Scotch College

Into the outback

A student's view

During the July holidays, 22 Year 10 boys took part in an outback trip which crossed Northern Australia's Gulf Savannah from Cairns to Darwin. The two teachers who accompanied us were Mr John Prior and Mr Graham Parkin.

The first two nights were spent in Cairns. On day 1 we toured Cairns. The second day was spent snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. The hundreds of tropical fish and reef creatures, and the strikingly colourful coral, astounded the boys. Others preferred to relax on the catamaran and admire the birds.

In the early hours of the next morning we set off for our Wilderness Challenge 4WD adventure. We said goodbye to the pool and the Oasis Resort and set off and arrived at the Undara Lava tubes where we experienced the remnant rainforest.

After the warm night we drove through historic gold mining towns and finally we reached Lawn Hill, where we took part in swimming, canoeing, cane toad squashing and some great bush walks. These activities were considered by the boys as one of the highlights.

On the road again, we crossed the trails of Australian explorers such as Leichhardt, and arrived at the Mataranka hot springs. The swimming was beautiful, with the thousands of fruit bats flying overhead.

After a brief stay in Katherine we set up camp in Kakadu. Seeing the crocodiles on the Yellow Waters river cruise and the walk to the 150m high Jim Jim falls was another highlight of the trip. Also, seeing the rock art at Nourlangie and Ubirr finished a great expedition, with our guides from Wilderness Challenge, who taught us a lot about the outback.

The trip was completed in Darwin where we 'shopped 'til we dropped'. We said our thanks to Mr Prior and Mr Parkin without whom, the 22 boys would not be left with both a remarkable and memorable experience.

Charlie Love, Yr 10

From the staff

At the end of Term 2, 22 Year 10 boys led by Mr John Prior, assisted by Mr Graham Parkin, flew into Cairns for the start of their outback trip. Before setting out with Wilderness Challenge to drive through the Gulf Savannah country to Kakadu and Darwin, a day was spent snorkeling on Michaelmas Reef, using the luxurious Oasis resort in Cairns as a base for two nights. From then on, the boys travelled in two stretched troupies, camping overnight, often in some extremely remote and wild spots. They quickly learnt to work together as a team, preparing meals, setting up camp and packing everything away each morning.

Tom Warnes of Wilderness Challenge effectively communicated his vast knowledge of the fauna, flora, geography and history of the country which they travelled through, following the routes of Leichhardt and Gregory. A sunset cruise through the wetlands of the Alligator River in Kakadu was for most the highlight of the entire trip, as close-up views of a great variety of wildlife were obtained, including rather large estuarine crocodiles.

The positive attitude of all the students involved made this trip a resounding success and very easy for the two staff members involved.

Mr Graham Parkin