Awesome Aussie Service Adventure

Itinerary

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 our beautiful Glasshouse Mountains Base, which is nestled in the ‘bush’ and rainforest about an hour north of Brisbane and 40 minutes from the 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 area in the afternoon.

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 around the campfire.

Day 5 (Saturday): Time to Check Out Local Beaches and Markets
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 beach towel and bathing suit and head for 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 ground parrot. You’ll want to get your fill of sun and sand here because tomorrow you will be off to our farm camp for a taste of the Outback life!

Day 6 (Sunday): Life On The Farm
You will 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 farm 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 7 (Monday): Lend a Hand
After bidding a fond farewell to life in the Outback, you will join a local environmental organization for the day. Your service today will be determined by the community’s needs, but it is likely to involve tree planting and waterway restoration work. The dedicated work of local environmental organizations helps ensure that Australia’s incredible natural environment is treated with respect and care, and your efforts today will help keep Australia beautiful for generations to come. Tonight you will return to our Glasshouse Mountains Base in preparation for an action-packed day tomorrow.

Day 8 (Tuesday): Brisbane, Bridge Climb, and Help at the Hospital
Travel south this morning for a day in the city of Brisbane. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb up the Storey Bridge, one of only three bridge climbs in the world! After taking in magnificent views from the top and arriving safely back on the ground, you’ll catch the ferry on the river, stroll along the esplanade for lunch, and then head across to the Children’s Hospital to volunteer in their childcare center. Throughout the week you will have spent time planning for this visit to the hospital, and today you’ll run the activities you designed for the children here.

Day 9 (Wednesday): Service and Optional Activities
Today you’ll work with a local volunteer organization called Night Eyes. Dedicated to the environmental monitoring of an island and waterway, these volunteers work year round and truly appreciate Rustic’s ongoing support. Meet a couple of classic Aussie ‘blokes’ who will take you over to Bribie Island on their boat to help clean up the beach. After a ‘barbie’ for lunch, head off for some time to swim, tan, partake in an optional activity, or shop for souvenirs. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant and will be followed by your final night in the hinterland.

Day 10 (Thursday): Life on the Coast
Those students who are in Australia for one week will depart today, and a few new students will arrive. You will have the option of coming to the airport, or depending on staffing, spending the day exploring the coast and mountains. In the afternoon you will head to a basketball coaching clinic, where you’ll assist special-needs students with fitness and skills. With plenty of smiles and high fives, this will be a fun afternoon before you settle into our Surf House for the evening.

Day 11 (Friday): Morning Surf and Afternoon Service
You’ll get up early this morning and head out for your first surf lesson! No previous experience required – our team of excellent coaches will teach you everything you need to know. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced surfer, you’ll be up and riding the waves in no time. In the afternoon, you will work with a local organization called Maroochy Waterwatch to assist in the monitoring and preservation of Australia’s waterways and coastline.

Day 12 (Saturday): Surf and Ski
This morning you’ll head down to the beach for another surf session. This second day on the waves will offer the chance to review what you learned yesterday and continue to perfect your style. After a few hours in the surf, you’ll be hungry for a famous Aussie meat pie and a ‘lamington’ from a local bakery. Then you will head over to the cable water-sports park for some afternoon thrills. Try knee-boarding, waterskiing or wakeboarding and have heaps of fun as you develop new skills!

Day 13 (Sunday): An Island Adventure
Check out the surf this morning, catch some waves with our instructors, and then get set for an island adventure! You’ll drive south to Brisbane, where you will meet our four-wheel-drive vehicle and local guide before boarding the ferry and steaming across the bay. Located 25 miles off the coast of Brisbane, Moreton Island is a national park that is known for its natural beauty and wildlife. The wonders of the island will surround you for the next two days and nights as you camp at a well-established site near the beach. As today comes to an end, you’ll search for dolphins as the sun sets over the ocean and then head to the camp site for a night under the stars!

Day 14 (Monday): The Magic of Moreton
After giving back to this magical island through environmental service with the local park rangers, you will head out for an afternoon full of sun and adventure. With opportunities to go snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, swimming, and surfing, there really is something for everyone here at Moreton. Learn how to sandboard on the island’s biggest dunes, and then hike up to the lighthouse and spot humpback whales as they migrate along the coast. You never know what surprises are in store for you here, and there will be plenty of stories to share around the fire at the end of the day.

Day 15 (Tuesday):  Back to The Mainland
This morning will offer your last chance to get your fill of Moreton Island. You may surf some of the deserted breaks, four-wheel drive along the beach, lend a hand at a service project, or explore some of the many beaches and coves. After an early lunch, you’ll catch the ferry back to Brisbane and return to our Surf House on the Sunshine Coast.

Day 16 (Wednesday): Optional Activity Day
Today is your last full day in Australia, and you will have the chance to take advantage of the many fantastic optional activities the Sunshine Coast has to offer. Whether tandem skydiving, riding a camel on the beach, go-karting, shopping, or going on a surprise activity, you will never forget this action-packed day. You will end the afternoon in style in the beautiful town of Noosa, where a delicious final dinner at a local restaurant will cap off an amazing two weeks in Australia.

Day 17 (Thursday): Returning Home or Continuing on to Your Next Adventure
If you are returning home to the USA 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.

 

 

Please use the list below as a guideline of what to bring. If you are doing a combination of trips over two or three weeks, be sure to check the packing lists for all sections of your trip.

