Outback

While everyone’s holidays were getting started, Year 11 were getting ready for their two-week trip to Uluru. Going into the trip, I think everyone can say that we all had our expectations, and they were definitely exceeded. This trip tested our patience and social batteries to say the least.

Our first three days were spent getting to Broken Hill. Our first stop was Warrumbungle National Park, and on the first day a tire was blown. This is where the adventure started. At camp, the boys all began cutting their hair and speeches were read by five students whose parents also went on the trip. For all of us listening, this was very cool to see how much the trip has changed over the years.

Day 2 was our first hike, and the views were amazing. It was definitely a warmup for all the ones to come. We drove to Cobar on Day 2. Many card games, singing and more filled the buses. When we arrived at camp and set up the tents, the ground was rock hard and red. The further west we got the more it felt like our Outback, as grass slowly turned into red dirt. We spent hours among hours on the buses, sitting next to people we wouldn’t usually and looking out the window, it was kilometres of nothing.

Broken Hill is Mr Bevan’s favourite place on Outback; we later found out it was because every street is named after a chemical. Our first reflection was in Broken Hill at sunset up on a hill. This was the first time I think a lot of us realised the once in a lifetime opportunity this trip was.

We then reached South Australia. Port Augusta was the first camp where everyone had the afternoon to chill and do whatever we wanted. The next morning was our first 4am wakeup. We got to our jobs and spent two hours sleeping on the bus, then arrived at the Salt Lake for sunrise. It was something I don’t think any of us had ever seen and was very memorable. We had a pleasant surprise today: we learned that in Coober Pedy, we would be staying underground. We went pooling for opals and had a tour of the museum.

Coober Pedy was our last stop in South Australia, before we crossed the Northern Territory border. The next stop was Kings Canon. The campsite was in a park and there were many activities to do. It was also the first time we saw all the students back from the Round Square Colombia trip. Hearing their stories were something very different but exciting.

The next day was the most anticipated: Uluru. We spent the night at the sunset near the rock and took many photos. The next day was an early start with two walks ahead of us. The first walk was the Olgas, the views of the rocks were something none of us had ever seen. Later, we all walked around Uluru, it was very hot and flat but interesting to see the different arts and the old path that people used to climb to get to the top. That night, Mr Bevan had a surprise for us, and we all watch the NRL grand finale.

The next day we went back into South Australia stopping at Coober Pedy for another night, then Wilpena Pound for two nights. In Wilpena Pound, we had a tour of the homestead from Fraser’s grandparents and listened to a talk about the area and its indigenous history.

This was officially the home stretch! Next location was Copi Hollow. We stayed at a very nice place on the water with grass. It had been a week and a half since we had seen a large portion of grass. We all swam in the lake, and it was a very nice way to end the trip. The last stop was Hay, and we had a visit to the wool shed, where we watched a shearer shear a sheep then organise the wool. The last night, we all had time to reflect on the river and later reflected as a group with the teachers about the trip.

This trip was something our year group will never forget, and it was a once in a lifetime trip. Thank you to all the teachers!

Annabelle B, Year 12 2025