Welcome School Groups
Your Discovery Adventure Starts Here
Welcome to Boneo Discovery Park – Where Learning Comes Alive!
Welcome, teachers and students! You’ve arrived at one of the Mornington Peninsula’s most unique outdoor learning environments. Spread across 27 acres of untamed wetlands, native gardens, and adventure zones, Boneo Discovery Park is the perfect place for hands-on exploration, teamwork, and unforgettable discoveries.
Here, learning happens naturally. Students can explore indigenous flora and fauna, engage with our interactive experiences, and connect with nature in ways that simply aren’t possible in the classroom.
From sand sculpting workshops to wetland wildlife spotting, from challenging mini golf courses to adventurous maze exploration, every corner of our park offers opportunities for curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.
How to plan your day of discovery
How to Explore the Park: The Three Discovery Zones
To help your group make the most of your visit, we’ve divided Boneo Discovery Park into three main discovery zones. We recommend dividing your students into three groups, with each group starting at a different zone. This rotation system ensures everyone experiences all areas while avoiding congestion and maximising hands-on learning time.
Starting Point: Lakeside Café & Deck Area
All groups will begin at our Lakeside Café deck, your central meeting point for the day. Here you’ll:
• Gather together as a whole group
• Learn about toilet locations and park facilities
• Receive a welcome orientation about the day’s activities
• Divide into your three rotation groups
• Set off to your first discovery zone!
Mini Golf
📍 Location: From the Lakeside Café, walk out the left hand door and follow the short path through the jasmine to the professionally designed mini golf course entrance.
Wetlands & Gardens
📍 Location: From the Lakeside Café, head straight down the pathway toward the boardwalk entrance that leads into our wetlands ecosystem. The nature trail loops through diverse habitats. You will also pass our large hedge maze.
Dino In Sand
📍 Location: From the Lakeside Café, follow the main path to your right toward the exhibition area. The Sand Sculpting zone is located near the water’s edge past the pontoon.
Mini Golf
Activities in This Zone:
• 18-Hole Mini Golf Challenge – Students play through our professionally designed course featuring natural landscaping and creative obstacles
• Team Competition – Groups can compete in pairs or small teams, fostering collaboration and friendly competition
• Scorekeeping Practice – Great opportunity for math skills and record-keeping
• Strategy & Problem-Solving – Each hole requires thinking ahead and adjusting techniques
Course Navigation:
The course is clearly marked with hole numbers and follows a sequential path. Teachers and supervisors can easily observe all students from multiple vantage points. The course typically takes 45 minutes to complete at a comfortable pace.
Learning Outcomes: Hand-eye coordination, strategic thinking, mathematics (scoring/addition), patience, sportsmanship, spatial awareness
What to Know: Putters and balls provided. The course is suitable for all skill levels. Some holes are more challenging than others, encourage students to support each other!
Wetlands & Gardens
What You’ll Experience:
This is where Boneo Discovery Park truly comes alive! Our 27 acres of natural wetlands are home to indigenous flora and fauna including frogs, reptiles, water birds, and countless insects. It’s a living classroom waiting to be discovered.
Activities in This Zone:
• Wetlands Boardwalk Exploration – Walk through reed beds and open water areas on safe boardwalks while observing aquatic ecosystems
• Wildlife Spotting – Look for water birds, frogs, turtles, and other wetland creatures. Moving quietly increases your chances of sightings!
• Hedge Maze Adventure – Navigate our large hedge maze and reach the tower for spectacular park views
• Games Garden – Explore the wooden maze and try our giant games including mega chess, checkers, connect four, and more
• Nature Discovery Activities – Scavenger hunts, nature bingo, texture hunts, and observation exercises
• Nature Play Zone – Free exploration area where students can build, create, and imagine using natural materials including water pump and balance beams.
Wildlife Spotting Tips:
Move quietly and observe patiently, wildlife is more active when groups are calm and respectful. Early in your rotation offers the best wildlife viewing as animals haven’t been disturbed yet.
Learning Outcomes: Environmental science, ecology, biodiversity, indigenous flora/fauna identification, observation skills, habitat understanding, ecosystem relationships
What to Know: Boardwalks are safe and accessible. Binoculars are helpful if your school has them. Remind students to respect wildlife and stay on designated paths. Sun hats and water bottles essential.
Dino In Sand
What You’ll Experience:
Our Dino In Sand exhibition features incredible sand sculptures created by world-class professional artists. Get ready to be blown away by massive, intricate dinosaur sculptures and other incredible creations emerging from the sand!
Activities in This Zone:
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Sand Sculpting Workshop (subject to booking) – Time to get creative! Students will dive into hands-on fun, learning professional sand sculpting techniques and creating their own awesome masterpieces. Our expert instructors will guide your group through the exciting fundamentals of sand art, from building solid structures to adding cool intricate details.
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Observation & Discussion – Become art detectives! Study the mind-blowing professional sculptures and explore artistic techniques, natural forms, and prehistoric life
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Prehistoric life – Learn all about the different dinosaurs, how they lived and what they ate.
Learning Outcomes:
Observation of professional artistic techniques and sculptural methods, an understanding how raw materials can be transformed into complex three-dimensional art. Appreciation for scale, proportion, and detail in sculpture work. How texture and form create realistic representations. Understanding of dinosaur anatomy, prehistoric life, and natural history
What to Know:
This area has limited shade so hates are important in this area, as the sculptures are set along the waters edge make sure kids stay away from the edge. If you are doing the sand sculpting workshop it is a hands-on activity where students will get sandy (and love it)! The workshop space provides all tools and materials. Create your own Dino Discovery challenge, see what dinosaurs students can name without looking!
