
Past in the Present – Sydney Harbour Time Travel Experience
History
Syllabus Outcomes HT1-1 | HT1-2 | HT1-3 | HT1-4
$25.40
1x Teacher free per x10 students
+GST. As this program is an educational service, all GST charged can be reimbursed in its entirety by the Government. This price excludes transport. (Minimum charge of x30 students).
The greater the number of students you bring, the lower the cost per person!
The pricing framework for our Captain Cook Cruise programs is contingent upon the number of primary school students attending the excursion.
About
On this awe-inspiring, scenic harbour-side adventure, students will follow in the footsteps and sea journeys of the past as they take a deep dive into the historical sites and stories of The Rocks.
Students will have the opportunity to see historical buildings and compare the ways in which modern technologies have changed and impacted the everyday lives of the people living here.
Read More
Starting with a sea journey across the Sydney Bay to see early colonial buildings on Cockatoo Island, students will identify the important roles these played in our history. Following this water adventure, students will then explore secret laneways and observe colonial architecture on foot, reliving the lives of people in the early colonies, students will experience the past in the present.
Students will have the ultimate experience exploring the area both on foot and by sea, while in costume actively participating in this unforgettable interactive learning experience. As they view a variety of buildings and figures from Australia’s history, they’ll learn to communicate an understanding of change and continuity in family life using appropriate historical terms.
This fun day enables them to explore the ways in which technology has changed over time and the effect this has had on people’s lives. This truly interactive and amazing excursion will allow students to observe the characteristics of the past and present, understand the different approaches to studying historical artefacts and recounting history and examine the effect of changing technology on our everyday lives.
Syllabus Outcomes Addressed
HT1-1 communicates an understanding of change and continuity in family life using appropriate historical terms
HT1-2 identifies and describes significant people, events, places and sites in the local community over time
HT1-3 describes the effects of changing technology on people’s lives over time
HT1-4 demonstrates skills of historical inquiry and communication

Arrive/Depart
Full Day Excursion (4 Hours) 10am – 2pm
Time allocation for excursions can be tailored and adjusted to suit your individual school timetable and scheduling.
Transport
Would you like our help with transport? We can suggest a range of transport providers to help source and book a transport quote for you! We would highly recommend that you book directly through the transport providers.
Please be aware that we provide transport quotes as a service to help make your booking process easier for you. Transport companies are in no way affiliated with Ranger Jamie Tours.
What's Included
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Syllabus Content Focus
Key inquiry questions answered
- How has family life changed or remained the same over time?
- How can we show that the present is different from or similar to the past?
- How do we describe the sequence of time?
- What aspects of the past can you see today & what do they tell us?
- What remains of the past are important to the local community? Why?
- How have changes in technology shaped our daily life?
- What are the differences in family structures and roles today, and how these have changed or remained the same over time(ACHHK028)
- What are the differences and similarities between students’ daily lives and life during their parents’ and grandparents’ childhoods, including family traditions, leisure time and communications(ACHHK030)
- How are the present, past and future signified by terms indicating time such as ‘a long time ago’, ‘then and now’, ‘now and then’, ‘old and new’, ‘tomorrow’, as well as by dates and changes that may have personal significance, such as birthdays, celebrations and seasons(ACHHK029)
- What is the impact of changing technology on people’s lives(ACHHK046)
Day Outline
10.00am – 10.20am |
Students arrive at Garrison Church. Students and Rangers walk down to Circular Quay altogether. Morning Tea / Toilet Break. |
10.20am – 10.45am Introductory Presentation |
The day kicks off with a meet and greet with our enthusiastic Rangers followed by an interactive and engaging presentation. |
Students will be split into groups, approx. 30-35 each. | |
10.45am – 11:15am |
Group 1 will board at Circular Quay by Captain Cook Cruises at 10.45am. They will look at old convict/ colonial buildings and around Cockatoo Island then back to Circular Quay to swap groups. Group 2 will participate in a guided walk through the historic rocks area before returning to Circular Quay to swap groups. |
11.20am – 12.00pm |
Group 2 will board at Circular Quay by Captain Cook Cruises at 10.45am. They will look at old convict/ colonial buildings and around Cockatoo Island then back to Circular Quay to swap groups. Group 1 will participate in a guided walk through the historic rocks area before returning to Circular Quay to swap groups. |
12.00pm – 1.15pm | Both groups will then board back onto the cruise for a final sea adventure, exploring historical sites around Sydney Cove. This is accompanied by one of our enthusiastic rangers, over the ship’s speakers. |
1.15pm | Students will be dropped off at Man O’War steps wharf next to the Opera House. |
1.15pm – 2:00pm | Wrap Up / Conclusion / Toilet Break / Walk back up to Garrison Church |
Activities
Introduction:
The day kicks off with a meet and greet with our enthusiastic Rangers followed by an interactive and engaging presentation focusing on the changes to technology and lifestyle over time, and the words and terms we can use to describe things that occurred in the past, present and future.
Activity 1: Ranger Jamie Harbour Adventure
Students will have the ultimate time travelling experience, sailing on the seas as those in the past would have done. Students will begin their journeys at Circular Quay before charting off to Cockatoo Island to see the historical Guardhouse and Solitary Confinement Cells among many more. Students will discuss the importance of these buildings but also how new technologies have changed and affected the lives of the people who would have lived here.
Activity 2: Guided Tour of The Rocks
Complementing the ocean travel, students will also explore and traverse the historical rocks on foot, reliving the stories of the people wholes there. Students will engage in discussions about how their days and activities have changed throughout the decades and what of their lives still remain today.
Activity 4: Scenic Sydney Harbour Tour
Finishing the day with a final ocean adventure, all students will have the opportunity to have lunch with a picturesque view of Sydney Harbour. Rangers will re-iterate what the students have seen and discussed throughout the day, with a fun interactive wrap-up.
Location:
Sydney Harbour
$25.40
1x Teacher free per x10 students
+GST. As this program is an educational service, all GST charged can be reimbursed in its entirety by the Government. This price excludes transport. (Minimum charge of x30 students).
The greater the number of students you bring, the lower the cost per person!
The pricing framework for our Captain Cook Cruise programs is contingent upon the number of primary school students attending the excursion.

Choose Your Date
Step 1 of 3
Please note this is a tentative booking. After your booking request is submitted, we will be in touch via email to confirm the requested date and arrange the final details for the booking.