The idea, step by step
Read one row at a time
An itinerary is an ordered plan for a visit or journey. Each row tells you what happens and when it starts and finishes. Read the headings before using the numbers: an arrival time is not a departure time.
Use the gallery itinerary below. The gallery visit starts as the first bus finishes. The walk starts when the gallery visit ends. These matching times make the order easy to follow.
| Activity | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to gallery | 09:10 | 09:35 |
| Gallery visit | 09:35 | 10:20 |
| Walk to park | 10:20 | 10:35 |
| Park visit | 10:35 | 11:15 |
| Return bus | 11:15 | 11:50 |
Make a usable plan
Write activities in time order. Include travel, visits and any waiting time, not just the main event. Use one clear time system throughout the table. Here, 09:10 means 9:10 in the morning.
Check each boundary between rows. If a visit finishes at 10:20, the next activity cannot start at 10:15 unless it is intended to overlap. A useful itinerary also states where the journey starts and ends.
A common trap
Reading 09:10 as the gallery arrival because it is the first time in the bus row.
Instead: Check both headings. The bus departs at 09:10 and reaches the gallery at 09:35.
See the thinking
Read an arrival
At what time does the group reach the gallery?
| Activity | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Bus to gallery | 09:10 | 09:35 |
| Gallery visit | 09:35 | 10:20 |
| Walk to park | 10:20 | 10:35 |
| Park visit | 10:35 | 11:15 |
| Return bus | 11:15 | 11:50 |
- Find the row for the bus to the gallery.
- Arrival is the finish of that bus journey, so use the Finish column.
Add a missing finish
A workshop starts at 13:20 and lasts 35 minutes. The walk back takes 15 minutes. Complete the two finish times.
- From 13:20, add 35 minutes: the workshop finishes at 13:55.
- Start the walk at 13:55. Add 5 minutes to 14:00, then 10 more minutes.
Check your understanding
A row says Library visit, Start 11:10, Finish 11:45. When does the visit finish?
Show answer
11:45
Use the Finish column for that activity.
Your turn
6 questions · 9 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Use the itinerary. At what time does the gallery visit start?1 mark
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 - Use the itinerary. How long is the gallery visit?2 marks
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 - Use the itinerary. Which activity starts at 10:20?1 mark
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 - A bus arrives at 12:05. A picnic starts as soon as it arrives and lasts 30 minutes. Write the picnic start and finish.2 marks
- Use the itinerary. When does the group return to its starting place?1 mark
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 - In the itinerary, extend the gallery visit by 10 minutes. Move every remaining activity 10 minutes later and keep its length unchanged. What is the new return time?2 marks
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Use the itinerary. At what time does the gallery visit start?1 mark
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 Read the Gallery visit row and its Start column.
09:35 - Use the itinerary. How long is the gallery visit?2 marks
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 09:35 to 10:00 is 25 minutes.
10:00 to 10:20 is 20 minutes.
25 + 20 = 45 minutes.
45 minutes - Use the itinerary. Which activity starts at 10:20?1 mark
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 Match 10:20 in the Start column to its activity.
The walk to the park. - A bus arrives at 12:05. A picnic starts as soon as it arrives and lasts 30 minutes. Write the picnic start and finish.2 marks
The picnic starts at the arrival time, 12:05.
Add 30 minutes to find 12:35.
12:05 to 12:35 - Use the itinerary. When does the group return to its starting place?1 mark
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 The Return bus is the last activity.
Its finish is 11:50.
11:50 - In the itinerary, extend the gallery visit by 10 minutes. Move every remaining activity 10 minutes later and keep its length unchanged. What is the new return time?2 marks
Practice excursion itinerary Activity Start Finish Bus to gallery 09:10 09:35 Gallery visit 09:35 10:20 Walk to park 10:20 10:35 Park visit 10:35 11:15 Return bus 11:15 11:50 The original final arrival is 11:50.
All later activities move 10 minutes later.
11:50 + 10 minutes = 12:00.
12:00
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 6: itineraries, elapsed time and feasible journey planning, including connections and 24-hour time.
Official curriculum source ↗