|
Cultural Activities
Are those which highlight Australia and our people experiencing daily life. Including: school life, family life, walking tours, local city councils, returement villages or Kindergartens.
These also include our many and varied wildlife parks, theme parks, aquariums, galleries, civic centres, museums, theatres, market places, farmstay properties, places of worship, Indigenous cultural experieces and areas of natural wonder such as our glorious beaches, national parks and large expanses of desert. See below for regional examples from across Australia.
Sporting Activities
Sports days are always a favourite with the group participants of our study tours. Make sure you pack your swim wear, hat, sunscreen and running shoes!
Australia prides itself on being a sporting nation and some of our grandest examples of modern architecture are for the sole purpose of worshipping our sporting elite. Try and catch a one day cricket match, football (rugby league or union) game, tennis match or surf carnival while in Australia to experience our true sporting culture.
Faculty Tours
University and other teritary educational facility tours an be catered for in every major city of Australia as well as some regional areas. Let us arrange your next faculty tour tailored to your specific needs. Tours with an educational focus are our speciality.
Don’t forget that our Regional areas have much to offer!
| BRISBANE, GOLD COAST & SHNSHINE COAST |
|
» |
In-school class activities will be dependent upon the host school but will generally consist of interaction and cultural exchange with students from the host school. The elements of these activities will most often be sport, art, music, cooking, language classes and cultural presentations
|
|
» |
Local City Council – tour of council chambers, be welcomed by the mayor and other staff members
|
|
» |
Retirement Village/Kindergarten school – an opportunity for groups to display their culture and interact with the older and younger generation
|
|
» |
Walking tour of Brisbane City includes a trip on the Brisbane River by City Cat (water taxi), churches and cathedrals, Queensland Maritime Museum, Queen Street Mall, the Science Centre and South Bank
|
|
» |
Lone Pine Wildlife Cruise (Brisbane) – depart Brisbane via boat and travel 19 kilometres upstream through city suburbs and interesting wildlife habitats. Hear a Brisbane history commentary from the Captain. Arrive at Lone Pine, the world’s first and largest Koala Sanctuary. Hand feed kangaroos and emus; see Tasmanian devils, wombats, dingoes, reptiles and many more animals. Walk through 50 acres of natural setting and hug one of 130 koalas. http://www.koala.net/
|
|
» |
Australia Zoo (Sunshine Coast) – home of Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. Australia Zoo is the leader in the field of crocodile rescue and conservation. Daily demonstrations of crocodile feeding, camel, koala, giant land tortoise, wombats birds of prey etc.
|
|
» |
Paradise Country (Gold Coast) - Australia's premier recreational farm & function center. Set on 40 acres of picturesque countryside. Billy Tea and Damper around the camp fire, Small Animal Nursery. Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Boomerang Throwing, Whip Cracking, Sheep Dog Muster, Stock Horse Round-up, Koala Cuddling, Kangaroo and Emu Sanctuary, Cow Milking, Sheep Shearing Show and Ram Parade
|
|
» |
Australian Woolshed (Brisbane North) - Hand feed kangaroos, cuddle koalas, see wombats and emus, and see how the Australian sheep dog, unaided, musters sheep by remote commands. This is called, a Working Dog display. See sheep shearing, whip cracking demonstrations, learn about different grades of wool and taste traditional fresh damper and the great Aussie Bar-B-Q. You will have the opportunity to participate in many of these activities. www.auswoolshed.com.au
|
|
» |
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (Gold Coast) – home to the world's largest collection of Australian native animals. Over 27 hectares of landscaped surrounds and bushland catering for over 1400 mammals, birds and reptiles, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary offers a unique natural experience. The Sanctuary is also recognised worldwide as a quality research and conservation facility. www.currumbin-sanctuary.org.au
|
|
» |
North Pine Country Park (Brisbane North) – hands on Aboriginal cultural experience with Didjeridoo performance, workshop and Dreamtime Story Telling, Art demonstration, Boomerang workshop and demonstration, Billy Tea and Damper.
|
|
» |
Aboriginal culture in local area – provided at school by indigenous artist or visit a cultural center. Learn about the aboriginal culture, hear the Dreamtime story telling, observe the dance and experience first-hand boomerang painting and throwing.
|
|
» |
The Queensland Art Gallery & Museum (Brisbane city)
|
|
» |
Roma Street Parklands – A short walk to the hear of the city, see the beauty of the Roma Street Parkland and enjoy lunch or morning or afternoon tea in the Lake Precinct
|
|
» |
Alma Park Zoo (Brisbane North) - a unique tropical zoo set on 20 acres of award winning palm gardens with Australian and exotic animals nestled amongst them. Animal feeding for Bears, Squirrel Monkeys and Koalas are great fun, and are accompanied by informative and educational talks. www.almaparkzoo.com.au
|
|
» |
Cobb & Co (or other historical village) – visit the birthplace of the Cobb & Co coach service that ran in Queensland from 1866 until 1924. The Cobb & Co. Museum is renowned as the home of Australia's finest collection of horse-drawn coaches and carriages, from timber wagons to original Cobb and Co. coaches.
