SCHOOL GROUPS

Scenic World offers student groups a fun, educational introduction to the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains. Bookings for both guided and unguided school groups are essential – please contact our Experience Planners to discuss your requirements.

The Scenic Railway and Cableway provide educators with easy access to the natural environment of the Jamison Valley. The 2.4 kilometre Scenic Walkway is ideal for observing the temperate rainforest’s flora and fauna and discovering the site’s coal mining heritage. The Scenic Skyway glides between cliff tops, providing panoramic views of the valley, Katoomba Falls and the Three Sisters, in addition to viewing the rainforest canopy through the glass floor (please note the Skyway is an optional extra for education packages, incurring an additional charge).

Educators may lead their own student groups or be led by a trained Scenic World guide. The Rainforest Room located on the Scenic Walkway makes a great outdoor classroom.

Children from K to Y8 will maximise their experience with the ‘Rides & Guide’ option. Students descend into the Valley on the Scenic Railway – the world’s steepest passenger train. A Scenic World guide will then escort the group along the Walkway via the coal mining exhibits and through the rainforest.

The group will return to the top of the escarpment via the Cableway, with spectacular views of the Three Sisters, Orphan Rock and Katoomba Falls. Please note, during peak times the journey may be reversed – descending via the Cableway and returning via the Railway.

As a condition of booking, educators are required to read the following information and review the Risk Assessment.

1. PLANS FOR THE DAY

To meet safety requirements of students and Scenic World patrons, both guided and unguided tours must have a teacher to student ratio of 30:1, which is the recommended ratio for an outdoor learning experience. Scenic World guides do not lead student groups without a supervising teacher present.

Unguided groups must move through the Scenic Walkway in small groups – not as a single, large group – to enhance the experience and maintain quality and safety standards for students and Scenic World visitors. One teacher for every 12 students may participate for free, allowing support staff and parents to participate in the group.

We recommend schools limit groups to 120 students at any one time. If your group exceeds 120 students, we recommend staggering your visit across two arrival times.

Guided tours depart at scheduled session times. We recommend allocating two (2) hours for the optimum Scenic World experience.

Most school groups elect to take the Scenic Walkway through the Jamison Valley’s temperate rainforest, which is accessed either by Scenic Railway or Cableway. The Scenic Skyway is a separate ride; travelling between cliff tops, it does not provide access to the Walkway. Use of the Skyway incurs an additional cost. 

Educators in guided groups should be actively involved in the learning process at all times, working with Scenic World guides. Scenic World guides will outline safety and courtesy expectations of the group and it is expected that educators will enforce these with students. Discipline matters are the responsibility of teachers at all times and effective discipline results in a good learning experience for all students.

2. PREPARATION OF STUDENTS

Please discuss the following recommendations with students prior to the excursion day.Students must arrive dressed appropriately for an outdoor activity. Blue Mountains weather conditions can differ significantly from your local area and change dramatically within a day. We recommend:

• Closed comfortable walking shoes;
• Clothing for all seasons: rain gear (hooded coat is preferable over umbrellas), warm layered clothing, sunhat and sunscreen;
• A light backpack to carry belongings including clipboard, worksheets, pens and pencils; and
• A camera or smartphone (optional).

3. STUDENT ANXIETY

Some students may be anxious about riding on the Scenic Railway or Scenic Cableway. This should be discussed with students prior to arrival. Scenic World staff are unable to provide supervision for students who opt out of travel on the rides; adequate staffing arrangements must be in place to supervise all students. 

4. PREPARATION OF TEACHERS

We recommend supervising teachers carry a first aid kit, in the unlikely event of an accident whilst in the valley.

5. ARRIVAL AT SCENIC WORLD

If your group is delayed, please contact our Experience Planners on 02 4780 0250 so we can reschedule your session time where possible.

On arrival the supervising teacher or coach driver must present relevant paperwork at the Ticket Counter to Scenic World staff. Students and educators can assemble on the plaza at the main entry to Scenic World – public bathrooms are available in the nearby bus carpark. Please note there are no toilets in the valley. 

To minimise litter, students are discouraged from consuming food or drinks along the Scenic Walkway. The Rainforest Room is available by prior arrangement with Scenic World staff for a lunch venue. Please allocate additional time for this option.