CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

201 students departed McKinnon for Central Australia in the middle of the holidays. I was privileged to lead Trip B and can attest that our students were exceptional and had the most wonderful experience. 

Thank you to the following teachers for their care and leadership: Courtney Hungerford, Brett Howe, Bailey Scrivener, Chloe Dredge, Chloe Hammond, David Dick, Damien Landini, Stephanie Poland, Sandy Hope, Matthew Shaw, Romy Greenberg, Abbey Snell, Rochelle Travitz, Daniel Farthing and Philipa Andrieux. 

Central Trip A

Central Trip B

Please find below some student reflections from the trip.

Kate Jobson

Head of Year 11 & 12

Having heard from past years that Central was an awesome trip, we knew it would be good but had no idea what to expect. What we were met with was an amazing, immersive experience that we urge everyone to do! From hikes to karaoke on the bus to unexpected challenges, our 2026 McKinnon Central Trip did not miss a thing.

A 5:30 am start at school on the first day was definitely not like any other morning, but we pushed through, jumping on the bus and heading off to Renmark. Filled with excitement, the bus was loud and enthusiastic, and this tone didn’t shift throughout the entire trip. After our first chilly night in Renmark, we moved on to Wilpena Pound.

After the first two nights in tents, at Renmark and Wilpena Pound, we had an exciting sleep in the Coober Pedy caves! We ended the night with a pumping cave doof (party) that had everyone jumping up and down. After that night, most of us didn’t sleep in a tent anymore, we embraced the outdoors and watched the shooting stars at night. Despite the cold temperatures and numerous bugs landing on us, we survived!

Since we didn’t bring phones, everyone got a much-needed detox from social media. Regardless, everyone found ways to stay entertained. All the mini games, karaoke and interviews on the bus helped us form stronger bonds with our friends and make new connections too!

In Lilla, an Indigenous Community, we were lucky enough to try some kangaroo and kangaroo tail. Afterwards, we had some extensive hikes through Kings Canyon, catching a glimpse of the Garden of Eden, and Kata Tjuta, where we saw an amazing view of sacred land.

Arriving at the famous Uluru was an unforgettable moment. Whether viewing it with both a beautiful sunrise and sunset, or up close, learning about the creation story of Uluru, it was truly a spectacular sight to see.

Some highlights of the trip were our bush camps, the late-night bus drives with karaoke, fantastic scenery at every stop of the way and becoming even closer as a cohort. Although it had its ups and downs, Central was truly a thrilling experience. We learnt how to adapt in different situations and welcome the mosquito bites that got us every night in the Northern Territory!

Shoutout to all of the teachers who made this trip possible and so special. We are so grateful for all the effort, care, and time you put into making it such an unforgettable experience. An even bigger thanks to all our bus drivers who drove us nearly 3000 kilometres, day and night, we couldn’t have done it without you!

Tessa Macfarlane & Keisha Sutaria

Year 11 Students

For me and 200 other Year 11s, these term 1 holidays will always be remembered as the time we challenged our comfort zones and discovered another side of the country we call home, on the 2026 Central Australia trip.

Over ten days, many early mornings and 25+ hours of driving, we travelled up through South Australia and into the Northern Territory, exploring remote towns and iconic natural treasures along the way. The endless bus trips through the Outback were anything but boring; it paved the way for forging new friendships through intense games, laughter and insightful conversations that only occur when you share a bus for eight hours in one day. At every destination, students and teachers alike strengthened connections over shared successes (like conquering the Kings Canyon hike) and shared challenges (like showering in cold water with creepy crawlies). 

A highlight for me was Bush Camp, a night on the side of the road with no facilities, truly removed from the complexities of civilisation - with only each other, the campfire and the Milky Way.

Central has given me a greater appreciation for the intrinsic link between Indigenous cultures and this land, and the natural beauty of outback Australia. I’m confident that the newfound perspective, resilience and friends each student has gained will stay with us for the rest of our lives. I’m immensely grateful to all the teachers who worked very hard to make this experience so memorable and rewarding!

Clementine Hull

Year 11 Student

In the second week of the Term 1 holidays, the Year 11s set off on our journey to Central Australia. After a long bus ride, we arrived in Renmark, which at first didn’t quite feel like the camp we had imagined “No red sand, no kangaroos or emus jumping around”. Still, we quickly made the most of it with spikeball, rap battles, and our humorous daily nominations of princess, tool and captain of the day.

As the trip continued, the experience only got better. From sleeping in underground caves in Coober Pedy and dancing at the “cave rave,” to campfires and stargazing at Bush Camp, each stop brought something new. In Alice Springs, we visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service and later took on the Kings Canyon hike and explored the cultural significance of the land. Reaching Uluru and Kata Tjuta was a clear highlight, with unforgettable sunrises, sunsets, and walks through some of Australia’s most iconic landscapes.

Surprisingly, one of the best parts of the trip was the bus rides. From karaoke and Uno to Mafia and even speed dating, the bus was where friendships grew stronger and new ones were formed. It was also where we shared quieter moments, resting and recharging together.

Over the 10 days, our cohort became closer than ever, and we are incredibly grateful to the teachers whose effort and enthusiasm made the trip so memorable. We left our homes excited for adventure but returned with greater resilience, integrity, a stronger sense of community, and a deeper appreciation for the opportunities we have because, “there are no strangers here; only friends you haven’t yet met.”

Shane Kravietz

Year 11 Student