|
|
» |
National Parks example: Tambourine Mountain; O’Reilly’s - introducing visitors to the rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife of the World Heritage listed, famous Lamington National Park. The park provides food and shelter for a huge array of sub-tropical birdlife (over 160 species), reptiles, frogs, mammals and invertebrates. A shorter walk is the ever-popular Tree Top Walk, which allows visitors to walk across a series of suspension bridges up to 15 metres high and allows a unique perspective of life in the tree tops. Two observation decks have been constructed in a Strangler Fig above the walkway, the highest one being 30 metres above the ground. www.oreillys.com.au
|
|
» |
National Parks abound throughout Australia and in major cities and regional areas. There is always an opportunity to observe an abundance of flora and fauna, walking trails and cascading waterfalls and rivers.
|
|
» |
Visit to local Surf Club – learn how to safely enjoy the Australian surf. Instruction by an Australian Lifesaver.
|
|
» |
Eco tours, Wildnight and Night Sky tours and theme parks can also be arranged. Observe the clear night skies beneath the Southern Cross. Search for Possums and other nocturnal animals. Listen to the creatures of the night talking to each other.
|
|
| CAIRNS |
|
» |
In-school class activities will be dependent upon the host school but will generally consist of interaction and cultural exchange with students from the host school. The elements of these activities will most often be sport, art, music, cooking, language classes and cultural presentations.
|
|
» |
Local City Council – tour of council chambers, be welcomed by the mayor and other staff members
|
|
» |
Familiarisation and walking tour of Cairns
|
|
» |
Kindergarten school – an opportunity for groups to display their culture and interact with the older and younger generation
|
|
» |
Kuranda, the "Village in the Rainforest" – The many attractions at Kuranda include the famous Kuranda markets which are open four days a week (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) offering a full range of local handicrafts, souvenirs and gifts.
|
|
» |
Kuranda Scenic Railway –Travel to Kuranda on board historical carriages through some of the lushest rainforest, pass deep gorges, rugged mountains and the spectacular waterfalls. It's a view that was originally captured 100 years ago by teams of railway men armed only with picks and shovels. Today, that 34km track still winds its way through 15 hand made tunnels up to Kuranda Station - a Station that looks more like a beautiful botanical garden. Travel on the train and return to Cairns on Skyrail (or vice versa). http://qroti.bit.net.au/traveltrain/kuranda.html
|
|
» |
Kuranda Skyrail – The Skyrail rainforest cableway runs from Smithfield (Caravonica Lakes) to Kuranda and has a total length of 7.5 kilometres making it the world's longest gondola cableway. There are four stations where passengers can disembark to walk the forest floor then climb back into the gondola to continue on their journey down to Cairns.
|
|
» |
Aboriginal culture local – provided at school by indigenous artist or visit Tjapukai Experience. Tjapukai Experience (Aboriginal culture) - people from all over the world hear the Tjapukai language describe the spiritual and traditional beliefs of the Tjapukai people in the Creation Theatre at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park (with headset translations in 8 languages). Experience and participate in Creation Theatre, History Theatre, Tjapukai Dancing Theatre, Traditional Camp Didgeridoo, Fire Making, Bush Food and Medicine, Boomerang Throwing, Spear Throwing, Museum. www.tjapukai.com.au
|
|
» |
Botanical Gardens – enjoy lunch surrounded by Australian flora. The Botanical Gardens contain a multitude of tropical plant species with an impressive array of orchids and carnivorous plants.
|
|
» |
Wild World – situated on 15 Acres of tropically landscaped gardens featuring a natural habitat displaying Australia's unique animals, plus some exciting international exhibits. This Tropical Zoo is Australia's most informative and entertaining wildlife experience. Visitors come from every corner of the globe to Cuddle a Koala, Pat a Crocodile, Feed the Lorikeets, Hand feed tame Kangaroos, Stroke a Snake, Pet a Wombat Chat to the Cockatoos, Eyeball an Emu, Pat a Dingo. See the only pair of pure white Kangaroos in Queensland. Plus an excellent Reptile display www.wildworld-aus.com.au OR by night visit the Cairns Night Zoo at Wild World - Combining the Aussie BBQ, some night spotlighting, a meeting with a genuine 'Swaggie' by his campfire - he'll offer you some billy tea and damper and spin a yarn about life in the slow lane. After the BBQ dinner everyone is provided with a torch (this place is dark at night) and the intrepid guide will take visitors to meet the creatures of the night. Spot Croc's – (crocodiles) their eyes glow in the torchlight - see snakes, possums .... and much more. www.wildworld-aus.com.au/night.html
|
|
» |
Fitzroy Island – is approximately 35km, or 45 minutes southeast of Cairns. It is a "Continental" or "High" island made out of granite, and is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef full of colourful marine life. The island is 339 hectares. Enjoy a tour observing the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, its beautiful coral and colourful tropical fish, through the glass bottom boat around Fitzroy Island
|
|
» |
Visit the World Heritage Rainforest, Waterfalls, lakes & wildlife areas of the Atherton Tablelands.
