Central Australia Tour

Aysha McCOY

Classroom Teacher

Little to no signal, scant moments of air conditioning, packing up camp before first light. Following a line up North armed with an unassuming thread box, red sand settling into our clothes and bones. Our 11-day journey from Uluru up to Darwin was, in every sense of the word, transformative.

Highlights:

In the first few days, the King’s Canyon Rim Hike was a major personal highlight. Though the initial 500 step ascent (nicknamed “Heartbreak Hill”) was a quad workout and a half, the views at the 2-hour mark were absolutely breathtaking- looking over the eroded maze of rock from a rather precarious plateau. “The Garden of Eden” as it was nicknamed was a pleasant checkpoint midway through the walk. The serene waterhole nestled between towering sandstone walls invited a moment of peace to simply absorb the views and enjoy snacks.

Mid-way through our trip at Angkerle Atwatye (Standley Chasm), our local guide belonging to the Western Arrernte people expressed a central tenet to a relationship with the land- that “Country really [was] listening and [would] protect you while you [were] there.” Those simple yet incredibly profound words proved veritable for the remainder of our travels, serving not merely as an expectation of how one ought to feel but instead took form in the quiet and contemplative moments of each day. Perhaps I felt it most acutely sleeping beneath the stars- a blanket broader, yet gentler, than the expanse I had grown acquainted with back home. In those brief, drifting moments of waking during the night, I was quietly lulled back to sleep by their presence. 

Our evening spent at the Mindil (meaning “shoulder of an ancestor”) Beach Markets was quite enjoyable as well. Stalls selling everything from taxidermy cane toads to customised rice necklaces boasted a variety of weird and wonderful products. The food options too, were diverse- with crocodile jerky and exotic ice-creams galore! A blazing sunset was welcome company as we enjoyed our dinners sitting by the beach. 

Central Day 9 stuck out as a particularly memorable day. After a morning well spent at the Darwin AquaPark, we arrived at what was practically the tip of Australia- Nadab Lookout on Ubirr Rock to enjoy another sunset at the opposite end of the continent. Rolling green plains gave way to an unobstructed horizon that in turn, allowed dusk to settle. There was no definitive grand moment per se, but the cicadas chirping and pleasant breeze framed a most cinematic experience. As we headed back to camp, the atmosphere inside the bus came alive with a chorus of voices belong to its passengers, karaokeing to 1900’s and 2000’s classics alike while swatting at bloodthirsty mosquitoes. The teachers in particular gave exceptionally captivating performances and should consider singing as a side hustle. 

One cheesy yet feel-good ‘Superman’ movie at the Darwin cinemas later on the final day, and we were boarding the red-eye flight back to Melbourne. EWith shoes well-worn from hiking and a renewed respect for the oldest living culture on Earth, I would not so much as hesitate to experience it all again- even the challenging moments that paved way for personal growth. The many skills honed over this period- tent assemblage/ deconstructing, friendship bracelet-making (Ms. McCoy’s thread box was the unofficial MVP of the long bus rides and social evenings) and teamwork just to name a few are invaluable in the long term, in some way or another. Much gratitude to all who went on this journey with me- particularly Linda our bus driver and Jeanette our cook! I believe the trip left us all a little more grounded, as well as connected with each other and Country.

- Central 2025 Reflection - Freya

Somehow, between the late nights, endless walking, and racing to be first in line for dinner, we learnt more than we could’ve ever expected.

Day 1 was all travel, a bus, a plane, and before we knew it, we were setting up camp at Ayers Rock Campground just in time to watch Uluru glow at sunset. Day 2 took us deeper into Aboriginal culture at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, followed by the Mala Walk and the breathtaking Valley of the Winds at Kata Tjuta. From there we climbed the rim of Kings Canyon, learnt about Aboriginal art and traditions at Standley Chasm as we painted our own boomerangs, explored the massive Devils Marbles, floated in the Mataranka Thermal Pools, sailed through the towering cliffs of Nitmiluk Gorge, and went on the Yellow Water Cruise, spotting so many crocodiles that they almost felt like a regular part of the scenery. We even spent a morning conquering an inflatable aqua water park where we spent 80% of the time laughing at each other falling off and 20% watching each other cannonball off a platform into the water, including a backflip from Miss McQueen. We finished that day at Ubirr Rock for one of the best sunsets we have ever seen.

Some of the most unforgettable moments? Dancing to country tunes performed at the Daly Waters Pub, waving our hands and singing our hearts out. The Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin were a sensory overload of food, music, and sunsets that didn’t even look real, where we somehow had the energy to shop and eat everything in sight. And of course, those little moments, sitting under the stars, dusty and tired, realising just how far from Melbourne we really were.

Along the way we learnt to rely on each other, whether it was setting up camp in record time, pushing through long hikes, or sharing all our snacks around the bus to satisfy our collective sweet tooth. It wasn’t just about seeing new places but stepping outside our comfort zones and learning to appreciate the history, culture, and beauty of the Northern Territory.

By the end we were sunburnt, exhausted, and dreaming of sleeping in our comfortable beds, but we left with memories and photos that we will laugh about, and friendship bracelets that we will cherish forever.

- Central 2025 Reflection - Alicia