Introduce learners to the geography, wildlife, history, and culture of Australia with this flexible unit study. Designed for a range of ages and learning styles, it features budget-friendly activities, book suggestions, printable games, crafts, and recipe explorations (yes, Vegemite included!). With mix-and-match resources, this unit offers an approachable introduction to Australia, with plenty of space to follow your family’s interests further.

The unit is suitable for grades K–12, with flexibility to adapt based on your learners’ ages and abilities. Please preview links and activities to ensure they are appropriate for your family. New resources will be added as time allows.

Many of the links below lead to printable resources that can be added to a notebook or lapbook for this study.

Table of Contents show

Learning Objectives:

Many parents and teachers will need to create their own goals. You can compare the goals at these sites to create your own goals depending on how stringent your requirements need to be. All links have several suggested activities for different ages.

Suggested Curriculum Standards:

World Book Scope Basic Course structure https://www.worldbook.com/free-educational-resources#tcos
Michigan Department of Education https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/academic-standards
Maine as an example of state level requirements https://www.maine.gov/doe/ela/standards/index.html
California state level requirements https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/
McREL Compendium National Level https://www2.mcrel.org/compendium/
Ontario Canada K-8 Expectations https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/curriculum#elementary
Abeka Scope and Sequence https://www.abeka.com/HomeSchool/ScopeAndSequence.aspx
The series of books called “What your nth Grader needs to know” May also be helpful nth representing the grade your child is in. This series only Goes to grade 8

Timeline

Timeline of Australian history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Australian_history
Time Line Creator https://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/timeline
Timeline Creation tool starts at the year 1000 and goes to the current day http://www.ourtimelines.com/create_tl_2c.html

Vocabulary

Aborigines	dingo	kangaroo	pouch
bandicoot	echidna	koala	rain forest
boomerang	emu	Matilda	reef
bush	equator	monotreme	station
colony	eucalyptus	mountain	strait
continent	fauna	outback	Torres Strait Islanders
coral reef	flora	platypus	tribe
desert	island	plateau	wallaby
didgeridoo			wombat

WordWeb https://wordweb.info/free/ downloadable software to look up words.
Online Dictionary https://www.dictionary.com/

Book Resources

An Aboriginal Family by Rollo Browne

Australia by D. V. Georges

Australia by Mary Virginia Fox

The Australian Echidna by Eleanor Stodart

Baru Bay, Australia by Bob and Wendy Weir

Colors of Australia by Lynn Ainsworth Olawsky

Destination Australia by Jonathan Grupper

Dingoes at Dinnertime by Mary Pope Osborne

Down Under: Vanishing Cultures Series by Jan Reynolds

Dreamtime: Aboriginal Stories by Oodgeroo

The Flying Emu and Other Australian Stories by Sally Morgan

Joey: The Story of a Baby Kangaroo by Hope Ryden

Kangaroo by Caroline Arnold

My Farm by Alison Lester

One Less Fish by Kim Michelle Toft

A Picture Book of Australian Animals by Kellie Conforth

Possum Magic by Mem Fox

Punga: The Goddess of Ugly by Deborah Nourse Lattimore

Rainbow Bird: An Aboriginal Folktale From Northern Australia by Eric Maddern

Tasmania: A Wildlife Journey by Joyce Powzyk

Tasmanian Devil On Location by Kathy Darling

A Ticket to Australia by Sean McCollum

A Walk on the Great Barrier Reef by Caroline Arnold

Where the Forest Meets the Sea by Jeannie Baker

Wombat Goes Walkabout by Michael Morpurgo

Seven Little Australians by Ethel Sybil Turner, 1872-1958 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4731

Journals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Australia and Overland from Adelaide to King George’s Sound by Edward John Eyre
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5346

Australia Twice Traversed by Ernest Giles https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4974

The Art of Living in Australia by Philip E. Muskett https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4219

Expedition into Central Australia Sturt, Charles, 1795-1869
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4976

Poetry, Music & Audio Files

Use Words that Rhyme with Australia to create your own Limericks and Alliterations Poems

Video and Software Resources

Online interactive puzzle of Australia’s geography
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/puzzle_aus.htm

Finding Nemo – Animated film set in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Use it to introduce marine habitats and ocean conservation themes. Stream on Disney+

Kangaroo Jack – Live-action comedy featuring the Australian Outback. Use with older students as a cultural reference or to contrast real vs. fictional portrayals of Australia.
(no link needed; widely available via streaming/DVD) (<–find the link or do az aff)

Games

Use these ideas to turn key concepts from this unit into creative, engaging games your learners will love.

