Tribe Talks are a thirty-minute presentation delivered by our education staff in our beautiful, tropical surrounds (weather permitting). Of course, Australia Zoo has a reputation for close up encounters with our wildlife, and the Tribe Talk is no exception. The presentation includes a visit from an animal, relevant to your selected topic, that your students may have the opportunity to touch. There is also time for questions and answers at the conclusion of the Tribe Talk.

Times available for Tribe Talks are as follows:
9:30am
10:15am
11:15am* please note that this time is during Crocoseum WildLIVE shows           
12:30pm
1:00pm

Tribe Talks are charged at our cheapest supplementary educational program rate, and can be delivered to groups of up to 40 students.  Depending on staffing, we can accommodate up to two groups at a session time.
Can’t find the exact topic you’re looking for?  Give us a call, and we will discuss with you how we can modify existing talk to suit your needs.

Lower School

Endangered Species
(SOSE PS 1.2, 2.2, PS D3.6, Science LL 2.3)
Steve Irwin was world-renowned for his passion for helping to preserve species and their habitat across the world.  In our Endangered Species Tribe Talk we look at the types of changes the world has undergone, and how these changes have affected the wildlife we share this planet with. Using examples of native and exotic animals we discuss these threats, as well as what Australia Zoo does (and your students can do) to help.

Reptile Rap
(Science LL 1.2, LL D3.4)
We love our snakes, lizards and crocodiles here at Australia Zoo, and we want your students to develop a real appreciation for reptiles as well.  During Reptile Rap they will learn about the unique features shared by reptiles, and how these distinguish them from other animals like mammals, birds, fish and amphibians.  It’s a great introduction to both biological classification and our scaly friends.

Adaptations
(Science LL 2.1, 3.1, 2.3, 3.3)
Each species of animal has features (both physical and behavioural) that help it to survive, and meet its needs, within the environment that it inhabits.  Using examples of animals in the Zoo, we help your students to make the connection between an animal’s environment, its needs and its special features.  Understanding adaptations opens up a whole new world of appreciation for nature.

Australian Animals
(Science LL1.1, 1.2)
Our sunburnt country is absolutely teeming with unique wildlife. In this Tribe Talk we learn about how special our monotremes and marsupials are, and what makes them different to the mammals in the rest of the world. We also look at the ecological roles filled by Aussie wildlife, and how our animals differ from those on other continents.

Middle School

Endangered Species
(SOSE PS 4.2, Science 6.3, LL DB6.3)
We are all aware of the dire situation that our planet’s endangered species are facing. We consider the causes and effects that have resulted in a global species decline, not seen since the extinction of the dinosaurs.  We also share information about the amazing work being carried out by Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors to turn this situation around.

Adaptations
(Science LL 4.1, 5.1)
Crocodilians have remained relatively unchanged for 100 million years.  Your students will learn how the crocodile’s structural and behavioural adaptations have ensured its phenomenal success as an organism.  After investigating the crocodile we throw open the discussion to your students, prompting them to uncover the relationship between adaptation, environment and survival with other animals.

Old Zoo New Zoo
(SOSE PS 3.5, 4.3, TCC 4.3)
Australia Zoo has changed a lot since the days that it was the Beerwah Reptile Park, exhibiting Bob Irwin’s collection of lizards and snakes.  This talk gives you all the history you need to know in order to really appreciate where we have come from and where we’re going.  It’s a great option for groups coming on school camp, or end-of-year excursions.

Upper School

Tourism
As one of the most widely recognised tourist attractions in the country, the history of how the Irwin’s little wildlife park became an international tourist destination makes for an interesting study.  In this talk your students will gain an insight into the history of the business, its daily operation, challenges we have faced, and our plans for the future. A great topic for business or tourism studies students.

Marketing to the Millions
The marketing of Australia Zoo is often of specific interest to business studies groups. This modified version of our Tourism Tribe Talk includes information about how Australia Zoo is marketed, both overseas and here in Australia.

Workplace Health and Safety
This topic was devised to give students an insight into how Workplace Health and Safety applies in a large and varied workplace like Australia Zoo. From working safely with Australia’s apex predator to preventing sunburn, nothing is left to chance when working at the Zoo.

Zoo Keeping as a Career
A popular option with upper school groups visiting the Zoo on school camps, this talk provides advice for any students seeking work in the animal industry.  We also elaborate on the opportunities available within a tourist destination like Australia Zoo.

Animal Behaviour and Training
Within zoos, the understanding of animals’ behaviour is imperative for their successful management.  This topic explores the importance of this understanding, and also how we make use of animals’ innate ability to learn.

Captive Breeding
In today’s world, where more species are being recognised as “threatened” than ever before, captive breeding programs in zoos are looked upon with great admiration and respect. In this topic we explore both the myths and realities of breeding animals in captivity.

A Walkabout Tour is a guided tour provided by one of our Education Officers. Key commentary is provided at select enclosures in accordance with the topic you have chosen.  Walkabout Tours can be up to 45 minutes in duration, and are best conducted for groups of between 10 – 15.

Education staff may be booked out for particular days, so advance planning and bookings are essential.  If you have any further questions about the content of our programs, or need help selecting one that is right for you group, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Lower School

Baby Animals and Aussie Icons
(Science LL 1.1, 1.3, 2.2, 2.3)
What could be cuter than woolly lambs, wriggling piglets and cuddly koalas? We take your students to the most interactive of our enclosures and examine the needs of the animals who reside there. We also consider the components of their environments and the changes which take place as they grow. This hands-on tour is perfect for the lower year levels.

Beautiful Birds
(Science LL 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3)
Calling all ornithologists! This tour takes you through our beautiful rainforest and wetlands biomes, where we check out the special features of our feathered friends and consider how these species meet their needs. This tour is also a perfect supplement to New Basics’ Cockatoo Island.

Most Extreme Animals
(Science LL 3.1, D3.4)
Crikey! Have a go at this! This exciting tour shows you the biggest, fastest, longest and most venomous creatures at Australia Zoo. This is a fun, yet educational activity for any year level, where you will meet the rulers of the animal kingdom.

Middle School

Feral and Introduced Species
(Science LL4.3, 5.3, SOSE PS D4.6)
In the last 200 years Australia’s wildlife has been bombarded by a myriad of uninvited guests.  On this tour we check out a range of introduced species and look at the types of interactions that have taken place between them and Australia’s environment.  We also consider the effects they’ve had on native wildlife, why they were introduced in the first place and why their invasion has been so successful.

Discovery Experiences are designed to be a complete unit of work, the highlight of which is a unique experience at the Zoo, which can only be arranged as part of the program.  The preparation that your students undertake as part of the pre-visit activities is essential to getting the most out of the guided experience at the Zoo.  The unit then culminates in post-visit work back at school, following their big day out.

Due to the elaborate nature of Discovery Experiences, it is required that you book well in advance to allow time to conduct the pre-visit activities.

Discovery Experiences are our most expensive program, but also our most involved.  On top of which you have an experience unlike any other that is available at the Zoo to the general public.

Lower School

Koala Capers
(Science LL 1.1, 2.1, 1.2, 2.2, 1.3, 2.3, LL D1.4, D2.5, SOSE PS 1.2, 2.5)
Koala Capers is a comprehensive unit of work, including pre and post-visit activities designed to maximise the experience that awaits you at the Zoo.  By preparing your students to appreciate the needs and adaptive features of koalas, their encounter with our furry icon is all the more rewarding, and they even apply this knowledge to a new animal, as they meet one of our wombats face to face.