It was an early start for our Year 12 Outdoor Education class as we gathered at St Mary’s College, Broome at 6:30 AM, ready for what would be an unforgettable expedition. By 7:00, we were packed and on the road for a 9.5-hour drive to Dampier, filled with excitement, anticipation, and snacks! Our base for the first night was the Dampier Camp School, where we settled in early, aware of the big day ahead. We also had the best roast dinner ever!!
The following morning, we were up at the crack of dawn, greeted by calm seas and clear skies—ideal conditions for our 2-hour kayak paddle through the stunning Dampier Archipelago. Our destination was a Arumvee Beach – a secluded beach, a perfect little pocket of paradise that would be our home for the next few days. After setting up camp, we headed back out onto the water for a short paddle to a nearby point. Fishing rods came out, and luck was on my side—I managed to land a Mangrove Jack. Back at camp, I built a small fire, cooked the fish over coals, and as the smoky aroma drifted through the air, the crew gathered around. The fish was pulled apart and devoured in minutes—nothing beats fresh catch shared with good mates. As the sun dipped low, casting a golden glow across the ocean, we had one last flick of the rods before preparing our own dinners on Trangia stoves. The day wound down with laughter, tasty food, and the sound of waves lapping gently on the shore.
The next morning began with glass-like water and a peaceful silence, perfect for a snorkel mission. Luck struck again—I caught a decent-sized Painted Crayfish, a highlight of the trip. The plan for the day was to “travel internationally” to Dolphin Island, a tiny gem in the archipelago. We spent hours there swimming, fishing, sun-baking, and just soaking in the serenity. Later that afternoon, we paddled back to camp and capped off the day with a feast of crayfish and Trangia meals, a well-earned reward after a full day in the sun and sea.
On the final day, we broke camp early to beat the rising easterly winds. We hugged the coastline for most of the journey back, enjoying the calm before facing the challenge of crossing a choppy bay. That last stretch felt like an eternity, but eventually, we made it—tired but proud. Once back at the camp school, we cleaned and packed away all our gear. With energy levels running low, we made the essential stop at KFC, followed by a spirited game of spotlight with the Year 6 students from Headland—a fun and unexpected way to burn off dinner before crashing hard for the night.
The final morning came early, with a 5:00 AM wake-up and the long road back to Broome. While the drive was quiet, we all carried with us a sense of achievement and a shared experience that will no doubt stick with us for years to come.
~ Fletcher Moase, Year 12 student
