Glimmering oceans, luscious rainforests, and blazing deserts await a group of adventurous students who will spend 15 days of their summer in Australia and New Zealand. The trip is mostly for juniors and seniors and is organized by Mrs. Penny Shelton.
“I first heard about the trip from Mr. Bryant last year. My parents found out about it and wanted me to go since it is such a great opportunity,” junior Pavan Sohal said.
The students will have a chance to learn about the biology and history of the areas through first-hand experience. There are many noteworthy destinations throughout Australia and New Zealand that students will get to visit and explore. There are just as many opportunities to see exotic life as the more popular tourist destinations.
“I’m looking forward to visiting Fraser Island, one of the largest sand islands in the world. We get to learn biology in the rainforest, see pure bred dingoes, visit Maori tribes in New Zealand. I’m also excited to see Sydney,” junior Sophie Butler said.
In the Southern hemisphere, the environment is a new experience and is very different from here.
“It’s going to be winter there so I’m looking forward to the weather. However, we have to bring sunscreen because the ozone layer is really depleted,” Sohal said.
The 15 hours and approximately 7,400 miles away, the students will be in a new environment and a totally different country. The experience is once in a lifetime and a unique learning experience.
“I hope to learn a lot, get tan, have fun, and get closer to my friends on this trip,” Butler said.
Here is a day-by-day guide of the trip and its destinations:
Days 1 and 2: Fly to New Zealand
Day 3: Tour of Auckland
Day 4: Travel to Rotorua, take a Rotorua Duck Tour, visit the Agrodome, enjoy a Hangi Feast
Day 5: Take a guided tour of Rotorua, visit the Whaka geothermal area, visit the Whaka Maori Village, ride the Skyline Gondola, see a jade carving demonstration
Day 6: Fly to Brisbane, travel to Sunshine Coast
Day 7: Travel via Glasshouse Mountains and Noosa National Park, take a ferry to Fraser Island
Day 8: Fraser Island
Day 9: Surfers Paradise, return to the mainland by ferry, visit the Underwater World Oceanarium
Day 10: Surfers Paradise
Day 11: Coffs Harbour
Day 12 and 13 and 14: Sydney, visit Sydney Tower, visit the National Opal Collection, take a tour of Sydney, take a harbor cruise, take a walking tour of The Rocks, visit Sydney Wildlife World
Day 15: Depart for home
by ADITYA NIRGUN
