Duke of Ed Gold New Zealand trip

Before school recommenced in 2026, nine Year 12 girls and I travelled to New Zealand for ten days to complete our final Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award adventure. 

Based in Queenstown, we spent time preparing for our hike, exploring the town, and swimming in the freezing Lake Wakatipu before setting off on a five-day, 86-kilometre trek through the Caples and Greenstone Valleys. 

Throughout the hike, we were surrounded by crystal-clear rivers, rugged mountain ranges, and pristine valleys, with long days of walking followed by evenings in huts, card games, and plenty of cold swims in glacial water. 

One of the highlights was the boardwalk along McKellar Saddle and completing a day hike to Key Summit, where we were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. 

After returning to Queenstown, we celebrated the completion of the hike with a trip to Fergburger, a day of white-water rafting on the Shotover River, and a final meal together, reflecting on the amazing experience before flying home to Sydney. It was an unforgettable adventure filled with challenge, laughter, and breathtaking landscapes. I loved every moment of it, and I would highly recommend it to anyone given the opportunity.

Rachel Mungall - Year 12