Please find below student reflections on the Central Australia Trip which departed on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April and returned on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 April.

Kate Jobson

Head of Years 11 & 12

The Central Australia camp was filled with many new experiences and to say it's been a highlight from my whole High School experience would be correct. I loved the views and walks which we did at the Olgas and at Kings Canyon. Both places had amazing views which you could look at for hours and still notice new things and was definitely a highlight and a memory for a lifetime.

Another highlight was the bush camp which we did for a day as at night you could see so many stars and sleeping under them outside is a memorable experience which I don't think I would've experienced if not for this camp. In this camp I gained strengthened friendships where I also became more appreciative of them, and I had also gained experiences which I might not ever experience again.

Overall, I enjoyed this camp a lot and it's a happy memory which I won't forget, even long after High School. I'd like to thank all teachers who attended this camp for making it even more enjoyable and showing us who they are outside of teaching as well as the school for the opportunity, and I'd like to especially thank Ms Jobson for planning the whole experience and making it the best possible experience for all the students.

Isaac Albanis, Year 11

Camping is not my thing so when I asked my parents to go on the Central trip, they were beyond surprised. Before the trip I was very scared and hesitant to go, at times I thought I had made the wrong decision and I had so many second thoughts about going I almost pulled out. However, I took the leap of faith and went very far out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful that I did because I had so many once in a lifetime experience and made memories that I will cherish for years to come.

I thought the days driving would be boring, but they turned out to be some of my favourites, everyone was laughing, playing card games, and singing along to songs. The whole camp, even at 5.30am in the morning everyone was happy, and the mood was very uplifting. Although it was a rollercoaster of emotions at times due to many people missing their family and friends back home, everyone was very supportive, and it was easy to be cheered up.

The days we weren’t driving were some of the best. I really enjoyed going out to Lilla, a remote community in the NT. Seeing some of the cave paintings and watching my pupils try witchetty grubs were definitely a few of the highlights from that day. The hike at Kings Canyon was however by far my favourite. The walk itself was really easy and didn’t feel far and the scenery was the best I’ve seen in my entire life. I also really enjoyed exploring Alice Springs (and getting McDonald’s) as well as sleeping under the stars.

Overall, my Central experience was fantastic, and all of the teachers were great at keeping us entertained throughout the entirety of the camp.

Lucinda Brunt, Year 11

The central Australia trip has by far been my favourite camp that I've had at McKinnon. On Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 April a total of 180 kids and teachers, spread across two trips, set on the journey to Renmark, beginning our Central Australia trip!

The first few days of our 10-day journey involved plenty of driving which allowed everyone to observe the shift from the city to the outback and enjoy the beautiful open spaces and nature. With no phones but many, many card games like uno, our trip helped us connect with each other even more and allowed us to take in the wonderful sites Australia has to offer.

As a group we participated in many hikes: an unexpected 24km around Wilpena Pound, 7km through Kings Canyon, 4km around Uluru and 3km through Kata Tjuta. Despite the blisters and sunburn, all of us were left with cherished memories of the spectacular views, moments we created and laughs we shared with each other along the way.

While watching the sunset and rise over Uluru and Kata Tjuta was one of my favourite sites, a shared highlight for the group was sleeping under the stars at the bush camp. With no air pollution or lights in sight, all that you and your friends could see when you looked up was sky full of bright stars and constellations. We were also introduced to many indigenous cultures and creation stories along the way, allowing us to learn the history behind sacred sites which we are all so thankful for. We are grateful to everyone involved in organising and running this camp. It was such an amazing experience, and one that we will never forget.

Jessica Fellini, Year 11

Central Australia truly was a camp I could have never predicted, not one single place we visited was anything short of breathtaking and utterly unbelievable. There are no words to describe the feeling of being in the heart of such a rich and beautiful culture, surrounded by sites that you must see in order to truly grasp their wonder. For me, Kata Tjuṯa put this into perspective. From the second we set foot into the site, it seemed as though everyone was quiet for the first time in nine days, unable to comprehend the sheer wonder of the surrounding rock faces and the prominent cultural connection that accompanied the area.

This camp is one I know I'll never forget and of all the memories I've made, some I know I will carry for the rest of my life. From stars you'll never see anywhere else in the world, natural wonders so astounding they appear otherworldly and a culture so rich, deep and beautiful, Central Australia is no doubt one of the most special places anyone will ever visit.

Amelie Hicks, Year 11

One of my highlights, on central, was the 25km hike which was supposed to be 14km.

