Red Centre Experience 

Over the September 2025 holidays, a group of Padua College students embarked on a seven-day cultural immersion adventure to the Red Centre. They hiked through breathtaking landscapes, slept under the stars, encountered wildlife, and connected with land, each other, and the stories of the First Nations people of Australia.  Year 10 student, Millie Smith reflects on the experience. 

The adventure began at Uluru and Kata Tjuta, where our group hiked 7.4 km through the national park and explored the sacred significance of the land. We learned about gender specific areas and traditional stories, including The Rainbow Serpent. At Lilla, a remote First Nations community, we were welcomed to the country by local community member, Lewis, with a smoke ceremony. The group immersed themselves in local traditions sharing damper and kangaroo tails cooked over fire, and creating dot art. On day four we hiked a further 6km through Kings Canyon to the gorgeous Garden of Eden.

Our final stop was Alice Springs, where we stayed at a private boarding school and met a reptile expert who introduced a 2.5m snake and several lizards. We also visited a desert wildlife centre, encountering dingoes and enjoying a bird show.

Each day began early, between 4:30am and 6am, often timed to witness the stunning desert sunrises. For the first four nights, most of our group slept in swags under the stars, a surreal experience.

The trip was a powerful blend of adventure, cultural learning, and connection with the land, one another, and with the stories of the First Nations people of Australia who have cared for the land for generations.