Your Suggested Day Schedule
Here's our recommended timeline to help you make the most of your visit
10:00 AM – Arrival & Orientation (15 minutes)
Location: Lakeside Café Deck
• Whole group gathers at the café deck area
• Welcome and introduction to Boneo Discovery Park
• Important information: toilet locations, emergency procedures, and park boundaries
• Divide students into three rotation groups (we suggest letting the children name their group creatively: Wetland Explorers, Adventure Architects, bug Hunters)
• Assign each group their starting zone
Groups depart to their first discovery zone at 10:15 AM
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM – First Rotation (45 minutes)
Group 1: Sand Sculpting Area
Group 2: Mini Golf Course
Group 3: Wetlands & Gardens
Each group spends 45 minutes fully engaged in their zone’s activities with supervising teachers/chaperones.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Second Rotation (45 minutes)
Groups rotate clockwise:
Group 1: Mini Golf Course (from Sand Sculpting)
Group 2: Wetlands & Gardens (from Mini Golf)
Group 3: Sand Sculpting Area (from Wetlands)
Continue with 45 minutes of focused activity time in the new zone
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Lunch Break & Free Play (45 minutes)
Location: Shaded picnic areas throughout the park or lakeside cafe deck
This is the perfect time for students to relax, refuel, and enjoy unstructured play!
During Lunch & Free Play Students Can:
• Eat their packed lunches in our shaded picnic areas
• Explore the jumping castle (when operating)
• Colouring in craft space
• Take some quiet time to relax
• Revisit favourite giant games
• Free exploration of nature play areas
• Simply run, play, and be kids!
Supervision Note: Teachers should maintain supervision ratios during free play. Students should stay within designated park boundaries.
12:30 PM – 1:15 PM – Third Rotation (45 minutes)
Final rotation:
Group 1: Wetlands & Gardens (from Mini Golf)
Group 2: Sand Sculpting Area (from Wetlands)
Group 3: Mini Golf Course (from Sand Sculpting)
Each group completes their final discovery zone, ensuring everyone has experienced all three areas!
1:15 PM – 1:30 PM – Closing Gathering & Departure
Location: Return to Lakeside Café Deck
• All groups reconvene at the café deck
• Final toilet break before departure
• Quick reflection: What was your favorite discovery today?
• Head count and bus boarding preparation
• Thank you and safe travels!
Practical Information For Teachers
What to Bring?
Essential Items:
• Packed morning snack and lunch in labeled bags
• Water bottles (refill stations available at café)
• Sunscreen and hats (outdoor activities all day)
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Closed-toe comfortable walking shoes
• Small backpack (students are responsible for their belongings)
Optional Items:
• Binoculars for wildlife spotting
• Notebooks for nature journaling
• Cameras for documentation
• Raincoats if weather uncertain
What We Provide?
• Sand sculpting tools and materials
• Mini golf equipment (putters and balls)
• Nature discovery activity materials
• Access to all mazes, games, and play equipment
• Shaded picnic areas
• Toilet facilities
• Water refill stations at café
Supervision Requirements
Teachers and chaperones must maintain appropriate supervision ratios throughout the visit. At least one adult should accompany each rotation group. During free play, maintain visual supervision of all students.
Safety & Wellbeing
• First aid facilities available, please notify staff immediately if assistance needed
• Emergency contact: Park staff can be found at the Lakeside Café or entrance
• Students with medical needs: please ensure supervising adults are aware
• Allergies/dietary requirements: please plan accordingly for BYO lunches
• Lost students: report immediately to Lakeside Café staff
Weather Considerations
Boneo Discovery Park is primarily an outdoor venue. We operate in most weather conditions:
• Sunny Days: Sunhats, sunscreen, and water essential
• Light Rain: Activities continue but bring raincoats and umbrellas if desired.
• Extreme Weather: In rare cases of extreme conditions, we’ll work with your school to reschedule
Park Boundaries
Please ensure students understand to stay within designated park areas and follow all directional signage. Staff members are available throughout the day if you need assistance.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Before Your Visit:
• Review this guide with your students so they know what to expect
• Discuss appropriate outdoor behavior and respect for nature
• Assign students to rotation groups in advance
• Share the day’s schedule so students understand the flow.
During Your Visit:
• Allow time for unstructured observation and discovery. Some of the best learning happens when students explore independently
• Encourage questions and curiosity
• Take photos to use back in the classroom
• Let students take leadership roles in their small groups
After Your Visit:
• Continue learning with classroom activities inspired by your park discoveries. We are happy to provide some take home activities for classroom work.
• Have students share their favourite moments
• Create art projects based on sand sculptures or nature observations
• Research wildlife species observed during wetlands exploration
Curriculum Connections
Your visit to Boneo Discovery Park supports learning across multiple curriculum areas:
• Science: Ecosystems, biodiversity, habitats, life cycles, environmental science
• Arts: Sculpture, nature art, creative expression, design
• Mathematics: Measurement, spatial awareness, scoring/addition, problem-solving
• Physical Education: Gross motor skills, coordination, navigation, teamwork
• Geography: Natural environments, landforms, sustainability
• Social & Emotional Learning: Collaboration, communication, resilience, respect for nature
Connection & Discovery Await!
The best discoveries happen when you slow down, look closely, and let nature surprise you. Every group’s experience will be unique embrace the unexpected moments and the joy of outdoor learning.
We can’t wait to welcome your school group to Boneo Discovery Park. Whether your students are marvelling at sand sculptures, spotting frogs in the wetlands, or perfecting their mini golf swing, they’ll leave with muddy shoes, big smiles, and memories that last far beyond the school year.
Questions before or feedback after your visit?
Contact us at: info@boneodiscoverypark.com.au
or call +61 3 5988 6385