Scotch College

Outback Adventure

Outback Adventure
Year 10 Outback Trip, Term Two 2003

As the term two holidays grew closer, exams had now finished and the 12 boys, lead by Mr Jeff Watson, were eagerly awaiting one of the most amazing trips they would ever embark on.

On Saturday afternoon, 28 June, we touched down in Cairns and immediately decided the 'subtle' 31 degrees was a bit more appealing to us than Melbourne's weather. A short bus trip brought us to the Oasis Resort, which is where we stayed for our two days in Cairns. We cruised out to Michaelmas Cay aboard a huge Ocean Spirit catamaran and spent the day snorkelling, eating and sunbaking, which for most of us, didn't seem like the start to an 'outback' trip, but we weren't exactly complaining! The next day however, did bring us to the start we were waiting for, meeting our Savannah Guide, Evan Tandy, and our vehicle, the 'Oka'. Once all our bags were stowed away on the roof rack, we headed west, out of Cairns and across the Atherton Tablelands, where our outback adventure really began.

Over the next 12 days we saw some spectacular landmarks and sights. Things such as the 190,000-year-old underground lava tubes at Undara, canoeing, and exploring Lawn Hill National Park, the hot springs at Mataranka, the famous Kakadu National Park and the cruise down Kakadu's Yellow Water Billabong, Jim Jim Falls, and all our fantastic campsites at places such as Leichhardt's Lagoon, the Robinson River, Butterfly Springs, Cooinda and Waterfall Creek.

By the time we arrived in Darwin late one afternoon, we were all exhausted, but enjoyed a leisurely swim in the resort's pool and a huge buffet dinner. On the last day we awoke at 8:00am for breakfast and packed up all our gear. The whole day was put aside for the 'Watson Special' (an assortment of activities put together by Mr Watson). We saw just about all we could have of Darwin and had dinner on the new 'Wharf' complex.

At 2:30am we all wearily climbed aboard the plane ready to come home. The Outback Trip was one of the greatest trips any of us had ever experienced and I would highly recommend it to anybody who is interested. In fact, there are still a couple of positions available on the Term 3 holidays Outback Trip.

By James Hays
Year 10