions or concerns, please contact AQWA prior to arrival and our team will do their best to help.
Contact Us
First Aid
The school is responsible for all first-aid of students. AQWA has an on-site defibrillator located in the AQWA Cafe, as well as a First Aid Room with Portable Oxygen Therapy that can be utilised by schools. AQWA staff will assist where possible.
Teacher Resources
An extensive range of resources are available for download, including over 50 animal fact sheets, excursion work-booklets and curriculum linked activity sheets. Teachers are also welcome a free planning visit to familiarise with our exhibits and devise any worksheets of your own.
Jump To Resources
Homeschools
Homeschools receive the same pricing as school groups, when they book Monday-Friday during school term and show their Homeschool Certificate. Not available weekends, public holidays or school holidays.
Homeschool Excursions
Non-School Groups
Excursions are available to non-school groups such as Early Learning Centre's, Day Care Groups (including Family Day Care), Vacation Care and OSHC providers. Different prices, terms and conditions apply, compared to school education groups and public visitors. Not available weekends or public holidays.
Non-School Groups
Step 2
Book your excursion
Choose from a classic, self-guided Standard Excursion or book one of our fully guided curriculum themed Excursion Programs. Plus, there’s action packed Add-Ons and Overnight experiences.
Standard Excursion – Self Guided:
Work as a group as you move through the exhibits and complete our Excursion Booklets (Yrs K- Y2), or inspire independent learners to discover more on the topics you choose, by completing our curriculum linked Activity Sheets.
Excursion Programs – Fully Guided:
Choose from half-day or full-day guided programs, all featuring an engaging mix of hands-on activities, close-up experiences and structured presentations. Programs are devised by AQWA’s Education Manager, a qualified Marine Biologist and PostDipEd, and run by our knowledgeable Ocean Guide educators. Excursion programs are available for groups from PP-Year 12, with ontent tailored to year groups and minimum and maximum numbers applicable.
Action Packed Add-Ons:
Looking to treat your students for a term well-done, or just take your excursion to the next level? Our two ‘express’ add-on’s offer an exciting activity (and plenty of additional learning opportunities) without requiring a longer excursion program. Book a Standard Excursion then add-on a Glass Bottom Boat ride or Mini Behind The Scenes tour from the Extras menu (Yr PP+ and subject to availability).
Overnights/Camps:
For students aged 6+, you could even book a Shark Sleepover and spend the night beneath the sea, for a School Camp like no-other! Overnight stays are available to private education groups year-round, on request and subject to availability.
Standard Excursions
All Year Groups
Homeschool Excursions
From the iconic and incredible to the rare and unusual - AQWA is passionate about harbouring curiosity, wonder and respect for our oceans through education!
From: $14
Includes AQWA Entry
All Year Groups
Group Excursions: Vacation Care, Child Care & OSHC
Vacation-care, Day-care and OSHC providers are welcome to join us for an exciting underwater excursion, with 10% off when you book ahead!
From: $17
Half-Day Programs
Pre Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Excursion Program: Wildlife Rescue
Inspire your students to become ocean guardians with our turtle-themed Wildlife Rescue Excursion Package, crafted for all ages and lead by our knowledgeable Education team.
From: $24
Includes AQWA Entry
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10
Excursion Program: Shark Biologist
Let your students sink their teeth into some juicy elasmobranch science before climbing aboard our Glass Bottom Boat for an up-close observation of our sharks!
From: $28
Includes AQWA Entry
Full-Day Programs
Pre Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Excursion Program: Ecosystem Engineers (Full Day)
Are there flowers under the sea? Seagrasses are the only flowering plants in the ocean and they craft a nurturing habitat for baby sea creatures. Discover the surprising world of seagrasses!
From: $29
Includes AQWA Entry
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12
Excursion Program: Snorkel, Explore & More (Full Day)
A full day program for secondary students that includes snorkelling in Australia's largest aquarium, behind the scenes tour, shark biology presentation, guided talks, lunch and entry to AQWA.
From: $200
Includes AQWA Entry
Year 9, Year 10, Year 11, Year 12
Career Taster Program: AQWA Insider
Gain insider knowledge into the day-to-day experiences of AQWA's career aquarists, marine scientists & tour guides with the new Career Taster Program, designed exclusively for Year 9 - 10 students
From: $95
Includes AQWA Entry
Overnights
From: $125
Includes AQWA Entry
Step 3
Download your resources
We don’t just want you to visit – we want to provide a rewarding learning experience! Explore our database of Education Resources to see how we can help you tick those Curriculum boxes.