Year 6 Camp – Canberra Tour 2026
The 2026 Year 6 Canberra tour, Monday 16 – Friday 20 November 2026: travel by coach, full itinerary including Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, Questacon and the AIS, cost and PACER rebate, payment dates and the information night.
The Canberra tour is the highlight of Year 6 at St Mary's – five days in the national capital exploring how Australia is governed, remembered and imagined, and the culmination of our Term 3 civics unit Australia as a Nation. The 2026 tour runs from Monday 16 November to Friday 20 November 2026. Unlike other Junior School camps, the Canberra tour is an optional tour and is not covered by the camp and excursion levy.
Key details
| Dates | Monday 16 – Friday 20 November 2026 (Term 4, Week 7) |
| Travel | Coach (see below). Depart Monday 7:00am from Chapel Road; return Friday approximately 6:30pm |
| Cost | $890 per student, less the PACER rebate of $45, so families pay $845 |
| Deposit | $150 non-refundable deposit due Friday 4 September 2026 via the Parent Portal |
| Balance | $695 due Friday 30 October 2026 (payment plans available through Mrs Annette Kowalski, Business Manager) |
| Information night | Wednesday 21 October 2026, 6:30pm – 7:30pm, Mary MacKillop Hall |
| Final briefing and bag check | Friday 13 November 2026 during class time; large bags may be dropped at the Hall from 3:00pm |
| Accommodation | Brindabella Lodge, Symonston – dormitory-style rooms of 4–6 with shared bathrooms, staff on each floor |
| Staff | Mrs Karen Fitzgerald, the three Year 6 teachers, Ms Priya Natarajan (Head of Junior School), Mr Chris Nguyen (Counsellor), one education support officer |
Flights or coach?
In Term 2 we surveyed Year 6 families on two options: flying to Canberra (about $1,180 per student) or travelling by coach ($890). Seventy-eight per cent preferred the coach, which also allows us to stop at the Dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai and keep luggage limits generous. The tour will therefore travel by two luxury coaches with seatbelts, toilet and USB charging, with a driver change at Albury. The trip takes about eight and a half hours each way with stops.
PACER rebate
The Australian Government's Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) provides $45 per student towards travel costs for schools visiting Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial and the Museum of Australian Democracy. The College claims this on your behalf and it has already been deducted from the amount you pay.
Itinerary
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 16 November | Depart 7:00am; morning tea at Euroa | Lunch and playground at Gundagai; arrive Canberra 4:00pm; check in | Dinner; Mount Ainslie lookout at dusk |
| Tuesday 17 November | Parliament House – guided tour, Senate or House of Representatives role-play, meet our local Federal Member if sitting | Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House | Dinner; Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Sportex and evening sports session |
| Wednesday 18 November | Australian War Memorial – guided tour and Discovery Zone; St Mary's students lay a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony (4:45pm) | National Museum of Australia | Dinner; Canberra tenpin bowling |
| Thursday 19 November | Questacon – National Science and Technology Centre | Royal Australian Mint; National Gallery of Australia (Sculpture Garden and highlights tour) | Dinner; Ten Pin trivia and talent night |
| Friday 20 November | Pack and check out; Australian Electoral Commission education session; National Capital Exhibition at Regatta Point | Depart 11:00am; lunch at Holbrook (HMAS Otway submarine) | Arrive Chapel Road approximately 6:30pm |
Times are approximate and the order of visits can change if venues alter bookings. Students receive a tour booklet with activities for each venue.
Payment schedule and support
| Item | Amount | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit (non-refundable) | $150 | Friday 4 September 2026 |
| Balance | $695 | Friday 30 October 2026 |
Pay via Parent Portal → Payments → Year 6 Canberra Tour 2026. Families with a Health Care Card may apply the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) allocation ($154) towards the tour; contact the office. Confidential hardship arrangements are available through Mrs Annette Kowalski, Business Manager, on (03) 9555 0100 – please do not let cost prevent your child from attending. See Fees and Payments.
What to pack
A full packing list will be issued at the information night on Wednesday 21 October and posted on the Portal. In brief: one suitcase under 20 kg, a day-pack, neat casual clothes for Parliament House and the War Memorial (no slogan t-shirts, ripped jeans or singlets), St Mary's Year 6 shirt for Tuesday, warm layers (Canberra evenings are cool even in November), hat, sunscreen, drink bottle, and spending money of no more than $50 in a named wallet for the Questacon and Mint shops. No phones, smart watches or gaming devices.
Medical forms and medication
The Consent, Dietary and Medical form opens on the Portal on Monday 12 October and closes Friday 6 November 2026. Medication is handed to Mrs Fitzgerald on departure morning with a Medication Authority form. See Medical Forms and Health.
Communication during the tour
Daily photos and a short update are posted on the Parent Portal each evening. Staff will phone families directly if a student is ill, injured or significantly distressed. In an emergency, phone the school mobile 0428 555 011, which is carried by Mrs Fitzgerald throughout the tour.
Students not attending
A supervised alternative program, including a civics excursion to the Victorian Parliament, runs at school for Year 6 students not travelling. Please email Mrs Fitzgerald by Friday 4 September if your child will not attend.
Related pages
- Excursions and Camps Policy
- Year 6 Graduation – Wednesday 9 December 2026
- Year 6 into 7 Transition Day – Thursday 15 October 2026