FAR NORTH QLD TRIP 2026

Students of Wyndham College embraced the opportunity to connect with the wider community of North Queensland. The recent expedition allowed HSC students of Visual Arts/Photography/Design and Social Sciences to document their investigation of community and culture. Their experiences connected all students with cross curriculum priorities of sustainability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture as well as individual growth in intercultural understanding and personal and social capability.

Day 1 - Saw forty one excited Wyndham students gather at Sydney Airport for their afternoon flight to Cairns. Touchdown in Cairns welcomed us with humidity, a welcome BBQ and a quick orientation before settling into four star accommodation with many students taking a dip in the tropical pools.

Day 2 - It was an early start for all adventurers. The first stop was Paronella Park. Students were immersed in an angelic rainforest-like estate. The property included upwards of 7000 tropical plants that included beautiful bamboo. Post park, we headed to Mena Creek Hotel for an outback lunch experience. Once recharged, we were off to the Cairns aquarium. There we saw our first sighting of a Maori Wrasse…a precursor to what was to come on the reef. Students immersed themselves in the ecosystems of Tropical North Queensland from the Wet Tropics Rainforest to the Great Barrier Reef. 

Day 3 - With perfect weather conditions sunny and zero wind we chartered out to the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. Snorkelling here was unlike no other, many species of marine life were seen reef sharks and stingrays and turtles including the very anticipated Maori Wrasse - Wally. Students spent the day on the Reef Magic pontoon scuba diving with our dedicated marine biologists from GBR, who provided students with educational experiences surrounding reef sustainability, pollution, invasive species, conservation and the future of our oceans.

Day 4 - A day jam packed with trains, buses, skyrail cable cars and an amphibious truck. Students began the morning travelling on the Kurranda Scenic Tour travelling 300m above sea level to the local town to find local artefacts, handmade art, jewellery and quirky lunch snacks. Loaded with camera equipment, students were hands-on with over 3000 butterflies at Kurranda’s butterfly sanctuary and dropped in at Rainforest Station’s to participate in the indigenous ceremonies which included boomerang throwing, spear demonstrations, dreamtime gatherings and a musical performance followed by the famous Army Duck adventure ride. An amphibious truck which powered through the local rainforest and waterways on a mission to find the Cairns most endangered plant species including the ‘Gympie Gympie’ plant.

Day 5 - Turtles, beach, snorkelling? That is a perfect day on Green Island. Students had the day to explore and experience island-like living. Many chose to snorkel, where they saw beautiful, big sea turtles. Others chose to walk around the island, they found seashells, rare corals, coconuts and treasure that had been washed up by the ocean. The whole group met up with many crocodiles in Marineland Melanesia with a private tour and croc launching demonstration and reconnected with the famous ‘Cassius’ the largest croc ever kept in captivity whilst exploring the world's largest collection of polynesian artefacts. To end the day, teachers treated the adventurers to a much needed pizza night, students earned a night to relax and enjoy their last evening in Cairns. 

Day 6 - Big crocs, small crocs and all crocs in between! Our first stop was Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, students were first in for a crocodile feeding show. We saw many sunbaking, some swimming and others keen for chicken on a stick. Our last adventure, but definitely not least, was Mossman Gorge. We saw picturesque scenes of the Daintree rainforest home to the Yallanji mob of North Queensland. Students photographed rocky freshwater river systems and hiked through their last tropical rainforest for the day  Finally, we made our way back to Sydney; tired, happy and full of knowledge and learning experiences. 

Student Feedback:

“Visiting the seventh wonder of the natural world is something I’ll never forget. Having the experience to snorkel with marine life on the reef is completely different to viewing something online, experience is everything” Charlotte Purwa

“Once in a lifetime experience.  I formed a deeper connection with my HSC work. I learnt extraordinary things about the environment in tropical regions and learnt more about myself travel into deep expiditions.” Libby Keith

“The week is literally back to back with adventure. It’s non-stop, keeping you on your toes for the entire week. Something I’ll never forget” Maddie Skinner

“It felt really nice to be part of a group with shared experiences, forming new friendships and learning about one another while we travel” Gabriel Hilal

“I feel like after this trip, I can now travel anywhere in the world” Keira Stork

The hotel is amazing! Private lagoon pools with amazing views from the balconies!

Loads of space for you and your mates” Brooke Mackrae