Game Board Blanks
Create your own themed games for this unit using printable templates and inspiration from the sites below:

Games . . . Tools for Learning by Mark and Janice Vreeland
Games for Learning ideas from Mary Peterson
Board Game Templates – Tim’s Printables – free blank game boards
JustFamilyFun – Board Game Paths
Educational Board Games – Cardboard Cognition – printable game boards and pieces

More Game Ideas

Make a Memory game from the plants and animals in the different Biomes in Australia.
Shape of the continent can be used to teach any skill in File Folder Games.
Momma Kangaroo to her Joey can be used for any skill as well in File Folder Games.

GeoSafari Cards

Using the GeoSafari Instruction Guide, you can create a wide variety of custom cards for this unit. GeoSafari is especially great for independent learning and long car trips!

Donna Young shows you how to make GeoSafari Cards

DIY Card Ideas

Timeline event ↔ date matching cards
True or false review questions
Vocabulary words ↔ real-life images
Chapter-based quizzes or review sets

More GeoSafari Card Ideas

Make a mini set of geography cards matching a name, geological object, or economical information to location.
Cloze cards about historic figures.
Matching cards about Flora and Fauna of Australia

Other Fun Games

Kangaroo Hopping Races
Crocodile Eats the Biggest Number Game – Originally shared by Dorinda, this activity uses a crocodile sock puppet and labeled popsicle sticks to compare numbers. Works well for early math, decimals, fractions, and pre-algebra.

Recipes

Anzac Biscuits (Australian Coconut-Oat Cookies)
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/9816/anzac-biscuits-australian-coconut-oat-cookies/
A traditional recipe featuring rolled oats, coconut, and golden syrup. These biscuits are a staple in Australian and New Zealand kitchens, especially around Anzac Day.

Macadamia Anzac Biscuits
https://www.australian-macadamias.org/recipe/macadamia-anzac-biscuits/
A delightful twist on the classic Anzac biscuit, incorporating crunchy macadamia nuts for added texture and flavor.

Easy Vegan Gluten Free ANZAC Biscuits
https://plantbasedfolk.com/anzac-biscuit-vegan-and-gluten-free/
A plant-based twist on a classic Aussie favorite! These vegan and gluten-free ANZAC biscuits keep the tradition alive—without the wheat or dairy.

Avocado Vegemite Toast – A Simple Aussie Snack

Jodi

A creamy, salty, and savory Australian classic—perfect for a quick breakfast or cultural food experience. Thinly spread Vegemite is the key!

Print Recipe Pin

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Total Time 7

Australian

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

2 slices bread (sourdough or whole grain recommended)
Vegemite (just a small amount)
1 avocado (ripe)
salt & pepper (to taste)

Optional

butter
lemon juice
crumbled feta
chili flakes

Instructions

Toast bread until golden brown.
Spread a thin layer of butter while the toast is still warm. (Optional)
Spread a very thin layer of Vegemite on each slice.
Top with sliced or mashed avocado.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add optional toppings if desired.
Serve immediately.

Notes

Vegemite has a strong flavor—less is more! This is a fun way to introduce kids to a unique Australian taste without overwhelming their palate.

Find Vegemite on Amazon

Field Trips

Outback Steakhouse
An Australian-themed restaurant. Discuss the décor, menu items, and connections to Australian culture. Some locations offer tours for school and homeschool groups. Be sure to check their website for nutritional information as they show what gluten-friendly offerings they have.

Local Zoo
Check if your local zoo features Australian animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, emus, or koalas.

Harbor Visit
If you live near a coast, visit a harbor. Compare it to Sydney Harbour and explore maritime life or ship traffic.

Opera House or Theater
Visit a nearby opera house or performance center. Learn how the experience compares to Sydney Opera House and its role in Australian arts.

