Uniquely Australian Duke of Ed Adventurous Journeys.

The Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey Program can be the highlight of one’s school experience and pivotal to personal development – if done right. This is our aim at Black Diamond Adventures.

AUTHENTIC, ASPIRATIONAL PARTNER SCHOOLS

To deliver an exceptional experience for all involved requires us only working with a limited number of schools each year – and not just any school.

We are after a true culture fit with our Partner Schools. By limiting the number of schools, we are able to provide true partnerships with these schools and their students, offering a premium level of service. Read on for further details.

ORDER OUR DUKE OF ED ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY TEACHER BROCHURE

For a copy of our comprehensive 16 page Duke of Edinburgh Teacher brochure, send us a message on our CONTACT page.

To book, also send us a message via our CONTACT page or call: 02 42010789

BEST TEAM, BEST CULTURE

Our staff are long termers who make strong connections with teachers and students year after year. Because of staff consistency our team knows each student over the full arc of their Duke of Edinburgh program. They read their students and apply pressure on and pressure off at the most appropriate times for each individual.

Our staff work and breathe Black Diamond Adventures culture ensuring our DoE students are bigger at the end of each program.

GLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS

“These guys are the best. The way they interacted with the kids, their work ethics, knowledge, everything they did was with a genuine passion for what they do. They are admirable, and very good role models for our children. They got to know every student individually and made each of them an important part of the team. I highly recommend any school to try and get in touch with Black Diamond Adventures if they are considering such an excursion. I have a lot of respect and gratitude for these young people. They are good people and brilliant role models for young adults.”
Paul C – Father of a student who came on a BDA Duke of Edinburgh Award AJ

  • Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey offered by Black Diamond Adventures includes the Larapinta Trail in N.T.

WHY CHOOSE BLACK DIAMOND ADVENTURES FOR YOUR DUKE OF EDINBURGH ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY

INVESTED IN EVERY STUDENT OUTCOME

When facilitated by Black Diamond Adventures, The Duke of Ed Award, adventurous journey component is far more than an expedition. Under our guidance the focus is discreetly, yet purposely placed on one’s personal journey. We create an environment that invites our participants to be conscious of what sort of person each of us is creating. It’s an exciting, challenging and character-forming experience.

This is what really makes Black Diamond Adventures special!

Read more about why schools choose Black Diamond Adventures to deliver their schools Duke of Ed AJ’s

CHOICE OF ADVENTURE AND LOCATION

An adventure is a journey into the unknown and that can happen anywhere – in the city, in the bush, on water. Although walking/hiking is the traditional and often preferred type of expedition, we are able and willing to tailor activities suitable to your cohort. Some alternatives to hiking include. Kayaking, base camp exploration (caves and surrounds), mountain biking, sailing, ski/snowboard adventures.

We have experience in running Duke of Ed adventurous journeys in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the NSW South Coast, Kangaroo Valley, NSW North Coast, Kosciuszko and the Northern Territory. You can read more about these and other new locations below.

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The team are highly skilled and caring and go above and beyond to make every trip personalised and exciting for the students.

– Jessie K, Teacher, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator –

THE ROYAL & HEATHCOTE NATIONAL PARKS

Discover pristine waterfalls, Indigenous cultural sites and an abundance of wildlife. With a variety of start and finish locations easily accessible by public transport.

KANGAROO VALLEY

Be adventurous and travel south to explore the magnificent beauty of the meandering Lake Yarrunga and the escarpment country. Best explored on foot, in a canoe/kayak or a combination of both.

THE GREAT NORTH WALK

Between Sydney and Newcastle, appreciate a diverse range of environments and terrain across 250km of walking trails. There are a number of different options that will cater for your level of experience, with many trail heads accessible by public transport.

The blue mountains for a challenging duke of ed experience

BUNGONIA NATIONAL PARK

Bungonia National Park, in easy reach of Canberra, is an outdoor adventure playground offering caving, canyoning, rock climbing, abseiling, hiking and impressive views.

