Amazing Aussie Summer Camp
Day 1 (Tuesday): Australia Here We Come!
You will depart Los Angeles for Brisbane in the evening on our escorted group flight. The flight will take about 14 hours – plenty of time to get to know the rest of your group before arriving DownUnder.
Day 2 (Wednesday): In Transit
Today is lost as you cross the international dateline, but don’t worry too much, you will get it back on your way home!
Day 3 (Thursday): Welcome to Australia
Today you will arrive into Brisbane, where Rustic Pathways’ on-ground Australian staff will welcome you to your program. You will then transfer to the Base house in Golden Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Your staff will help you settle into the Aussie way of life, and after you get to know everyone, you’ll head out to explore the local beaches in the afternoon. You will cap off your first day in Australia with a traditional Aussie barbecue for dinner before resting up for a massive two weeks ahead!
Day 4 (Friday): Home of the Crocodile Hunter
You’ll spend today exploring Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, which is just twenty minutes from our Base in the mountains. Australia Zoo offers the chance to see many of Australia’s native animals first hand, and you will spend the day petting kangaroos, watching the awesome croc show, checking out dingoes, making friends with koalas, and more. Afterwards, head to the top of a nearby mountain for spectacular sunset views before returning home to The Base for dinner and stories with new friends.
Day 5 (Saturday): Time to Check Out Local Markets and Learn to Surf!
This morning you will head off to Eumundi Market, one of Australia's leading tourist attractions. Held every Saturday morning of the year come rain, hail or shine, the market turns this otherwise sleepy hinterland town into a vibrant mecca for shoppers on the hunt for something different.
After a morning of bargain hunting, it will be time to grab your swimmers and head to the coastal town of Coolum for a two hour surf lesson! You’ll be hanging ten before you know it as our local gurus teach you how to ride the waves.
Day 6 (Sunday): Waterfalls in the Hinterland
Today you’ll head into the hinterland region and visit some beautiful waterfalls in the rainforest. After a walk to the bottom of the falls, you will have a chance to take a plunge into the cool pools at the base of the waterfall. Then have a picnic lunch with some local bush turkeys and head into the area’s small towns to soak up the country life. You will return to The Base in the late afternoon.
Day 7 (Monday): Whale Watching!
Head out this morning on Steve Irwin’s boat, Whale One, in search of humpback whales. Migrating north from Antarctica, the whales are regularly seen swimming and playing close to the coast. Have your cameras ready to catch them breaching and tail slapping and watch for dolphins riding the bow waves of the boat. After lunch on the open sea, you’ll return to the coast in the afternoon for some beach time and gelato.
Day 8 (Tuesday): Noosa National Park and our Aussie Bush Camp
Today you will head to one of Australia’s most famous stretches of sand, Noosa. Noosa National Park features spectacular coastal scenery and provides an important refuge for native wildlife, including the koala, glossy black cockatoo, and king parrot. The hours will slip away as you swim, take a stunning walk along the coast, play beach soccer, and relax on the sand. After strolling the trendy main street, you’ll say goodbye to the ocean and head off to our farm camp for a taste of the Outback life!
Day 9 (Wednesday): A Day on the Station
Wake up this morning to laughing kookaburras and kangaroos grazing in the paddock, and then get ready for a day on the farm! You’ll be involved with a range of activities, including working with horses and helping rural farmers with their daily duties. In the afternoon, learn how to crack a stock whip, throw a boomerang, and feed a possum before a night of good food, an Outback cinema and a cozy night’s sleep in a swag.
Day 10 (Thursday): Orienteering, Scavenger Hunt and a Camel to the Beach
After a fun morning of team challenges around the camp, you’ll head towards the coast and ride a camel through the bush to the beach. Camels have an interesting history in Australia, and you’ll learn about the role they played in opening up the country. Riding one is an exhilarating experience and a great way to travel along the beach. Tonight you will play games around the campfire and then walk out to spot the drop bears in the trees.
Day 11 (Friday): Brisbane and Her River
After a morning at the bush camp, you’ll journey south for an afternoon in the city of Brisbane. Check out the Aussie exhibits in the city museum, stroll through the promenades, and be dazzled by the city lights along the river’s edge in the evening. Brisbane is a great city and the perfect launching pad for the next couple of days.
Day 12 (Saturday): The Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise
This morning you’ll head down to the Gold Coast for a day at Sea World or Movie World. Ride the latest thrill rides, catch the marine shows, and come face to face with a tiger shark. After plenty of fun at the amusement park, you will head to Surfers Paradise, one of Australia’s surfing meccas. Then head back to Brisbane tonight.
Day 13 (Sunday): An Island Adventure
Located 25 miles off the coast of Brisbane, Moreton Island is a national park known for its natural beauty, wildlife and undeveloped environment. The wonders of the island will surround you as you snorkel, sandboard and search for dolphins on this great sandy island. After giving back to this magical island through environmental service with the local park rangers, you will return to Brisbane for the night.
Day 14 (Monday): Brisbane to Sydney
Today is a transit day. After a relaxed morning in Brisbane, you will catch a plane down to Sydney and prepare for the grand finale of Young Explorers II!
Day 15-16 (Tuesday - Wednesday): Sydney and Her Sights
Today is your last full day in Australia, and you will make the most of every minute.
You will end the afternoon in style at a restaurant by the harbor, where a delicious final dinner will cap off an amazing two weeks in Australia.
Day 17 (Thursday): Returning Home or Continuing on to Your Next Adventure
You will have an early morning flight back to Brisbane today. If you are returning to the United States or traveling on to Fiji or New Zealand, your flight will depart Brisbane this morning. If you are continuing on to another Rustic Pathways adventure in Australia, you will connect with your new leaders in Brisbane this morning. If you are traveling on to another Rustic destination, your staff will help you with your flight arrangements. Wherever you are headed, we wish you happy travels and hope you return to the Land DownUnder soon!
An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.
A safe, friendly country, Australia is the perfect destination for students who want to travel overseas without parents. Combining the best aspects of sleep-away camp with the enrichment of an international experience, Young Explores II is specifically created for kids aged 13-15 who have been waiting for the chance to stretch their wings and travel farther from home