First Nations Geography of Australia | Desert Country Survival Map | HASS

First Nations Geography of Australia | Desert Country Survival Map | HASS

Explore Australia’s desert landscapes, Traditional Owner knowledge, and connections to Country with this ready-to-use Geography lesson for Grades 6–8.
Students investigate Australian desert regions as diverse, resource-rich landscapes rather than simply “empty” places. Through research, they examine desert landforms, food and water resources, shelter, seasonal patterns, and publicly shared examples of the detailed environmental knowledge developed by Aboriginal peoples through sustained observation and relationship with Country.

The lesson culminates in a collaborative Desert Country Survival Map, where students connect geography with Traditional Owner knowledge while practicing research, evidence selection, source evaluation, and respectful use of publicly shared cultural information.

What’s Included
- Teacher Directions for 1–2 class periods
- Student-friendly overview + mini research questions
- Desert Country Survival Map group activity
- Curated authoritative research resources
- 3 research, analysis & planning pages
- Color + black-and-white student pages

Students Will
- Explore the diversity of Australian desert landscapes
- Investigate sand dunes, rocky ranges, salt lakes, water sources, and other desert landforms
- Research publicly shared examples of Traditional Owner environmental knowledge
- Examine connections between food, water, shelter, landscape, and Country
- Investigate how seasonal changes affect the availability of resources
- Analyze how careful observation and experience contribute to knowledge of Country
- Connect specific knowledge to specific places and environments
- Use evidence to challenge assumptions that deserts are simply empty, unlivable, or unimportant
- Recognize the sophistication of long-developed environmental knowledge
- Distinguish between publicly shared and restricted cultural knowledge
- Use authoritative sources respectfully and accurately

Desert Country Survival Map
- Choose a focus on desert landforms, food and water knowledge, seasonal patterns, or a balanced approach
- Identify a desert region and relevant Traditional Owners
- Research specific landforms and environmental features
- Investigate publicly shared examples of food, water, shelter, and seasonal knowledge
- Connect resources to particular landscapes and environmental conditions
- Select strong evidence from authoritative sources
- Explain how Traditional Owner knowledge reflects sustained observation and environmental understanding
- Challenge the assumption that Australian deserts are “empty” landscapes
- Create and present a Desert Country Survival Map that synthesizes the research

Perfect For
- Grades 6–8
- Australian Geography
- HASS
- First Nations Geography
- Landscapes & Landforms
- Desert Environments
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures
- Country & Place
- Environmental Geography
- Geography inquiry
- Research & source-analysis skills

Australian Curriculum / ACARA Disclaimer
This is an independently created educational resource designed to support classroom instruction and has been developed with reference to relevant Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) / Geography content and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority.
This resource is not affiliated with, endorsed by, approved by, or officially connected to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), the Australian Curriculum, AIATSIS, the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, the National Museum of Australia, or any state or territory education authority. References to curriculum terminology, organizations, frameworks, or content are provided for educational, research, and alignment purposes only.