22 May 2025
Adelaide Hills Camp
During the first week of the holidays, the Exploration Society took a group of enthusiastic boys out to explore the best of what their backyard has to offer throughout the Adelaide Hills. Our trip began at the Craigburn Farm MTB trails, nestled in the stunning Sturt Gorge Recreation Park. It was the perfect setting for the boys to sharpen their mountain biking skills for the days to come.
On Tuesday, we headed to TreeClimb, Kuitpo Forest for an exhilarating morning of swinging, climbing, and leaping through the treetops. As the temperature rose in the afternoon, the boys embraced the chance to cool off with some high-speed fun on the water Tube Slide at Woodhouse Activity Centre.
Wednesday delivered the highlight of the week: a full day of shuttle runs at Fox Creek Bike Park, home to the state’s premier mountain biking trails. With 22km ridden of flowy descents and thrilling downhills under their belts, the boys finished the day exhausted, but grinning from ear to ear!
We wrapped up the week on Thursday with a more relaxed pace. The boys took on Challenge Hill in the morning before returning to school for a hands-on bike maintenance workshop, a fitting end to an unforgettable week of adventure, challenge, and fun.
Jack Tingey
Outdoor Education Group Facilitator
Fishing Charter
In the final week of the school holidays, a group of students journeyed to the Yorke Peninsula for a deep-sea fishing charter. This was a huge success, with students reeling in an impressive haul that included five sharks (Gummy and Grey Whiskery) and a variety of fish such as Nannygai, Swallowtail, Queen Snapper, and Trevally. It was great to see the students having friendly competition with each other around the size and number of fish they each caught.
The boys made the most of the experience by working together, enjoying the stunning coastline, and bonding over their shared love of the outdoors and fishing. They returned home with big smiles and plenty of fish to share and cook up with their families.
Tim Hennekam
Coordinator of the Exploration Society
Kayaking
A mixed group of students from Years 7 to 11 students set out for a day at Garden Island in Port Adelaide. After a paddle and safety briefing, everyone jumped into their kayaks and hit the water. The morning offered us unreal glassy conditions, and the students quickly mastered paddling and found their rhythm.
It wasn’t long before we made our way to the marina, where we discovered a shipwreck that was only a few years old. It was an old, rusted vessel, half-submerged in the water. We spent some time paddling around the wreck, surprised at how quickly the boat had begun to rust, fall apart, and become a home for sea life.
As a group, we then paddled up a narrow mangrove creek. The trees were thick on either side, creating a quiet, almost hidden path. The students had to navigate the twists and turns of the creek; the water was extremely still, and the sun shining through the mangrove canopy allowed us to see to the bottom of the clear water. Along the way, we spotted plenty of fish swimming up the tidal creek, as well as lots of birdlife.
We made our way back to the boat ramp later in the afternoon, where all the students pitched in to load the boats back onto the trailer. Overall, it was great to have the students come out, and it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday.
Harry Pope
Outdoor Education Group Facilitator
