NT Tour 2024

The 2024 Northern Territory Tour was an amazing experience for our Year 11 students and staff. This year, we took 99 students and 10 staff members and it was a cohesive experience. This was my sixth time attending a Northern Territory tour, and one that I will never forget.

Our tour began very early, in the freezing cold of Sunday 23 June, with parents and students excitedly arriving, collecting their NT Tour uniform, and waiting for buses to depart for Melbourne Airport before taking off for an unforgettable journey through Central Australia. 

Boarding and checking in ran incredibly smoothly and allowed some time for us to enjoy a coffee and breakfast. Flights departed on time and an early highlight was seeing Uluru through the windows of our plane. We landed to a warm 18 degrees with a view of the majestic aura that Uluru radiates.

Within the first hour of landing, camp was underway! We set up camp for the first time and ate our first meal together. Wantirna shined in their first camp set up, everyone helped one another before grabbing their bags and sleeping mats to settle in for the night.

From Uluru, we continued our journey through to Kings Canyon, where we hiked along the rim of the canyon, taking in some breathtaking views of the rugged landscape. Another highlight was when we had a moment of reflection in the Garden of Eden in which the students were encouraged to think about the rest of their high school journey and beyond. 

Upon departure of Kings Canyon, we engaged in a the Karkke Cultural Experience where we were exposed to the bush medicines and bush tucker used by the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Aranda) people, a once in a lifetime experience. It was at this this time, back at camp, that the students begun writing in their NES books, an idea that was introduced by me and Ms Mingos - influenced by what we once did, when we were in High School. This book allowed students to record a fond memory, or write something they valued about each student and teacher on the tour.

Alice Springs was next on the itinerary and included a visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, where, through the magic of the swear jar, students and staff raised over $1,000 which was donated to the School of the Air (which reminded us of remote learning) as well as taking some breathtaking photos in Simpsons Gap. The students were able to get some free time at the Alice Springs shopping mall and stock up on some sugary sweets. Alice Springs also provided students with an opportunity to meet Rex, who owns the Alice Springs Reptile Centre and had some special surprises for us. For many students it was their first time holding these assorted reptiles and snakes.  

A nine-hour drive to Daly Waters was next on the agenda and was the halfway point of our tour. Spirits were high as the weather started to warm up. We were fortunate to sleep under the stars at Daly Waters, an unforgettable experience for all.

We then headed into the second week of the tour, which involved plenty of swimming opportunities, Mataranka Hot Springs was our first stop.  Renowned for its sandy bottom thermal pool, it offered us a well-deserved, relaxing swim. Next up was Katherine, where we stayed at Country singer Tom Curtain’s private campground and were offered a private show displaying the in which dogs and horses can be trained to herd cattle and stock. The facilities here were top notch and is one the best camping sites of the entire tour.

We headed to Kakadu National Park next, with its wetlands, rock art and wildlife such as the famous crocodile. Our students embraced the opportunity to connect with nature in its simplest form. Litchfield National Park greeted us with cascading waterfalls and springs, another chance for a relaxing swim in some majestic places. We also had a quick stop at the termite mounds, which reminded us how diverse Australia’s landscape really is.  

Darwin was the final part of our trip and as we received texts and phone calls about the cold weather back in Melbourne, we walked around in 32 degree heat. We set up camp for the last time, which by now we had the hang of! 

Our final two days were enormous, beginning with a Jumping Croc Cruise, followed by a visit to the Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery. We were rewarded with some free time in Darwin as well a swim in Berry Springs. We were fortunate enough to fit in one final swim at the Waterpark, where we ended our trip hanging out by the pool. Our final night concluded on the beach of Darwin watching the sunset before heading to the Mindil Markets to enjoy some of the many cuisines on offer, a truly memorable way to conclude such a fantastic journey. As we were departing for the buses to return home via plane, teachers found these wonderful students dancing in the public to the music of a local busker that they generously donated funds to.

As the Tour leader, it was incredibly rewarding to witness the personal growth and transformation of our students during this experience. Nothing I ever asked was a hassle, nor was a chore. Collectively, the body of students conducted themselves with grace and maturity and should be proud of the way that they held themselves; they have done their school very proud. They not only learned about the natural and cultural wonders of the Northern Territory, they truly displayed a collective buy-in to the camp experience and there really was a family feel to this large group of both students and teachers. I truly am privileged to be apart of this experience (one that I shall never forget) and I am confident that the memories and lessons learned on this tour will continue to shape the lives of our students for years to come.  

Looking onwards to 2025!

Luke Mason

Northern Territory Tour Coordinator 

Editors note: Videos of the NT Tour can be found on the Wantirna College FB page.