Education at Gulf Station

Gulf Station provides engaging learning programs for teachers and students to explore and appreciate daily life in regional Victoria in the 19th Century.

Built in the 1850s, and farmed as a pastoral property for almost 100 years by the enterprising Bell family, the farm buildings and surrounds retain a large number of fascinating original farm implements and household effects. Primary and secondary students learn about the Bell family and the experience of a self-sufficient farming family in the 1800s, and make comparisons with modern lifestyles and methods of production.

Gulf Station is also ideal for alternative tours for students of architecture, art, photography, land management and tourism.

Please note that Gulf Station is undergoing refurbishment and that the farm animals have been temporarily relocated. The farm complex is still open to education groups and the education program has been modified.

Primary programs at Gulf Station

Gulf Station offers a day program for students lead by experienced guides exploring the farm complex including school house, butcher’s shop, slaughterhouse, milking sheds, shearing shed, kitchen, dairy and laundry buildings.

Students learn about:

• the Bell family who emigrated from Scotland and set up Gulf Station in the 1850s,
• the differences between Now and Then and the hardships of living on the land,
• farm processes and food production
• hands-on farming activities including flour grinding and apple coring

Alternative Tours - Primary, Secondary and Tertiary

Students studying specialised subjects such as architecture, art, photography, land management or tourism can also have a tour designed to their specific needs.

Booking your Visit

Contact Martin.Green, National Trust Education Manager, for program details & to make a booking. Please ensure you book 4 weeks prior to your tour date.

Martin.Green@nattrust.com.au phone: 9656 9822.

Groups / Cost

Maximum group size is 75.

Groups should be split into smaller groups of 15 prior to arrival with at least one teacher or carer assigned to each group. Teachers are responsible for the discipline of their groups whilst onsite.

Cost is $7.50 per student. (Carers and Teachers are free entry.) We prefer payments to be made by cheque or electronic transfer and can arrange to invoice your group after your visit.

How to get to Gulf Station

Gulf Station is an hour’s drive from Melbourne 1 kilometre out of Yarra Glen on the Melba Highway: MelWays Reference: Map 267 C11

Parking

Parking is available for coaches & cars in the lower car park.

Bags / Lunches

We recommend students bring their own lunch and drinks to have in the grounds. We do not have secure lockers for valuables. Rubbish will need to be taken away with you.

Cancellation Policy

Please advise us three days prior to tour date to avoid a cancellation fee.