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Yalari Way Outback Camp: a seven-day journey on Country in Central Australia
Imagine spending seven nights under the stars, with your swag rolled out on red earth and the campfire casting a long shadow. Your days are shaped by walking Country, sharing meals and conversations that unfold at their own pace.
The Yalari Way Outback Camp invites workplace groups, senior leaders and individuals to connect with Central Australia and spend time on Country.
“The camp changed my perspective in ways I didn’t expect. It was meaningful in the moment, but it also altered how I think about connection and leadership,” reflects one RACV participant who attended the camp last year.
Travelling from Mparntwe (Alice Springs) through Kwartatuma (Ormiston Gorge) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) to Uluru, the seven‑day journey offers a rare opportunity to slow down, listen deeply and learn directly from the wisdom of Traditional Owners. The Outback Camp is an extension of Yalari’s work in education and leadership, grounded in lived experience, relationships and long‑term commitment.
The camp fosters a deeper appreciation of the strength and wisdom of Australia’s First Nations peoples. All images courtesy of Yalari.
About Yalari
Founded in 2005, Yalari creates secondary education opportunities for Indigenous students from regional and remote communities across Australia through full secondary boarding school scholarships. Today, it supports 251 students nationwide, alongside a growing alumni network of over 650 graduates who are now studying, working or undertaking further training.
RACV is proud to partner with Yalari, providing financial and in-kind support that reflects a shared commitment to equity, opportunity and community-led development.
“Our partnership with Yalari is grounded in a shared belief that access to education and opportunity can create lasting change. By combining financial investment with practical, in‑kind support, RACV is proud to stand alongside Yalari in empowering young people, strengthening communities, and contributing to a more equitable future for generations to come.” said Neil Taylor, RACV Managing Director & CEO.
As part of Yalari Way Outback Camp, you'll visit spectacular Watarrka National Park (Kings Canyon). Image: Getty
An invitation to walk alongside Yalari
The Yalari Way Outback Camp brings Yalari’s values to life through a deeply immersive experience on Country. Over seven days, participants camp alongside Yalari’s Founder Waverley Stanley AM, alumni, staff and supporters, living and learning together day by day.
The camp offers a personal insight into Indigenous culture and the relationships that sit at the heart of Yalari’s work.
What the experience looks like
The change of environment, and the openness of the outback allows you to slow down, listen and reflect.
Participants can expect:
- Fireside yarning circles and shared reflections
- Learning directly from Traditional Owners
- Walking some of Central Australia’s most iconic landscapes
- Contributing to camp duties and daily meal preparation – a practice of reciprocity
- Nights spent under the stars, sleeping in swags.
Reflections from the camp
For many who have joined the Yalari Way Outback Camp, the strongest takeaway is simple: people want to connect.
Past participants speak of the power of listening and respect as the foundations of meaningful relationships, and of the privilege of learning directly from Traditional Owners who generously share their knowledge, culture and stories.
"A few things are guaranteed: Your heart will be full, you will have red dust on your boots, you’ll be amazed and in awe of our country and the Aboriginal people still living on the land of their ancestors for hundreds of generations; you’ll get teary and you will laugh, and you’ll have time to think about your place in our country and all the beauty and peace that can come from that.” – Waverley Stanley AM, Yalari Founder
Waverley speaks of ‘stickability’, the grit and perseverance that turns opportunity into achievement. It’s a quality he looks for in scholarship students, and one that participants are encouraged to carry into their own lives as they continue supporting reconciliation, wherever they are.
Participants pitch in with camp duties and join fireside yarning circles.
Who the camp is for
The Yalari Way Outback Camp is suited to people who are open to learning, listening and shared experience. Participants should be:
- Comfortable with camping and shared responsibilities
- Willing to engage respectfully and thoughtfully with First Nations perspectives
- At a reasonable level of fitness, with walks across varied terrain included
Walking together for the long haul
The Yalari Way Outback Camp is not about ticking off destinations. It’s about walking together, on Country and beyond, with a commitment to listening, learning and long‑term reconciliation. It’s an experience that stays with participants well after they return home, shaping how each of us can play in creating a more equitable and hopeful future for all Australians.
For more information on the Yalari Outback Camp, call 07 5665 8688 or email philanthropy@yalari.org
