Duke of Edinburgh 2025

Bronze Duke of Ed: Ridge to River Adventure

Under clear skies and with backpacks full, our Bronze Duke of Ed students kicked off their Ridge to River journey from Hornsby Station, diving into the rugged beauty of Berowra Valley National Park. Twisting trails and steep gradients led them to Galston Gorge, where a well-earned lunch break recharged their spirits.

The trail meandered along Berowra Creek to their overnight campsite at Crosslands Reserve. In small groups, students cooked dinner, shared stories, and settled in under the stars.

Day Two began with smiles and fresh energy. The final stretch followed the river before launching into a steep climb to the ridge top. With determination and teamwork, they reached Berowra Oval for a celebratory lunch before catching the train back to campus.

This hike was more than a physical challenge—it was a journey of resilience, camaraderie, and discovery.

Silver Duke of Ed: Southbound Passage

Our Silver Duke of Ed students took on the Southbound Passage, a stunning three-day trek from Girrakool to Cowan Station that tested their stamina and rewarded them with unforgettable views. After arriving by car, the group plunged into the wild beauty of Brisbane Water National Park, navigating rocky ridgelines, fern-filled gullies, and cascading creeks.

Day One saw students navigating their own way through ancient bushland and stunning open ridge lines with clear vistas. With stoves sizzling and tents pitched, the evening at Mount Wondabyne was filled with laughter, teamwork, and well-earned rest.

Day Two brought fresh legs and renewed determination. A rough fire trail led through dense scrub to Rocky Ponds, a cascading waterfall and a chance to refill water bottles from a fresh-flowing brook.  Pressing on, they discovered expansive views over the Hawkesbury River before the steep descent into Little Wobby, where they boarded a tiny local ferry to Brooklyn. It was a final challenging push uphill into a lovely campsite next to Brooklyn Dam.

Day Three dawned and all were keen for an early start – the final leg. The trail wove its way up and over hills and down to the idyllic Jerusalem Bay before the climb up to Cowan train station.

Tired but proud, students boarded the train back to campus with a sense of achievement and stories to tell. This 35km journey was certainly a physical challenge, carrying all their camp gear and food. It was impressive to observe how well these students encouraged each other in those hard ascents. Many laughs were shared throughout the journey and wonderful memories made.