Central Australia Trip

Student Reflection

Over the Easter holidays, we had the incredible opportunity to attend the annual Year 11 Central Australia trip, where we spent eight days exploring the remarkable landscapes at the heart of our country. While we’d love to share every moment, we’ll focus on a few of our favourite highlights.

To begin with, watching the sunset at Uluru on our first night was truly unforgettable. What had only ever been a photograph to many of us suddenly stood right in front of our eyes. It was one of those moments that didn’t quite feel real, and it’s something we’ll all remember for a long time. Although our experience in Central Australia was slightly different due to recent weather conditions, the rainfall in the weeks before our trip transformed the landscape. Our walks around Uluru and through Kata Tjuta were filled with unexpected greenery, creating a rare and beautiful view that not many people get to experience.

Another standout experience was our time at Kings Canyon, where we attended an Aboriginal cultural experience at Karrke. This was both engaging and eye-opening. We had the chance to explore seasonal bush tucker, learn about traditional hunting methods, and gain a deeper understanding of Aboriginal customs, art and daily life. Some of us even stepped outside our comfort zones and tried witchetty grubs. What made this experience especially meaningful was the genuine effort of our guides to make us feel welcome and to share their culture with us in a way that was both respectful and memorable. We all left with a greater appreciation and understanding of Indigenous Australian culture.

One of our favourite days was Easter Sunday, when we visited Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek, just outside Alice Springs. After days of walking in the heat, it was the perfect opportunity to cool off. We spent time swimming between the rocks, relaxing in the sun and enjoying each other’s company. Moments like these, surrounded by such unique and breathtaking landscapes, reminded us how fortunate we are to live in a country as diverse and beautiful as Australia.

We were also fortunate to further explore Indigenous culture at Standley Chasm. Here, we learnt about local Aboriginal art, including the unique styles and techniques used by different groups across Australia. Our guides explained the meaning behind common symbols, which we then applied when creating our own boomerang paintings. As we walked through the Chasm, we also learnt more about native plants and bush tucker, continuing to build our understanding of traditional food practices. To finish the
experience, we had the opportunity to try kangaroo tail, a traditional food that highlighted how Indigenous Australians sustainably use the whole animal, even the brain.

Overall, this trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, creating long-lasting memories. We would also like to thank Mrs Moloney, Miss Smith, Ms Chapman, Ms Hawthorne and Mr Kelly for their time, effort and support in making this trip so special for us and our 40 friends.

Zara S and Bonnie W

Year 11

Trish Moloney

Level Leader: Year 11