Central Australia Tour 2024

On Monday 5 August, a group of 39 senior school students embarked on an unforgettable seven-day, six-night adventure to Central Australia—a journey that promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The trip was filled with remarkable sights, cultural immersion, and breathtaking landscapes, making it an extraordinary adventure for everyone involved.

The adventure kicked off with Jackson, our Tour Guide, leading us on some of the most challenging and rewarding hikes Central Australia has to offer. Students conquered the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, Ormiston Gorge, and the Kata Tjuta Valley of the Winds, where rock scrambles and steep climbs led to breathtaking views. The Uluru base walk offered a unique perspective on one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, allowing students to appreciate its immense cultural and spiritual significance.

One of the most enlightening parts of the trip was learning about traditional bush medicine, providing a deep connection to the land and its indigenous heritage. Alongside this, mindfulness meditation sessions allowed students to fully absorb the serene landscapes, creating moments of reflection away from the distractions of mobile phones and the fast-paced digital world.

Evenings were spent under the stars, with students sleeping in swags, marvelling at the Milky Way in a clear night sky—an experience made even more magical by campfire stories, marshmallows, guitar playing, and group sing-alongs. A highlight was listening to Rael, our knowledgeable tour guide, who captivated everyone with his digeridoo playing, adding a unique and authentic soundscape to our nights around the fire.

The trip was not just about exploration but also education and cultural immersion. Rex's Reptile Show provided an engaging learning experience about local wildlife, while a refreshing swim at Glen Helen Gorge was a welcome reprieve from the desert heat.

A special part of our journey was our stay at the Lilla community, where students participated in a range of cultural activities. The Welcome to Country ceremony, visits to sacred sites, and the preparation and enjoyment of kangaroo tail brought us closer to understanding the deep cultural ties and traditions of the indigenous people. Students tried their hands at dot painting, spear throwing, and sand art while learning about the rich tapestry of Tjukurpa (Dreamtime stories).

Adding a meaningful layer to our adventure, over the course of the week, students raised $866.50 for the Watarrka Foundation, supporting local indigenous communities. This fundraising effort underscored the importance of giving back and was a proud moment for everyone on the trip.

Our Central Australia tour was more than just a school trip—it was an all-round immersive experience that combined fun with friends, cultural education, and personal growth. It was a journey that left everyone with unforgettable memories, a deeper appreciation for Australia's cultural heritage, and a stronger bond with their peers. Truly, it was a trip of a lifetime that will be cherished for years to come.

Lastly, a special thank you to Tourism NT. We appreciate your support in making this happen.

Ms Lydia Tomic (Tour Leader)

Peter Spiridis and Sam Morris (Student Leaders)

After an early wake up we were en route to the city of Alice Springs, we visited the Alice Springs Desert Park and witnessed an incredible bird show. We hiked through the Western MacDonnell Ranges and the Ormiston Gorge and on our last night in Alice Springs had the opportunity to hold and touch live snakes and reptiles. 

My personal highlight of the trip was our time spent in the remote community of Lilla, we were welcomed by the residents with a traditional smoking ceremony and cultural walk learning about their long-lasting Indigenous Culture. A 4-hour hike through the Kings Canyon definitely pushed all our limits but the view from up top was 100% worth it. Sleeping under the stars was an incredible experience, and we will all forever be grateful to the community at Lilla for welcoming us, teaching us about their culture and providing us with such an eye-opening adventure. 

The final stop of our journey was at the iconic landmark of Uluru. One of my favourite parts was the base walk we all went on, not only were we able to be up close to such a significant geographic figure but living present in the moment without our phones really signified how special it was to be there. 

I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to come on this camp, and I can’t wait to hopefully return to Central Australia again sometime in the future. 

Lucas Sencek 11G

7 days of jam-packed fun. Lots of early morning starts, lot of flies and lots of walking!! 90,837 steps or 57.3 kilometres to be exact. Naps in the bus on the way back to camp each day helped to recharge my batteries.

Hiked around the Western MacDonnell Ranges, Ormiston Gorge, King Canyon, Uluru and Valley of the Winds. Saw birds of prey, fed the emus, explored reptiles up close – and yes, I had a snake on my neck and kissed a blue tongue lizard. Learnt about Indigenous culture: played a didgeridoo, spear throwing, sand painting, dot painting, and ate kangaroo tail. Seeing Uluru at sunset and sunrise was amazing. Night time campfires and toasting marshmallows was fun, before heading off to bed in our swags under the stars.

Thank you to Jackson for driving the bus, and Rael for cooking our meals. And a BIG THANK YOU to Koonung staff: Ms Tomic, Ms Lewis, Mr Sheehan, Mr Tuffnell, and Karen for keeping us safe, and encouraging us, along the way. 

It was a cool experience, and I’m very proud that we all encouraged each other.

Harry Sencek 12F