Depart From: Depart USA on International flight.

In Transit: Cross International Dateline.

Group Arrival / City & Suburbs Orientation / Program Overview / Walking Exploration / Welcome and Introductions

Arrive To: Welcome to Sydney! Sydney’s stunning natural harbour forms the centrepiece of a dynamic city that has grown dramatically since its beginnings as a prison colony. Situated in the temperate area of Australia, Sydney is surrounded by National Parks and has a beautiful range of flora and fauna. It is Australia’s largest city with nearly 5 million citizens thriving in a multi-cultural society in a congenial climate. Sydney is dominated by Sydney Harbour, of which Port Jackson is only a small part. The city covers a large area, twice the size of London with half the population, and has large parks and sparkling sandy Pacific Ocean beaches, such as the well-known and very popular Bondi and Manly. Upon your arrival in Sydney you are met by our Sydney Site Coordinator. En route to our hotel we visit Sydney's eastern suburbs, including a chance to stretch our legs at Sydney's famous Bondi beach. We will visit South Head to get a perspective of the city and harbour. We arrive at our hotel in time for lunch.

Lunch: In the hotel.

Afternoon: After lunch, check-in and some time to freshen up our local Site Coordinator will lead us on a walking exploration of Central Sydney. We return to our hotel and have some free time before coming together for a welcome meeting and dinner.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: An early night is in order tonight!

Lodging: Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Introduction to Australia / Harbour Cruise / Colonial History / Enjoy a guided exploration of the world-famous Sydney Opera House / In the evening, delight in an Opera, Music or Theatre Performance at the Sydney Opera House

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning a local professor gives us a lecture introducing us to the history of Sydney, its discovery and its settlement. We then head to the central business district and board a vessel for a cruise on magnificent Sydney Harbour. On our coffee cruise we take in the stunning scenery and learn how the modern Sydney Harbour has evolved.

Lunch: We disembark our cruise vessel and walk to a restaurant in The Rocks for lunch.

Afternoon: This afternoon we have a walking tour of The Rocks area giving us an insight to Sydney’s colonial past. The Rocks was the area of Sydney first settled by the British and it has a fascinating history and wonderful Sydney sandstone buildings. We walk across Circular Quay to the magnificent World Heritage-listed Sydney Opera House. Here we have a guided tour of this truly wonderful, iconic building, a masterpiece of late modern architecture.

Dinner: Dinner is at own arrangements this evening allowing you to taste what Sydney's restaurant scene has to offer.

Evening: Free to explore Sydney at leisure.

Lodging: Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The Australian Rail System / Sydney's renowned Taronga Zoological Gardens overlooking Sydney Harbour where we are introduced to Australian fauna / In the evening, delight in an Opera, Music or Theatre Performance at the Sydney Opera House

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we have a lecture introducing us to the Australian rail system. we coach across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo, located on the north shore with delightful views across the harbour to the city. Here we begin our study of Australian fauna. As well as meeting kangaroos, koalas & wallabies and hoping for a glimpse of the rather more elusive wombat, echidna and platypus, we will have a lecture introducing us to some of Australia’s more dangerous inhabitants – its spiders and snakes.

Lunch: We have lunch at Taronga Park Zoo.

Afternoon: You are given a ferry ticket for the journey back across the harbour to the city centre. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure allowing you to perhaps linger and explore the zoo further or to head back across to the city to investigate more there.

Dinner: We come together back at the hotel for an early dinner allowing us to get to tonight's performance at the Opera House in plenty of time.

Evening: This evening we enjoy a performance at the Sydney Opera House - one of the world's great pieces of architectural design. Definitely something to tell the folks back home about!

Lodging: Novotel Rockford Darling Harbour

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Flight to Perth / Orientation to Perth from picturesque Kings Park & Botanical Gardens / History & Growth of Western Australia

Breakfast: At accommodation.

Morning: This morning we check out of our Sydney hotel and coach to Sydney Domestic Airport for our flight to Perth. Perth, the capital city of Australia's most vast, desolate and expansive state, Western Australia, has a rapidly growing population and is truly a modern, scenic and multicultural city. With a Mediterranean climate, Perth is Australia's sunniest capital and has an atmosphere particularly conducive to an al fresco lifestyle. The city is 20 kilometres upstream from the port of Fremantle, where Australia strove unsuccessfully to retain the America's Cup in 1987. Delightfully dissected by the Swan River, the city enjoys many scenic surf beaches and well-kept parklands including centrally located Kings Park where native wildflowers flourish.

