THEIR eyes grow wide, as do their big grins.

This is a long way from the far reaches of the desert where they're from.

Plastered on their faces are the biggest smiles and, if you listen closely, you might hear their hearts beating fast.

For some of these young men, it is the first time they've seen the churning surf.

They are students from Yirara College in Alice Springs, an indigenous school for young men living in remote parts of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and northern Queensland.

They arrived on the Sunshine Coast on Friday for an end-of-year holiday as a reward for their dedication at school.

Some of the 20 students, aged between 13 and 16, had never seen the surf before, but that certainly didn't diminish their enthusiasm.

On the contrary, euphoria reigned as they screamed and yelled and made their way to the water's edge.

"They just love being smashed and rolled around by the waves," teacher and mentor Russell Modlin said.

Mr Modlin has taught at the Alice Springs college for four years and yesterday said it was a great opportunity for the young men to experience life outside the Northern Territory.

Mr Modlin, who previously taught at a Brisbane school, said programs at the indigenous school were helping open up opportunities that graduates could pursue.

"It's actually preparing them for adulthood," he said.

"Trying to give them pathways and show them that there are other options, from work to extra studies."

The students, all keen Australian Rules footballers, kicked a footy around during their time at the beach at Alexandra Headland yesterday.

Brayden Philomac was one of the crew, who said he liked school and was enjoying his holiday.

During the Christmas break, 15-year-old Brayden will return to his home in the small town of Elliott in the Northern Territory.

He said he planned to spend his free days fishing and hunting kangaroo, turkeys and goannas.

"Dad tried to teach me traditional hunting with a spear, but I'm no good at it," Brayden said. "So I just use a gun."

The comment reminded Mr Modlin that the students were scheduled to visit Australia Zoo while they were in town.

He joked that he had already advised his team that the animals at Beerwah were not to be hunted.

The young men will play an AFL game against Mountain Creek State School on Monday and were planning to climb Mount Coolum.