When you think of the Northern Territory, images of red soil, rich culture, and remote classrooms might come to mind—but thanks to Away We Go Tours, a group of NT students swapped gum trees for goal posts in a once-in-a-lifetime AFL experience in Melbourne.
A small school nestled in the heart of the NT had big dreams: give its students a taste of professional sport, community spirit, and the buzz of a stadium crowd. With some creative planning, logistical wizardry, and a whole lot of passion, Michael, their AWGT travel consultant, turned the school’s dream into a moment of Glory.
The highlight? These students didn’t just attend an AFL match featuring the Western Bulldogs—they formed the official guard of honour, welcoming the players as they stormed onto Marvel Stadium. For a bunch of kids more used to watching footy on dusty ovals, walking out on hallowed turf was a surreal experience.
The Journey to Melbourne included coordinated travel from the Northern Territory to Melbourne, tackling the unique challenge of remote departure points and arranging accommodation, meals, and transport, all tailored to this school’s unique needs, budget and educational outcomes. The trip included educational components like city tours, cultural experiences, and sports workshops to make sure the trip was enriching beyond just the footy.
Behind the Bulldogs’ Barricade Thanks to partnerships with AFL organisers, the students were granted an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, met team staff, and got to see how a professional team prepares for game day. It was more than just sport—it was a lesson in teamwork, resilience, and chasing audacious goals.
This wasn’t just a travel itinerary—it was about building self-esteem, pride, and a sense of possibility. For many of these students, it was their first time on a plane or in a major city. The energy of the crowd, the smell of turf, the roar when the players burst through the banner—it’ll stay with them for life.
