Australia Adventure

2 weeks: 13th September - 27th September 2009 - Price.... Now £1350!

The course in Australia is the perfect end to a winter in New Zealand. You can relax, soak up the sun, and experience Tropical Northern Queensland at its finest. Available as a an additional module to the New Zealand course or as a stand alone multi activity trip, the Australia course is set in a tropical wonderland, with lush old growth rainforest, rich tropical reefs, and adventure activities like nowhere else.

Based in and around Cairns, the course is a relaxing, educational, and adventure activity filled two weeks.

Course outline...

Based in the oldest tropical rainforest in the world during the two weeks in Cairns, you’ll go scuba diving on the Coral Reef, white water rafting on the Tully river, visit a croc farm, mountain bike, fish, abseil, and go hot-air ballooning. We’ll take a trip over the Great Dividing Range, into the dry Aussie Savannah to visit hot lava tubes and experience scores of kangaroos and wallabies in the wild. The rainforest contains many treks ending in lush waterfalls and ancient volcanic lakes. It’s possible to come across platypus, cassowaries and tree kangaroos in their natural habitats. An Aboriginal guide will teach you about the bush-tucker, survival techniques, and traditions 30,000 years old. Before experiencing the lush Great Barrier Reef, you’ll learn about the ecology of the reef, and what it has to offer. We also have the special privilege of maybe helping a local Cattle station to muster cattle on horseback.

Sample itinerary:

Day 1

• Arrive in Cairns from Queenstown, New Zealand
• Welcome reception & briefing on Australia module
• Free evening in Cairns 

Day 2 - Tropical Rain forest module

• Move to Mungalli via Atherton Tablelands
• Tour to include platypus in the wild, volcanic lakes, fig curtain & Johnstone river croc farm
• Rock jump
• Night walk to see glow worms 

Day 3

• Rain forest ecology lecture.
• Waterfall swim
• Abseiling
• Land slide fun
• Interpretive rain forest trek - Nandragon Falls
• Team leading 

Day 4

• Visit the enormous Cathedral Fig 
• White water rafting

Day 5

• Mountain biking
• Rope swing and river swimming
• Pack up at Mungalli

Day 6

• Depart for Undara - outback savannah
• Wildlife spotting
• Lava tubes sunset tour 

Day 7

• Bush walk
• Waterfall swim
• Free time in Cairns

Day 8

• Cattle muster at Blazing saddles
• Quad biking (optional)

Day 9

• Aboriginal rainforest guide
• 'Bush Tucker'
• Evening 'Reef Talk' incl. reef ecology

Day 10

• Boat and reef
• Dive/snorkel
• Fishing

Day 11

• Boat and reef
• Dive/snorkel
• Fishing

Day 12

• Free time to shop and sunbake in Cairns

Day 13

• Hot air balooning
• Champagne farewell breakfast 

Not included in price are: flight and a few lunches.

Here is a testemonial from Maddy, who was with us in Cairns.

"The trip to Australia was an experience of a lifetime. There was no better to way to conclude a fantastic ski trip, particularly after the stress of the exams. It enabled me to experience Australia in a way that you cannot do travelling on your own, try tons of new exhilarating activities, get to know some people off the course a whole lot better and of course spend some time in the sun after the cold season!! I never realised how much could be packed into two weeks and just how much I could get out of it. Although I went on the trip over a year ago I’m still talking about it!

It’s very hard to choose a favourite part. I think the variety of experiences made it amazing. One day we would be trekking through the rainforest and the next trying out Scuba Diving on the Great Barrier Reef. I learnt to mountain bike down steep switchbacks, abseil, ride an ATV (so much fun) and fish ( I actually caught one!) and also enjoyed doing the tourist bits like visiting Cairns, touring the Rainforest and seeing the Outback with all its wildlife. I think the pinnacle of the trip, and also something I’ll never forget, is seeing the sunrise from a Hot Air Balloon on the last morning. It was an incredible experience and something so memorable to finish the trip with.

The trip was really amazing. I took so many new experiences away with me and many new friendships. It is a brilliant opportunity that you could not find anywhere else and should definitely not be missed!!"