“Travel far enough, you meet yourself.” This quote by novelist David Mitchell is a great springboard from which to share the Year 8 Central Australia experience with you.  

Through this journey, students developed a sense of self, values and their own metacognition as they adapted to challenges on this experience. It was for so many students, a first foray into independent travel, a moment to connect themselves with country and the stories that first started upon it, an opportunity to deepen their understanding of First Nations culture, to forge new friendships, but most importantly, create new memories.  

Reflection was key to this experience, and the words of the students provide great insight into their own experiences of this journey. Together, they paint a complete window into the trip. 

From Melbourne to Alice Springs (1,858km north west) 

Setting off very early on a Sunday morning we were transported from a very chilly and wet Melbourne into the heart of Australia, Alice Springs.  

Over two days, the students discovered the beauty of the MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja), and the appetiser of sight-seeing at Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap (Rungutjirpa)– though our party of 84 may have scared off the rock wallabies!  

The girls also learnt about the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctors. Students had the opportunity to see all of the feathers, fur and fins that Central Australia has to offer through their time at the Alice Springs Desert Park. Set amongst the backdrop of the ranges, they sat amongst birds of prey, did some dingo spotting, found an emu or two and walked past some enormous kangaroos. 

After a three-course meal it was time to enjoy some cold-blooded critters with Rex’s Reptiles, from a variety of snakes, lizards, thorny devils and bearded dragons to goannas. A true highlight was having a python slithering around the most still Year 8 students you have ever seen.  

“The amazing landscape! I felt so honoured to see these places and make connections with the students I do not yet know well.” Chenlin (Celine) Shen, 8DS 

“My highlight of the Camp was Simpsons Gap. It was astonishing. Two giant rock walls coming together, when you shouted it formed an echo that rang through the landscape. The magnificent view made me understand why the Aboriginal owners wanted to protect this land so much.” Kerry Ren, 8HK 

“My highlights of the Camp were the reptile encounter and the bird show at the Desert Park. I can’t choose, I loved them both! Olivia Grasso, 8DS 

“My highlight of Camp was Rex’s Reptile Zoo. I got to hold a snake for the first time, his name was Barry and I loved that long and legless reptile.” Pernilla Coleman, 8DS 

Alice Springs to Kings Canyon (328km west) 

The vast landscape is something to behold in Central Australia. The big skies, desert plains, and never-ending rocky ranges.  

These mind-boggling distances are also the reason that the group forms such a strong bond with their tour guide and bus driver – discovering the great history behind each landform, the people of Central Australia and critical First Nations peoples’ perspectives and insights regarding the land. Enjoying the great company and knowledge of bus drivers John and Brian, and culinary delights and banter of chefs Di and Jill were all a part of the experience. 

“My highlight of the Camp was the Uluru cycle and the bus rides. The bus rides were long, which meant I got to bond with my friends, and I also got to hang out with people I wouldn’t usually hang out with. Everyone had time to bond with each other to become one big family and sing along to the radio. The tour talks that John gave were amazing and I learnt many new things which made the bus rides even better.” Chloe Fei (Chloe) Zhu, 8DS 

“Overall, the biggest highlights were the bus rides with John. I feel as if I was able to form connections and bonds with friends, as well as people I haven’t had the chance to get very close with before Camp. I had some really interesting conversations with people and overall created closer friendships during the long bus rides.”  Fleur Angenent, 8LT 

One of many bus stop offs in the middle of the desert

Learning about Indigenous Culture at Karkke

Along the journey to Kings Canyon, the students spent time learning about the culture of the Luritja and Pertame people at Karrke. This included bush tucker, medicines, weapons, instruments, and the meaning behind art in the region. 

Kings Canyon

Scaling the heights of Kings Canyon proved challenging for some, but a real highlight for many. Completing the four-hour Rim Walk, the treacherous chasm, the sheer size, unfolding beauty and unexpected waterholes captured the eyes, minds, and cameras of our Year 8 students. Highlights of this experience included the Garden of Eden, The Lost City and Desert Oaks.  

“My highlight of the experience was the Kings Canyon hike. I loved seeing all the rock formations and hidden features like the waterhole.” Saskia Gelbak – 8BB 

“The highlight of my experience was the 6km walk through Kings Canyon. It was so fun, but so challenging at the same time! Grace Champion de Crespigny – 8LT 

“I think my favourite part was the Kings Canyon walk. It was difficult and tiring, but the magnificent view was definitely worth it!” Annabelle Hou, 8HK 

“My highlight of the Camp was the Kings Canyon hike. I really enjoyed spending time with friends and talking to people I hadn’t before during this.” Madeleine de Fina-Nash, 8LT 

“The highlight of my experience was walking around Kings Canyon. The walk was unreal! The layers of rock and the spring were nothing like I’d ever seen before.” Angeline Chiang, 8LT 

Kings Canyon to Yulara (324km North East) 

After being duped into believing we’d spotted Uluru (alas, it was only Mount Conner – Artilla) but then realising there is more than one large red monolith in Central Australia, we arrived at one of the most iconic vistas in Australia, Uluru.   

