*Australia Update: March 24, 2009
Please note that due to changes in flight schedules from Los Angeles, the scheduled dates of all of our South Pacific programs have been changed. All programs will now depart the USA on Tuesday and return on Thursday. The updated departure dates are listed below and any dates in our printed catalog are now incorrect.
Servicio y sol
Kilómetros de playas vírgenes, imponente selva tropical y montañas grandiosas te esperan en la Costa este de Australia. Ubicado en la hermosa base de Rustic Pathways en Australia, el Programa de Sunshine Coast Service and Adventure te ofrecerá la oportunidad de participar en proyectos ambientales y humanitarios de servicio comunitario. Además de esto, tendrás la oportunidad de explorar la Australia rural, visitaras playas, montañas, fincas, pueblos y conocerás mucha gente local. Este programa es una combinación excelente entre servicio comunitario, tour y aventura, incluye excursiones a las famosas montañas “Glasshouse” y a algunas de las más impresionantes playas de”Sunshine Coast”. Tendrás la oportunidad de espiar “billabongs” o canguros saltando con sus bebes o si así lo deseas podres disfrutar de actividades opcionales donde sacaras toda tu adrenalina: paracaidismo, go-karting y hasta escalar un puente en Brisbane. No lo dudes, súbete a nuestro bus y prepárate para vivir una gran aventura!.
Dar la mano
El trabajo de servicio comunitario te permitirá conocer a mucha gente local desde voluntario de parques nacionales, hasta agricultores de fincas cercanas; podrás ayudar con proyectos locales y beneficiar a muchas comunidades. Los pueblos en esta parte del mundo han desarrollado un sentido fuerte de cooperación y al ser parte de esto podrás entender los retos que tienen el campo y la vida rural en Australia.
Una aventura australiana
Cuando no estés trabajando en proyectos de servicio comunitario, tendrás bastante tiempo para disfrutar la vida en la Costa. Camina a través de las maravillosas montañas “Glasshouse”, nada debajo de cascadas, pasea por las Calles de Hastings y por el pueblo cosmopolitan de Noose o espía koalas en al parque nacional Noosa. Para acercarte a la exótica vida salvaje, irás al famoso Zoológico de Steve Irwin y alimentaras a los canguros y a sus bebes, pasaras un rato con los koalas y contemplar los impresionantes cocodrilos. Durante la noche, prepararemos la cena usando ingredientes locales y luego nos relajaremos a rededor de una fogata contando historias y admirando el magnífico cielo.
Itinerary Sunshine Coast Service & Adventure Summer 2009
Day 1 (Monday): Australia here we come!
Your group will depart Los Angeles for Brisbane in the evening on our group flight. The flight will take about 14 hours, plenty of time to get to know the rest of your group before arriving Down Under.
Day 2 (Tuesday): 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 (Wednesday): Welcome to Australia
Arrive into Brisbane today where you will be welcomed by Rustic Pathways on-ground Australian staff. You will then transfer to our Australian base in the beautiful Glass House Mountains, located about 1 hour north of Brisbane and 40 minutes from the coast. Your staff will help you settle into the Aussie way of life with a typical Aussie Barbie and campfire.
Day 4 (Thursday): Home of the Crocodile Hunter
Spend the day exploring Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, which is just twenty minutes from our Base House in the mountains. Australia Zoo offers the chance to see first-hand many of Australia’s native animals and you will spend the day petting kangaroos, watching the awesome croc show, checking out the dingos, koalas and more. Then it's home to the Base for dinner and to share stories with new friends around the campfire.
Day 5 (Friday): Service and Sun
Today it’s time to role up your sleeves and pitch in on a local service project. The project often varies week to week and could include working with the local Meals on Wheels delivering meals to the homebound and elderly or helping with a local beach clean-up.
Day 6 (Saturday): Time to Check Out Local Beaches and Markets
This morning we head off to Eumundi Market which is one of Australia's leading tourist attractions and is held every Saturday of the year come rain, hail or shine. This otherwise sleepy hinterland town springs to life in the early hours of the morning, transforming into a vibrant mecca for shoppers looking for something different. After a morning of shopping it’s time to hit the beach at one of Australia’s most famous beaches, Noosa. Noosa National Park features spectacular coastal scenery and provides an important refuge for native wildlife including the koala, glossy black cockatoo, ground parrot and wallum froglet.
