Excursion FAQs
School Excursion FAQs
What school excursion programs does Arthurs Seat Eagle offer?
Arthurs Seat Eagle offers four school excursion programs on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, combining gondola travel with learning about the local environment, history, science and tourism:
Eagle Explorers: Foundation to Year 2.
Eagle-Eyed Investigators: Years 3 and 4.
Eagle Engineers: Years 5 and 6.
Ride and Chat: Years 7 to 12.
Which year levels is each education program suitable for?
Our primary school programs offer activities tailored to Foundation–Year 2, Years 3–4 and Years 5–6.
Ride and Chat is designed for secondary students in Years 7–12, with an educational discussion adapted to their subjects and learning objectives.
For composite classes or students with different learning needs, please discuss your group with our education team.
What is the Ride and Chat program for secondary schools?
Ride and Chat combines a return gondola ride at Arthurs Seat Eagle with an informal, educational discussion led by a staff member.
Designed for Years 7–12, the discussion can be adapted to the curriculum topics your students are studying, including geography, sustainability, tourism and local history.
Please share your learning objectives when enquiring so we can prepare a discussion relevant to your students.
How do the excursions support classroom learning?
Our primary school programs connect classroom learning with the landscape, transport technology and history of Arthurs Seat through activities exploring Geography, History and Science.
For secondary students, Ride and Chat offers a flexible discussion tailored to their subject focus. Let us know which curriculum elements or questions you would like us to explore.
What is included in the school excursion package?
Primary school education packages include:
Return gondola travel.
An educator-led learning session.
A student booklet and learning resources.
An “I Soared Like an Eagle” sticker.
A gondola activity to take back to school.
The secondary school Ride and Chat program includes:
Return gondola travel.
An informal, educational discussion with a staff member, adapted to your students’ subject or curriculum focus.
A school excursion risk assessment is available on request.
What will students do during the excursion?
Primary students travel aboard the Eagle and take part in a Base Station tour, an audiovisual presentation, discussion and a hands-on activity. Teachers guide learning during the gondola journeys and self-guided lookout visit.
Secondary students participating in Ride and Chat enjoy a return gondola ride and join a staff member for an informal discussion linked to their studies.
Which activities are led by Eagle staff, and which are teacher-led?
For primary programs, an Eagle educator leads the introduction and Base Station learning session. Teachers and supervising adults lead gondola discussions and self-guided activities.
For Ride and Chat, an Eagle staff member leads the educational discussion.
Students remain the responsibility of their supervising teachers and adults throughout the visit, including during staff-led sessions and gondola travel.
How long does the school excursion take?
Allow approximately:
Primary school education programs: 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Ride and Chat: 1 hour.
Please allow additional time for lunch, a visit to Seawinds Gardens or other activities.
Are learning resources provided for use before or after the excursion?
Primary school packages include student booklets and learning resources, along with a gondola activity to take back to school.
Ride and Chat does not include booklets or learning resources. Students are welcome to bring materials to take their own notes.
Can the program be adapted for particular learning topics?
Yes. The Ride and Chat discussion can be tailored to the curriculum elements or subject focus relevant to your secondary students. Topics may include geography, sustainability, tourism and local history.
For primary programs, please discuss your year levels and learning objectives with our education team so we can advise on suitable arrangements.
Please include any requests when enquiring to allow time for preparation.
Can specialist schools book an excursion?
Yes. Specialist schools are welcome to book a visit. Please tell us your students’ ages, learning objectives, access requirements and support needs so we can discuss a suitable program and supervision arrangements.
How much does a school excursion cost per student?
The primary school education programs cost:
2026 excursions: $17.50 per student.
2027 excursions: $18.50 per student.
The Ride and Chat program for Years 7–12 costs $17.50 per student.
All prices are in Australian dollars.
Do teachers, education support staff and parent helpers attend free?
Yes. Accompanying teachers, education support staff and supervising parent helpers attend both primary and secondary school education programs free of charge.
Please include all accompanying adults in your booking numbers.
Is there a minimum or maximum group size?
There is no minimum or maximum group size. Please contact our education team to discuss arrangements for your group so we can plan the visit appropriately.
How do I book a school excursion at Arthurs Seat Eagle?
Complete the school excursion enquiry form on this page with:
Your school name and contact details.
Your preferred program, date and time.
Students’ year levels.
Estimated student and accompanying adult numbers.
Any access or learning requirements.
For Ride and Chat, please also include your subject focus, relevant curriculum topics or learning objectives.
Our program coordinator will contact you to discuss availability and confirm arrangements. Submitting an enquiry does not confirm your booking.
How far in advance do we need to book?
School excursions must be booked and confirmed at least seven days before the excursion date.
We recommend enquiring earlier, particularly if you would like a Ride and Chat discussion tailored to a specific topic.
Which days and session times are available for school excursions?
School excursions are available on weekdays, subject to availability.
Please include your preferred arrival and departure times when enquiring so we can check whether the program fits your transport arrangements.
When do we need to confirm final student and adult numbers?
Please confirm your final student and accompanying adult numbers two days before your excursion.
Let us know about any subsequent changes as soon as possible. Where possible, schools will only be charged for the students who attend.
How does payment work, and can you invoice our school?
School excursion bookings are invoiced, with payment required within seven days of your visit.
Please provide your school’s billing details and any purchase order requirements when confirming your booking.
