Summer Teen Adventure Program in Australia | Explore Syndey, Reef & Rainforest

*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.

Pasa dos semanas inolvidables explorando los lugares más increíbles de Australia. Descubre las ciudades cosmopolitan de Sydney y Brisbane; explora las aguas profundas y coloridos arrecifes del Gran Arrecife de Coral; estudia las poblaciones de ballenas enanas y descubre emocionantes actividades de aventura.

La Sensacional vista de Sydney
La entrada a la gran tierra Australiana son las ciudades de Brisbane y Sydney. Mantén tu cámara a mano mientras disfrutas un viaje por crucero en el famoso puerto de Sydney, podrás tomar increíbles fotos!. Relájate en las playas del norte ve en busca de ofertas y souvenirs australianos en el distrito del Rock, donde los europeos se asentaron al llegar a este país. Termina el día con impresionantes vistas del atardecer en cada ciudad.

Siete maravillas naturales del mundo
Después de Sydney, saldremos hacia el norte, durante los próximos seis días tendremos un memorable viaje hacia las profundidades del impresionante arrecife de coral más grande del mundo. Practica el snorkel o bucea en los laberintos de arrecife, definitivamente una de las siete maravillas del mundo, (todos los participantes deberán tener un certificado/permiso para bucear).
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La Gran Ballena Enana
Saldrás a bordo del “explorador oceánico” hacia el mar adentro en busca de increíbles puntos de buceo e investigación submarina. Salta al agua y practica snorkel con al menos 20 ballenas enanas nadando a tu alrededor. Ayudaras a hacer grabaciones vocales de ballenas, tomaras fotos y videos de identificación, realizaras observaciones y monitoreos de la interacción entre las ballenas y los humanos. Además, podrás ayudar con la investigación del arrecife de coral y las interacciones ecológicas entre sus habitantes; podrás observar tiburones, poblaciones de nautilos y corales fluorescentes. La Comisión Internacional de Ballenas (IWC, por sus siglas en inglés) ha acreditado a el “gran explorados oceánico” como una excelente manera de investigación de relación de ballenas y el turismo. A cambio de tu tiempo y ayuda en el bote, se te otorgarán 30 horas de servicio comunitario, más un certificado del Parque Marino del Gran Arrecife de Coral (GBRMPA, por sus siglas en inglés) por haber formado parte del curso “descubriendo arrecifes”. Además podrás actualizar tu certificado de buceo y convertirte en un buceador avanzado (PADI) (opcional).

Un destino con mucha diversidad
Luego partiremos a una gran variedad de días llenos de diversión explorando la diversidad del paisaje Australiano incluyendo el “Outback”, el bosque lluvioso y la costa este. Remaras el radiante rio “Tully” y si realmente te sientes todo un aventurero podrás saltar en paracaídas desde 14000 pies de altura (opcional). También veremos la hermosa “Cape Tribulation” y acamparemos en los arbustos australianos para compartir un tiempo con algunos de los aborígenes nativos australianos.

Durante tu estadía en Australia, conocerás mucha gente que te hará reír y te tratará como un viejo amigo; te mostrarán un estilo de vida que parece haber sido sacado de una película. Estudiantes de años anteriores normalmente describen este programa como una verdadera experiencia de cambio para sus vidas. Australia te va a retar, asombrar y te permitirá ser más humilde; te aseguramos que vas a regresar a casa con muchos amigos e increíbles recuerdos que nunca olvidaras.

Inscríbete a esta maravillosa aventura en la tierra de del “Outback” y de los más increíbles arrecifes de coral del mundo. Es una aventura que nunca olvidará!.
Para más información acerca de este programa, escríbenos a: australia@rusticpathways.com.

Day 1 (Monday): Depart U.S.A
Students traveling to Australia depart LAX 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
You set foot on the Land Down Under today! Spend your first day in the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains, located one hour north of Brisbane and not far from the incredible beaches of the Sunshine Coast. Stay at our Base House here, enjoy an Aussie-style BBQ, find the Southern Cross in the night sky, and get settled in the Aussie way of life.

Day 4 (Thursday): The Australia Zoo and the Sunshine Coast
First stop is the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo. Here you have the chance to pet koalas and kangaroos, take in a Croc Show and learn about Aussie wildlife as you explore this awesome zoo. Then it’s off to check out the incredible surf beaches and mountain views of the Sunshine Coast and get a sense of the friendly and laid-back Aussie lifestyle. Tonight, build a campfire and share stories with your new friends at our Base House.

Day 5 (Friday): Sydney and Her Sights
This morning you are off to Australia’s most famous city, Sydney, and will spend the afternoon taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour. We’ll take a boat cruise and get some great photos from the water of the famous Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. We’ll also squeeze in some time to shop for bargains in The Rocks District and to enjoy some of Australia’s great cuisine. You will stay in Sydney tonight.