Natural History Museum
Look for exhibits on marsupials, the Great Barrier Reef, or indigenous cultures of Australia.

Science Center
Explore displays related to time zones, Southern Hemisphere geography, or animal adaptations specific to Australia.

Art and Craft Ideas

Peter Jarver Landscape Photographer
https://www.peterjarver.com/

Coloring Pages

Coloring.ws – Australia Coloring Pages
https://www.coloring.ws/australia.htm

Coloring.ws – Australian Outback Coloring Pages
https://www.coloring.ws/habitat/australian-outback/

DLTK – Australia Tracer Pages
https://www.dltk-kids.com/world/australia/mtracers.htm

Worksheets and Activities

Make your own worksheets with these worksheet creation tools:

SchoolHouseTech https://www.schoolhousetech.com/ This company gives away two free software worksheet factories one for Basic math and one for wordsearch utility that will make wonderful complements to this unit when you include the clipart listed in the clipart section.
Start Write – This program makes nice reports and handwriting worksheets for the unit. https://www.startwrite.com/
TeachNology has several online worksheet makers and a ton of Rubric makers. Rubrics work great with Homeschool Tracker because they give you total points and you count up exactly how many points your child gets. https://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/
Online Crossword Puzzle Maker to use with your vocabulary words or locations or even dates from the timeline. https://www.happychild.org.uk/wks/english/ssm/crosswords01.htm

Worksheets, maps, printables, and crafts about Australia for early learners
https://www.enchantedlearning.com/school/Australia/

Themed worksheets and activities covering Australian geography, animals, and culture
https://www.abcteach.com/resource/australia-day-elem-comprehension/

Crafts, coloring pages, and worksheets related to Australia Day
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/australia-day

Create Venn diagrams comparing marsupials, monotremes, and placental mammals

Information and General Resources

Australian Museum – Mammals
https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/

The Kangaroo Sanctuary
https://kangaroosanctuary.com/

Theodora – Australia Flag
https://www.theodora.com/flags/australia_flag.html

Tourism Western Australia
https://www.westernaustralia.com/us/home

The Anzac Legend
https://www.dva.gov.au/media/media-backgrounders/anzac-legend

Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park
https://kangarooislandwildlifepark.com/

Creationist: Life, Hope & Truth – Duck-Billed Platypus
https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/is-there-a-god/proof-of-god/duck-billed-platypus/

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park – Photography
https://uluru.gov.au/things-do/activities/photography/

Ginini Flats Wetland Complex
https://www.act.gov.au/environment/animals-and-plants/act-threatened-species/high-country-bogs-and-associated-fens/ginini-flats-wetland-complex

Australia.com – Official Tourism Site
https://www.australia.com/en

Lighthouses of Australia
https://lighthouses.org.au/

Australian Government – National Symbols https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols

Shoalhaven Regional Gallery – History
https://www.shoalhavenregionalgallery.com.au/Home

National Museum of Australia – History
https://www.nma.gov.au/

Wikipedia Australia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia

Evaluation Ideas:

Assemble a three ring binder and please include:

A copy of this unit
Course Description (Highschool Students)
Write a summary about books read for the unit
Write an essay on the various topics discussed
Your Lapbook created for the unit (K-8 Students)
Any worksheets or activity books created with SchoolhouseTech Software https://www.schoolhousetech.com/
Your journal and its contents
Your Log of activities from Homeschool Tracker https://www.homeschooltracker.com/free-homeschool-tracker-basic-edition Its Free!
Your Timeline

This updated Australia Unit Study was originally compiled on June 12, 2000, revisited on February 24, 2002 (as part of a combined Oceanic Countries unit), and again on October 30, 2011. It has since been fully reworked with updated resources, new vocabulary, fresh activities, a featured Vegemite toast recipe, and expanded content for 2025.

2 Comments

Kandas

April 17, 2025 at 17:44 Reply

I wish vegemite was easier to find in the US. Your guides are always so very comprehensive.
Lily Leung

April 17, 2025 at 16:08 Reply

So much content here, Jodi. Good resource for anyone doing home schooling. Love your avocado vegetmite toast recipe.