Can we change or cancel our booking?
Please contact our education team as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your excursion so we can discuss the arrangements with you.
Can schools book a gondola ride without an educational session?
Yes. Schools can book gondola travel without an educational session.
Please tell us your group size and planned itinerary so we can confirm the appropriate tickets, supervision arrangements and school rate.
For a secondary school visit that includes an educational discussion, choose Ride and Chat.
Where does our school excursion start and finish?
The standard primary school education excursion starts and finishes at the Summit Station, 795 Arthurs Seat Road, Arthurs Seat VIC 3936.
Ride and Chat groups can choose to start at either station:
Base Station: 1085 Arthurs Seat Road, Dromana VIC 3936.
Summit Station: 795 Arthurs Seat Road, Arthurs Seat VIC 3936.
Please agree on your starting station when booking and follow the arrival instructions in your confirmation.
Where should our bus drop off, collect students and park?
Bus access and parking are available at both stations. Your booking confirmation will specify which station your group should use.
The standard primary education program begins at the Summit Station. Ride and Chat groups should follow their confirmed arrival arrangements.
Parking is public, managed by Parks Victoria and cannot be reserved.
How early should our group arrive?
Please arrive 10 minutes before your confirmed start time to allow for unloading, toilet visits and organising students into groups.
If your bus is delayed, call (03) 5987 0600 so our team can discuss any necessary adjustments.
What should students and teachers bring?
Students should bring a water bottle, any required snacks or lunch, and clothing suitable for the weather, including comfortable enclosed shoes. Bring hats, sunscreen and warm or waterproof layers as appropriate.
Teachers should bring student group lists and any medication or support equipment required under the school’s procedures.
For Ride and Chat, students may also like to prepare questions and bring materials for taking notes.
Can students bring their own snacks and lunch, and where can they eat?
Yes. Students can bring their own snacks and lunch. The standard primary itinerary includes a snack break, and groups may choose to extend their visit with a picnic lunch at Seawinds Gardens.
If your Ride and Chat group needs a meal break, please allow time for this in your itinerary.
Catering can be arranged on request, and food and drinks are also available from the Eagle Cafe.
Are toilets available during the excursion?
Yes. Toilet facilities are available at the Eagle, and the standard primary itinerary includes toilet breaks.
Accessible toilets and changing facilities are also available, including a Changing Places facility at the Base Station. Please discuss any specific requirements with our team before your visit.
Can we combine the excursion with a visit to Seawinds Gardens or a bushwalk?
Yes. Your school can allow additional time for a self-guided visit to Seawinds Gardens or a nearby walk.
These activities are outside the scheduled education program. Teachers should assess the route, supervision and accessibility requirements as part of the school’s excursion planning.
What adult-to-student supervision ratio is required?
For primary school gondola travel, each group of up to seven students must be accompanied by one supervising adult.
If your school cannot meet this ratio, you must arrange alternative supervision with Eagle staff before arrival. Schools arriving without the required supervision or an agreed alternative arrangement may be unable to participate.
For secondary students in Years 7–12, the primary school gondola ratio does not apply. Students may ride without an adult in their gondola, at their teacher’s discretion.
Schools must meet their own supervision requirements and provide any additional support individual students need. Students remain the responsibility of supervising teachers and adults throughout the visit.
How many students and supervising adults travel in each gondola?
Each gondola accommodates up to eight people.
For primary school groups, the standard arrangement is seven students and one supervising adult.
Secondary students may travel without an adult in their gondola, at their teacher’s discretion, within the eight-person capacity.
Smaller groups may be needed to accommodate wheelchairs, equipment or individual support requirements. Please discuss these arrangements with our team before your visit.
Do school groups share gondolas with members of the public?
No. School gondolas are reserved exclusively for students and their accompanying adults.
Our team will explain boarding arrangements before your visit so teachers can organise their gondola groups.
Is a school excursion risk assessment available?
Yes. A school excursion risk assessment is available on request to support your planning.
Schools should also complete their own excursion approval and risk assessment processes, taking account of their students, supervision arrangements and any additional activities.
Can students who use wheelchairs or mobility aids participate in the whole excursion?
Arthurs Seat Eagle provides level gondola access for suitable wheelchairs and mobility aids.
Please discuss students’ access requirements before booking so we can review each part of the excursion, including gondola boarding, educational sessions, toilets and outdoor activities.
See our Accessibility page for further information.
What support is available for students with sensory needs, anxiety or a fear of heights?
Please tell our education team about students’ support needs before your visit so we can discuss suitable arrangements.
Arthurs Seat Eagle participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, and staff have completed Sunflower awareness training. Our team can discuss boarding support and ways to help students prepare for their visit.
Can teachers arrange a familiarisation visit before bringing their class?
Yes. Free teacher familiarisation visits are available on request.
Please contact our education team to arrange a visit, view the facilities and discuss your excursion before bringing your students.
Does the excursion go ahead in wet weather?
Yes. Primary school programs and Ride and Chat normally proceed in rain.
Students should bring suitable wet-weather clothing. Schools should also prepare a wet-weather alternative for any additional outdoor walks or picnic activities.
What happens if weather conditions cause the Eagle to close?
If an unscheduled operational closure affects your booking, we will contact your school as soon as possible to arrange an alternative date or offer a refund.
Please provide a contact number for the teacher coordinating the excursion so our team can reach you on the day.