Inside King Charles’ time as Aussie schoolboy at Timbertop, Geelong Grammar

Most of King Charles III’s education was spent in a myriad of traditionally British boarding schools geared towards preparing him for the throne.

But for two terms in 1966, the then-17-year-old was shipped elsewhere, enjoying six months in the remote Victorian Alps.

The destination was Timbertop, Geelong Grammar’s year 9 campus where students board together in a program that puts emphasis on outdoor education.

And according to the King, the period was “by far the best part” of his entire schooling.

It was at Timbertop that Charles was effectively removed from his royal duties and allowed to roam the High Country’s vast surrounds with his classmates.

The King later recalled the experience in a speech, which showed how his Australian education differed so much from the British experience he famously lamented.

“Part of my own education took place here in Australia,” Charles said during one visit to Australia.

“Quite frankly, it was by far the best part. While I was here I had the Pommy bits bashed off me. Like chips off an old block.”

He said the experience was a memorable one despite being teased by other students for being a “Pommy bastard”.

“Look what it has done for me. By god, it was good for the character,” Charles said.

Timbertop taught students a curriculum focused on gruelling hikes, cross-country runs, skiing, solo camping trials and woodcutting.

However, the experience doesn’t come cheap with current annual fees topping $73,000.

During his stint, Charles was two years older than most classmates and as such learnt a separate British curriculum and had his own dorm.

Overall, the experience was almost opposite to his time at Gordonstoun School, on Scotland’s chilly north coast, which Charles once famously called “Colditz in kilts”.

So fond the King was of his time at Geelong that he returned to celebrate the school’s 150th birthday in 2005 and sent his regret a decade later at not being able to attend his 50-year Timbertop reunion.

Charles has been to Australia 16 times, with a return trip more likely now he’s taken the throne.

However, it remains to be seen whether Timbertop will be on his radar.