Please note: Dawn’s Surprise is currently offered as a full-day program at Calthorpes House only.
Due to conservation works at Mugga Mugga, the previous double-venue option combining Dawn’s Surprise and At the Garden Gate is not available at this time.

We are pleased to offer an enriched, extended version of Dawn’s Surprise from 10am–2pm at Calthorpes' House, providing a deeper and more immersive experience for students.

 

What was life like for children growing up in Canberra in the 1930s?

How does that compare with childhood today?

In this immersive, hands-on program, students step into the world of seven-year-old Dawn Calthorpe. Through questioning, discussion and active exploration, they evaluate childhood experiences of the 1930s and compare them with their own lives.

 

Program highlights

Students will:

• Tour Calthorpes’ House and discover how families lived in the 1930s
• Explore the garden through embodied, inquiry-based learning
• Play lawn and courtyard games from the era
• Experience household chores typical of children at the time
• Reflect on sustainable living practices and connections to the natural world — past, present and future

 

This extended format allows students more time for active participation, deeper thinking and meaningful comparison between historical and contemporary childhood.

Storybook

Terms and Conditions (updated for 2026)

Safety Information (Risk Management Plan)

Public Liability Certificate of Currency

🚌 Calthorpes House is situated on the crest of a hill on Mugga Way. To avoid an accident risk, buses should not drop students off on the hillcrest. Buses should drop students further down the street, at a point where the bus is clearly visible to other traffic. The bus will not be able to park on Mugga Way. Parking is available on Torres, Wickham or Vancouver Streets. There is limited parking for cars on site at Calthorpes House, just follow the circular driveway around to the parking area.