Illawarra Environmental Education Centre

Telephone02 4237 6100

EmailIllawarra-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Yr 12 Rural and Urban Places

Rural and Urban Places 

Yr 12 Geography

Investigation of a rural place - Berry NSW

During this excursion, students will use various geography fieldwork tools to assess the impacts of population growth and tourism on Berry’s social, economic, and environmental character. They will look for signs of Berry’s identity, including how it caters to tourists, how its heritage is preserved, and how residential expansion is balanced with rural life. 

Fieldwork activities include:

  • Streetscape analysis: drawing and annotating a streetscape to understand Berry's visual character and layout

  • Shop transect: recording shop types to analyse the shift from agricultural to tourism-oriented businesses

  • Visitor interviews or observations: gathering insights into why people visit Berry

  • Environmental quality survey: evaluating Berry’s environmental standards, including maintenance and green spaces

  • Traffic survey: counting vehicles (cars, motorbikes, small trucks, semi-trailers) and noting the average number before the bypass

  • Character assessment: using senses to document Berry’s atmosphere and appeal

  • Heritage building use assessment: recording how historical buildings have been repurposed over time

This data will inform students' assessment task (research report and strategic plan), allowing them to critically evaluate Berry’s transformation and propose sustainable strategies to maintain its unique identity amidst growing tourism and residential developments.

Supporting Resources 

Unit of work Google Site (pre-learning, with sample assessment task)

- Fieldwork flyer 

- Student fieldwork booklet 

Location: Berry township, NSW

Cost: FOC 

Drop off and pick up locations

- South Coast Line - Berry train station

Notes

This is a self guided excursion for classroom teachers to host.

Syllabus outcomes 

Geography Yr 12 - Rural and Urban Places 

Outcomes identified

Syllabus content - Investigation of a rural and urban place

During an excursion to the rural town of Berry, NSW, students investigate:

  • The location and character of the place

  • Geographical processes, both physical and human, that have shaped the identity of the place

  • Links to other places

  • The nature of changes affecting the place, including social, economic and environmental

Responses and strategies, including for sustainability