Snowy River

November 20-28, 2025

Timings

Students are to be dropped off at the Kelso Pavilion by 7:00am on Thursday 20th November. Students will be available for Parent/Carer pick up at the Kelso Pavilion at 5:30pm on Friday 28th November.

An unforgettable nine-day journey along the Snowy River, where students experience the rush of white-water rafting in one of Australia’s most stunning and remote landscapes. 

The adventure begins with a full eight-hour day of travel from Sydney to Karoonda Park, where you’ll set off on seven days of paddling through thrilling rapids, serene pools and breathtaking gorges. 

This journey is designed to be a safe and exhilarating place for students to learn under under the guidance of expert instructors.

Each day brings new challenges as you paddle through a mix of wild rapids and peaceful stretches, surrounded by towering cliffs, dense forests and pristine wilderness. Along the way, you’ll have time to reflect, spot local wildlife like kangaroos and platypuses and bond with your group.

After a day on the river, you’ll set up camp at remote sites, cooking meals over the campfire and sharing stories under the stars. Living in the wilderness, you'll embrace communal living, working together as a team to set up camp and enjoy the simplicity of life on the river.

Why Join?

• Seven Days of Paddling: Tackle exciting rapids and calm waters, with expert guidance to help you build rafting skills.

• Stunning Wilderness: Experience the raw beauty of the Snowy River’s gorges, forests and abundant wildlife.

• Community: Live and adventure as a team, building camaraderie and creating lasting memories.

Snowy River Program 

On this epic journey, small groups of students will pack all their belongings into rafts and embark on a journey down the mighty Snowy River. Groups will camp each night at selected locations on the riverbank and will learn the skills required to navigate this pristine and untouched environment. 

Facilities 

After setting off on the river, this is a complete wilderness expedition, meaning there are no man-made structures or facilities for the duration of the time on the river. 

Gear & Equipment 

Having the right equipment to stay warm and dry on an expedition of this nature is essential. Please see packing list below for a list of items required. 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. 

Equipment and Clothing 

A full equipment and clothing list can be found below. It is crucial that each item is packed or worn on arrival at the program. 

Many of the items in the equipment list are available for purchase at discounted prices, with delivery of all items to the school provided prior to the program commencing. 

Pymble Ladies’ College is proud to partner with Equipped Outdoors to provide families with top quality gear at discounted prices. Equipped supply gear that is used and recommended by the Outdoor Education and Vision Valley teams. Ordering through Equipped Outdoors will also ensure that your daughter’s gear arrives at school in time for the program.

Transport 

Transportation to and from the Snowy River is provided by chartered coach. In the event of severe weather, injury or for program management reasons, students may be transported in other Pymble Ladies’ College or Gippsland Recreation Outdoors vehicles. 

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 departure. Students will need to bring some morning tea and lunch for the first day of the program in their day pack. For the return bus ride on the final day, students will need to have a small amount of cash or a physical debit card to purchase lunch. 

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 to be present in the experiences they are having whilst away without distraction. It is not often that students get this opportunity to switch off and enjoy what is happening in the here and now, and we appreciate your support with this. Program staff will send through an update with their expected return time on the last day of the program. 

Packing Information

Student Clothing & Equipment List 

• Waterproof jacket 

  • GORE-TEX, must have hood. 

• Overpants 

• Sleeping bag 

  • Good quality, warm sleeping bag with hood.

  • Rated to at least minus five degrees.

  • No larger than a football.

• Sleeping mat 

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

• Knife, spoon 

  • Strong plastic or light metal.

• Bowl and mug 

  • Strong plastic or tin only. 

• Tea towel and steel wool 

  • An old tea towel and five soapy steel wool for cleaning. 

• Two boxes of matches in a waterproof container (flim canister or snap lock bag) 

• Toiletries 

  • Keep to an absolute minimum – toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste.

• 2x 1L Water bottles 

  • Strong, durable and leak-proof.

• Head torch and spare batteries 

• Personal first aid kit 

  • Personal medication as required; Band-Aids, sports tape, blister tape.

  • Asthma inhaler, insect repellent etc. 

• 1 x Towel or chamois 

• 2 x Large garbage bags, six recycled shopping bags, 

• Small amount of cash or physical debit card for lunch on the return bus ride. 

• Sunscreen 30+ 

Clothing

• 2 x Beanie

  • Wool/fleece must be able to pull down over the ears 

• Wide-brim sun hat, sun glasses

• 2 x Shirts

  • With collar - College sports shirts/business shirts are ideal 

• 2 x Jumpers

  • One must be wool, the other can be fleece or wool. No cotton. 

• 1 x Pants

  • Loose and comfortable pair that are warm and quick drying. No Denim or cotton.

• 3 x Pairs of socks

  • Thick and woolen. No cotton or sports/ankle socks.

• 2x Thermal top and pants

  • Polypropylene or wool .

• Underwear

  • A change for each day. 

• Shoes

  • Strong comfortable shoes for walking - enclosed toe. No flip flops, thongs, sandals or Crocs. Old runners are perfect.

• Bathers

  • For swimming (girls one-piece bathers only).

• Rafting Clothing

  • 2x Woolen socks, to be worn in the river and will get wet.

  • Water shoes - wet suit boots/Dunlop Vollies/old runners.

Photo Gallery