Boomerang 2007
ABH 07/07-1
Saturday, July 07Depart for Australia
Day 1
Greet your fellow Ambassadors in your departure city before boarding your international flight to Sydney, Australia.
Sunday, July 08
En route
Day 2
Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line en route to Sydney, Australia. During the flight, prepare for the money exchange that will occur upon arrival at your destination. After clearing customs and meeting your People to People delegation manager, you will have the opportunity to convert your U.S. dollars into Australian currency at the airport. For security and convenience reasons, $100.00 cash or signed travelers checks should be kept in your carry-on luggage for easy access at the airport. There will be further opportunities to exchange money during the course of the program.
Remember to pack your swimsuit in your carry-on luggage, as your first stop in Australia is a swim at the Aquatic Centre - home of the 2000 Olympics’ swimming events!
Monday, July 09
Sydney
Day 3
G’day, mate! Welcome to Australia, the land down under! Today, your flight arrives in Sydney where your delegation manager and your coach driver will greet you. Sydney, the largest city in Australia and the capital of New South Wales, is uniquely set on the natural harbor of Port Jackson. Begin your adventure by going straight to the heart of the 2000 Olympic Games, located near Homebush. Explore the Olympic Park grounds and Telstra Stadium, where the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies were celebrated. Continue your Olympic quest with a guided orientation and swim at the Aquatic Centre. After you have dried off from your swim, get ready to learn more about this magnificent city. Finally, go beneath the sea at the Sydney Aquarium for dinner and a chance to discover fascinating marine life.
May we suggest comfortable walking shoes for your time in Sydney?
Tuesday, July 10
Sydney
Day 4
Your exploration of the city begins with a walk around Farm Cove and a group photo at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair. Lady Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of a famous governor, used to sit on a stone bench to rest and admire the view, while awaiting news from home via the tall ships entering the harbor. This promontory boasts fabulous views of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Then, learn about Australia's national gemstone, the opal, during a cutting and polishing demonstration at an opal establishment. During a water cruise, with Sydney Harbour as your spectacular backdrop, see the city’s highlights and learn more about its amazing history. By now, you should have worked up an appetite so it’s off to have a rockin’ and rollin’ good time at the Hard Rock Café, amidst its fascinating collection of music memorabilia. After lunch, experience the history of Hyde Park Barracks and discover what life was like for the convicts in Australia. Later this afternoon, take a guided orientation of the majestic Sydney Opera House complex. The visually intriguing structure houses an Opera Theater, Concert Hall, Playhouse and one of Sydney’s finest restaurants. It has become one of the city’s most internationally recognized landmarks. Tonight have dinner at a restaurant over looking Darling Harbour.
Wednesday, July 11
Vision valley
Day 5
Your journey will take you to northwest Sydney, rural Arcadia and Vision Valley.Today is all about challenge, excitement and energy! Get ready for a day packed with adventure and personal growth. Through interactive and challenging workshops led by the "Full On" team, you will have the opportunity to learn leadership skills, set personal goals, and step outside your comfort zone. You will also conquer FEAR by flying across a valley via zip line or completing an outdoor adventure course! Later, take some time to reflect upon today's activities and your personal achievements.
Thursday, July 12
Canberra
Day 6
This morning, say goodbye to New South Wales and head to Canberra. This city was selected as the capital of Australia in 1908 because it was diplomatically situated between archrivals Sydney and Melbourne. Ironically, the American landscape architect, Walter Burley Griffin, won an international competition to design the plans for the city. The name Canberra is based on an aboriginal word meaning “meeting place,” an appropriate name for a capital city. This afternoon you will experience the Australian Institute of Sport. This is Australia’s breeding ground of elite athletes, many of whom will go onto represent the country in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. Later, you will have the opportunity to have a behind the scenes guided exploration of Australia’s New Parliament House, where you will learn more about Australia’s system of government and political history. Built for the 1988 Australian bicentennial, the Parliament House is rich in national symbolism, crowned by a 266 foot architecturally stimulating flagpole.
Tomorrow you will be flying to Darwin. You will be close to the equator, where the weather is warmer so don’t forget your water bottle, sun hat and sunscreen.
Friday, July 13
Darwin
Day 7
Start your day by exploring the Australian War Memorial Museum. The Memorial's national collection of written documents and artifacts reflect Australia's contribution to armed conflicts all over world. The original idea behind the museum was to set aside a place in Australia where families and friends could grieve for those buried in places far away and difficult to visit. Also, it contributes to the understanding of war itself. Afterwards you will head back to Sydney to board your flight for Darwin, in the Northern Territory.
Saturday, July 14
Darwin
Day 8
Explore the Northern Territory Museum and East Point Reserve, for opportunities to discover both the history of the area as well as Australia’s military role in WWII. Have a close encounter with a crocodile at Crocodylus Park. Did you know that crocodiles have outlived the dinosaurs by some 65 million years? They are believed to have originated 200 million years ago, and survived what killed the dinosaurs. After your crocodile expedition, orientate yourself to the city of Darwin, and find out about the government of the Northern Territory.
