Australia

ADVENTURES DOWN UNDER

FOR VARSITY BOYS AND GIRLS FIELD SOCCER TEAMS

Sydney, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns

Day 1
DEPART CANADA
Board your flight to Vancouver. In Vancouver, board your Cathay Pacific Airways flight to Hong Kong.

Day 2
IN TRANSIT
Arrive at Hong Kong’s new airport, Chek Lap Kok, this evening. After a short stop, board the overnight flight to Sydney, Australia.

Day 3
ARRIVE SYDNEY AUSTRALIA
Welcome to Sydney Australia. Upon arrival in Sydney, you will be met and assisted with transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be spent visiting the heart of Sydney’s harbour front on foot. Dinner this evening at your hotel.
Accommodation: Sydney x 3 nights

Day 4
SYDNEY CITY SIGHTS - OPERA HOUSE - HARBOUR CRUISE
This morning enjoy a city sights tour visiting the historical Rocks area, where the First Fleet landed in 1788 to establish Australia's first European settlement. Observe examples of early architecture and the beautiful sandstone buildings, made out of the same rocks that gave this area its name. Visit the Sydney Opera House, described as the Eighth Wonder of the World, for a guided tour. See St Mary's Cathedral, Parliament House, Darling Harbour and Chinatown. Visit Mrs. Macquarie's Chair for splendid views over this magnificent harbour and the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Continue on your coach tour through cosmopolitan Kings Cross, Rushcutters Bay and Double Bay. Visit Watson’s Bay for spectacular views over the Pacific Ocean before stopping at the world famous Bondi Beach. This afternoon return to Circular Quay for your afternoon sailing cruise on magnificent Sydney Harbour. See spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Fort Denison, million dollar mansions and the bays and inlets that dot the harbour. Dinner on your own this evening.

The team will play its first soccer game this evening.

Day 5 - FREE DAY TO ENJOY SYDNEY
Free for the group’s own plans such as a leisurely day at nearby Bondi Beach. Or, you may wish to explore Sydney’s Circular Quay or Darling Harbour, the revived docks area, now popular amongst tourists for its shops, restaurants, and attractions such as the Aquarium. Dinner on your own this evening.

The team will play its second exhibition soccer game today.

Day 6
SYDNEY TO COFFS HARBOUR (by coach)
This morning board your chartered coach for your journey north to the coastal city of Coffs Harbour. Leaving Sydney, follow the Pacific Highway through the
steel capital of Australian, Newcastle, and Taree to the seaside town of Port Macquarie. Stop en route to visit a National Park. From Port Macquarie travel through Kempsey and Nambucca Heads to Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour is banana country and is a nature lovers dream. It is nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range where the mountains literally reach down to touch the ocean. Dinner this evening at your hotel.
Accommodation: Coffs Harbour x 1 night

Day 7
COFFS HARBOUR TO THE GOLD COAST (by coach)
Today continue on through Ballina to Byron Bay. Cape Byron is the most easterly point of the Australian coast and has some of Australia's best beaches. It also offers spectacular rainforest clad hinterland. Stop for some time to enjoy Byron Bay. Pass through Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads before crossing the New South Wales and Queensland border to arrive at the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise) is Australia's premier beach resort area. Dinner this evening at your hotel.
Accommodation: Islander Resort x 3 nights

Day 8
FULL DAY LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK TOUR
This tour journeys deep into the spectacular subtropical rainforest area of the Gold Coast hinterland. The destination is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guest House. O’Reilly’s is a unique, interesting lodge, situated in Lamington National Park, which covers an area of 20, 200 hectares of varying virgin forest. From temperate beech forest high on the border ranges to the warm sub-tropical rainforest which surrounds the guesthouse to the dry Eucalypt forest in the lower valleys. The park provides food and shelter for Australia’s largest array of sub-tropical birdlife, and many reptiles and mammals. Spectacular views, the rugged mountain ranges and the cascading waterfalls are all part of the area. Due to the unusual characteristics of the Lamington National Park, it has been listed for World Heritage. Enjoy a bush walk on one of the many tracks in this lovely area today.

The team will play its third soccer game this evening.

Day 9
FULL DAY NOOSA AND THE SUNSHINE COAST
AUSTRALIA ZOO
CROCODILE HUNTER’ TOUR
Depart the Gold Coast this morning and drive north to the Sunshine Coast. Pass through Brisbane, the beautiful river city, where you will be taken on a brief city sights tour. View the city skyline from Kangaroo Point Cliffs and see the Arts and Cultural Centre and South Bank Parklands. Crossing the Story Bridge pass the old Customs House and Eagle St. Pier. Pass the Botanical Gardens, Parliament House and the Treasury Casino. See Chinatown, the famous "Brekky Creek" pub and historic Newstead House. Continue north to meet the sight of the magical Glasshouse Mountains, a group of 13 volcanic plugs which dominate the Sunshine Coast landscape. The first stop at a popular lookout offers fabulous views over this area as the driver explains the legends of Beerwah, Tibrogagen, Njungun and Coonowrin, four Aboriginal people from the Dreamtime who are now said to be locked in these peaks. Visit Australia’s Zoo, home of the ‘Crocodile Hunter’. There’s a huge range of animals including freshwater and salt water crocodiles, kangaroos, even lovable snakes! Watch the highlight of the day when the keepers demonstrate how crocodiles launch a strike from the waters edge………truly incredible! Re-board your coach to continue to cosmopolitan Hastings Street, the social hub of Noosa. Then travellers can explore Noosa's National Park where koalas can sometimes be spotted. The park offers the unspoilt beauty of rainforest, bushland and beaches. Return to your Gold Coast hotel. A picnic lunch is included today.

