Guildford Horizons in Canberra

The first full day began with an early breakfast before heading to Parliament House for a guided tour and a Parliamentary Education Office session, where students learned how decisions are made and laws are created in Australia. A highlight of the visit was meeting The Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources, who generously took time to speak with the students and answer their thoughtful questions.

After lunch, the group visited Government House for a guided tour and drove through the Embassy District before stopping at the National Capital Exhibition to discover how Canberra was designed and built as the nation’s capital. The day concluded with an evening visit to the National Dinosaur Museum for the exciting Dinosaurs at Night program, a clear favourite among students. After a packed first day, everyone returned to Discovery Parks for a well-deserved rest.

The second day began at the Royal Australian Mint, where students discovered how Australia’s coins are made through a fascinating guided tour. They then explored the National Archives of Australia, learning how the nation’s history is recorded and preserved, before visiting the High Court to gain insight into the role of judges, constitutional change and the importance of the rule of law.

In the afternoon, students enjoyed the colour and creativity of Canberra’s famous Floriade Festival before spending the evening at Questacon. From hands-on experiments to thrilling challenges, Questacon proved to be one of the week’s highlights. The day ended with friendly competition at Zone Bowling before returning to the accommodation for dinner and downtime.

The final day began at the Australian War Memorial, where students took part in the School Wreath Laying Ceremony and experienced the We Will Remember Them tour. It was a moving and meaningful visit, offering moments of reflection and gratitude for those who served. The group then travelled along Anzac Drive before visiting the Museum of Australian Democracy, exploring the People Power & Making Change exhibition.

After lunch, learning continued at the Electoral Education Centre, where students took part in a mock election to deepen their understanding of Australia’s democratic system. The afternoon was spent at the Canberra Arboretum, orienteering in teams to read maps, locate markers and problem solve. In the evening, everyone enjoyed a private Dendy movie screening of Kangaroo, complete with popcorn and drinks, before heading back for their final night in Canberra.

The final day began with a visit to the Australian Institute of Sport, where students took part in the guided Sportex program and explored the high-performance facilities used by many of Australia’s top athletes. Afterwards, one group set off for a chilly but scenic cycle around Lake Burley Griffin, while the other explored the Mr Squiggle and Friends exhibition at the National Museum of Australia, a colourful mix of creativity and nostalgia.

In the afternoon, the tour concluded at the Canberra Glassworks, where students took part in the Glassworks Tour and Tile workshop, crafting their own glass tiles and watching expert glassblowers in action. The day ended with pizza in the Senate Gardens before one final stop at Mount Ainslie Lookout to take in the sunset views over Canberra, a perfect farewell to an extraordinary week.