Australian Animals and Adventure

This itinerary is the starting point for your tour, but it’s not set in stone. If there are days you would like to change, or specific places you’d like to go, we can work with you to create a personalized program that fits the needs of you and your students.

Day 1: Overnight Flight

Depart from the USA.

Day 2: Overnight Flight

You'll cross the International Dateline en route. But don't worry—the day that escapes you now is recovered on your return!

Day 3: Sydney

G'day and welcome to Australia, mate! Upon your arrival in Sydney, one of the country's most beguiling cities, meet your ACIS Tour Manager. On the way to your hotel, enjoy an orientation sightseeing tour that includes Bondi Beach and Watson's Bay. After that, you have the afternoon to explore more of Sydney on your own. Perhaps savor a “snag,” a delicious multi-meat sausage dipped in garlic butter and grilled on a “barbie,” in between stops at lesser-known attractions such as the Paddington Reservoir Gardens, with their amazing views of the city skyline; the Museum of Human Disease; or the unusual Forgotten Songs Sound Sculpture, which mixes art with ornithology while paying wistful aural homage to 50 bird species that once called the city home.

Day 4: Sydney

Start the day with a walking tour of The Rocks, a historic district filled with cobblestone streets and colonial buildings—a fascinating glimpse of Sydney's colorful history. Follow this with a visit to the iconic Sydney Opera House for a guided tour of this world-famous building. Then it’s on to Darling Harbour, a waterfront leisure park with food, shopping and entertainment on every corner. The day's final highlight is the Sydney Aquarium, where you'll learn about sharks, seals, crocodiles and penguins among other aquatic species.

Day 5: Sydney

This morning board the fast ferry at Circular Quay for a trip to Manly, one of Sydney's popular beachside suburbs. Get ready to get wet: You'll swim with native marine life during a guided snorkeling tour of Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve off Shelly Beach. Later, you'll learn even more about native wildlife and the local environment during a nature walk. If you're not totally knackered, the rest of the afternoon is yours to continue exploring Manly at your own pace. You can continue use the same equipment to do more snorkeling in the crystal clear waters. Or if you’re ready for drier adventures, perhaps browse through the Manly Art Gallery and Museum, relax on the sand or take a bike tour before boarding the ferry back to Sydney.

Day 6: Sydney

Today enjoy time to discover more of this intriguing city on your own. Perhaps shop for souvenirs, check out the Powerhouse or Australian Museums (the latter features 10 complete dinosaur skeletons) or chat with local Sydney-siders for an authentic taste of Australian culture. Later enjoy a dinner in the sky at the Sydney Tower Revolving Restaurant, located almost 1,000 feet up and offering breathtaking views of the harbor.

Day 7: Port Stephens

The world's oldest living culture comes to life this morning during a Barangaroo Aboriginal Cultural Tour, led by an Aboriginal guide. You'll learn about the fascinating history of Australia's First People as well as how these resourceful natives lived off the land and in harmony with the land, using plants and animals for food, tools and weapons. Then depart for Port Stephens, famous for its scenic bays, whale- and dolphin-watching opportunities and more than two dozen beaches.

Day 8: Port Stephens

This morning board a boat for your dolphin-watching tour where you'll marvel at these wonderful and much-loved local animals as they frolic in their native habitat. After enjoying an included lunch aboard the boat, you'll head ashore for Stockton Beach, home to the largest sand dunes in Australia. Then prepare to channel your inner surfing bum for some unique fun in the sun with a lesson in the popular sport of sandboarding!

Day 9: Port Stephens

During today's guided tour of Tilligerry Habitat Reserve, you'll get a close-up look at the diverse plants and animals that thrive in this shoreline area along Tanilba Bay. You might even see one of Australia's most beloved wildlife superstars, the notoriously shy koala bear. Crikey! Take the rest of the afternoon to explore more of Port Stephens at your own pace.

Day 10: Sydney

On the way back to Sydney this morning, more scenic beauty beckons as you visit Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, noted for its diverse coastline, rain forest and bushland ecosystems. During a bush walk, you'll search for native Australian flora and fauna, including a local wallaby population. Then it's time for a floating paddleboard or kayak safari. You'll follow an eco-guide, who'll point out everything from sea eagles and stingrays to wallabies and kookaburras as you glide through a wind-protected estuary. Later, you'll arrive back in Sydney and gather for a final farewell dinner.

Day 11: Departure

Depart for the USA.