Australia
Outback Adventure Program

You may visit places like Broken Hill, the famous "silver city" mining center; Uluru National Park, home of the famous Ayres Rock, where you can learn more about the Aborigines; Alice Springs, the heart of the outback; Whitsunday Passage and Airlie Beach; or explore the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The YFU Outback Adventure is no mere trek through nature. This exciting three-week trip gives you a chance to see many aspects of Australia, from its cosmopolitan cities to its gorgeous coastline to the rugged outback. Along the way, you may stop at notable Australian sights, like the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru National Park. Australia offers great diversity in natural beauty and culture, and you'll get to see it all on this tour through a continent.

Proposed Itinerary for July 2002

Day 1 - Sydney Sights
Arrive in Sydney for breakfast this morning. There is time to freshen up before spending a full day exploring Sydney. Sights to see include the Opera House, The ROCKS, Darling Harbour, Sydney Aquarium, Centrepoint Tower, the Monorail, and a Harbour Cruise.
Overnight - Lakeside Caravan Park, Narrabeen

Day 2 - Sydney to Canberra - City Sights - Express to Port Augusta
We depart Sydney this morning and head for Canberra - Australia's National Capital. Tour the city sights of Canberra from the coach and visit Parliament House. Drive around the Embassy Circuit before starting the express run to Port Augusta.

Day 3 - Express to Port Augusta - Wadlata Outback Centre
Our overnight travel takes us across the Hay Plain and through the Riverland of South Australia. Arrive at Port Augusta this afternoon. Visit the Wadlata Outback Centre for an insight into the challenges of pioneer life.
Overnight - Pt Augusta Big 4

Day 4 - Port Augusta to Coober Pedy
Farewell Port Augusta and start the trip into the Outback past salt lakes and clay pans. Continue to Coober Pedy where we enjoy a town tour and opal demonstration before heading underground for the night.
Overnight - Umoona Opal Mine

Day 5 - Coober Pedy to Bush Camp
Farewell Coober Pedy and start along the Stuart Highway. Until we reach Marla there is not much to see in this empty quarter except wedgetail eagles, mulga, and saltbush. Just before lunch cross another border - this time into the Northern Territory. Follow the Lasseter Highway westward towards our bush camp.
Overnight - Bush Camp

Day 6 - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Early rise for the run into Uluru National Park. Climb the rock in the cool of the morning. The effort is rewarded by breathtaking views out over the horizon. For those not wishing to climb, the base walks offer a chance to learn more about this mysterious monolith and an insight into Aboriginal beliefs and legends. (Climbing Uluru is very physically demanding. We strongly recommend that if you are unfit or have a medical condition that is affected by strenuous physical activity that you do not attempt the climb.) Visit the Visitors Centre before we head out to Kata Tjuta - larger and possibly more brooding than Uluru. (Kata Tjuta is an Aboriginal sacred site. Any climbing at Kata Tjuta is strictly prohibited and is punishable at law by severe penalties.) Return to Sunset Strip to watch the pageant of changing colours on the Rock.
Overnight - Ayers Rock Resort Campground

Day 7 - Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - King's Canyon
After packing up camp we head for Kings Canyon - used as a spectacular natural back drop in "Priscilla Queen of the Desert." The sheer walls of the Canyon rise up 270 metres, making it the deepest gorge in Central Australia. The more adventurous may like to walk to the rim of the Canyon, which offers spectacular views over the 'Lost City' and 'Garden of Eden'.
Overnight - Kings Creek Station Campground

Day 8 - Kings Canyon - Lilla Aboriginal Tour - Alice Springs
Visit the Lilla Aboriginal Community this morning for a fascinating insight into Aboriginal Culture. Our Aboriginal guide explains about Aboriginal life, hunting and gathering, and shows us some genuine Aboriginal rock art. Rejoin the Stuart Highway and head for Noel Fullerton's Camel Farm where there is a chance to ride one of these "Ships of the Desert." Arrive in Alice Springs and spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool.
Overnight - Red Centre Resort (in bunkhouse)

Day 9 - Western MacDonnell Ranges - Alice Springs
Explore the Western MacDonnell Ranges today. See Simpson's Gap, Standley Chasm, and the famous Twin Ghost Gums and soak in the landscape that inspired the famous Aboriginal artist Albert Namitjira. Continue to Alice Springs past the grave of Flynn of the Inland, visionary founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Free time in town to catch up on some shopping this afternoon.
Overnight - Red Centre Resort (in bunkhouse)

Day 10 - Alice Springs Desert Park - City Sights - Express to Mt Isa
Spend the morning at the Alice Springs Desert Park which has displays concerned with the flora and fauna of arid regions. Highlight of our visit is the free flying Birds of Prey display Visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and Panorama Guth before taking in views over the town from Anzac Hill. Early evening farewell Alice Springs and start the express run to Mt Isa.

Day 11: Express to Mt Isa
Cross the Queensland border and pass through Camooweal, staging point for the great cattle drives of the past. Arrive this afternoon in the copper city of Mt Isa.
Overnight - Riverside Caravan Park

Day 12 - Mt Isa to Airlie Beach
Follow the Channel Country through Cloncurry, birthplace of the Flying Doctor Service. Continue through Hughenden and Charters Towers, at one time the second largest city in Queensland. Arrive on the coast at Airlie Beach.
Overnight - Adventure Whitsunday Resort Caravan Village

Day 13 - Fantasea Reefworld Cruise
Join Fantasea Cruises this morning for the trip out to Hardy Reef aboard one of their high speed catamarans. Reefworld is the largest and most sophisticated offshore platform on the Outer Barrier Reef. See the coral and tropical fish first hand by snorkeling or take a ride in the semi-submersible or glass bottom boat.
Overnight - Adventure Whitsunday Resort Caravan Village

Day 14 - Whitsunday Passage Sailing Cruise - Express to Gold Coast
Spend the day sailing the idyllic Whitsunday passage aboard one of Australia's famous maxi racing yachts. Cruise the waters of the Whitsunday's before snorkeling or swimming at Whitehaven Beach. After dinner board the coach for the overnight drive to the Gold Coast.

Day 15 - Airlie Beach to the Gold Coast
Arrive on the Gold Coast this morning. After setting up camp the rest of the afternoon is at leisure.
Overnight - Treasure Island Caravan Village

Day 16 - Seaworld - Express to Sydney
Spend the day at Warner Bros Seaworld, one of the Gold Coast's premier tourist attractions. Return to camp late afternoon and farewell Brisbane students. Start the express run home overnight arriving at Central Railway Station on the next morning.

Day 17 - Express to Sydney
Arrive back in Sydney this morning.

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Tuesday, August 22, 2006 01:46 PM