Lunch: On board Sydney to Perth flight..

Afternoon: Upon our arrival in Perth we are met by our local Site Coordinator. We have a course overview as we transfer to Kings Park. Here we have a guided view of the gardens with wonderful views over the city. We carry on to our hotel and check in. Before dinner we have a lecture on the history and growth of Western Australia looking at the impact of the mining boom and agriculture.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Hotel Ibis Perth

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Ferry to Rottnest Island to explore its history, beauty & unique marsupial fauna / Return to Fremantle / Beach visit

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we transfer to the wharf and board a ferry to Rottnest Island. Once on Rottnest we have a guided nature walk on Oliver Hill to learn about the natural history of the island.

Lunch: We have lunch in a cafe on Rottnest Island.

Afternoon: After lunch we try to meet Rottnest Island's unique marsupial, the quokka. We board our ferry back to the mainland, disembarking in Fremantle. En route back to our hotel we will pause at one of the local beaches allowing you to dip your toes in the Indian Ocean.

Dinner: We have dinner tonight at a local pub restaurant in Perth, a short walk from our hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Hotel Ibis Perth

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Western Australian Maritime Museum / Fremantle guided walk / An afternoon at leisure to explore Perth and/or Fremantle

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we head back to Fremantle for a guided visit to the Western Australian Maritime Museum, to view exhibitions telling the stories of human endeavour that bring to life our maritime past. We then have a guided walk introducing us to the history and lifestyle of this sought-after beachside suburb.

Lunch: We have a scrumptious seafood buffet lunch at a local Fremantle hotel restaurant.

Afternoon: This afternoon is free to explore Perth at your leisure. You will be given a train pass to make your own way back to Perth. You can use your train pass and choose whether to explore Fremantle, Perth or places in between.

Dinner: Dinner is at own arrangements this evening.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Hotel Ibis Perth

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

The historic Swan Bells / Board the famous "Indian Pacific" train bound for Adelaide

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: This morning we check out of our hotel and visit the Bell Tower set in parkland beside the Swan River. Here we learn about the history of this historic Ring of Bells and the techniques required to make them ring. We then transfer to Perth Railway Station to board the Indian Pacific.

Lunch: We have lunch on board the Indian Pacific.

Afternoon: We roll east out of Perth and start heading across the West Australian countryside.

Dinner: We have dinner on board the Indian Pacific.

Evening: On board the Indian Pacific. Late tonight we will arrive in the mining town of Kalgoorlie. The train company runs a short guided tour of this rugged time that those participants who are still awake are most welcome to join.

Lodging: Indian Pacific Train

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: We have breakfast on board the Indian Pacific.

Morning: Today we continue the epic journey across the Nullarbor Plain including the famous “long straight” – 299 miles of gun-barrel straight track. We watch the changing colours of the desert environment from our cabins or the comfort of the lounge car where we may well get the opportunity to mix with local travellers.

Lunch: We have lunch on board the Indian Pacific.

Afternoon: We carry on across the Nullarbor Plain and into South Australia.

Dinner: We have dinner on board the Indian Pacific.

Evening: On board the Indian Pacific.

Lodging: Indian Pacific Train

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Central Markets / Adelaide - the City of Churches / Botanic Gardens / Animal Wildlife Sanctuary

Breakfast: We have breakfast on board the Indian Pacific as we arrive into Adelaide, the capital of South Australia.

Morning: Adelaide is a solid, gracious city: when early colonists built, they generally built with stone. It is bordered by the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east, and by gulf waters and long sandy beaches to the west. The Torrens River runs through the North Parkland and there are port facilities at Port Adelaide. The city was named for Queen Adelaide, at the command of her husband, King William IV and is the only freely-settled colony of Australia. Its people have embraced multiculturalism, providing a cohesive society on which to build the State. The draft of the Australian Constitution was prepared in South Australia, in the ballroom of St. Mark’s College’s Downer House. We disembark our train and are met by out local Site Coordinator. We head to Adelaide Central Markets for a visit, soaking up a melting pot of multi-national food and cultures. We reboard our coach and have an orientation to Adelaide, its layout & distinctive architecture.

