From excessive drinking to a ‘self-care journey’: how the schoolies tradition is shifting

While many teenagers still celebrate the end of high school by partying, an increasing number are opting for a relaxation-centred schoolies. Photograph: Schoolies.com

When Eleena Li and her friends finish their exams this month, they’re not packing their swimsuits for a raucous schoolies trip to Byron Bay or the Gold Coast. They’re hitting Japan for two weeks of theme parks, shopping and culture.

“The main consensus was we didn’t want to go to actual schoolies events – it’s not really for us,” the 18-year-old says.