Despite the heat, complaining and not knowing how far was left it was one of my favourite activities we did and gave some incredible views. My favourite site we went to was Kata Tjuta, the incredible height and rock formation we saw was spectacular, rivalling even Uluru at sunset. Some of my best memories were actually on the bus talking with friends and teachers alike, sharing snacks and having fun. I'd like to thank all the teachers on camp, specifically Jobbo, as well as the bus driver Josh and cook Marney.

Jake Lasnitzki, Year 11

The Central Australia trip opened my eyes to new opportunities and experiences, that will stay with me forever. We spent 10 days exploring the Centre of Australia, from the Flinders Ranges in South Australia to the famous red rock of Uluṟu in the Northern Territory where we immersed ourselves in bush life away from city life. We smashed out a 21+km hike on our third day which left many of us with blisters however the sleeping under the stars and watching unforgettable sunsets and sunrises from Uluru, made it all worth it, as well as all the 5:30am wake ups.

We also spent time visiting the indigenous community Lilla where we learnt about the local culture and traditions, it was so special to be able to really appreciate how special our country is. This trip allowed me to experience so many beautiful views at places such as Simpsons Gap and Kings Canyon, however above all that it was the long-lasting friendships and memories that made this trip so special. Thank you to all the teachers for making all this possible and making our time on the trip that much more enjoyable.

Isabelle Longman, Year 11

Central was quite an experience. To be honest, the bus rides were the heavy part of camp, but that ultimately made them the most memorable. I mean yes, we were on there for over 30 hours. Yes, people slept a lot of the ride. But you meet so many new people and gain so many close/closer friendships that you wouldn't trade for the world afterwards. You also get close to the teachers and student teachers that are there, personally. I can't wait to see Ms Owens and Bianca again. Being able to gossip dump on them made the camp so much more fun.

Over the time on the bus, I learnt a lot of patience, it's hard being on the same bus with the same people for ten days straight, but we made it work and I'm so glad we did. Thank you to everyone on camp B that made it worthwhile, I'm eternally grateful for you all. From friendships to personality qualities, I gained so much from this camp, I adored it and I know future years will too :)

Katelyn Nguyen, Year 11

Early morning wake ups aren't for everyone, but the mammoth amount of expectation that came with this once in a lifetime experience was apparently impossible to surpass and now we knew why.

The Central Australia Camp easily blew beyond expectations. It wasn't like any regular school camp, but a once in a lifetime experience that we will all be forever grateful for. Throughout the journey (of up to travelling 12 hours in the bus on some days), what felt like should have been a tiresome few days became some of the best memories singing karaoke with new friends, watching movies, listening to the bus drivers' unbeatable commentary, and stopping in fairytale-like towns where you would hardly believe existed.

All the while the teachers became like friends, with the one goal of giving us all the best experience possible - and they certainly did that. From TikTok trends that took us under a picture-perfect starry night, from Simpsons Gap in the Alice Springs desert to Uluru at sunset, along with Mr McCooke's birthday cream-pie in the face to go with it, we all cherished every second of the past nine days that we would remember for the rest of our lives.

We are all extremely privileged to be able to go to such a jaw-dropping place that is the heart of Australia, and we have both McKinnon and our parents to thank for giving us phenomenal memories that will be shared all throughout our lifetimes. The Central Australia Camp is an opportunity that cannot be missed, and I hope everyone has the chance to experience what a wonderful nine days we did.

Alexander Rowe Hansen, Year 11

If I was to recommend any school camp I have been on and there has been plenty central would be at the top of that list. Every day was full of something new and exciting from an amazing with a beautiful view to learning about the Indigenous culture first hand and the loud and sweaty rave on the last night. Not only was I able to learn about Australia’s indigenous history and our beautiful country I was able to learn about my amazing peers. This camp was a wonderful opportunity to connect with my year level and form deeper connections and friendships. This was especially easy thanks to the long bus rides full of karaoke and hot seat.

A definite highlight for everyone would be sleeping under the stars at our bush camp! The view of the milky way was a once in a lifetime opportunity that from that night on we all slept near our tents to relive that night. Central was full of delicious food and amazing memories that I will forever cherish and rave about. Not only will I have the memories but an amazing shirt to remind me of all the fun I had. But it would never if happened without the help and organisation of our amazing parents and teachers who put in hours of hard work to make this happen. And we are all beyond grateful for all love and hard work put into making this camp so memorable. So, thank you for making this camp the best!

Aleise Sak, Year 11

DATES TO REMEMBER

APRIL

MAY