Lunch: We finish our orientation at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and have lunch in the restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we have a guided walk through the Botanic Gardens, taking in some of the native flora. We transfer to our hotel and check in. We have some free time before we head to a wildlife sanctuary set in the Adelaide Hills.

Dinner: We have a BBQ dinner at Cleland Wildlife Sanctuary

Evening: We have a guided tour of the sanctuary allowing us time to wander amongst the kangaroos, wallabies and emus as darkness falls.

Lodging: Grand Chifley Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach & Ferry to Kangaroo Island / Australian Sea Lion Colony / Kangaroo Island natural cottage industries / An evening walk to find the local penguin population

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: We check out of our hotel this morning leaving our large bags in storage. We board our coach and transfer to Cape Jervis for our ferry across to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. Kangaroo Island, Australia’s third-largest island, is a unique, unspoiled wilderness 91 miles long and 25 miles wide. It is located 9 miles south of the South Australian mainland. Its coastal scenery is spectacular with rugged high cliffs and long, white, sandy beaches. The island is known for its abundant wildlife including its resident sea lion colonies. We meet our local Site Coordinator and transfer to the Australian Sea Lion colony at Seal Bay where we learn something about these intriguing creatures.

Lunch: We carry on to the Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery where we have lunch and learn about the operation.

Afternoon: We spend this afternoon learning about some of the artisans who have chosen to base themselves on the island to make use of its natural environment. We will visit the Island Pure Sheep Dairy, for an interpretive tour and tasting, and the Island Beehive Factory to learn about their pure strain of Ligurian bees. We shal also visit the Old Wisanger School House Museum before checking in to our accommodation in Kingscote.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: After dinner we will walk to the local penguin rookery to try and view some of the local population of little penguins.

Lodging: Aurora Ozone Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kangaroo Island's natural beauty - the Flinders Chase National Park / Fly to Adelaide

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Morning: Field Trip/Class: Flinders Chase National Park.

Lunch: Picnic Lunch at Flinders Chase National Park.

Afternoon: Continue Field Trip/Class: Flinders Chase National Park - The Remarkable Rocks. Fly to Adelaide.

Dinner: At accommodation.

Evening: At leisure

Lodging: Grand Chifley Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Australian Constitution / Eden and Barossa Valleys / Cooperage and Wine History Museum / Menglers Hill Lookout

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip: Eden and Barossa Valleys - Exploring the History of German Settlement and Traditions. Field Trip/Class: Walk through a local vineyard and talk with the Winemaker.

Lunch: At local Winery.

Afternoon: Field Trip: Tour through Seppeltsfield, Tanunda and Bethany. Field Trip/Class: Yalumba Winery - Guided tour of Cooperage and Wine History Museum. Field Trip: Menglers Hill Lookout - to view Barossa Valley.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Grand Chifley Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At accommodation.

Morning: Coach to Adelaide Domestic Airport for flight to Darwin.

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Afternoon: Coach to Kakadu National Park - Course Overview and "Window on the Wetlands" en route to accommodation.

Dinner: At accommodation.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Gagudju Crocodile Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Introduction to Kakadu National Park and Aboriginal Heritage / Kakadu National Park Visitors' Centre - World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park / Wildlife and Crocodile spotting on the Yellow Waters flood plains.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: Introduction to Kakadu National Park and Aboriginal Heritage of Arnhem Land. Field Trip/Class: Kakadu National Park Visitors' Centre - World Heritage Listed.

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Afternoon: Field Trip/Class: Wildlife and Crocodile spotting on the Yellow Waters flood plains.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Gagudju Crocodile Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Nourlangie Rock - Aboriginal sacred sites & rock art / Coach to Darwin / Orientation to Darwin

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip/Class: Aboriginal Sacred Sites and Rock Art.

Lunch: At accommodation.

Afternoon: Coach transfer to Darwin; orientation to city.

Dinner: At local waterfront restaurant on Stokes Hill Wharf.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Mantra On The Esplanade Darwin

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: Darwin's relationship with Melanesia & South-East Asia. Field Trip/Class: Guided tour of the Museum and Art Gallery of Northern Territory.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Field Trip/Class: Defence of Darwin Experience – Darwin’s role in WWII. Remainder of afternoon at leisure.

Dinner: At own arrangements.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Mantra On The Esplanade Darwin

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Board "The Ghan" Train / Katherine Gorge Cruise / Continue "The Ghan" Train

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Coach to Darwin Railway Station to board "The Ghan" train for overnight journey to Alice Springs.

