Arcadia Australia

Get ready to be enthralled as we take you through the hilarious and adventurous trip of the Arcadia students studying at various NSW institutions. Their destination: the beautiful and serene Chowder Bay, situated on the picturesque inner northern beach of Sydney Harbour. The students were in dire need of a break from their hectic city lives, and what better way to unwind than to engage in a variety of activities including bushwalking, sailing, and stand-up paddle boarding. 

The journey commences on a Friday afternoon, starting at Circular Quay wharf. The ferry ride provided breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House, taking only 40 minutes to reach South Mosman. After disembarking from the ferry and catching a short bus ride to Chowder Bay, the students finally arrived at their accommodation, Land’s Edge. And boy, were they in for a treat!

Surrounded by lush bushland, teeming with natural flora and fauna, the students spent the next three days basking in its natural beauty. Yet, nothing is boring at an Arcadia weekend event, oh no! For those who love a little friendly competition, the first night began with a MasterChef cook-off. Well, perhaps not exactly a full-on cook-off, as the students were tasked with decorating their own cupcake, challenging them to create something unique and flavoursome to present to the 3 judges (Nick, the Resident Director; Phoebe, Manager for Internships and Maria, NSW Student Services Coordinator). All contestants showcased promising culinary design skills in hopes of being crowned the next MasterChef superstar. Although a tough decision, eventually two winners were selected as the newest Arcadia in Australia MasterChef superstars. 

The students concluded their night by watching a movie while devouring their scrumptious cupcakes (and incessantly complaining to the judges they were robbed!!). Now that's what we call a sweet victory, on both counts!

The Saturday morning kicked off with an early start and a speedy transfer to Balmoral Beach, where an exciting adventure awaited the students - stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) and sailing lessons. Despite the cloudy skies and mild currents, the group remained determined to conquer the challenge. However, they soon discovered that SUP was trickier than anticipated. After a 20-minute instruction and warm-up, they bravely tackled the task. Let's just say that their attempts were quite comical, but hey, practice makes perfect! Eventually, they glided along at a comfortable pace, admiring the serene beauty of one of Sydney's most tranquil and crystalline harbour beaches. We're not sure who had more fun, the students or the onlookers watching their hilarious attempts!

As they made their way around the harbour, the students switched to their next activity - sailing! With a quick briefing and the teamwork required outlined by the instructors, they boarded their boats and set sail toward a new horizon. 

And boy, did they make quite a team, impressing even the most seasoned instructor, who allowed them to venture further into Sydney harbour than anticipated, with a variety of other crafts scooting past them.

The morning activities drew to a close with a picturesque walk back to Chowder Bay (via Mosman for a counter lunch) and a lazy afternoon spent dozing; reading or lazing on the sand of Chowder Bay beach.

Are you ready for a wild and creative adventure? As the sun began to set, the students were presented with a unique opportunity to unleash their artistic side and paint their very own Australian wooden animals! From the bouncy kangaroo to the cheeky kookaburra and the prickly echidna, there was no shortage of exciting options to choose from. With each brush stroke, they transformed their blank canvas into a colourful masterpiece and the best part? They got to take their furry friends home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir!

All in all, it was a weekend full of laughter, adventure, and bonding with fellow students. And who knows, maybe the next MasterChef superstar is amongst these Arcadia students!