Day 6 (Saturday): The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
This morning you will bid Sydney farewell and hop on an early morning flight to Cairns. From Cairns we will head north to the cosmopolitan town of Port Douglas. Here we will have time to enjoy the beaches and do some souvenir shopping. Then it’s time to board the Undersea Explorer boat, our home for the next week. We steam out to sea and watch the sun set and the land disappear over the horizon.

Day 7 to 12 (Sunday – Friday): Dwarf Minke Whales and the Great Barrier Reef
The next six days you will be involved in the adventure of a lifetime. Start each day with a morning dive or snorkel on one of the many ribbon reefs that make up The Great Barrier Reef. Each dive site varies with something new and exciting to see on every dive. The marine biologists onboard will introduce you to the wonders of the most diverse eco-system on the planet.

Each day we search for populations of Dwarf Minke Whales and you can experience the ultimate in-water whale encounter. You will have the opportunity to snorkel with the amazing Dwarf Minke Whales. During this trip marine biologists and whale experts will be on board and you will assist them in their research. For your time and help with the research on board the boat you will receive a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) certificate stating that you have taken part in a Reef Discovery Course and earn up to 30 Servicio comunitario hours. While on board you can also upgrade your diving certification to become an Advanced Open Water Diver (optional).

Day 13 (Saturday): The Adventure Continues
Today, your journey of discovery continues as you travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Cooya Beach. Enjoy a beach, mudflat and mangrove walk with the local aboriginals and learn about the traditions of their ancestors. Learn how to throw a spear, observe and hunt the wildlife and how to track many of the coastal creatures. Continue north up the Daintree Coast and cruise the mighty Daintree River. Lunch at spectacular waterfalls, then continue to your accommodation for the night in world-famous Daintree National Park.

Day 14 (Sunday): Further up the Cape…
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and stroll along Cape Tribulation Beach before continuing into the heart of the Daintree National Park. Today you’ll travel on the four-wheel-drive Bloomfield Track, crossing rivers and spectacular mountain ranges along the way. Spend time at Bloomfield Falls in the company of a local Aboriginal family and learn about the history of this area.

Day 15 (Monday): Returning to Cairns
First stop after breakfast today is time with an Aboriginal elder to observe stunning rock art sites and spectacular high country vistas. Learn about historical aboriginal rock art sites, Aboriginal society and spirituality and our relationship with the lands around us. This is one of the oldest and most diverse rainforests regions in the world. Trek the rugged roads, push the limits with deep-water crossings and explore some of the highlights within this ancient rainforest. Drive the coastal road stopping at any of the numerous beaches on the way back to Cairns.

Day 16 (Tuesday): Tame the Mighty Tully River
Today the action begins with Australia’s number one rafting adventure on the famous Tully River. This spectacular region of the country offers some wonderful rainforest scenery and plenty of exciting rapids to keep the adrenaline pumping for the entire day. You will return to Cairns in the late afternoon to enjoy a final farewell dinner in the city and a chance to grab some final souvenirs at the famous night markets.

Day 17 (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 from Cairns to Brisbane and onward 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.

FAQ
Sydney, Reef and Rainforest
Australia
Summer 2009

1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will spend their first two nights at our Base House in the Glasshouse Mountains. They will then stay at hotels in Sydney and Cairns and will spend six nights aboard the Undersea Explorer boat along the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef. At our Base House, students will stay 4-6 to a room with males and females in separate rooms. Each room has an en-suite with toilet and hot shower. At hotels, students will typically stay in three to four to a room, with males and females in separate rooms. While on the Undersea Explorer boat, students stay in twin cabins and share toilet and shower facilities with all aboard.

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 quite similar to American cuisine and students will eat at local restaurants with a variety of options, from pasta to sandwiches, pizza and other basics. On the boat, food is fully catered by a live aboard chief and includes large buffets and a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 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. Scuba diving while aboard the Undersea Explorer is included, however, there is also the option for students to upgrade their diving certification to become a PADI Advanced Scuba Diver at an additional cost. Additional optional activities on this program may include: sky diving (approx. $300-500), rainforest swing and bungee jumping (approx. $125 each) and are at students’ own expense.

9 – Can I get certified to scuba dive on this program?
No. If you are not previously certified to scuba dive you will not be able to dive on this program although there are many great opportunities to snorkel. Students who are already certified to scuba dive will have many opportunities to dive while on the research boat and have the option to upgrade their diving certification to PADI Advanced Scuba Diver at an additional cost.

10 – Do I need my own scuba or snorkel gear on this program?
Yes. The Undersea Explorer requires that students bring their own wetsuit, mask, snorkel and fins. A 5mm wetsuit with long arms and long legs is recommended for diving this time of year (average water temperatures are 72-76 degrees Fahrenheit).