Australia

Australian Study Tour-May 2009

TENTATIVE ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Day 1
Be at the Delta check-in at the Charlotte Airport no later than 11:30! [Allow plenty of time for security check-in.] Depart Charlotte for Atlanta. Depart Atlanta for Los Angeles. Depart Los Angeles for Sydney.

Day 2
In-flight, cross International Dateline.

Day 3
Early arrival in Sydney. Transfer to YHA Sydney. After rest and shower, we will do a walking tour down Macquarie Street to the Circular Quay. Board the ferry for a trip across the harbor to Manly.

Day 4
Sydney, 8:30 am, leave hotel for walking tour from the YHA to the Circular Quay.
We will go through Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens with stops at the Australian National Museum and St. Mary’s Cathedral. Lunch on your own at the Circular Quay. Sydney Opera House tour in the afternoon [Reservation at 2:15 pm]. We will walk over to the Rocks area after the Opera House tour. Walk or take the train back to the YHA.

Day 5
Sydney, 7:45 am, leave hotel for day-trip to the Blue Mountains. Eat a good breakfast and bring your water bottle!

Day 6
Sydney, 9:00 am, leave hotel for Darling Harbor followed by visit to the Sydney Aquarium. Later, visit Hyde Park Barracks to see some of the early convict accommodations. Continue on to the Old Sydney hospital (1894) and Parliament House.

Day 7
Early Rising!! Sydney 7:00 am, leave hostel for Sydney Airport. Depart for Uluru in the Northern Territory. Bus transfer to the hotel. Settle in when rooms become ready. Afternoon visit to Kata Tjuta for a hike into Walpa Gorge. We will return in time for sunset (with Champagne and finger food) at Uluru.

Day 8
Uluru, 8:00 am, leave hotel with luggage for Anangu tour by aboriginal guide at the base of Uluru and a visit to the Cultural Centre [meet at the Touch Wall at 9:00 am]. Bring snacks and water for bus ride. Continue to Alice Springs which will take approximately 5 hours. See Mt. Connor, often mistaken for Uluru, the saltpans, the Finke River. Stop at the Camel Farm nearer to Alice Springs. Check-in at hotel in Alice Springs. Alice Springs walkabout.

Day 9
Alice Springs, leave hotel at 9:00 am, for day-trip out to the West McDonnell Ranges. [Bring food/snacks for lunch and water!] This is the land of the Arrente Aboriginal tribe. Travel to Simpson’s Gap, and walk along the creek bed which is lined with huge river red gums to a small waterhole. Continue on to Standly Chasm. The Chasm located on Iwupataka Aboriginal land is part of the Termite Ancestress Dreaming. A walk past cycads and ferns that flourish in the protected environment brings you to a narrow cleft in the range. Return to Alice.

Day 10
Alice Springs, 7:00 am, leave hotel for early morning (optional) hike toward the Telegraph Station to see Rock Wallabies and other creatures out for morning feeding time. 8:40 am, depart with coach for visit to the Telegraph Station. This was originally going to be the site for Alice Springs and it was the station between Darwin in the North and Adelaide in the South. It also served as a camp for some children of the Stolen Generation. Visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the School of the Air and Anzac Hill. Return to Diplomat Hotel. Afternoon: visit to Irrkerlantye Arts Center.

Day 11
Alice Springs, 3:30 pm, leave hotel with luggage for transfer to Alice Springs Airport. Depart Alice Springs for Cairns and transfer by coach to Port Douglas. Group dinner after check-in.

Day 12
Port Douglas. Hike and lunch at Mossman Gorge. Kukuyalanji dream-time walk.

Day 13
Port Douglas, 8:20 am, leave hotel for Great Barrier Reef. We will walk over to the Marina to board the Aristocat. We will make three stops for snorkeling. Lunch is served for a limited time on the boat, so don’t miss it. Return to Port Douglas Marina around 4.30pm.

Day 14
Port Douglas. Carnivale extravaganza on the beach with musicians, street performers, food and fun. Extra activities can also be arranged with reception.

Day 15
Port Douglas, 8:45 am, leave hotel for Daintree River cruise and Rainforest Habitat. Look for crocodiles, birds, snakes, along with trees and other plants typical of this riparian ecosystem. Interpretive Centre-a walk through with a guide to learn about the plants and the reasons why there are not too many mammals in this area. Even the birds can be hard to see through the thick forest. Cape Tribulation is located where the forest comes down to the beach. It was here that Captain James Cook pulled in with his ship Endeavour. Return to Port Douglas.

Day 16
Port Douglas, 11:00 am, leave hotel with luggage for drive to Cairns. Overnight in Cairns.

Day 17
EARLY RISING! 3:30 am, leave hotel for transfer to Cairns Airport. Depart Cairns for Sydney. Depart Sydney for Los Angeles. Depart Los Angeles for Cincinnati. Depart Cincinnati for Charlotte.