Year 10 Outdoor Education Wilsons Promontory Camp

Year 10 Outdoor Education Wilsons Promontory Camp

The bus ride was a long one, with three hours of practically nothing to do apart from stare out the window at the passing scenes of nature. We only paused for a pit stop at the petrol station to fill up and stretch our overly cramped legs.  

Finally three and a half hours in and we stopped. When we piled out of the bus, we had thoughts of what on earth we were doing here. Lugging a big piece of cardboard each, we started out on a small 20 minute hike up towards Big Drift. Once we reached the sand we knew we were close - that was until we were faced with a ridiculously steep sand path that, in order to get to Big Drift, we needed to pass.  One step forward meant you would be pushed back half a step. Finally after a load of huffing and puffing, we were faced with rolling dunes of sand, where our only weapon was either a flat piece of cardboard or a boogie board. Later, after many failed attempts and face plants into the sand, we had discovered that the boards with grip were the problem. A couple of people  successfully slid all the way down to the bottom of the dune, almost slamming into the trees there. Almost everyone had sand everywhere - in our ears, nose, eyes, hair, just everywhere, you name it. Once we had exhausted almost all our energy, we trekked back towards the bus, with aching jaws and ribs, actually ready to get to our campsite. 

After another 30 minute bus ride, we had arrived at our campsite, where there were a couple of other schools. Piling out of the bus, we glanced around at our surroundings - a big patch of dirt alongside an area of grass, and long rolling roads, with Mount Oberon framing the view. From there we attempted to set up our tents, with one or two people struggling.  Once our free time started most of us went down to the beach and to the tidal river, while others set about exploring the wilderness of overgrown trees.  One group almost got lost with their ‘leader’ insisting he knew the way, but we eventually came together once more to sort out dinner. There was a variety of meals, from pasta to baked beans and even tacos. After everyone's stomachs had been filled we waited until it got dark and then set off on a night walk, led by Talia and Mirabelle, from our campsite to alongside the beach, and through a bushy path. The night sky and its stars were a view to behold. 

Once we had arrived back at our camp, everyone took their showers and got ready for bed. At first whispers could be heard from the tents, but everyone finally settled in for a good night's sleep. 

Waking bright and early, we split into two groups. One went paddle boarding and the other on a ‘fun’ hike. The hike was starting from Darby Saddle to Tongue Point. While many were breathless from the long hike uphill, there was good group spirit and views looking out over the ocean from the top were amazing. When we had finally reached Tongue Point, we were only halfway to our completion of an 11 km hike. After we had finally taken enough of a break to attempt the trek uphill, the challenge really started. With the help of Loretta and Mr Carroll, (who we couldn't have done this camp without), we started our lengthy hike back. There there was no downhill or even straight paths to catch our breath on, so we did roughly what felt like 2km of straight uphill hiking. Eventually, when we had all exhausted our energy, the hike came to an end and we all hopped in the bus to join the other group back at camp for lunch. With the trangias we cooked up a lunch with, of course, lots of carbs and we all headed back onto the bus. 

We headed to Mount Oberon. For the group that had just done that painful hike, walking up this  not so steep mountain was a walk in a park. Of course the view was beautiful from up there, with the cars and people below looking as tiny as ants. Naturally we took a group photo, courtesy of Loretta, and  Mr Carroll led the whole group back down, half running half speed walking. With the breeze giving us a refreshing break, the walk back down was enjoyable, gazing at the scenery of green and not needing to stop every 2 minutes for an air break. A storm was cooked up at dinner, with everyone's stomachs starving and darkness fell once again. 

The girls of the group organised a late night ‘gossip’ chat on the bus, which  really turned into a therapy session.  A couple of other girls joined, then one boy, then two and finally almost all of the class was on the 'therapy bus'. It was a chance for us to bond and reminisce about the great memories of camp. However our time getting to know each other was interrupted. We thought that Mr Wish had only warned us about the scary wildlife as a joke. However, he was telling the truth - wombats really can smell food in your tent, even if it is only crumbs, and will even tear a hole in the tent in an attempt to eat so called delicious food.  Two tents lost their lives to the wombats that night. 

Some tents  had free air conditioning on our last night. We woke up not quite as early as the morning before and packed up ready for our last activity. One group went paddle boarding and the other on a slightly shorter hike than the day before. The paddle boarders managed to get in the water early, and relaxed along the scenic route of the river, calmly paddling alongside one another. Although there were times when the river got narrow and we bumped into each other or got stuck on snagged sticks, we all eventually made it back in one piece, which is a definite win. 

Tired and with bags under our eyes, we ready to head home. Although it was sad to leave Wilsons Prom it was a welcome relief to get back to the comforts of home.

Amelie Askew

Year 10 Outdoor Education