Silver Adventurous Journeys

Challenge your navigation and leadership skills and develop self-confidence on your Silver Adventurous Journeys.

Guide to Choosing your Outward Bound Silver Adventurous Journey
3-day/2-night Journeys
These are a "standard duration" Silver Adventurous Journey. You can attend one 3-day/2-night AJ to complete either your Practice or Qualifying Journey. It is important to remember that you cannot do the same route twice. Participants often join these journeys when they have not attended a journey organized by their Award Centre.
Learn more
4-day/3-night Journeys
These journeys factor in the special allowance for some Silver Participants to have a reduced Practice Journey duration. The journey set-up is 1-day/1-night Practice immediately followed by a standard 3-day/2-night Qualifying Journey. You must have your Award Leader's approval before registering on these journeys.
Learn more
7-day/6-night Journeys
These are our Silver Peak Adventure Journeys, and will often be multi-modal, such as a Pack & Paddle style of journey. These are designed for Participants who want a big journey, whether they are continuing or direct entry Silver Participants.
Learn more
3-day/2-night Silver Journeys
NSW Roseville to Ku-ring-gai
Great North Walk
4-day/3-night Silver Journeys
ACT Tidbinbilla to Namadgi Visitor Centres
Namadgi National Park
NSW Roseville to Cowan
Great North Walk
22-25 JAN 2024
15-18 JUL 2024
8-11 OCT 2024

Click here for booking and journey information
VIC Apollo Bay to Johanna Beach
Great Ocean Walk
7-day/6-night Silver Journeys
VIC Pack & Paddle Adventure
Snowy River National Park
Essential Information
Designed to Challenge

Duke of Ed Silver

Challenge yourself with a commitment to a life-changing journey. Silver Adventurous Journeys span three days and two nights, where you will meet your sense of adventure as you embark on a team expedition through some of Australia’s most striking national parks, forest and seaside areas.

Achieving the Silver Award is the second stage of involvement in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. Our qualified Supervisors will help to advance your skills such as navigation, teamwork, camp setup, and cooking outdoors. Just like your Bronze Award journeys, you will undertake both a Practice and Qualifying journey.

Build Your Skill-Set

Building upon the skills established on the Bronze Adventurous Journey, you will advance your leadership and communication capabilities.

Outward Bound provides the chance for you to practice your navigation, teamwork, and decision-making skills whilst under  Supervision.

Explore Connections

As you adventure through Australia’s vast natural wonderland you will further develop your self-confidence. The challenging nature of your Silver Adventurous Journey will see you build on your individual strengths, courage and determination.

Get Involved!

For a journey packed with personal development opportunities, adventure and the opportunity to make life-long connections, check out the locations on offer for the Duke of Ed Silver Award Adventurous Journeys. Register your interest today.

Contact our team on 1800 267 999 to learn more or ask any questions about the program in your state or territory.

Locations
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
  • Namadgi National ParK
New South Wales
  • Blue Mountains National Park
  • Great North Walk
  • Royal National Park
Victoria
  • Great Ocean Walk
  • Snowy River National Park
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
  • Bibbulmun Track
What's Included?

Hike your Silver Duke of Ed Adventurous Journey with Outward Bound Australia to achieve your goals! All dates are suitable for Practice or Qualifying participants. They are not exclusive.

The registration fee for your Silver Duke of Ed Adventurous Journey – starting at $405 – includes:

  • Fully supervised journey
  • Access to maps
  • Group emergency communications
  • Camping fees and
  • National Park fees.

You will be required to bring all the gear you require for the entire journey. The registration fee does not include:

  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag and mat
  • Compass
  • Stove and food
  • Backpack
  • Other personal items.
Safety

At Outward Bound we take safety seriously

A safe but challenging environment awaits our participants. We believe that taking a controlled level of risk in the outdoor learning environment will facilitate personal growth and learning.

Our policies and procedures provide the safe running and management of programs in line with the Australian Adventure Activity standards.

Risk management plans include hiring procedures, written field operational standards and guidelines, operational training, program structure, reflection and evaluation.

Learn more about our Safety Policy.

Drinking Water

We recommend drinking approximately 3 litres of water per day plus 1 litre to cook with at night.

1 litre of water weighs 1kg. Please keep this in mind when packing. After the first day you should adjust this up or down depending on your water needs.

We anticipate creek or tank water being available, depending on your location, but this is never certain. Creek and tank water should be treated before drinking; see your briefing notes for more details.

Creek Crossings

Creek crossings may occur and you may get wet feet. Where we  anticipate high water on any hike we will keep you informed leading up to your journey and your Supervisor will make decisions on creek crossings in the field.

Toilets

Toilets are usually available at our campsites. Where toilets are not available, human waste must be buried and you will need to bring a trowel for this purpose.

Mobile Phone Reception

There is usually mobile phone reception at different stages of the journeys. Available coverage is different across the providers. If your parents are collecting you at the end of your journey, please ask them to be punctual. You will be able to contact them if we are going to arrive a long way ahead or behind schedule.

Qualified Supervisors

Supervisors are qualified in Outdoor Recreation/Leadership, First Aid, have Working with Children clearance and carry emergency communication equipment.

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.

Packing List

Click the image to see the recommended gear and clothing list for your Adventurous Journey (hiking only). This list is made on a per-person basis, assuming no sharing of items between participants.

FAQs

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.

Scholarships and Fundraising for your Program
April 2024 Scholarship applications have closed.
Scholarships

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.

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