|
|
» |
Travel to Port Douglas to visit the Rainforest Habitat. This is a unique experience where you can see an Endangered Cassowary up close. Also see kangaroo's roaming about that you can hand feed. Koala's, tree kangaroos and many beautiful birds can be seen up close as well as huge crocodiles. Visitors can wander through four different and unique environments that depict over 180 species of the surrounding rainforest, wetlands, woodlands and grasslands. Boardwalks intertwine through the canopy and rainforest floor of these environments, providing an exhilarating and educating journey for all. While in the Grasslands visitors can stroll through open air parklands, hand feed kangaroos and view crocodiles in natural billabongs.
|
|
| ROCKHAMPTON |
|
» |
In-school class activities will be dependent upon the host school but will generally consist of interaction and cultural exchange with students from the host school. The elements of these activities will most often be sport, art, music, cooking, language classes and cultural presentations.
|
|
» |
Familiarisation and walking tour of local town
|
|
» |
Kindergarten school – an opportunity for groups to display their culture and interact with the younger generation
|
|
» |
Local City Council – tour of council chambers, be welcomed by the mayor and other staff members
|
|
|
|
|
» |
In-school class activities will be dependent upon the host school but will generally consist of interaction and cultural exchange with students from the host school. The elements of these activities will most often be sport, art, music, cooking, language classes and cultural presentations
|
|
» |
Familiarisation and walking tour of local area
|
|
» |
Kindergarten school – an opportunity for groups to display their culture and interact with the younger generation
|
|
» |
Local City Council – tour of council chambers, be welcomed by the mayor and other staff members
|
|
» |
Aboriginal culture
|
|
» |
Local University
|
|
» |
Walking tour of Sydney city might include a walk across the Harbour Bridge or touring afloat a harbour ferry, viewing the great expanse of the Sydney Harbour and its sights. Visit the Sydney Opera House and Darling Harbour and the Botanical Gardens. Take a monorail tour around the city above the pedestrians.
|
|
» |
Sydney Art Gallery and Museum
|
|
» |
Visit the 2000 Olympic Site at Homebush
|
|
» |
The Blue Mountains, Katoomba - the Blue Mountains offer a natural wonderland of untamed bush, spectacular rock formations and native wildlife. The Katoomba Blue Mountains is home of the famous rock formation known as ‘The Three Sisters’.
|
|
» |
Scenic World Blue Mountains takes people on a three minute, 545 metre ride down into the rainforest. This thrilling and unique ride passes through an80 metre tunnel and a sunlit tree clad gorge. Scenic World has approximately two kilometres of rainforest boardwalk.
|
|
» |
Ride the Scenic Railway which is the steepest railway incline in the world and is now one of the most popular man-made tourist attractions in Australia. The ride takes you down the steep descent past Orphan Rock, through a tunnel and the beautiful fern-damp cliff face. www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/towns/katoomba.asp |
|
» |
Featherdale Wildlife Park - You can hand feed a kangaroo, wallaby or emu, or enjoy a face-to-face encounter with one of our friendly koalas. Featherdale has one of Australia's largest private collections of Australian native animals and bird life. www.featherdale.com.au |
|
» |
Taronga Park Zoo - is the nation's leading zoological garden, featuring Australia's finest collection of native animals and a diverse collection of exotic species. What makes Taronga Park something special is its location at Bradley's Head, Mossman. The zoo is situated on elevated land along the waterfront, in one of the most beautiful vantage points on Sydney Harbour. An excursion to Taronga Zoo provides the perfect opportunity for enjoyable learning either by self guided walkaround and observation or school tours that offer stimulating, first-hand experiences as students immerse themselves in the natural world. www.zoo.nsw.gov.au/index.htm
|
|
» |
Sydney Aquarium - has one of the largest and most spectacular aquariums in the world and the largest collection of Australian aquatic life – over 11,000 animals. The displays allow the students to appreciate the diversity of Australia's unique aquatic habitats and their fascinating fauna and flora. www.sydneyaquarium.com.au
|
|
| Additional activities could include: |
|
|
|
| » |
Combination homestay and boarding – This program works best for two or more weeks and students are able to rotate their stay one week in homestay and one in boarding. Groups can also be divided while half is in homestay, half can be in boarding.
|
| » |
Farmstay - Farmstay activities are varied and could include: orientation, all meals, accommodation, bush or rainforest walk, aboriginal activities guided farm tour, sheep shearing demonstration, farm animal feeding, led horse rides, star gazing, cow milking by hand, bush whip cracking.
|
| » |
Overnight stays at a farm for part or all of the group’s visit.
|
| » |
Farmstay could also include ESL lessons
|
| » |
Combination farmstay and homestay can also be arranged
|
|