Lunch: On board Train.

Afternoon: Train stop in Katherine. Field Trip/Class: Nitmiluk National Park - Cruise in Katherine Gorge. Re-board "The Ghan" Train to continue journey to Alice Springs.

Dinner: On board Train.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: The Ghan

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive Alice Springs / City Orientation / School of the Air - Teaching children of the Outback / Aboriginal Culture, Art and Heritage / Outback Yarns & Ballads / The Stars of the Southern Sky

Breakfast: On board Train.

Morning: Disembark "The Ghan" Train. Excursion: City Orientation, via ANZAC Hill. Field Trip/Class: School of the Air - providing education to students in isolated communities.

Lunch: In the hotel.

Afternoon: Lecture: Aboriginal Culture, Art and Heritage. Remainder of afternoon at leisure.

Dinner: BBQ dinner at Olive Pink Botanical Gardens

Evening: Performance: Outback Ballads & Yarns - stories and songs of life in Australia's Red Centre. Lecture: Stars of the Southern Hemisphere - look for the Southern Cross and other southern constellations in the clear air of Australia's Red Centre, free of the lights of the big city.

Lodging: Chifley Alice Springs Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The stunning Outback landscape - Alice Springs Desert Park & the Western MacDonnell Ranges / The Royal Flying Doctor Service / Aboriginal Bush Foods - traditional foods & their contemporary usage.

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip/Class: Alice Springs Desert Park - Desert Landscapes, Flora and Fauna.

Lunch: At Alice Springs Desert Park.

Afternoon: Field Trip: Western MacDonnell Ranges & Simpson's Gap - unique desert landforms. Field Trip/Class: The Royal Flying Doctor Service - learn how medical services are dispensed across Australia's vast Red Centre. Lecture at local restaurant/caterer: Aboriginal Bush Foods - Traditional & Contemporary

Dinner: At local restaurant - traditional aboriginal foods utilised in contemporary cuisine.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Chifley Alice Springs Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Coach to Uluru / Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre / Uluru/Sunset

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Coach to Uluru (Ayers Rock) - visiting a Camel Farm en route.

Lunch: At Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre.

Afternoon: Field Trip: Guided tour of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre. Field Trip: Guided tour around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock). EnrichActivity: Sunset over Uluru.

Dinner: In the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Outback Pioneer Hotel & Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) / Fly to Cairns / City Orientation / Course Overview

Breakfast: At Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre

Morning: Field Trip: Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) - Viewing platform and Olga Gorge walk.

Lunch: At restaurant in Ayers Rock Resort.

Afternoon: Coach to Ayers Rock Domestic Airport for flight to Cairns. Excursion: Orientation to City en route to accommodation.

Dinner: On board flight to Cairns.

Evening: Course Overview. Lecture: The Great Barrier Reef - the largest natural feature on Earth.

Lodging: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Field Trip/Class: Full day cruise on Great Barrier Reef - including snorkelling, glass-bottom boat & semi-submersible.

Lunch: On board Catamaran.

Afternoon: Continue Field Trip/Class: Great Barrier Reef Cruise.

Dinner: Own arrangements.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Wet Tropical Rainforests / Kuranda Scenic Railway Train / Butterfly Sanctuary / SkyRail Rainforest Cableway

Breakfast: In the hotel.

Morning: Lecture: Wet Tropical Rainforests of North Queensland. Field Trip: Kuranda Scenic Railway Train to Kuranda. Excursion: Butterfly Sanctuary - home to 1500 tropical butterflies.

Lunch: At local restaurant in Kuranda.

Afternoon: Part of afternoon at leisure. Field Trip: SkyRail Rainforest Cableway - over the treetops and the edge of the Atherton Tablelands escarpment.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at accommodation.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Coach to Rainforest Habitat Centre for "Breakfast with the Birds".

Morning: Field Trip: Guided walk through Rainforest Habitat Centre to experience the Fauna of the Rainforest and the Wetland Aviaries.

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time followed by transfer to airport for flight to Sydney.

Dinner: Aboard flight to Sydney.

Evening: At leisure.

Lodging: Mercure Hotel Sydney Airport

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart From: Coach to Sydney International Airport for flight to Los Angeles.

Breakfast: At accommodation.

Meals Included: Breakfast