Gold Adventurous Journey Combination (NSW)

Hike your Gold Adventurous Journey with Outward Bound Australia. This journey is open to all Gold Award Participants as a five-day Gold Adventurous Journey for Award Participants with demonstrated competence hiking in mild, warm temperate climate. This journey has been designed to factor in the Award Handbook allowance for Participants with demonstrated competence to be granted a reduced Practice Journey duration.

You must have your Award Leader’s approval prior to enrolling. 

Day 1: Practice Journey (reduced duration)
Days 2, 3, 4, 5: Qualifying Journey (standard duration)

AJ SUPERVISORS:

Our AJ Supervisors are qualified in Outdoor Recreation/Leadership, First-Aid, have a Working have Children Check and carry first aid and emergency communication equipment.

MEETING PLACE:

Hornsby Train Station

MEETING TIME:

1030

END POINT:

Wondabyne Train Station

END TIME:

Approx. 1400

GETTING TO AND FROM YOUR JOURNEY:

We have designed this journey to allow for easy public transport usage if required. Check Home | transportnsw.info for train times.

Please note that Wondabyne Station does not have car access. There is a train service heading towards Central that departs at 1320 and 1420, which are the usual times Participants aim for. The closest stations with car parking are Hawkesbury River (Brooklyn) to the south, and Woy Woy to the north. 

DRINKING WATER:

We recommend drinking a minimum of 3 litres of water per day. 1-litre of water weighs 1 kg. Please keep this in mind when packing. After the first day you should adjust this up or down depending on your water intake.

We anticipate tank rain-water to be available at some campsites, but this is never certain. All water from tanks, creeks or dams needs to be treated before drinking. 

CREEK CROSSINGS:

A creek crossing may occur every day, but the water level should be low enough to keep your feet dry. We do not anticipate high water on this hike but will keep you informed leading up to your journey and your Supervisor will make decisions on creek crossings in the field.

TOILETS:

Toilets are not available at all campsites. Bring your own toilet paper. During hiking, if necessary, toilet waste must be buried and you will need to bring a trowel for this purpose.

Day 1: Hornsby Station to Crosslands Campground (North)

• 16.8km distance
• 6-hours 40-minutes walking time (estimate)

Day 2: Crosslands to Ridge Top Campground (near Berowra Waters)

• 8.9km distance
• 4-hours walking time (estimate)

Day 3: Ridge Top to Brooklyn Dam Campsite

• 15km distance
• 6-hours walking time (estimate)

Day 4: Brooklyn Dam to Mt Wondabyne Campsite

• 17km distance
• 5-hours walking time (estimate)
• This day includes a ferry journey between Hawkesbury River Wharf and Little Wobby Wharf. You must bring payment for this. The provider prefers card payment. Refer to the Brooklyn Ferry Service website (hyperlinked) for fare schedule and timetable. 

Day 5: Mt Wondabyne to Wondabyne Train Station

• 8.8km distance
• 3-hours 30-minutes walking time (estimate)
• There is no car access at Wondabyne Station. You must use the train to exit the journey, and you must bring payment for this. Sydney Trains prefer card payment. There is a service heading towards Central that departs at 1320 and 1420, which are the usual times Participants aim for. The closest stations with car parking are Hawkesbury River (Brooklyn) to the south, and Woy Woy to the north. Check Transport NSW Trip Planner (hyperlinked) for services and fare.

Access the packing list for Adventurous Journeys delivered by Outward Bound Australia by clicking the link below.

Outward Bound Adventurous Journey (Hiking) Packing List

Participants are expected to come on program with all items, as indicated.

If you do not have any of the items listed, try borrowing from friends or family or buying second hand. We have also partnered with Camp List, who provide many of the items listed for hire and/or purchase. To see what is available, go to www.camplist.com.au and in the central search bar type “Outward Bound Australia”.

Outward Bound is the world leader in outdoor education. This global presence has enabled us to develop the most comprehensive  Safety and Risk Management Policies and Procedures. 

We balance risk, reward and responsibility as core tenets of our mission. Our programs are facilitated and supported by a network of qualified, highly trained and experienced instructors, with a clear understanding of this risk/reward balance.

Safety first, always.

We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have over the phone (1800 267 999). Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.

Where can I obtain the items on the packing list?

Outdoor pursuits stores will have the majority of the items listed in the kit list. If you ask your family and friends, you may find that people you know already have these items that you can borrow. Outward Bound Australia have also partnered with CampList, which offers a hire/purchase service.

Where am I sleeping?

You will sleep in national park campsites. It is a Duke of Ed requirement that you carry your own gear. You will be sleeping in the tent or shelter you provide.

What food shall I bring?

Our Adventurous Journeys are hiking expeditions and require more fat and sugar than a normal diet.
Avoid heavy items such as canned food, glass bottles, and jars as they break. No nuts please.
Do bring: Light weight, highly nutritious and tasty food covering all meals, including snacks for your whole adventurous journey.

Check out the Food Safety Information Council for advice on appropriate foods. Scroll down to the section titled “Camping and bushwalking”.

https://foodsafety.asn.au/food-safety-on-the-move/

Can I bring technology on program?

An Outward Bound program is your opportunity to ‘disconnect to reconnect’. However we do not take your phone from your for a Duke of Ed program. You can use your phone to take photos (for your report) and we can not prevent you from looking at your phone in your tent at night. You will not be permitted to listen to music or talk on your phone during the journey.

Do I have to wear hiking boots?

We recommend hiking boots for all our programs. If you are unable to source these, you will need to find a suitable pair of lace-up, fully enclosed footwear, that has a rigid sole and provides ankle stability.

Do I have to bring the wet weather clothing?

We use the rain jacket and waterproof overpants as a heat-trapping layer in the evenings, just as much as a waterproof cover in the case of rain. For the majority of situations, we continue with the journey when it is raining, and so very strongly encourage participants to provide these items

Do I have to bring the thermals?

For journeys running May – September, yes you do need to bring the thermal top and bottom to program. For programs running at other times, you can choose if you want to bring these or not. Overall, we recommend bringing thermals for any time of year, as they can act as a lightweight jumper in the evenings, or as a pair of pyjamas (which are not a part of our packing list).

How fit do I need to be?

Your Outward Bound Duke of Ed Journey is an expedition in the natural environment. You need to feel confident enough to manage carrying an approx. 15kg hiking backpack, and walking on uneven ground for 10-20km every day of your journey in a variety of weather conditions. The more prepared you are, the more you will enjoy it!

Do participants come with friends, or as individuals?

Most participants arrive on their own, and depart with a set of new friends.

What are the toilet facilities?

This is dependent on the campsites available along your journey. Some locations have access to regular public toilets. At other times you will be required to dig a small personal hole, and you will need to provide a hand trowel for this purpose.

What happens if I need to depart my journey early?

If you need to leave your journey for an unforeseen reason, such as injury, we will arrange with your emergency contact to come and get you from an accessible location. You will need to inform your Award Leader that you have left your Adventurous Journey, and you will need to arrange to re-attempt your journey at another time.

We want as many people as possible to experience the advantage of a wilderness program in Australia. Through our charity arm, the Australian Outward Bound Development Fund, we can offer financial scholarship opportunities to those participants who would otherwise not be able to afford to come on a program.

To apply for a scholarship please go to our Scholarship Application Form.

Fundraising with Prezentbox

Prezentbox is a digital platform that enables family and friends to contribute to your Outward Bound program. Read more about Outward Bound’s partnership with Prezentbox and how it works.