DUKE OF ED
WITH A DIFFERENCE
PURPOSE-BASED DUKE OF EDINBURGH PROGRAMS ✨🌎
Fun. Adventure. Impact.
CARING FOR COUNTRY
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Location: Pittwater YHA
Cost: $1350 (Jan 1 - Nov 30 2026)
An Adventurous Journey - Exploration - Combined Practice and Qualifying.
Silver and Gold Packages available (select at booking).
This trip is a blend of adventure, conservation and cultural activities. Students are required to plan and undertake their bushwalking and kayaking adventures as a team, while exploring and surveying local ecologies, learning from First Nations educators and contributing to land care initiatives.
Basic dorm-style accommodation means a roof over your head & no need to supply camping equipment or bedding. Students are required to self-cater in a simple shared camp kitchen. An oven, cooktops and commercial fridge are available. Shared bathroom with cubicle hot showers and toilets.
Here’s what to expect:
6 Days of Outdoor Adventure, Cultural Immersion & Conservation
Learn from Aboriginal facilitators about Culture and Connection to Country
Get hands-on with bush regeneration and plant propagation
Strengthen teamwork, critical thinking, and leadership skills
Experience the beauty of Ku-Ring-Gai NP and create lifelong memories
RESHAPING WASTE
Students actively combat pollution, restore coastal habitats, and save waste from landfill through hands-on conservation efforts like kayak cleanups, biodiversity surveys, and plastic recycling/textile upcycling. Basic dorm-style accommodation means a roof over your head & no need to carry your tent around with you!
Here’s what to expect:
5 Days of Purposeful Conservation & Environmental Action
Contribute to real-world conservation projects, such as ocean cleanup, marine biodiversity surveys and plastic recycling
Learn from conservation experts while getting hands-on experience
Build leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork skills
Ignite your passion for protecting the planet and create lifelong memories
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Location: Narrabeen Lakeside Caravan Park
Cost: $1250 (Jan 1 - Nov 30 2026)
A Gold Residential Project.
Can be used by Adventurous Journey students who have complex medical requirements and are not suited to a remote or physically challenging journey. Award Leader Approval Required.
FIRST TRACKS
Duration: 2 days, 1 night
Location: The Basin Campground
Cost: $450 (Jan 1 - June 30 2026)
A Bronze Adventurous Journey - Exploration.
Award Leader Approval Required.
The very first step of your Duke of Ed Journey. An 'easing into' the hiking / camping experience. This isn't about walking long distances or carrying heavy loads, its about exploration, curiosity, experiential learning and having fun. An adventure off the beaten track without the heavy bags. A camping experience under the stars with a few extra comforts: a tent you can stand up in, a comfy thick mattress and camp chair to unwind around the fire.
Here’s what to expect:
2 Days of Adventure, Cultural Immersion & Environmental Learning
Learn from Aboriginal facilitators about Culture and Connection to Country
Explore the trails, lookouts, sacred sites and remote beaches
Cook up a BBQ, play games, meet new friends, enjoy some star gazing
BOOKING
To see upcoming dates and book your spot, click the green "Book" button above.
Avoid the 2% cc fees by selecting the direct debit option. Be aware debits aren’t instant; you’ll need to keep the funds available for up to 48hrs in your nominated account.
Residential students can book either the Caring for Country or Reshaping Waste programs.
AJ students are advised to attend the Caring for Country program unless special permission has been given by an award leader in exceptional circumstances.
FAQs ANSWERED
Our Caring for Country Program runs twice each holidays, from Sunday - Friday. Our Reshaping Waste Program runs twice each holidays, from Monday - Friday.
In July 2026, our Caring for Country programs are running at Pittwater but our Reshaping Waste programs are not. This is because the facilities at Pittwater are cosy with fireplaces throughout, well insulated rooms and we enjoy exclusive use of the venue to utilise its indoor spaces.
We have space to accommodate both Adventurous Journey and Residential Project students on our Pittwater programs; please just select the correct package during registration.
In line with DofE requirements, students will self-cater and stay in basic dorm-style accommodation. You will also complete the necessary Preparation and Training with the aid of our digital resources prior to the trip commencement.
All programs adhere to all the requirements laid out in the current (Nov 2025 version) Duke of Ed Handbook. If your award leader requires any further detail from us please reach out.
Once registered, students will receive a full packing list and all other preparation details.
Our programs are limited to 21 students, making up 3 sub groups of 7. There will be two leaders on every trip; and a coordinator available for emergencies.
We also work with schools directly to run customised private trips for their students. Please get in touch if this applies to you.
Here’s what past students have to say …
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to challenge myself, and learn about new topics. The dorms are comfy, and the location is so peaceful! The supervisors were highly enthusiastic and supportive. I could not recommend this more to anyone doing their Duke of Ed!"
Fay - Silver Adventurous Journey
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "One of the best Duke Of Ed experiences ever. I had such a blast! Our guides were the best Duke of Ed leaders and made the whole experience so valuable and enjoyable. Such a nice place and awesome program."
Ryka - Gold Adventurous Journey
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I found the program to fascinating and definitely got a lot out of the experience. I was nervous about going alone but the guides were welcoming and by the end we were all great friends. I highly recommend this camp to anyone doing gold or even silver duke of ed."
Mitchell - Gold Residential
Contact us.
The Pittwater Eco Adventures Team:
Shared — 0436 808 528 or
Assessor and Dukes Coordinator:
Katie Brooks — 0420 202 292
Please only contact Katie on her personal mobile after attempting to reach her on the PEA Team number first.
Our office hours are 8:30am - 5pm
Monday to Friday. Please text or email outside of these hours.