This was published 8 years ago
Schoolies in Bali, Fiji and the Gold Coast: Stay safe while running wild
By Tracey Spicer
While the moral panic surrounding Schoolies is exaggerated – who didn't have a wild time at that age? – some of the dangers aren't.Credit: Nic Walker
A man is chasing us down the street with an axe.
It's like a scene from Nightmare on Elm Street.
Except it's on High Street, Surfers Paradise, during Schoolies Week.
A taxi driver watches two schoolies walk past in Bali.Credit: Nic Walker
This was pre-Toolies, Foolies and Droolies – a simpler time, when post-school celebrations were much more moderate.
Still, for the crime of cramming one extra person into our apartment, we were punished by the axe-wielding owner.
Instead of our heads, he chopped off our contract and we were evicted after one night.
More than half of 17- to 19-year-olds holidayed in Bali, Fiji and Vanuatu for schoolies last year.Credit: Nic Walker
Somewhat more serious shenanigans take place these days.
Perth father Lance Gillon says he can't help but worry about the risks.
"I trust my daughter, and we're not going to stop her, but I'll probably board the plane in a disguise if they decide to head to Bali or the Gold Coast.
"I can only live in hope and trust that it's not nearly as bad as the imagery plastered on social media portrays," he says.
Well, yes and no.
While the moral panic surrounding Schoolies is exaggerated – who didn't have a wild time at that age? – some of the dangers aren't.
This is especially so in developing countries.
Data from comparetravelinsurance.com.au from November last year reveals more than half of 17- to 19-year-olds holidayed in Bali, Fiji and Vanuatu; a further 13 per cent went to Thailand, Vietnam and India.
In recent years, Bali is proving particularly problematic: one Australian dies on the island every nine days.
Balcony falls are the biggest issue on the Gold Coast, with teenager Isabelle Colman the sixth person to die from a fall in the holiday spot in 2012.
Police say "apartment jumping" is still a popular pastime.
In 2011, a travel insurer rejected a claim related to a balcony fall, which killed a heavily intoxicated young man in Fiji.
Kelly Herbert from 1Cover Travel Insurance says: "Teens should understand that reckless behaviour can have serious consequences, both at home and away."
But neuroscientists say a 17-year-old will make riskier decisions than a 25-year-old, because their brains are underdeveloped.
Put simply, they're impulsive.
Jesse*, from Nowra, on the NSW South Coast, badly damaged a Gold Coast apartment during Schoolies Week, racking up a $2000 bill.
"I think it was ridiculous how much we were charged. The place was a dump. They basically had our pants down with the amount of extra charges," she says.
Natalie Ball, director Comparetravelinsurance.com.au is blunt: "If you're planning on trashing your hotel room, don't count on travel insurance to bail you out."
As a parent, these stories make me shudder.
I guess the best we can do is to talk with our kids about the dangers.
After all, tens of thousands of teens will celebrate Schoolies this year: most return healthy and happy, albeit a little hungover.
As a mother of tweens, it's easy to scare the children with stories of landlords with axes and plugged toilets.
(The latter is too disgusting to discuss: ask me at the pub one day.)
But when they're older? The wide world beckons. Who are we to stop them?
*Name changed.
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See also: The 50 greatest family holiday destinations
See also: How to ensure your kids stay safe at Schoolies
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