The next cohort of Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh students recently headed into the World Heritage-listed Lamington National Park for their practice Adventurous Journey at O’Reilly’s.  Three days of rainforest, waterfalls, challenging bushwalking, plenty of laughter (and too many burritos for one group!).

Based in safari tents and sharing the communal camp kitchen, students quickly settled into life outdoors. The first day included two shorter walks, including a special afternoon walk to watch the sun disappear over the Border Ranges. Day two brought the biggest challenge, an 18 km hike winding over and alongside Tooloona Creek, eventually reaching the Border Track with spectacular views towards New South Wales. Students also had the chance to slow down on our final morning and appreciate their surroundings, finishing the trip with a short treetop walk where they were encouraged to sit quietly and simply listen to and observe the natural world. It was in this moment, when the students were in no hurry to move on, that it became obvious this special part of the world had truly captivated their attention.

The Gondwana rainforest provided a stunning backdrop throughout the journey, with breathtaking waterfalls, creek crossings and trees of sheer size and magnificence. One particularly memorable moment was a rare sighting of a family of Albert’s Lyrebirds, a remarkable encounter with a species that avid birdwatchers can spend years hoping to see. 

Yet, as always, some of the best moments happened between the official activities – the laughs, stories shared around the camp kitchen and the friendships that developed between students across different year levels. The artistic sunsets and expansive western views provided the perfect end to each day, while the rainforest reminded us of the incredible beauty of the world we have the privilege of exploring.

For our students, this was more than just a practice hike. It was an opportunity to test themselves, build resilience, strengthen friendships, and prepare for their qualifying Adventurous Journeys to come – while creating memories that will stay with them long after the final kilometre.

Tanya Cullen, Secondary Teacher + Duke of Ed Coordinator

For all the fantastic photos, please click HERE