To Help You Come Prepared…
Trip Length: 15 days in Australia, 2 days in-flight
Weather: Generally blue sunny skies, some days overcast with chance of rain
Temperature: Approximately 65-75 degrees during day then cool at night (30-40 degrees)
Sleeping: Bunk beds at our Glasshouse Mountains Base / Surf House + 2 nights in a swag at the bush camp + 2 nights in tents on Moreton Island
Washing: Self-serve laundry twice during program

Carry-On
A small backpack is the best carry-on bag and will be useful throughout your program for day trips.

• Passport and wallet
• Photocopy of passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Sunglasses
• Journal and pens
• Book / magazine
• Reusable water bottle (eg: Nalgene bottle)
• Personal medications (Be sure to bring medications in your carry on in the event that your luggage gets delayed in transit!)
• Camera

Checked Luggage
A medium sized duffel bag, wheeled bag, or a large backpack will be suitable. Students must be able to carry and load their own luggage.

• Jeans (3)
• Sweat pants (3)
• Shorts (3)
• T-shirts (6)
• Hooded sweatshirt (1)
• Fleece jacket or warm jacket (2) (gets cold at night while camping)
• Underwear (10)
• Socks (5)
• Change of clothes + runners for bush camp activities & service (these will get wet/dirty!)
• Swim Suits (1)
• Lightweight rain coat (1)
• Sneakers (1)
• Flip-Flops (1)
• Cap or Sun Hat
• Flashlight/Head-lamp 
• Towels (1 bath, 1 beach)
• Sleeping bag
• Bed sheet (single size)
• Pillow case
• Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner etc, small bottles only)
• Personal first aid kit
• Sun-screen/ lip balm (SPF 30+)
• Photocopies of passport (2)
• Travel adapter for Australia (see www.korjo.com)
• Books, music, iPod speakers, games, guitar, cards (optional)

Additional Notes

Please remember to bring some old clothes/shoes for the activities at the bush camp and for environmental service work. These clothes may get wet and/or dirty. Please also bring a warm jacket, as it can get cold when camping at night.

 

 

FAQ’s - Awesome Aussie Service Adventure

1 – This trip sounds like other trips in Australia, what is the difference?
This program is a two week trip that combines our Aussie Surf and Service trip with our Sunshine Coast Service and Adventure program. Students will generally do the Sunshine Coast trip first, followed by the Surf and Service.

2 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
For the first week, students stay at Rustic's Base House in the Glasshouse Mountains, just inland from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. The house is situated on more than 50 acres of eucalyptus trees and overlooks stunning mountain peaks. Students will sleep 4-6 in a room on bunk beds, with males and females in separate rooms. Each room has an en-suite bathroom. There is a large kitchen here where most meals will be prepared. On their two-night excursion to the farm, students will sleep in ‘swags’ (traditional Australian camp beds) in huts. There are hot showers and flushing toilets at the farm.

For the second week, students will stay at a rented house in the coastal town of Peregian Beach, near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.  The house has ocean views from the lounge room and balcony, and is a 1 minute walk to the beach. Girls will sleep downstairs in bunk beds, and boys will be upstairs in a separate room. There are shared bathrooms and toilet facilities.

For two nights on Moreton Island, students will be camping in tents at a permanent, established campsite near the beach. The tents will be 2-3 person, and comfortable camping mats will be supplied. There are toilet and cooking facilities at the campsite.

3 – Isn’t it winter in Australia? Won’t it be cold and raining?
It is Australia’s winter time, but the weather is generally warm in this part of the country. June/July/August in Queensland is the drier time of year, and normally the days have clear blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures will range from 65 – 75 degrees through the day, but it does get quite cool at night.

4 – OK, so I’ll bring a couple of sweaters. But won’t the water be freezing cold?
It depends where you come from. The water temperature will generally be around 66 – 69 degrees. We provide you with a good quality full-length Quicksilver wetsuit, so you won’t get cold!

5 – Do I need to know how to surf before I come?
No. The majority of students who come on this trip have never surfed before. It’s a fun sport to try, and our Aussie surf coaches will teach you all the basics. Just bring a positive attitude and a willingness to learn, and you’ll have great fun in the waves!

6 - Will the students be drinking bottled water?  
Water is safe to drink from the tap throughout the regions where students will be travelling. Bottled water is not provided, although it is widely available throughout the country should students wish to purchase it on their own.

7 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Food in Australia is quite similar to American cuisine and options such as pasta, sandwiches and pizza are readily available.  The group will prepare meals together at the Base House and hostel and will eat at local restaurants. Vegetarians and other dietary restrictions can easily be accommodated.

8 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
Participants are generally 60% female and 40% male.

9 - How does this program connect to other programs?
This program connects easily with other programs in Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, as well as those in Asia. Connections to all Australia programs are made in Brisbane and all flights to the USA, Fiji and New Zealand depart from Brisbane Airport.

Students connecting to programs in Asia must do their Australia program first. Students will then typically fly from Brisbane to Sydney for connecting flights to Asia.

10 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
Yes, US citizens are required to apply for a tourist visa to Australia. Students are responsible for arranging their own visas. Visas can be obtained through a simple online application at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/. Residents of other countries may need to take additional steps and can find more information at http://www.immi.gov.au/.

11 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
All Rustic Pathways students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot. We suggest Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid vaccinations and recommend that you consult a doctor regarding immunizations for travel to the region. You can find additional information on immunizations for travel from the US Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.

12 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Optional activities, snacks and souvenirs are not included in the program cost. Optional activities that may be available during this program include: sky diving (approx. $300-500), go-karting (approx. $25-$50) and rock climbing/abseiling ($90). 

13 - Do I need my own surf board or other surfing gear?
No. Surfboards and wetsuits will be available for students in Australia. However, you are welcome to bring your own gear if you wish. Please note that airlines typically charge extra to transport surfboards and you are responsible for any such fees.