THE HAWKESBURY RIVER REGION

The vastness of this water way offers a number of options. From its fresh water source to the salty regions nearer to the river mouth, the landscapes and wildlife are forever changing. This area is best explored in a kayak or canoe.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Take your students on a life changing, character building cultural experience like no other. Central Australia and the Top End offers a perspective into our ‘forgotten past’. Exploding with Indigenous culture and breathtaking landscapes, this is an adventure that simply cannot be put into words, you’ll just have to experience it for yourself.

COMING IN 2024

VICTORIA HIGH COUNTRY

COMING IN 2024

K’GARI FRASER ISLAND, QLD

COMING IN 2024

NEW ZEALAND CLASSIC TRAMPS

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To say this company is anything short of phenomenal would be an understatement. With Rob and his teams help, our school has been recognised nationally as one of the largest providers in Australia of the Duke of Edinburgh award having groups ranging from 10 to a 100 kids, multiple times a year.

– Tahlia M, Teacher, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator –

OUR DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD EXPERIENCE

Since our humble beginning in 2017 we have run over 100 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Adventurous Journeys for thousands students (and had a 100% return rate). However, our Founder Rob Mann has been delivering the Adventurous journey, as a guide and teacher, since 2004. All of our guides have extensive experience both as participants and assessors of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

We have witnessed the powerful impact that a Duke of Ed Adventure has had on the lives of thousands of students on trips we have been involved in. (You can read about one such impact here.) As a result, our guides are committed to providing the same high quality experience and care for each and every participant enrolled in our programs.

UNIQUELY AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCES

What makes our Duke of Edinburgh’s Adventurous journeys unique is the way we incorporate Australian elements into each trip. Through our journeys we want our participants to know the truth of our past, to gain a stronger appreciation of what it means to be Australian and how to feel at home in the Australian environment.

This is an expansive concept. Our staff are skilled at subtly weaving these elements into each journey in order for this to happen. You can read more about our Australian experiences here.

Our intent is not only will students finish their D of E with a great sense of accomplishment, they will have enriched their understanding and identity as an Australian.

WE MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU

  • PRE-EXPEDITION, PLANNING AND TRAINING SESSIONS

    All booked Duke of Ed expeditions come with pre-trip training. This is an essential part of the trip that all students are required to complete. The training includes, route planning, food choices, clothing options, suggested equipment, safety procedures, basic first aid, strategic packing and bag organisation. There will be an opportunity to hire or purchase equipment.

  • RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

    comprehensive and tailored risk assessment/management plan will be supplied to each school who is planning to participate in one of our expeditions. See risk management and assessment under the safety tab.

  • HIRE EQUIPMENT

    We provide a range of hire equipment for students. See our Gear Hire page for more details.

  • PERMISSION NOTES AND EXPEDITION ORGANISATION

    We are aware of the necessary, yet time consuming tasks that are required to complete extra-curricular activities in the modern school environment. We are very happy to provide your school with a range of permission notes and all expedition details (including equipment packing checklist). We can also arrange private or public transportation. All you will need to do is pop it onto a school letterhead and get your principal’s approval.

  • PROGRAM SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

    Taking on the Duke of Ed Award program can seem like an overwhelming task. We know this from first hand experience and have developed a training package that students can complete on their own (remotely), or used as a resource for you to deliver in the classroom . Rest assured that all your concerns are very easily addressed and managed. The effort in providing a successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program to your students is far out-weighed by the reward of what the staff and students will take away.

    For more information, take a read of our recent blog 4 Tips For Reducing Teacher’s Duke of Ed Workload

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My son went on a school trip to Uluṟu with Black Diamond Adventures for their Gold Duke of Ed. These guys are the best. The way they interacted with the kids, their work ethics, knowledge, everything they did was with a genuine passion for what they do. There are admirable, and very good role models for our kids. They got to know every kid individually and made each of them an important part of the team.

– Paul C, Parent –

THE MAKING OF AUSTRALIANS