Great Guide Sleepover 2025

The Great Guide Sleepover (GGS) is one of the most cherished events in our Guiding calendar—it’s a weekend that brings together girls and Leaders for fun, friendship, and adventure. The event began in 1996, when Guides camped on the steps of the Sydney Opera House to show support for people experiencing homelessness. While the Sleepover has grown and changed over the years—with updates to programs, different locations, and expanding across two sites, one thing has remained constant: bringing our Guiding community together to raise funds for a cause that truly matters. This year, across three events we were able to raise over $23,000 for our conservation focus animal, the Greater Bilby which will aid in the protection and conservation of this endangered Aussie icon. Continue reading for event specific highlights and acknowledgements.

GGS Dubbo

The Great Guide Sleepover Dubbo kicked off this year’s events at Taronga Western Plains Zoo, and after a year off, the excitement was unmistakable. Girls and their Leaders settled into Billabong Camp for a weekend packed with adventure. Friday night brought close encounters with Tassie Devils and other Australian nocturnal animals, followed by games, dancing, a visit to the Guide Shop, and a movie under the stars before bed.

The next morning, energy was high as everyone visited the Lions and Platypuses before packing their belongings and heading home, tired but already excited for GGS 2026!

Pulling together an event of this scale takes enormous dedication, and we extend a huge thank you and BRAVO to the Event Leadership team–Gemma Evans, Pauline Davison, Amanda Manderson, Annette Halpin, and Jacqui Mitchell–for making GGS Dubbo such a success.

GGS Sydney

After what felt like a season’s worth of rain across Sydney and NSW in just a few days, the Great Guide Sleepover looked a little different this year. With the Concert Lawns too wet to use, more than 400 Girl Guides and their Leaders migrated up at the new Top Plaza site at Taronga Zoo–right next to the animals!

While the location called for quieter voices, it didn’t dampen the spirit of the night as the girls danced away at the silent disco and participated in a colourful array of GGS themed activities such as badge making and keyring making. The night was wrapped up with a movie before heading to bed, tucked in amongst the animals.

On Sunday the girls piled into the amphitheatre for a Dingo show hosted by Taronga Zoo staff, and for many this was a highlight of the weekend!

We would like to extend our gratitude to the GGS Sydney Event Leadership Team for their unwavering dedication to ensuring the event’s go ahead despite numerous setbacks. The team worked quickly to make adjustments to the program that stayed true to the GGS Sydney experience, whilst accommodating both the needs of our Guides and Taronga Zoo, and we couldn’t be more pleased with how the weekend went despite the challenges. A big thank you to Alison Cappetta, Lilly Leaver, Gabby Head, Penny Street, Merindah Thornton, Taylah Creighton, and Mikayla Harris.

GGS Alice Springs

The Great Guide Sleepover was back in Alice Springs for its bi-annual instalment after a year in Darwin in 2024. From the first night, excitement filled the camp as Guides headed out on a nocturnal walk and spotted some of Central Australia’s most fascinating wildlife including the Mala, Bettongs, Golden Bandicoots, Stick-Nest Rats, and Echidnas.

The magic continued through Saturday with themed games, an exciting scavenger hunt, and a no-fire campfire that lit up the night with songs and laughter.

A special thank you and BRAVO goes to the small, but mighty Event Leadership Team; Letitia Baldwin and Sue Ride for their dedication in bringing this event to life and allowing girls of the Northern Territory to experience the magic that is the Great Guide Sleepover.