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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Caitlin Cassidy. Photography by Tajette O’Halloran

‘You’re only 18 once’: Australia’s coming of age rite schoolies is itself maturing – somewhat

Audrey Brigitte Yoga
Sunburnt boys relaxing in their motel room after a day at the beach during schoolies celebrations in Byron, Australia
Sunburnt boys in their motel room after a day at the beach during schoolies celebrations in Byron. Photograph: Tajette O’Halloran/The Guardian

Schoolies week in Byron Bay is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates.

A choose-your-own-adventure, whether that be an afternoon jog to the lighthouse with your best friends and a game of cricket on the beach, or creating a tower out of empty beer bottles and watching your mate vomit on the dancefloor before 9pm.

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