G’day and welcome to Australia! This three-week trip DownUnder visits the best places on the east coast of Australia and is packed with amazing experiences in this incredible country. Get ready for lots of sun, plenty of adventure, and loads of fun as you’re guided down the coast by true-blue Aussies who know this country like their own backyards. Starting in the tropics of Queensland and ending in Sydney, you’ll leave this trip feeling like three weeks in Australia just wasn’t enough…
After the first day at Rustic’s base house in the Glasshouse Mountains of Queensland, you will fly further north to Cairns. From here, the main part of the adventure begins, and for the next 18 days you’ll make your way down the coast. Whilst in Cairns, you’ll cruise out to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef to snorkel and scuba dive, possibly seeing turtles, reef sharks and giant fish among the magnificent coral reefs!
North of Cairns, Cape Tribulation is known for its natural beauty where you can explore the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world! This area is another World Heritage site and has existed for over 130 million years. Further south, after rafting the class IV rapids of the mighty Tully River, you’ll spend two days sailing around the famous Whitsunday Islands on a yacht, stopping at pristine beaches to snorkel in the warm, clear waters.
Later, a visit to Fraser Island, the world’s largest sand island, is guaranteed to impress! Four-wheel-drive along the beach, swim in the turquoise lakes, and camp out under the stars before waking to the sun rising over the ocean. Then top it off with a visit to Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo and Noosa National Park on the Sunshine Coast.
As the end of the trip draws near, you’ll have the opportunity to rock climb or mountain bike in Blue Mountains National Park, and then unwind while exploring all that Sydney has to offer. Climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge and shop at the markets as you tour the city. Voted one of the top ten most livable cities in the world, Sydney has a plethora of sights and sounds that will tantalize your senses – Sydney Harbor and the Opera House are just two local landmarks you can’t miss!
You must see Australia! This country has so much to offer. Come and join us on this adventure, and we’ll show you why Australia is one of the world’s premier tourist destinations. See you Down Under!
Day 1: The Trip DownUnder Begins!
Fly from LAX to Brisbane, Australia.
Flight is approximately 13 hrs.
Relax and enjoy the in-flight entertainment.
Day 2: ‘Lost’ Day
As your flight crosses the International Date Line, you lose a day on the way over - but you get it back on your way home.
Day 3: Arrive in Brisbane
Arrive in Brisbane.
Meet Rustic Pathways staff at airport.
Lunch in Brisbane.
Drive to Rustic’s base house in the Glasshouse Mountains.
Orientation and preparation day.
Have an Aussie ‘barbie’ for dinner.
Get to know your new friends around the campfire.
Day 4: Fly to Cairns
Drive to Brisbane airport.
Fly to Cairns.
Lunch in town.
Spend afternoon exploring Cairns.
Shop at the night market.
Dinner in Cairns.
Accommodation at Holiday Park.
Day 5: Cape Tribulation and Daintree Rainforest
Breakfast at campground.
Drive north to Cape Tribulation.
Take hike to beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls.
Walk through pristine rainforest.
Return to Cairns in evening.
Day 6: Great Barrier Reef
Breakfast at Holiday Park.
Drive to marina to meet dive boat.
Board boat and head out to the reef.
Snorkel and do two optional scuba dives on the Great Barrier Reef!
Return to Cairns late afternoon.
Day 7: Whitewater Rafting
Breakfast at campground.
Drive to Tully and get transport to Tully River.
Spend day whitewater rafting.
Lunch on river.
Return from rafting trip.
Fire-up the ‘barbie’ for dinner.
Day 8: Drive to Airlie Beach
Breakfast at campground.
Break camp and depart for Arlie Beach.
Drive to Airlie Beach for lunch.
Check into your hostel.
Spend afternoon on beach.
Dinner in Airlie.
Days 9 - 10: Sail the Whitsunday Islands
Board catamaran for two-day sailing trip.
Breakfast each day will be on board boat.
Explore various snorkeling spots and famous Whitehaven Beach.
Lunch and dinner each day will be served on boat.
Sleep under the stars or below deck each night.
Day 11: Airlie Beach to Rockhampton
Pack up and start heading down the coast today.
Stop at scenic places along the way.
Set up camp on riverside campground in Rockhampton.
Day 12: Rockhampton to Rainbow Beach
Breakfast at camp then start driving south.
Stop at scenic places along the way.
Check into hostel.
Optional surfing or relaxing on beach.
Sunset hike to sand dunes.
Barbecue dinner at Rainbow Beach
Days 13 - 15: Fraser Island
Breakfast each day will be at campsite
Drive 4x4 through Fraser Island, world’s largest sand island.
