Northern Territory

NT 2025

This year’s trip to the Northern Territory was an absolute cracker.  37 excited Year 10 students boarded a plane bound for Alice Springs. What followed was an amazing week long adventure through the heart of the Northern Territory.

On our first night we had a professional snake catcher, Rex, visit us and introduce us to some reptiles. Students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with lizards and a python. Rex told us what to do if we encounter a snake in the outback. The next day challenged us with a hike through the dramatic West MacDonnell Ranges. We clambered across rugged terrain and braved icy waterholes, discovering the wild beauty of Central Australia.

From there we travelled to Lilla, a small Aboriginal community and the highlight of the trip. Over two days we were warmly welcomed and immersed in local culture. Elders shared ancestral stories, led us to sacred sites, and showed how narratives are passed on through markings in dirt and rock.

We hiked across Kings Canyon, saw fossils from ancient oceans, tried Indigenous medicine for cuts and practiced mindfulness at water holes.

At Lilla, sleeping in swags under the outback sky was magical, especially with a guided talk on the constellations and galaxies twinkling above us.

This experience deepened our respect and understanding of Aboriginal history and traditions.

Leaving Lilla behind, we journeyed to Yulara, our base for exploring Uluru and Kata Tjuta. We hiked the Valley of the Winds through the domes of Kata Tjuta, then began the Uluru base walk, For our first evening at Uluru we watched a drone show depicting the Male people’s story of the ancient land.

Evenings around the campfire and sleeping beneath endless stars created moments of reflection and connection we’ll carry forever.

This trip wasn’t just about landscapes—it was about friendships, culture, and perspective. Sharing swags, long bus rides, and campfire stories brought us closer together as a year level. More importantly, it opened our eyes to the richness of Aboriginal culture and the beauty of Australia’s Red Centre.

“Visiting the Red Centre of the Northern Territory had always been on my bucket list. Standing before the vast desert landscapes, ancient rock formation, and endless skies, I felt a deep stillness that moved my soul. The power of Country, the colours shifting with the light, and the spiritual presence of the land left me humbled and forever changed. If you haven’t been, you must go’ -Rachael

We are incredibly grateful to Northcote for making this journey possible, and we recommend it to Year 10 students in the years to come.