Day 10
GOLD COAST TO BRISBANE (by coach) BRISBANE TO CAIRNS (by air)
This morning transfer to Brisbane airport for your flight to Cairns. Upon arrival in Cairns you will be met and assisted with transfer to your hotel. En route to your hotel you will be taken on a brief city sights tour. Dinner this evening at your hotel.

The team will play its fourth and final game this evening.

Accommodation: Cairns x 5 nights

Day 11
FULL DAY MICHAELMAS CAY AND GREAT BARRIER REEF
WORLD HERITAGE PARK
Today sail by Catamaran to Michaelmas Cay, a unique sand cay which is a protected sanctuary for more than 28,000 migratory sea birds of 14 species. The surrounding outer reef is a spectacular garden of exotic marine life, magnificent coral and giant clams, boasting more varieties of tropical fish than the entire Atlantic Ocean. Ride a semi-submersible vessel for coral viewing, enjoy guided snorkel tours from the beach accompanied by a marine biologist, and a smorgasbord luncheon.

Day 12
TULLY RIVER FULL DAY
RAFTING TRIP
Australia’s most famous one-day white-water rafting experience! Raft the Tully River’s 45 rapids in an action-packed five-hour white-water adventure in remote World Heritage Rainforest! Rapids include the unforgettable “Alarm Clock”, “Wet & Moisty”, “Stair Case” and the dramatic “Theatre” - all before a riverside barbecue lunch opposite “Ponytail Falls” where time is made to replenish your batteries before the afternoon’s remaining rapids. The drive to Tully, 140km south of Cairns, is a scenic journey through cloud-covered coastal mountains, clear rivers and streams, fields of sugar cane and exotic fruits. Your day includes: Transfers from Cairns, safety equipment including a life jacket, helmet and spray jacket, additional safety “hold on” lines equipped inside all rafts, complimentary morning tea & coffee, riverside barbecue lunch.

Day 13
KURANDA SCENIC RAIL - SKYRAIL - TJAPUKAI ABORIGINAL
CULTURAL PARK
This morning transfer to Freshwater Station, to board the scenic Kuranda Rail and journey through breathtaking scenery before arriving at picturesque Kuranda Station. Free time to enjoy this unique mountain village, which is populated by alternative lifestylers. (Market days are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday). This afternoon board Skyrail, an enclosed cable car which takes you skimming across the rainforest canopy taking in breathtaking views of the Coral Sea and Green Island, to Caravonica Lakes at the base of the range. Visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and enter a magical, mystical world. For the first time an entire park has been dedicated to preserving and presenting authentic Aboriginal Culture with the aid of modern technology. Lunch will be served upon arrival. Enjoy 3 theatres, a museum, an art gallery and a traditional Aboriginal camp which is combined to give you a complete and meaningful glimpse of the Tjapukai Aboriginal people's rich and ancient culture. Return to your hotel late afternoon.

Day 14
RAINFOREST NIGHT SPOTTING ANIMAL TOUR
This morning is free at leisure. This tour offers an unusual way to observe an amazing variety of rare and unique Australian wildlife by night. Depart Cairns approximately 3.30pm and travel into the highland rainforests of the Atherton Tableland. As dusk falls you will have the opportunity to watch the playful antics and feeding habits of the strange but wonderful Platypus, uniquely Australian and one of only two monotremes in the world. Before venturing into the rainforest, enjoy dinner in the delightful pioneer village of Yungaburra. Continue on to visit a remarkable species of mega flora - the wondrous Curtain Fig Tree, a gigantic epiphyte, and to the rainforest to see interesting nocturnal creatures. Among those frequently encountered are several species of ringtailed possums, Brushtailed Bettongs, Pademelons, Quolls, Owls and the unusual Lumholtz Tree-Kangaroo. Return to Cairns approximately 11.00pm.

Day 15
DEPART AUSTRALIA TO HONG KONG
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hong Kong. Arrive Hong Kong where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Time to explore Hong Kong this evening. Dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Hong Kong Kowloon x 1 night.

Day 16
DEPART HONG KONG FOR CANADA VIA VANCOUVER
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vancouver. Clear Canada Customs in Vancouver and then connect to the flight home to your original departure city.

INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THIS TOUR

• International flights from Canada to Sydney, Australia returning Cairns to Canada.

• Domestic Australia flight from Brisbane to Cairns.

• Accommodation in 3 star hotels and country motels with private facilities.  Students will be accommodated in triple and quad rooms.

• All airport/hotel transfers and touring by sole-use chartered coach with experienced driver / guide.

• Chartered coach Sydney to Brisbane

• Meals only as per the day-to-day itinerary ( 5 Dinners and 3 Lunches)

• Continental Breakfast Daily

• Entrance fees to attractions listed in the itinerary

• Airport arrival and departure assistance

• Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST) @ 10%

•  Welcome kit and documentation upon arrival

• Airport and Departure Taxes

• 3 - 4 soccer matches for each team against local competition

NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THIS TOUR

• Items of a personal nature

• Passport Fee

• Visa fee (if necessary)

• 10 Lunches and 8 Dinners

• Beverages with included lunches and dinners

• Optional sightseeing tours and excursions

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Excess Hospital and Medical, Cancellation, and Baggage Coverage (approx. $119.00)

• Gratuities for guides, drivers and in restaurants

• Single Room Supplement