Down Under Games

The itinerary is the starting point to your tour, but it’s not set in stone. Your group leader may make changes leading up to departure.

Day 1, Monday July 3: Overnight Flight

Departure from the United States.

Day 2, Tuesday July 4: Overnight Flight

Cross the International Dateline.

Day 3, Wednesday July 5: Sydney

Arrive in Sydney this morning and your Tour Managers will greet you at Sydney Airport. You will be transferred by bus to your Sydney accommodation This morning there will be time to visit and explore Australia’s most famous Bondi Beach.Explore this coastal resort beach right in the heart of Sydney. Relax on the beautiful beach, enjoy the great shops and cafes.Enjoy the Bondi to Bronte Clifftop Coastal Walk. A spectacular walk with amazing views of the ocean and beaches. Team Training Session Light afternoon training session at Coach discretion. Please note: International gateways, dates of games, excursions and overnight cities are subject to change. (D)

Day 4, Thursday July 6: Sydney

This morning, explore Sydney Harbour district with your tour guide and go on a guided tour of the famous Sydney Opera House. The Rocks – This afternoon there will be time to explore ‘The Rocks’, the original settlement in Australia on Sydney Harbour. ‘The Rocks’ settlement, is at the base of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and is a great place to explore and shop! Sydney Harbour Bridge - Go sight-seeing around the famous Sydney Harbour and view the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge. AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-DAY 1 The Australian Volleyball Championships is a national event for the best junior volleyball teams in Australia. A contingent of ACIS US teams have been granted entry to compete against Australian teams in the Championships. Opening Ceremony The Opening Ceremony for the Australian Championships will be held this evening. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday July 7: Sydney

Free morning to relax and prepare for competition that will start after lunch today. AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-DAY 2 Depending on the draw, teams will play between 2-3 games today. Round robin Round robin competition will begin. (B,L)

Day 6, Saturday July 8: Sydney

AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-DAY 3 Depending on the draw, teams will play between 2-3 games today. Round robin Round robin competition will continue today. Great Optional Evening Activity – (At own expense) Depending on your competition schedule, this evening you will have the option to go to- Aussie Rules Football Game. Go and see an Aussie Rules Football game & watch the big men play full contact football with no protection! or Rugby League Game – Which is like American football with no protection. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday July 9: Sydney

AUSTRALIAN VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS-DAY 4 Round robin Round robin competition will continue this morning. Australian Volleyball Championships - Finals Finals held this afternoon Closing Ceremony All teams will come together for the closing ceremony. (Late afternoon/early evening) (B,D)

Day 8, Monday July 10: Brisbane

This morning, transfer by bus to Sydney Airport and fly to Brisbane. Bus transfer to your accommodation on the Gold Coast. This afternoon you will visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary where you can see Australia’s native animals face to face in their natural surroundings. The Sanctuary is an oasis with over 27 hectares of landscaped surrounds and bushland catering for over 1400 Australian mammals, birds and reptiles. Plenty of kangaroos and koalas! 1000’s of wild birds have made their home at the Sanctuary. Be there at feeding time and some may try to land on you while you hand feed them! (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday July 11: Brisbane

This morning you will have the opportunity to “Stand-up and surf the curl”, while you learn to surf under the guidance of some of the Gold Coast's most highly qualified surf coaches.Professional Surf Coaches will be teaching you how to surf. They will provide you with a surfboard and wetsuit and teach you step-by-step how to catch a wave and stand-up on the surfboard! Free afternoon to explore the Gold Coast or just relax on the beach. (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday July 12: Brisbane

Today we travel to Byron Bay, a destination with breath-taking beaches and marine life including dolphins, whales and sea turtles. Cape Byron is Australia’s most easterly point where the in-service lighthouse is famous as one of the most popular whale watching locations in Australia. Each June/July thousands of humpback whales travel past Byron Bay. The town of Bryon Bay is a thriving coastal town with great shops and cafes, which are surrounded by beautiful hinterland mountains. We take a 45-minute beach walk up to the lighthouse, whilst spotting whales and dolphins along the way. (B,D)

Day 11, Thursday July 13: Departure

Transfer to the airport for return flight to the United States. (B)