Kangaroo Valley

Paddle, Explore, Connect

November 24-28, 2025

Students are to be dropped off at the Kelso Pavilion by 7:00am on Monday November 24

Students will be available for Parent/Carer pick up at the Kelso Pavilion at 4:30pm on Friday 28 November.

Join us for a tranquil five-day, four-night canoe journey along the pristine Shoalhaven River in Kangaroo Valley. This slow-paced adventure focuses on exploration, communal living and connecting with nature.

As students paddle through the calm waters, they’ll discover the beauty of the river’s wildlife - spotting kangaroos, platypuses, diverse bird species and lush landscapes. Each day is a chance to immerse in the peaceful surroundings, reflect on the journey and develop outdoor skills.

Living and working together, students will learn the value of teamwork through group campfire cooking, setting up camp and sharing responsibilities. Evenings around the campfire offer a perfect time for storytelling and reflection under the stars.

Journey Highlights:

• Canoeing on the Shoalhaven River

• Wildlife Spotting: Kangaroos, platypuses, birds, and more

• Communal Living: Cooking and camping as a team

• Serene Exploration: Slow-paced, immersive experience in nature

This adventure is perfect for students looking to connect with nature, learn new skills and experience the peaceful flow of life along the Shoalhaven River.

Gear & Equipment 

Pymble Ladies’ College is proud to partner with Equipped Outdoors, who provide our students with the best quality outdoor adventure equipment at discounted prices. Each of the items available are both highly recommended by our expedition leaders and available at below-retail prices. 

Purchasing quality equipment, such as that available through Equipped Outdoors, will allow girls to own durable gear which they can use for many years to come. For those girls interested in the ‘Adventure Extensions’ opportunities available in Years 11 and 12, quality equipment will continue to be vital. 

Equipped Outdoors Information and order form can be found below: 

• Equipped Information  

• Equipped Order Form 

Medications 

All essential medications must be packed by parents/carers in their daughter's baggage. Parents/carers should place medication in a snap lock bag, clearly labelled with the student’s name and accompanied by instructions including dosage and time of administration. These must be handed to your daughter’s expedition staff at the commencement of the program. 

If students have undeclared medication with them on the program, our staff may be legally required to not administer these medications. 

Accommodation 

Students will be accommodated in tents for the duration of the program. Supervision is provided overnight by College staff in nearby tents. 

Meals 

All meals will be provided to students from dinner on the first day of the program, to breakfast on the day of their departure. 

Technology while away – No phones 

Pymble has asked students to leave technology behind for their Outdoor Education Programs. This affords students the chance to have a digital detox and be present in the experiences they are having whilst away without the distractions. It is not often that students get this opportunity to switch off and enjoy what is happening in the here and now, so we appreciate your support around this. 

Kangaroo Valley Program Packing List

Paddling and camping

• Water-shoes- Must be fully enclosed shoes that students can wear in the canoe and can get wet/ dirty. No thongs or slides. Old pair of sneakers are ideal.

• Camp shoes- Shoes that will stay dry when at camp. Must be fully enclosed, will still get dirty. No thongs or slides. Old pair of sneakers are ideal.

• Duffle bag - 1 single duffle bag full of gear to be bought to camp for the canoe

• Roll of garbage bags 

• 2X dry bags (can be ordered from Equipped)

• Beanie 

• Woollen gloves 

• Head torch - with two sets of spare batteries.

• Hat - must be broadbrimmed and extend past nose, no caps or short bucket hats. Students will be sitting in canoes under the sun all day. Please be sunsmart.

• Sunglasses

• 2x 1L Water bottles - durable, should be Nalgene brand or similar. Or 2L water bladder (Camelback or equivalent).

• Sleeping mat- Closed-cell foam or Therm-a-Rest mat

• Sleeping bag - ensure a comfort rating of 0 degrees, good quality with a hood.

• Sleeping bag liner - adds warmth and protects sleeping bag.

• Knife and spoon - strong plastic or light metal.

• Bowl and mug - strong plastic or tin only.

• Tea towel - used for cleaning.

• Personal first aid kit - including sports strapping tape, blister pads, band aids, Hydrolyte etc.

• Towel - small microfibre towel, for use if swimming in creeks or streams.

• Sunscreen and lip balm - 50+

• Toiletries - lightweight and minimal. Small stick of deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, pads/tampons.

• 1X roll of toilet paper 

Clothing

• 2 x Shirts - Long sleeve, with collar- Students will be sitting in canoes under the sun all day. Please be sunsmart.

• 1 x Jumper - Fleece or wool. No cotton.

• 1 x Puffer jacket - Lightweight, packs up small. Ideally down jacket, or Merino Loft (can be purchased from Equipped Outdoors).

• 1 x Shorts - Must be knee length and loose. No denim or bike shorts.

• 1 x Pants - Loose and comfortable, that are warm and quick drying. No denim. Ideally zip off to convert to shorts.

• 1 x Thermal top - Full length, made of either polypropylene or merino wool blends.

• 1 x Thermal pants - Full length, made of either polypropylene or merino wool blends.

• Underwear - A change for each day.

• Socks for each day- one pair extra warm fluffy socks for bedtime.

Provided by the College

If you have your own equipment you’d prefer to use, it must be approved by staff prior to the commencement of the trip. We recommend using the gear provided by the College to assure quality and performance.

• Tent - two/three person Wilderness Equipment tents

• Camp stoves and fuel bottles - Trangia stoves and fuel bottles. To be shared amongst teams of two to four people.

• 1 x Rain jacket - Gortex or Japara. Must have a hood.

• 1 x Rain pants - Gortex or Japara.

Optional

• Camera - must be robust. Film or digital.

• Book - small book or Kindle.

• Cards/ camp games 

Please do NOT bring

• Phones - No phones are allowed for the entire duration of the program. Staff will be carrying satelite phones in case of emergencies.

• Aerosols - deodorant or insect repellent.

• Bed pillows - small inflatable pillows are fine. Do not bring bed pillows unless they will be left in duffle bags.

• Excessive toiletries - shampoos, conditioners, perfumes.

• Non-prescription medication - no Nurofen or Panadol. Staff will carry these in their personal first aid kits and will administer if needed.

Photo Gallery