THE JOHN BELK INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM AT QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE
Outback & Down Under Study Tour—May 2007
TENTATIVE ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Day 1   Be at the USAirways International check-in at the Charlotte Airport no later than 3:15! [Allow plenty of time for security check-in.] Depart Charlotte at 5:50 pm, USAirways #733, for Los Angeles (arrive 8:13 pm).  Depart Los Angeles at 10:30 pm, Qantas #12, for Sydney.  

Day 2   In-flight, cross International Dateline.

Day 3   Early arrival in Sydney (6:05 am).  Transfer to YHA Sydney.  After rest and shower, we will do a walking tour down Macquarie Street to the Circular Quay.  Board the ferry for a trip across the harbor to Manly. 

Day 4   Sydney, 8:30 am, leave hotel for Australia Museum, Sydney Opera House, The Rocks.
Walking tour from the YHA to the Circular Quay.  We will go through Hyde Park and the Botanical Gardens with stops at the Australian National Museum and St. Mary’s Cathedral.  Lunch on your own at the Circular Quay.  Sydney Opera House tour in the afternoon (Reservation at 2:15).  We will walk over to the Rocks area after the Opera House tour.       Walk or take the train back to the YHA.

Day 5   Sydney, 7:50 am, leave hotel for Hunter Valley Wine Tour.  This is a tour of wineries and a cheese factory with a tour and tasting at each.  Lunch is included. 

Day 6   Sydney, 9:00 am, leave hotel for Darling Harbor followed by visit to the Sydney Aquarium.  Later, visit Hyde Park Barracks to see some of the early convict accommodations.  Continue on to the Old Sydney hospital (1894) and Parliament House.

Day 7   Sydney, 7:45 am, leave hotel for day-trip to the Blue Mountains.

Day 8   Early Rising!!  Sydney 6:00 am, leave hostel for Sydney Airport.  Depart 8:20 am, Qantas #726 for Ayers Rock (Yulara resort) in the Northern Territory.  Arrive at 11:15 am.  Bus transfer to the Outback Pioneer. Settle in when rooms become ready.  Afternoon visit to Kata Tjuta for a hike into Walpa Gorge.  We will return in time for sunset at Uluru.

Day 9   Uluru, 8:00 am, leave hotel with luggage for return trip to Uluru for a ranger tour of an area at the base of Uluru and a visit to the Cultural Centre.  [Bring snacks and water for bus ride.]  Continue to Alice Springs which will take approximately 5 hours.  See Mt. Connor, often mistaken for Uluru, the saltpans, the Finke River. Stop at the Camel Farm nearer to Alice Springs.  Check-in at Desert Rose Inn in Alice Springs.   Alice Springs walkabout.

Day 10   Alice Springs, leave hotel at 9:00 am, for day-trip out to the West McDonnell Ranges.  [Bring food/snacks for lunch and water!]  This is the land of the Arrente Aboriginal tribe. Travel to Simpson’s Gap, and walk along the creek bed which is lined with huge river red gums to a small waterhole.  Continue on to Standly Chasm. The Chasm located on Iwupataka Aboriginal land is part of the Termite Ancestress Dreaming. A walk past cycads and ferns that flourish in the protected environment brings you to a narrow cleft in the range.  Return to Alice.  The rest of day on your own.

Day 11   Alice Springs, 7:00 am, leave hotel for early morning hike toward the Telegraph Station to see Rock Wallabies and other creatures out for morning feeding time.  Visit to the Telegraph Station.  This was originally going to be the site for Alice Springs and it was the station between Darwin in the North and Adelaide in the South. It also served as a camp for some children of the Stolen Generation.  Visit to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the School of the Air (with a teacher in Alice Springs talking to children many miles away on the cattle stations, teaching them using a two-way radio).  Return to Desert Rose Inn.   Afternoon free.
  
Day 12   Alice Springs, 11:45 am, leave hotel with luggage for transfer to Alice Springs Airport.  Depart Alice Springs on Qantas #1948 at 2:25 pm for Cairns.  Arrive at 5:05 pm, and transfer by coach to Port Douglas, Parrotfish Lodge.

Day 13   Port Douglas, 8:45 am, leave hotel for Daintree River cruise and Rainforest Habitat.  Look for crocodiles, birds, snakes, along with trees and other plants typical of this riparian ecosystem.  Interpretive Centre–a walk through with a guide to learn about the plants and the reasons why there are not too many mammals in this area.  Even the birds can be hard to see through the thick forest.  Cape Tribulation is located where the forest comes down to the beach.  It was here that Captain James Cook pulled in with his ship Endeavour as it had been damaged on the reef.  Return to Port Douglas.

Day 14   Port Douglas, 8:20 am, leave hotel for Great Barrier Reef.  We will walk over to the Marina to board the Aristocat. We will make three stops for snorkeling. Lunch is served for a limited time on the boat, so don’t miss it. Return to Port Douglas Marina around 4.30pm.

Day 15   Port Douglas.  Extra activities to be arranged with reception.

Day 16   Port Douglas, TBA.  Check-out from Parrotfish.  Pack up all your belongings as we are traveling to a new location.  Hike and lunch at Mossman Gorge. Afternoon drive to Cairns.  Overnight in Cairns.

Day 17   EARLY RISING!  3:30 am, leave hotel for transfer to Cairns Airport.  Depart Cairns on Qantas #921 for Sydney at 5:45 am.  Arrive in Sydney, 8:45 am.  Depart Sydney on Qantas #149 at 9:45 am.  Arrive in Los Angeles, 6:05 am.  Depart Los Angeles on American #2430 for Dallas at 8:40 am.  Arrive Dallas, 1:45 pm.  Depart Dallas on American #1276 at 4:55 pm.  Arrive Charlotte, 8:20 pm.