Through The Duke, you'll develop real-world skills that directly prepare you for outdoor adventure and life beyond school. You'll build physical endurance and mental resilience through targeted fitness training designed for bushwalking success. Working as a unified class team, you'll master navigation, camp craft, and wilderness safety skills that could one day save your life.

The program teaches you to support your teammates through challenges, solve problems under pressure, and stay calm when things don't go to plan. You'll learn to assess risks, make smart decisions in the outdoors, and take responsibility for both your own safety and that of your group. These leadership and teamwork skills transfer directly to every area of life, building the kind of character that employers and universities actively seek.

The Duke centers around preparing your entire class for a shared bushwalking expedition adventure. Your Volunteering component focuses on environmental conservation projects that connect you to the natural areas you'll explore – from bush regeneration and trail maintenance to wildlife habitat restoration.

The Physical Recreation component is designed specifically for bushwalking success, building your endurance, strength, and hiking technique through progressive training that gets you expedition-ready. Your class Skills Development focuses on essential bushcraft abilities including navigation and map reading, camp setup and outdoor cooking, first aid and emergency procedures, and wilderness safety and risk management.

Everything builds towards your Bushwalking Expedition – a multi-day journey where you and your classmates navigate through wilderness areas, set up camp each night, cook your own meals, and experience the incredible satisfaction of achieving a major challenge together. Throughout the program, you'll document your progress and reflect on your growth as you prepare for this life-changing adventure.

Bronze Award Registration Fee - NSW Registration Cost: $153

The registration fee of $153 covers your official Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award registration, providing you with access to the Online Record Book (ORB) where you'll track your progress throughout the program. This fee also includes your official certificate upon completion and your Bronze Award badge to proudly display your achievement. Administrative support is provided throughout the program to help guide you on your journey. Payment is required before you can begin logging activities, and the school will provide details on payment methods and due dates.

Adventurous Journey - Girraween National Park or similar

Estimated Cost: $150 per student

Your three-day bushwalking expedition is estimated to cost $150 per student. This covers return bus travel to the national park, three days of nutritious outdoor meals including camping-style breakfasts, packed trail lunches, and satisfying dinners, plus camping fees and permits required for the national park.

The school will provide essential camping equipment, safety gear, and first aid supplies. However, students may need to supplement some items with their own or borrowed camping equipment, which will be thoroughly checked and approved prior to departure to ensure safety and suitability for the expedition. 

Total Estimated Course Cost: $303