YEAR 10 

CENTRAL AUSTRALIA CAMP

Monday 21 - Friday 25 October

During the 5 Day tour of Central Australia, 69 Year 10 students and 8 staff had an AMAZING time visiting Alice Springs, Simpsons Gap, Watarrka National Park, Kings Canyon, Lilla Aboriginal Community, Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park and Kantju Gorge.  

A very BIG THANK YOU to Michael Bourne (Head of Year 10 and Middle School) and the Middle School Coordinators for their organisation of the camp.

Thank you also to the wonderful staff who attended the camp; Catherine Edwards, Janine Sayers, Brendon Huby, Brad Keats, Sharon Smith, Tammy Kift, Tamara Pierce and Emma Connelly.  

Their dedication and enthusiasm during the camp not only created lasting memories for the students but also inspired the Year 10s to explore new interests and build friendships that will last beyond the duration of the camp!

5 DAY - ITINERARY

DAY 1: Monday 22 October | Fly to Alice Springs

After arriving at Alice Springs to enjoy lunch, the tour headed into the breathtaking Western MacDonnell Ranges, with a scenic drive past John Flynn’s Grave, before arriving into Simpsons Gap.

The stunning gorge is carved out of the West MacDonnell Ranges by Roe Creek, where water flows through a small gap in the range.

The evening was spent at the Discovery Park Alice Springs for overnight accommodation and dinner.

DAY 2: Tuesday 22 October | Alice Springs to Watarrka

Staff and students were up early, stopping at Erldunda for breakfast, then onto Watarrka National Park, home to the Northern Territory’s most spectacular gorge.

After lunch, students and staff enjoyed a 4-hour Cultural Experience at the Lilla Aboriginal Community to learn and experience the local culture and history.

DAY 3: Wednesday 23 October | Watarrka to Ulura

Students and staff were up early to enjoy one of the best walks in Central Australia - a climb to the top of the canyon rim to see spectacular views, as the red sandstone walls plunge into natural rock pools and lush vegetation. No walk is complete without a visit to the beautiful “Garden of Eden” and the domes of the “Lost City.”

After lunch, it was back to the Lasseter Highway, via Mt Conner Lookout before arriving at Uluru to set up for a two-night camp at Ayers Rock Campground.

DAY 4: Thursday 24 October | Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park

After breakfast, the tour headed out to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, operated by the Anangu people, the traditional owners of Uluru, to learn about the culture and Tjukurpa (Aboriginal Law) and a walk around the base.

From Kuniya Piti, they followed the winding paths at the base of the rock where the ancestral being Kuniya travelled to the Mutitjulu waterhole and then headed along the Mala Walk to Kantju Gorge.

It was then time for tour of the caves where the Mala people camped when they arrived at Uluru and to see the kitchen cave where they cooked their meals. They were able to see the rock art along the way before reaching Kantju Gorge, a peaceful spot surrounded by steep walls.

After lunch, they had lots of FUN on a short camel ride at Uluru Camels.

DAY 5: Friday 25 October | Uluru/Fly to Melbourne Airport/School

After enjoying breakfast it was time to pack up camp.  Half of the group enjoyed a short camel ride at Uluru Camels before heading to the airport to meet the other group to fly home to Melbourne.

Middle School Coordinators