Sunday, July 15
Kakadu National Park
Day 9
This morning discover the Window on the Wetlands Visitor Centre to spot water buffaloes, and learn about the management of the environment. While at the Centre, you will have a chance to help make a difference in the environment by partaking in a service project. Then, enter Kakadu, Australia's largest national park, made famous by none other than Crocodile Dundee. Gain a greater appreciation of the aboriginal relationship with the land, at a cultural center.
Enjoy the scenic cruise on the East Alligator River and venture into the aboriginal territory of Arnhem Land. During the cruise, you’ll learn about traditional plants of the area. In the late afternoon, see Ubirr Rock at sunset for an amazing view across the wetlands and escarpments. Many Australian animals are nocturnal and only emerge as the sun goes down. Don’t forget to look for wallabies emerging from the spear grass!
Monday, July 16
Katherine
Day 10
Begin your day with a birds-eye view of scenic Kakadu, as you take a flight over the park. Journey to Nourlangie Rock, home of Namargon, who is better known as Lightning Man. Discover Edith Falls this afternoon, before arriving in the city of Katherine. An important stopping point, it is named after the Katherine River, the first permanent running water discovered in the Northern Territory.
Tuesday, July 17
Katherine
Day 11
This morning, head to Manyallaluk, home to the Jawoyn people. Join your Aboriginal guides for a walk though the bush to learn about Bushtucker and traditional bush medicines. Afterwards enjoy a barbequed lunch, which includes a chance to try Barramundi (local fish caught in the area).
Wednesday, July 18
Darwin
Day 12
Today, your exploration of the Northern Territory continues! First stop, Litchfield National Park, home of the magnetic termite mounds. Up to 15 feet tall, termites create these mounds to make the most of the sun’s heat and the prevailing winds. The park is also known for its spectacular cascading waterfalls. Return this evening to Darwin.
Thursday, July 19
Home Stay
Day 13
Bid farewell to Darwin and catch your flight to Cairns, North Queensland. Cairns is a coastal cosmopolitan city nestled in northern Queensland amid two of Australia’s most treasured World Heritage destinations, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. A committee chooses World Heritage sites from several nominated locations all over the world, which represent a significant “cultural or natural heritage.” After lunch, you will meet your home stay family and get to experience life as an Aussie. Be ready to try new things!
Be sure to bring your pictures of friends and family back home, as your host family will enjoy seeing them.
Friday, July 20
Home Stay
Day 14
Your home stay continues with a chance to live everyday life in Australia and meet the locals. This is your opportunity to make lifelong friends!
Remember to thank your home stay family as this will be your last night with them.
Don’t forget to exchange address information so you can keep in touch!
Saturday, July 21
Cairns
Day 15
Today, you will journey up to the quaint and tropical village of Kuranda, set deep in the rainforest. Explore the rainforest by land and water in a World War II amphibious vehicle called an Army Duck. Additionally, you will learn about rainforest ecology, flora and fauna. Get ready for your close encounter with Australia’s unique fauna, such as koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles
and wombats, at a wildlife sanctuary. Kangaroos and koalas are marsupials as mothers carry and nurture their young in a pouch. There are three main varieties of kangaroos native to Australia. All are capable of growing to heights of 7-9 feet tall, and weighing up to 200 pounds. Crikey! This evening, “kick up your heels” to Australian folk songs and learn how to bush dance.
Don't forget to pack your day bag for tomorrow with sunscreen, sun hat, swimsuit and towel. An underwater camera will capture those magical moments on the Reef!
Sunday, July 22
Cairns
Day 16
Cruise to the magnificent Great Barrier Reef, one of the greatest natural phenomena the world has to offer. Stretching over 1250 miles and covering an area of over 135,000 square miles, the reef is the only living thing visible from the Moon! The Great Barrier Reef is rich in marine life, including 1500 species of fish. Observe this fragile ecosystem and snorkel in the pristine aquamarine water. Be amazed by the diverse colors and variety of the live coral. Play with the fish as they dart in and out of their watery wonderland. Semi-submersible boat rides are available to view the thousands of varieties of colorful fish and coral without getting wet. Witnessing life throughout the reef is truly a magical experience!
Monday, July 23
Cairns
Day 17
Journey by water taxi to Fitzroy Island - an island national park with coral covered beaches. Here you will buddy up in two person canoes. Snorkel in the clear water and hike to a picturesque lookout, before continuing your water adventure!
Tuesday, July 24
Australia to the U.S.A.
Day 18
After packing your suitcase for the last time, make sure you have everything you need for the flight, in your carry-on luggage. Board the motor coach to the airport for your return flight to the United States.
PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary may change at any time without prior notice. Revised Schedule of Activities will be posted on your student’s OnBoard Web Site.
IMPORTANT PREPARATORY INFORMATION:
• Activities on this program, particularly in the Northern Territory will include hiking over rocks and uneven terrain. Comfortable, broken-in hiking boots, cross trainers, or athletic shoes with tread that allow for good traction are strongly recommended.
• Darwin and the other parts of the Northern Territory included in this program are located near the equator. The temperatures, compared to Sydney, will be hot during the day. As such, all participants should carry water bottles, wear sun hats and use sunscreen.
• For your “Full On” experience, please be sure to bring a warm hat, gloves, clothes for layering, and a medium weight coat that is water-resistant.
Page 4 ABH 07/07-1