Watching the changing colours set and rise on the red rock, cycling around the ever-changing slopes, corners, waterholes, and crevices of Uluru proved a highlight for many. Understanding the stories and significance of the different locations around its 12km circumference and the different viewpoints, both near and far, gave the students a unique understanding of country.  

For others, it was Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) that took their breath away. Again, the beauty, changing colours and incredible size of the domes against the desert backdrop were spectacular. An early morning meteor shower was an incredible moment for our keen star gazers thanks to Ms Haysom and Mrs Marinelli. 

“The highlight of my experience was cycling around Uluru. This was an amazing experience and was so beautiful. I loved hearing the Aboriginal stories about the landform of the rock, I really found this fascinating.” Samantha (Sam) Kudnig, 8HK 

“My highlight was sunrise and sunset. At Uluru, it was really beautiful, when the stars came out of the sky, we all took photos with our friends and we were so happy.” Wenxuan (Elsa) Zhou, 8HK 

“I personally had two absolute highlights of the Camp. Number one was looking at the stars and astronomy night with Ms Haysom and number two was either the bike ride around Uluru or the Kings Canyon walk.” Zahra Knott – 8HK 

“The hike and bike ride really stuck to me and were most memorable. They were both hard and the process was tiring and long, but the views I saw made up for it.” Adele Wu – 8HK 

“Seeing Uluru and bus rides with friends. This is my highlight because they were once in a lifetime opportunities that won’t ever happen again.” Ava Schofield, 8DS 

“My highlight was waking up at 4.00am to see the stars.” Isabel Lu, 8HK 

“The highlight of the experience was the bike ride around Uluru, because of the view, and I love the Kata Tjuta walk. It was slow and the view was magical.” Sophie Wang, 8HK 

“My highlight was having fun with all my friends. I did enjoy the hike around Kata Tjuta and all of the scenery.” Sara Dewani, 8DS 

But there are always challenges. How do you handle that? 

The most pleasing aspect of the experience was to witness our Year 8 Cohort, recognise their own metacognitive processes when faced with the challenges of travel and new experiences. Understanding when they fell into common thinking traps gave them an opportunity to put in place strategies to adapt and enjoy the Central Australia trip. 

“I fell into the thinking trap of ‘ignoring the good.’ It happened when I was on the hike. I was climbing up the initial cliff, which was really steep and looked overwhelming. I ignored the views and focused on being tired. I was thinking that I wouldn’t be able to climb the mountain because I wasn’t athletic. What I ignored was that I had an entire group of staff and friends who could help me. To get myself out of the trap I stopped complaining about my situation and tried to involve myself with the group and focus on the views” Adele Wu, 8HK 

“I identified myself ‘fortune telling.’ Before the ride I thought I would have to give up and take the bus. This was because I hadn’t done a ride since the Eildon Camp. But then I realised that I hadn’t forgotten the basics. I used the strategy of making it three quarters of the way to the next checkpoint before stopping for a break and I was able to make it around the whole rock.” Annabelle Hou, 8HK 

“I found myself ‘ignoring the good’ on the first day of Camp. I was thinking about how we had five nights to go. I already wanted to go back home. I was ignoring the fact that this was a once in a lifetime experience to enjoy with my friends. To balance this, I had to think about the fact that this Camp was only six days long and I would never be able to have this experience again, so I needed to make the most of every opportunity.” Sara Dewani, 8DS 

But it is always about the learning 

Looking at desert landscapes, identifying First Nations features within artworks and understanding the science behind opportunities and challenges for solar energy in Central Australia was only one small type of learning through this experience. 

The opportunity for student growth in the domains of self-efficacy, independence, collaboration, and agency were frequently identified within the students’ reflections.  

I will leave you with one final quote from a student reflection which sums up all of the great things experiences like this can provide for each student. 

“This Camp was a way to experience a different type of learning. Developing into an independent traveller will aid me in the future for both travelling and for organisation at School. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed quality time with my friends over the last six days and have been able to make great memories.” Louisa Liao, 8BB 

To view, down and treasure an extensive library of images from the 2023 Central Australia experience click here.