Journey Overview
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Trip Highlights:

Marvel at the dazzling Blue Mountains

Get up close and personal with koalas, kangaroos, and Tasmanian devils at the nation's largest wildlife sanctuary

Explore the legendary Great Barrier Reef by snorkeling, scuba diving, or glass-bottomed boat

Embark on a magical journey aboard the historic Kuranda Railway, traveling through the rain forest canopy

Learn about the Aboriginal people’s rich history, culture, and cuisine

Day 1: Arrive to Sydney International Airport (SYD)
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Arrival Airport: Sydney International Airport (SYD) Welcome to Straya! We’ll land in the bustling harbor city of Sydney, where we’ll start off with an introduction to Australia’s history, culture, and cuisine, as well as the creative skills we’ll master during the trip. After settling in, we’ll take a tour of some of Sydney’s most spectacular sites. Highlights include the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney Tower, Sydney Harbour Bridge, and dining on a delicious welcome dinner at Pancake on the Rocks. Accommodation: The Rocks hotel

Day 2: Sydney, Australia
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Today we’ll learn about Sydney’s role as a multicultural and gastronomical world capital, exploring the many distinct villages where people of particular nationalities have settled—the Italians in Haberfield, Turkish in Auburn, Lebanese in Punchbowl, Greeks in Marrickville, Vietnamese in Cabramatta, Koreans in Eastwood, and the great mix of cuisines and cultures in Fairfield. Lead by our local guide, the day will be full of different sights, sounds, aromas, recipes, and many delicious tastings. We’ll get an inside look at the modern, international, and aboriginal cultures that exist in the city. Throughout the day we’ll focus on utilizing natural light and breathtaking scenery to capture our experiences on camera. The evening will provide free time for relaxation or further exploration. Participate in a cooking class, attend an opera, or cruise the harbor, glistening with twinkling city lights. Accommodation: The Rocks hotel or similar

Day 3: Sydney, Australia
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We’ll begin our day with an early morning coastal ride 30 minutes outside the city center to one of Australia’s highlights—Bondi Beach. A local favorite, the beach attracts all kinds of people, from world-class surfers to the common beach-goer. Plunge into the deep blue waters, stroll down the promenade, browse the local artisan shops, and sample a sweet treat from the renowned Gelato Messina. If our travels take place between May and November, we’ll keep our eyes open in hopes of observing humpback whales jumping in the distance. In the evening, we’ll have a photography lesson and a chance to capture the sunset at Bondi beach . Accommodation: The Rocks hotel or similar

Day 4: Blue Mountain
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This morning we’ll head about an hour inland by private bus to the breathtaking Blue Mountains. Marvel at sheer rock faces plunging into eucalypt-clad valleys, native flora and fauna, and gorgeous waterfalls. We’ll take a cable car up the spiraling cliffs of the mountains and come close to the Three Sisters, an interesting rock formation with jagged ridges that remains sacred to the Aboriginal people. After our mountainous adventure, we’ll experience up-close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and Tasmanian devils at one of the largest wildlife parks in the region. Our busy day will end with a mouthwatering dinner and time to relax back at our hotel. Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas or similar

Day 5: Port Douglas
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Say hello to the charming fishing village of Port Douglas, a mere 15-minute drive from Cairns. This scenic town is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. With the outer reef less than an hour offshore, mystical rainforests a short drive inland, and gorgeous resorts lining the coast, this mesmerizing city will be our home for the next 2 days. Today we’ll relax on the pristine beaches, explore the quaint fishing markets, and dine on fresh seafood. We’ll also take a cooking class taught by some of the best chefs in Northern Australia, immersing ourselves in the fragrant spices of ground pastes, the methodical chop of local vegetables, and the sizzle and steam of stir fry. After digging into the savory dishes we’ve created, we’ll have a lesson on post production using Lightroom. Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas or similar

Day 6: Port Douglas
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Enjoy a morning of leisure with some free time to experience the beauty of coastal Australia (and possibly even venture out to see the largest living structure on earth, the Great Barrier Reef). Join one of the numerous boat tours through the scenic island chains, embark on a snorkeling trip in turquoise waters brimming with diverse sea life, or take a once-in-a-lifetime scuba diving excursion deep into the depths of the reefs. After a day of mesmerizing adventures, we’ll spend the evening exploring Northern Australia's mouthwatering cuisine at local markets, learning about the different ingredients and getting to know the unique flavors with origins in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Polynesia. We’ll end the night practicing our travel portraiture and writing as we explore the unparalleled magnificence of the North. Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas or similar

Day 7: Port Douglas
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Wake up bright and early, fueling up on breakfast before departing on Kuranda Scenic Railway—one of the most stunning, picturesque railways in the world. The journey is spectacular, comprised of striking views of lush rainforest, steep ravines, and tumbling waterfalls within the Barron Gorge National Park. We’ll wind from Cairns to Kuranda, a vibrant village deep within the rainforest, where we’ll stroll through bustling markets, traverse the rainforest canopies, and even get a taste of Aboriginal culture. As our Australian adventure comes to a close, we’ll reflect on our unforgettable time over an incredible dining experience in the heart of the rainforest. We’ll feast on authentic cuisine and watch a traditional aboriginal performance with music and dance, using our improved photography skills to capture it all on camera. Accommodation: Paradise Links Resort Port Douglas or similar

Day 8: Depart Australia from Sydney International Airport
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After a delicious breakfast at our hotel, we will set out on our drive to Sydney International Airport to catch our flight back to our homes in the afternoon. Departure Airport: Sydney International Airport (SYD)