NT Tour 2026

The 2026 Northern Territory Tour was another unforgettable adventure for our Year 11 students and staff. 

This year, we travelled with a staggering 115 students and 13 dedicated staff members which is one of the largest number of students that Wantirna College has taken on this tour and shows how much support and excitement there is for our program. 

This meant we were divided across three buses which proved to have its challenges, however, our 115 students represented the College and themselves incredibly well and we were able to foster a community feel throughout the trip.

In the past, Wantirna College has typically assembled in the theatre at 5am in the morning to head off directly for Alice Springs. This year we tried something a little different; we did the our tour in the opposite direction. For the first time, Wantirna College flew directly to Darwin and drove all the way down to Uluru, flying home from Yulara airport. 

Therefore, on Sunday 21st of June, we gathered in the school theatre at a reasonable 9:00 AM, buzzing with excitement, ready to begin a journey through the heart of Australia.

After boarding the buses and heading to Melbourne Airport, check-in and boarding went off without a hitch, leaving time for a coffee, cheeky McDonalds run, and lunch, before our flight. 

We safely arrived in Darwin into a whomping 31 degrees heat. But we were straight into action, greeting our bus drives, loading the buses, and jumping onboard to head straight for the Mindil beach and markets and watch sunset. 

A highlight of the first night was witnessing a large portion of our students (highly visible in their beautiful blue uniforms) dancing to an entertaining sax and voice performer at the markets.  

We learnt that the performer was from the Middle East (an area of the world going through many hardships), and after some students joined him on stage to sing the chorus, he spoke about how this moment demonstrated that people can come together in a peaceful and harmonious way. A very touching story and an incredible way to have this amazing group of Year 11s to bond and connect.

The NES books made their return—an initiative introduced by Ms Mingos and myself, based on a tradition from our own high school days. Each student and staff member had a chance to write something positive about everyone on the tour. These heartfelt notes formed a treasured keepsake of connection and appreciation. We handed these out in the Yulara airport, thank you to the students for taking this on and making it their own, something that was truly special to be able to read and share.

Our first three days at the top of end Australia included a Jumping Croc Cruise, a visit to the NT Museum and Art Gallery, and swimming at Berry Springs and the local waterpark. 

Our exploration of the Top End continued through Kakadu National Park, with its striking rock art, wetlands, and wildlife (including a few crocodiles!). Students really embraced the slower pace of nature and the opportunity to disconnect from everyday life. 

Litchfield National Park provided another highlight, with stunning waterfalls and swimming holes, followed by a quick visit to the famous termite mounds—a reminder of Australia’s incredible biodiversity.  Students could not have been more excited to see the termite mounds as we drove along the Stuart Highway.

And that concluded our first week with a bit of relaxation and adventure in equal measure. 

We then moved on to Katherine, where we camped at country singer Tom Curtain’s private property. His live show—featuring dog and horse training demonstrations—was a hit, and the facilities were easily some of the best on tour. 

A dip in the Mataranka Hot Springs gave us a moment to unwind in the crystal-clear thermal waters. Our stay at Daly Waters then marked the halfway point of our trip. The famous Daly Waters pub does not have the greatest of facilities for camping, however for some students this was a highlight of the trip as we slept looking at the stars outside of our tents. An interesting and memorable location.

Up early at 3:30am in the morning, sorry kids, we were off again, heading further south. After 9 hours of driving, with a few stops for breakfast and lunch, oh, and seeing the devils marbles, we arrived in Alice springs. 

We visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service and, thanks to a cleverly enforced "swear jar" challenge, we raised over $1100 to support their life-saving work. This is, to my knowledge one of the highest donations Wantirna College has made, at least in my time attending this tour. Thank you for the donations students, this generosity reflected the spirit of our group and their willingness to support important causes along the way. 

At the School of the Air, students gained perspective on the unique world of remote education. We also explored Standley Chasm before returning back to camp via the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, where many students held snakes and lizards for the first time—both thrilling and terrifying!

Our journey continued from Uluru to Kings Canyon, where we took on the iconic rim walk. The views were jaw-dropping, and a special moment of reflection in the Garden of Eden gave students the chance to pause and consider their personal life journey.

We immersed ourselves in the Karrke Cultural Experience, learning firsthand about bush tucker, medicine, and Indigenous knowledge from the Luritja and Pertame (Southern Arrernte) people—truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Finally, after an incredible 13 days, our tour end on Friday 3rd of July, with a cold Melbourne morning that made us all miss the NT warmth instantly—but our hearts were full. 

As tour leader, I was beyond proud of the way our students represented themselves and our school. They showed resilience, maturity, kindness, and a genuine sense of community.

To the 2026 NT Tour group—thank you. The memories we made together won’t just fade with time; they’ll become part of the story you carry forward. 

I hope this journey stays with you, reminding you of the strength, kindness, and spirit you each brought along the way.

Looking onwards to 2027,

Luke Mason

Northern Territory Tour Coordinator