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Swagman
Coach with Camp Kitchen.
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ROCK
& REEF SAFARI.
One of the highlights
of my AFS years was the opportunity in 1997 to go as a leader
on the Rock and Reef Safari that AFS students in Tasmania
join with two Sydney chapters in this amazing experience.
It was my job to get the 22 Tasmanian students organised and
ready for departure from central Sydney 25 September 1997.
The tour party consisted of 82 International students from
23 different countries, six leaders from AFS and the crew
from Swagman Tours. We had two coaches each towing a fully
equipped and refrigerated camp kitchen, enough two man tents
and roll up mattress to accommodate the group – with
everyone’s luggage and sleeping bag it is quite amazing
to find out just how much can be packed in the coaches.
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We
set off from Sydney collecting students along the way to Bathurst
and our overnight journey took us through West Wyalong, Hay
to Mildura arriving at our destination Spear Creek Station at
Port Augusta around 8 that night. This was the first night the
students had to erect their tents and it was rather difficult
as the ground was so rocky.
Next morning we left for the unique town of Coober Pedy where
we had underground dormitory style accommodation.
The next overnight camp was at Yulara where we witnessed the
magnificent sunset at Ayers Rock. Next day the majority of students
decided to climb the Rock so what the students can do so can
I! It was a reasonably difficult climb holding onto a single
chain for persons going up and coming down – what I found
most disturbing was the strength of the wind. I safely reached
the top and took in the magic views. We also made a visit to
the Ranger Station to see the Aboriginal artefacts. Being a
leader I also enjoyed a flight over Ayers Rock and the Olgas
that was breathtaking.
We then drove to the Olgas in our coaches and enjoyed a walk
in the Valley of Winds. At night we enjoyed a concert of “Nekunja
Dreaming” about aboriginal dance and stories |
Camp
at Alice Springs - 45 tents required.
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Setting
off for the walk in beautiful Kings Canyon.
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After
two nights it was time to leave and make our way across Angus
Downs Station to Kings Canyon.
The weather had been very warm and all students were required
to take two litres of water to drink during our walk through
the Canyon. Several of our students had already become dehydrated
by not taking enough fluids in. We set off for our walk in brilliant
sunshine and the first part of the walk was very steep and difficult
and by far the most difficult of the entire walk. The colours
and the scenery were just magic but one could sense stillness
in the air and later a few claps of thunder. As we reached the
top of the highest cliff face lightning started the sky became
very black and the heavens opened up and a gale started blowing.
The force of the wind was frightening and we got the students
away from the cliff face and all huddled in a group, absolutely
saturated with the rain and just waited. By now the paths we
were to walk on were small rivers and the most spectacular sight
was all the “waterfalls” that suddenly started poring
over the cliffs. The weather showed no signs of improving and
it stayed this way for 30 minutes –-being from Tassie
and aware of the rapid change in weather we can experience at
Cradle Mountain and the dangers I had visions of our party having
to be rescued it was that bad. The weather improved slightly
and the coach captain decided we should get out as quickly as
we could. It did not last long and we had to stop again, this
time for a shorter stop and then we started out again in pouring
rain. We did not have time to stop and enjoy the magic of the
oasis in the Canyon but kept walking towards our coaches. We
eventually made it back all completely saturated, cold and bedraggled
- but safe.
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The
next stop was Alice Springs which was a complete surprise to
me – I imagined a desert town, barren and with no trees
but Alice is a beautiful city just the opposite to what I expected.
We visited the usual tourist attractions such as the Royal Flying
Doctor Service Base, the Old Telegraph Station and the Panorama
Guth Gallery, which was quite outstanding.
The “Henley on the Todd” regatta was to be held
on the day after we left Alice and some of the “boats”
were in the Mall for a promotion. You see the Todd River is
dry and people stand in the “boats” and run along
the riverbed to the finish line. The weather we had in Alice
was terrific but after we left they had a huge storm and the
Regatta was washed out as the Todd River was running water!
We left Alice headed north to view the Devil’s Marbles
and headed onto Tennant Creek and the Three Ways and our turn
off for the Eastern seaboard.
Our camp for tonight was the backyard of the Avon Downs Police
Station. We just rolled out our mattress and slept under the
stars which was a new experience for most of us.
Next morning we headed off to Mt Isa and then to our overnight
stop at Richmond.
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Trevor
& students prepare for a flight over Ayers Rock and
the Olgas.
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Trevor
with Thunya (Thailand)
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Next
day we commenced our final run to Townsville via historic
Charters Towers finally reaching civilisation and the beautiful
tropical city of Townsville.
It was
great to arrive at Townsville after the long haul from Central
Australia and to see the beautiful blue ocean. The caravan
park we stayed at was very good with tropical trees and flowers
all around. I guess the other caravan park guests must have
been horrified when we started to pitch 44 tents! But we had
no problems with the students here or any other place.
The next day was one of the highlights of the entire Safari
– a full day on Kelso Reef some 90 kilometres off Townsville
– the vessel that took us out to the reef was the first
catamaran built by Bob Clifford in Hobart.
The reef was magic, coral viewing from a glass bottom boat,
swimming, reef fishing, snorkelling and scuba diving for those
with parent’s permission and the necessary training.
A tropical smorgasbord lunch plus morning and afternoon tea
made the day I myself and I am sure the students will never
forget. The reef was such a contrast as just 3 days before
we were experiencing the red centre!
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We
headed off from Townsville for our trip down the coast to Rockhampton
and to our overnight stop at Yeppoon. Next day we headed off
for the Gold Coast stopping off at the Big Pineapple and passing
through Brisbane.
The students were all looking forward to the bright lights of
the Gold Coast.
Many optional activities were organised for the students such
as Bunge jumping which was done by many students, a day at Seaworld
which I enjoyed, sunbathing on the beach or shopping in Surfers
Paradise. We took all the students shopping in Surfers Paradise
at night which they really enjoyed buying tacky souvenirs to
take home! Next day it was pack up camp and a 7PM departure
for Sydney via the Newell Highway arriving back in Sydney about
2.30PM next day.
The tour travelled 10,200 kilometres in 18 days and was a unique
experience for these overseas students and for myself and the
other leaders – to see so much of our country that the
vast majority of Australians have never seen was an experience
I shall never forget. I always believed that Australia was the
“lucky country” and the most beautiful, diversified
place on this earth – I now know that is true!
Talking to these delightful young people, finding out about
them and where they come from, what their country is like etc
was something I will never forget. I only hope to return to
Central Australia and explore it at a more leisurely pace one
day. Maybe dreams do come true!!
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The
22 Tasmanian students who enjoyed Safari.
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