Day 7-9 (Sunday-Tuesday): The Aussie Outback
Time for a taste of Aussie Outback and to lend a hand to local farmers and ranchers. You will spend the next two nights Outback at a small farm. Get a chance to try your hand at ranching, farming and more while you help to support a way of life that takes great dedication and hard work to survive. You will return to the Glasshouse Mountains Base on Tuesday for your final night and a special farewell.
Day 10 (Wednesday): Returning home or continuing onto your next adventure
If you are returning home to the USA or travelling 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 travelling on to one of our other countries your Rustic Pathways staff will help you with your flight arrangements.
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.
All of the items below are guidelines. 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 pack appropriately. You will have the opportunity to wash your clothing during your trip in Australia. The following are specific items required for each trip portion. Temperature during the day is around (65-70) and cool and starry skied at night (30-40).
Carry-On Luggage:
Passport and Wallet
Spare T-Shirt
Sunglasses
Toothbrush and toothpaste (2oz. or less)
Camera
Journals and Pens
Music, books etc.
Checked Luggage:
1x Jeans
2x Shorts
3x T-Shirts
1x Hooded sweatshirt
1x Fleece jacket or warm sweater
7x Underwear
2x Socks
1x Swim Suits
Sneakers
Sandals or Flip-Flops
Cap or Sun Hat
Flashlight/Head-lamp
Towels (1 bath, 1 beach)
Sleeping Bag.
Basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, conditioner etc.)
Personal First Aid Kit
Sun-screen/ lip balm
Insect Repellent
Any Medications
Contact lenses, solutions as needed
Optional:
Lightweight Rain Coat or Poncho
Picture of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet fish, etc.
Books, music, games (deck of cards etc)
FAQ Sunshine Coast Service & Adventure Australia Summer 2009
1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will stay at our Base House in the Glass House Mountains and at a small farm house in the Outback. The Base 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 house accommodations will be similar.
2 - 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.
3 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Food in Australia is similar to American cuisine including cereal, sandwiches, pasta and pizza. Students will eat primarily at the Base House where they will assist in preparing meals. They will also eat at local restaurants. Vegetarians and other dietary restrictions can easily be accommodated.
4 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
Participants are generally 60% female and 40% male.
5 - 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.
6 - 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/.
7 - 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.
8 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Optional activities, snacks and souvenirs are not included in the program cost. Optional activities available on this program may include: sky diving (approx. $300-500) and go-karting ($25-$50).
DESCUBRE kilómetros de hermosas playas doradas a lo largo de la majestuosa costa este de Australia más conocida como “The Sunshine Coast” aprovecha y salta en las olas tranquilas.
CREA fuertes vínculos con este maravilloso país a través de gratificantes proyectos de servicio comunitario en varios pueblos rurales de Australia.
EXPLORA el famoso zoológico de Steve Irwin, camina en las hermosas montañas “Glasshouse”, disfruta actividades opcionales como: paracaidismo, go-karting o anímate a escalar un puente en Brisbane.
RELAJATE y disfruta la vista espectacular de las montañas mientras te encuentres en nuestra casa base australiana.
VIVE Y TRABAJA en una típica finca australiana, conoce a los locales y aprende a sobrevivir en el campo.
DISFRUTA Y APRENDE ahablar como un australiano local y deléitate con los “billabongs” y los canguros.
»Edad :14 en adelante » Duración :17 días desde USA, 14 días cuando transfieres desde otro programa de Rustic Pathways »Costo : $ 1,295 » Horas : Recibe hasta 36 horas de Servicio Comunitario » Salidas : Vuelos escoltados desde Los Angeles » Tiquete Aéreo : Tiquete aéreo no incluido en el costo anterior
Departs Tuesday
Returns Thursday
Junio 16
Junio 25
Junio 30
Julio 9
Julio 14
Julio 23
Julio 28
Agosto 6
La mayoría de los programas de Rustic Pathways se conectan entre sí, permitiéndote diseñar tu propio itinerario de programas de verano.
Dar la mano
