School excursion
Kinchega National Park field study
Stage 6 (Years 11-12), Biology, Kinchega National Park
Overview
Join a ranger in sampling abiotic factors and use these to assess the abundance and distribution of plants and animals on the floodplain sand dune interface, as part of the Preliminary Biology or Senior Science field studies.
Read more about Kinchega National Park field study
Explore the ecosystems within the oldest National Park in Western NSW to see how plants and animals have adapted to live on floodplains, sand plains and dune fields, overflow lake systems and lunettes.
Use practical techniques to measure factors including plant type and density, soil pH and moisture, light, slope and elevation. Investigate the landscape and geology of the area to gain a clear picture of the historical and environmental forces at play.
For program outline, safety and practical information about this excursion, see info for teachers
| Stage | Stage 6 (Years 11-12) |
|---|---|
| Learning area | Biology |
| Student outcomes |
BIO11/12-2. Designs and evaluates investigations in order to obtain primary and secondary data and information BIO11-10. Describes biological diversity by explaining the relationship between a range of organisms in terms of specialisation for selected habitats and evolution of species |
| Objectives |
Students will:
|
Excursion details
- Availability
- Subject to staff availability
- Duration
- 4hrs
- Grading
- Medium. Uneven surfaces and short steep sections. Wheelchair accessibility is hard.
- Price
-
$10 per student
- Accessibility
- Hard
- Meeting point
- Woolshed carpark
- Equipment
provided - No. Technical equipment and workbooks are provided. Students will need a pencil, a ruler, a smart device with suggested free downloads and a clipboard to lean on as well as a simple calculator.
- Booking
- If you would like to organise a NPWS school excursion please get in touch with local staff or use the 'Enquire' link for the online form.
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/education/stage-6-biology-kinchega-national-park-field-study/local-alerts
Operated by
- School excursion inquiries - Broken Hill
- 08 8084 2880
- npws.westdarling@environment.nsw.gov.au
- 183 Argent Street, Broken Hill NSW
Park info
- in Kinchega National Park in the Outback NSW region
Kinchega National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
-
Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park has a pay and display envelope payment system - please bring correct coins.
Buy annual pass.
Info for teachers
All the practical information you need to know about Kinchega National Park field study.
Program outline
- Students meet the Ranger at the Historic Kinchega Woolshed carpark for an introduction to Kinchega National Park
- Students walk 300m to study site and help set up quadrants
- Students walk transect collecting biotic and abiotic data
- Students use random quadrats to sample area for biotic data
- Students measure the heights of trees using different methods
- Students discuss arid adaptions with Discovery Ranger
Getting there and parking
From Broken Hill:
- Take Menindee Road, which becomes Nr Menindee - Broken Hill Road as you leave town
- This takes you all the way to Menindee and the entrance of Kinchega National Park
On entering Kinchega National Park:
- Take Woolshed Drive
- The Kinchega Woolshed is 15km from the park entrance
Road quality
Check the weather before you set out as roads in Kinchega National Park can be closed in heavy rain.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- Dry weather only
Parking
Parking is available in hard-packed ground carparks at Kinchega Woolshed.
What to bring
Everyone needs to wear a hat and sunscreen, bring wet weather gear, and lunch which should be low waste with a refillable water bottle. Students should bring gear in a backpack or similar (not plastic bags).
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty. Please let us know in advance if you are bringing someone with special needs so that we can plan accordingly.