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: Brisbane

Arrive in Brisbane this morning and your ACIS Australian Tour Manager will greet you at Brisbane Airport. Your Tour Manager will travel with the team for the entire tour, to make sure your stay in Australia is well organised, fun and stress free. Head to the 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! Later continue to your hotel to check in.(D)

Day 4, Thursday July 6: 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! Early evening game against a Brisbane team of similar standard. (B,D)

Day 5, Friday July 7: 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 30-minute beach walk up to the lighthouse, whilst spotting whales and dolphins along the way. (B,D)

Day 6, Saturday July 8: Sydney

Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Sydney. Then 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.Afternoon training session. Later head to your hotel to check in. (B,D)

Day 7, Sunday July 9: Sydney

This morning, explore Sydney Harbour district with your tour guide.Bus transfer to Darling Harbour and catch a ferry to Circular Quay. The Rocks – This morning 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. Sydney Opera House - Participate in a guided tour of one of the world’s most amazing buildings- the Sydney Opera House. Catch a ferry from Circular Quay back to Darling Harbour Homebush and bus transfer to Blacktown Softball Stadium for training this afternoon. (B,D)

Day 8, Monday July 10: Sydney

NSW INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2023 – DAY 1 A contingent of US teams will compete against Australian teams for the NSW International Challenge title. Depending on the draw, teams will play between 1-2 games today. Round robin Round robin competition will begin. (B,D)

Day 9, Tuesday July 11: Sydney

NSW INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2023 – DAY 2 Depending on the draw, teams will play between 2-3 games today. Round robin Round robin competition will continue today. (B,D)

Day 10, Wednesday July 12: Sydney

NSW INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE 2023 – DAY 3 Round robin Round robin competition will continue this morning. Finals Finals held this afternoon Bronze medal play off 3rd place vs 4th place Gold medal play off 1st place vs 2nd place (B,D)

Day 11, Thursday July 13: Departure

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