It’s one of the six great walks in Queensland and perhaps one of the most scenic and pristine long distance walking tracks in Australia.
Noosa Pengari Steiner school year nine students have just completed a one-of-a-kind experience at Carnarvon Gorge in the Central Highlands.
The Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk was their final hike of year. It was a little more then 100km with all the additional extras, and saw students spend five nights out on the trail.
The past two years have been spent building towards this monumental hike, with time spent building fitness and bush craft in the Conondale, Coooloola and K’Gari National Parks.
The Gorge is rich in history and holds some of the country’s most extensive aboriginal art collections at Cathedral Cave and the Art Gallery. Whilst admiring the art, students pondered what life would have been like for the indigenous Australians as they moved through such beautiful yet hostile country.
Students admired the rocky outcrops and sampled the water that has been purified over a thousand years through the sandstone cliffs.
A highlight was definitely the exploration time.
Carnarvon has numerous canyons to adventure down, many leading to an impassable narrow squeeze or dark rainforest cave!
The Class 9 hike gives students authentic learning experiences with faced with real-life situations. They are required to think quickly and develop strategies to overcome the adversities they may encounter whilst on the trail.
Living out of a backpack for a week also consolidates the simplicity of living with minimal needs and desires something many teenagers can take for granted.
Overview of camp:
Students admired the Aboriginal rock art at the Art Gallery and Cathedral Cave dated as more than 3600 years old.
This experience gave Class 9 an appreciation of the ancientness of this land.
Carrying their own packs, students learnt how to map, read and navigate and oversee their own belongings, food and cooking.
Quotes from Year 9 Students:
“The views at the top of Battleship spur that expand out over Carnarvon Gorge was priceless and worth the slog,” Finn;
“A walk to remember for the rest of our lives,” Eli;
“Exploring the gorges and swimming in the water holes after walking all day was an incredible and unique experience,” Class 9 Girls;
“2 Minute noodles are the best food ever on hiking camp,” Rama.
Quote from Outdoor Education Assistant:
“Watching the growth and maturity, confidence and strength of these students after these long-distance hikes where they overcome obstacles and step out of their comfort zone gives one confidence that these young adults will be stepping into the adult world knowing if they put one foot in front of another, they can achieve a many great things.” Sarah, Outdoor Education Assistant.