Stop at multiple perchedlakes.
Explore the rough terrain of the island.
Hike to beautiful lookout points.
Relax in Champagne Pools at the ocean’s edge.
Lunch and dinner each day will be at various points on the island.
Sleep inland and on the ocean’s edge in campground.
Watch the sunset over the South Pacific Ocean.
Day 16: Fraser Island to Sunshine Coast
Breakfast on Fraser Island.
Pack up camp.
Ferry back to mainland.
Lunch in Noosa and explore beautiful Noosa National Park.
Drive to Rustic’s Base in Glasshouse Mountains.
Day 17: Australia Zoo (Steve Irwin’s zoo)
Breakfast at Base House in Peachester.
Spend day at the world-famous Australia Zoo.
Optional koala holding.
Drive to Caloundra.
Lunch in Caloundra.
Optional surfing and skydiving.
Barbecue dinner on Moffat Beach.
Drive back to Peachester to sleep.
Day 18: Sydney
Fly from Brisbane to Sydney this morning.
Check into hostel.
Spend afternoon exploring Sydney Harbor.
See the Harbor Bridge, Opera House.
Shop at the markets in The Rocks area.
Day 19: Blue Mountains
A day trip from Sydney to the magnificent Blue Mountains.
Visit Katoomba and see the Three Sisters.
Optional activities include rock climbing, mountain biking, or hiking.
Return to hostel in Sydney late afternoon.
Day 20: Tour of Sydney
Visit places like famous Bondi Beach.
Cruise through the Harbor.
Climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge (optional)!
Go out for a final dinner in Sydney.
Day 21: Depart Australia
Pack bags and depart for airport.
Say goodbye to your guides.
Start the journey home!
Must See Australia
Australia generally has a warm, tropical climate. On your first few days in Sydney, however, you’ll need a warm sweater or jacket as it gets cold in the evenings (50-60 degrees). While you are in Cairns and on the Great Barrier Reef, you are in the tropical north of Australia, and the weather will be hot in the day (80-90 degrees) and cool and starry-skied at night (60-70 degrees).
All of the items below are guidelines. Remember that you have to carry your bags, so pack lightly! 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:
Jeans (1 or 2)
Shorts (2 or 3)
T-Shirts (5 or 6)
Hooded sweatshirt
Fleece jacket or warm sweater
Underwear (10)
Socks (7)
Swim Suits (2 or 3)
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.) - MUST BE BIODEGRADBLE
Personal First Aid Kit
Sun-screen/ lip balm (bring plenty of sunscreen – you will spend a lot of time on the water)
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)
Must See Australia Q: Will the kids be drinking bottled water?
A: No, Australia’s tap water is very clean and safe to drink.
Q: Do we need to get visas for this program?
A: Australia requires an electronic visa waiver for all US citizens, which students must obtain before departure. Students who are not traveling on a US passport should check with our office regarding visa requirements.
Q: What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
A: This trip will stay in a variety of accommodations; please see descriptions below. Overall, the accommodations will always be clean, comfortable, and safe. You will be camping on the grass in four-man tents, staying in hotels with twin and triple share rooms, living aboard a sailing boat, and staying at the Rustic Pathways base house, which is located in the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains.
Q: What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
A: All Rustic Pathways students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot. We 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 or the World Health Organization at www.who.org.
Q: What costs are not included on this trip?
A: Students will require some allowance money for optional expenses such as souvenirs, personal phone calls, internet, laundry and optional activities. Students also need to bring money for half of their lunches and dinners. Program costs include all breakfasts, half of the lunches and half of the dinners.
Q: How long is the flight to this country?
A: The flight departs Los Angeles in the evening and takes about 14 hours to reach Brisbane, Australia. If you are coming from Fiji, the flight is only 3.5 hours.
Q: What kind of food will we be eating?
A: Staff take advantage of the great local fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood available throughout Australia. We can cater for most diets, including vegetarian, low-fat and diabetic. Please advise our office of any special dietary needs at the time of application.
EXPLORE tropical Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest and beautiful Cape Tribulation.
DIVE or snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef and raft Australia's famous Tully River.
SAIL through the magnificent Whitsunday Islands and relax on Queensland's white beaches.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE through Fraser Island – the largest sand island in the world!
HIKE through spectacular National Parks and pet kangaroos and koalas at Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo.
PET kangaroos and koalas and view exotic creatures
at Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo.
CLIMB the Sydney Harbor Bridge, visit the Opera House and cruise Sydney Harbor.
