NT Learning Adventures
NT Learning Adventures
Outdoor Education at St Philip's College has for decades focused on programs that develop self awareness, self esteem, leadership, communication skills, self confidence and creating a real belief within students of their abilities.
The College is excited to now provide its Outdoor Educational offerings to more than just local students by organising, running and building relationships with other like minded schools around the country.
Programs Available for 2026 include:
Recently we delivered a program for The Hutchins School from Tasmania as a part of their well known Power of Nine offering; creating a tailored experience that met the needs of staff and students alike.
Discovery - 3 Day Program - 18 May to 29 May 2026
This introductory/beginner outdoor expedition is suitable for 11-13 year olds. The program has groups moving from St Philip’s College out to Simpsons Gap, with a focus on this environment and the native flora and fauna. The base camp is relatively close to town but still with a remote feeling and flexible menu options. Activities include: 10km bushwalking on the Larapinta Trail Bike riding along a mixture of bike paths and 4WD roads. Abseiling Orienteering Desert Park visit Optional customised additional camp-based activities – for example watercolours, shelter-building, nature journalling.
Adventure – 5-day Program - 27 April to 8 May 2026
This expedition is suitable for 13-15 year olds and based further out in the West MacDonnell Ranges near Ellery Gorge. This is an adventure filled with activities and more emphasis on students working collaboratively as they move daily to their next campsite. Menus can be customised but typical highlights of this adventure include carbonara, pizzas, jaffles, and souvlaki. Activities include: Off-track navigation and bushwalking along the Larapinta Trail Camp fire cooking Canoeing (including swimming) across Ellery Gorge and waterproofing all equipment Orienteering Bike riding along 4WD roads Optional customised additional camp-based activities
Endeavour – 9-day Program - 20 July to 31 July 2026
This outdoor journey is suitable for 14-16 year olds with a strong emphasis on students developing as a community and working collaboratively daily to make things happen. Loads of activities while meandering through the West MacDonnell Ranges as a fairly independent pod. Menu can be customised but highlights include pizzas, cultural cooking, roast chickens, and jaffles. Activities include: Off-track navigation Walking along the spectacular Razorback Ridge and down Spencer Gorge along the Larapinta Trail Camp fire cooking Orienteering Abseiling Raft-building initiative, including waterproofing Nightly debriefs and journalling
Aspire – 10-day Program - 8 June to 19 June 2026
This is a more challenging expedition focusing on leadership, communication, environment, and self-reflection. This course is suitable for 16-18 year olds with a strong emphasis on students running the program as part of Management Teams. Students spend time reflecting on themselves and their peers throughout the course through a range of activities. This course is designed to support students towards completion but is ideal for those who have completed the Endeavour Course or experienced in outdoor journeys and capable of an intermediate challenge. Activities include: Off-track navigation Abseiling Waterproofing and water expedition in wetsuits travelling through multiple pools of water on lilo’s Walking through the amazing Hugh Gorge along the Larapinta Trail Camp fire cooking Daily quiet times ranging from 15 minutes to 2 hours 48 hour solo Nightly debriefs and journalling
We acknowledge the Arrernte people as the traditional custodians and first educators of Mparntwe. Our school is home to students from nations all around the world. We ‘strive’ to work with and continue learning from First Nations people. We ‘seek’ to be a part of Australia’s reconciliation journey by engaging in truth-telling. We aim to ‘care’ for Country through connection and environmental education. We pay our respects to elders past and present and thank them for their care of Country and sharing of knowledge.