School excursion

Kinchega National Park field study

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: Compare the abiotic characteristics of two terrestrial environments Identify the factors determining the distribution and abundance of species within environments Measure environmental factors affecting both native flora and fauna Undertake quadrat surveys across multiple ecosystems Investigate the relationship between plants, animals and the natural environment.

Excursion details

Availability: Subject to staff availability
Where: Kinchega Woolshed, Kinchega National Park
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.

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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 (//pass.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/).

See more info for teachers

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

Kinchega National Park field study factsheet

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.