Itinerary

NOTE: All dates are on Australian time and NOT USA. For example, we will arrive in Australia on Friday, July 4th, but it still will be Thursday, July 3rd in the states. Remember, Australia is 14 hours ahead of Atlanta, 15 hours ahead of Texas and 17 hours ahead of California

Wednesday, July 2 – Depart the USA to the most amazing place in the world!

Thursday, July 3 – Cross the International Date line

Friday, July 4 –  Welcome to the Land Down Under – Sydney, Australia!

This is where we will meet our delegation manager, Lyn.

Discover the wonders of this amazing city as you cruise Sydney Harbour and admire stunning attractions such as the Harbor Bridge and the world-famous Sydney Opera House, a masterpiece of late-modern architecture. Jump into Australian life when you play cricket where the pros compete at the Sydney Cricket Ground, a 46,000-seat stadium that is home of the New South Wales Blues cricket team. This is a hands-on opportunity to play cricket with the same training nets used by the professionals!

Hotel: Cambridge Hotel  (charge for WiFi)

Saturday, July 5 – Sydney – Examine and handle exquisite opals, Australia’s national gemstone, during a cutting and polishing demonstration at an opal establishment. Get a backstage pass to the world famous Sydney Opera House. Enter areas that are not accessible to the public during an exclusive guided orientation of this iconic facility.

Later, hit the waves at famous Bondi Beach! Try your hand at surfing, and enjoy exclusive use of the historic Bondi Surf Bathers’ Life Saving Club.

This evening, taste a local favorite for dinner—kangaroo—when you have dinner at a Sydney restaurant overlooking Darling Harbour.

Hotel: Cambridge Hotel  (WiFi is free in reception area only, otherwise charge for usage elsewhere)

Sunday, July 6 –  Daydream Island, Australia (map)

Let’s fly to Hamilton Island and then take a short ferry ride to our destination—beautiful Daydream Island. This island paradise is complete with white, sandy beaches and a jungle teeming with parrots and colorful birds.

Hotel:  Daydream Island Resort & Spa (WiFi is free in reception area only, otherwise charge for usage elsewhere)

Monday, July 7 –  Daydream Island, Australia

Begin your day with a beautiful cruise out to the Great Barrier Reef—the world’s largest living organism! Snorkel (and scuba dive for an additional $170 cost) the pristine Great Barrier Reef alongside a marine biologist, witnessing brightly colored tropical fish, giant clams, and an amazing array of soft and hard coral of every imaginable color. If you have questions about the reef or its inhabitants, you’ll be able to get answers from the marine biologist who has exclusively joined the delegation for this amazing experience. Enjoy an evening sunset over the Whitsunday Islands as you spend time with fellow delegates reflecting on your experiences so far.

Hotel:  Daydream Island Resort & Spa (WiFi is free in reception area only, otherwise charge for usage elsewhere)

Tuesday, July 8 – Yeppoon, Australia (map)

Pass through Mackay, a major center for the sugar cane industry in Australia and arrive at the seaside township of Yeppoon, gateway to the Capricorn Coast and a quiet yet vibrant location with pristine beaches and shallow coves. Dig into an extraordinary Aussie feast when you have the opportunity to try crocodile or kangaroo!  Bask in the beauty of 22,000 acre beachside resort and swim in a stunning water facility while be observed by resident peacocks and kangaroos!

Hotel: Mercure Capricorn Resort Yeppoon (WiFi not available – but you’ll be ok! 🙂 )

Wednesday, July 9 – Rockhampton, Australia. (map)

Located on the Tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton is considered the capital of Australia’s beef industry.

Experience an extraordinary cultural experience when you meet with Aboriginal people and learn how to throw a boomerang. Dig deeper into the roots of this ancient culture through watching a traditional dance performance, accompanied by music from a didgeridoo—a wind instrument developed by indigenous Australians 1,500 years ago.

Meet your home stay families for the next 2 nights/3 days!

Thursday, July 10 – Homestay –  Experience life as an Aussie!

Experience everyday Australian life as you get to know your host family and other local people.Participate in traditional activities that might include milking a cow, learning to crack a bull whip, or visiting an Australian school.

Friday, July 11 – Say good bye to your new home stay families and travel to the sun-drenched Sunshine Coast. Stretching some 40 miles, this area was given its name because the sun shines most of the time here (roughly the same size of California’s world famous Yosemite National Park.)

Visit the small community of Gin Gin, nicknamed “Wild Scotsman Country” due to the 1866 capture of one of Queensland’s few bushrangers, James Alpin McPherson. Get to know locals at the Gin Gin School. Funds raised through years of hosting People to People delegates has resulted in construction of the P&C Friendship Pavilion. Discover the joy of truly global citizenship as you donate supplies to grateful students at a community school.

Hotel: Oaks Oasis Resort Caloundra (WiFi charge for usage)

Saturday, July 12 – Brisbane, Australia (map)

Explore Australia Zoo, founded by the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. Later, visit a koala hospital and help comfort and take care of sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife by donating a new or gently used towel. Encounter even more of Australia’s unique animal life, such as koalas, red kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos,  crocodiles, and wombats at a wildlife sanctuary. Round out your Australian wildlife experiences by cuddling with a koala and having your photo taken!

Hotel: Travelodge Garden City (WiFi charge for usage)

Sunday, July 13 – Depart for the USA

Say good-bye to Australia as you board the coach to the airport for your return flight to the United States.