The Expedition

With roughly the population of metropolitan New York City and the land mass of the continental U.S., Australia is the most sparsely populated continent on the planet after Antarctica. Its isolation for millennia allowed unique ecosystems and cultures to thrive. Explore rain forests, deserts, and the world's largest coral reef. Spot fascinating wildlife, from kangaroos and wallabies to koalas and cassowaries. Meet members of the Aboriginal community—the world's oldest living culture, which settled here more than 50,000 years ago. Experience Australia through the lens of your On Assignment project—Photography, Wildlife & Conservation, or Filmmaking.

Apply for Australia Expedition:

SYDNEY
3 days. The program begins with an orientation in the vibrant coastal city of Sydney, Australia's largest metropolitan area and financial center. Break into teams to begin working on your On Assignment project. Visit Cockatoo Island, a former prison and shipyard; explore the lively Rocks District and cross the city's iconic bridge on foot; or discover the ghost stories of old Sydney on a nighttime tour. Attend a game of rugby or Australian football, or take in a show at the Sydney Opera House.

ULURU AND THE OUTBACK
10 days. Fly to one of the most remote and sparsely inhabited environments on Earth: the great desert of central Australia. Settle into the rhythms of life in the outback in Alice Springs, the region's largest city and an important center of Aboriginal culture. At the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, learn how education and health care are disseminated to remote communities across the vast region by plane. Drop in on an Aboriginal-run radio station. Try your hand at playing Australia's traditional instrument, the didgeridoo, at a workshop and performance. Go for a bush walk on the Larapinta Trail. Discover the role of fire in this unique desert ecosystem, and learn to safely handle snakes and lizards at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre.

Then travel overland to Uluru (once known as Ayers Rock), a colossal sandstone monolith rising abruptly from the desert plain, and Kata Tjuta. These awe-inspiring formations are considered sacred and figure prominently in Aboriginal mythology. Visit a working cattle ranch, examine ancient rock art and medicinal plants, and listen to Dreamtime stories told by our Aboriginal guides. Ride a camel through the desert, and sleep under the brightest stars you've ever seen. Spot the Southern Cross and Scorpio, and learn a whole new set of Southern Hemisphere constellations. Interview Aboriginal people about their traditional beliefs and contemporary challenges, or shoot a series of photographs highlighting the legends of the Dreamtime.

QUEENSLAND AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF
8 days. Travel by plane to northern Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Hike through lush tropical rain forests to see kangaroos, emus, and other endemic wildlife. Go white-water rafting on a jungle waterway. Board a classic yacht for a multiple-day sailing trip through breathtaking Whitsunday Islands National Park along the Great Barrier Reef. Discover deserted white-sand beaches on remote uninhabited islands, and snorkel among coral reefs where you can spot porpoises, sea turtles, and giant reef fish. Anchor at the outer reef and snorkel or dive* in crystalline waters over colorful coral and schools of tropical fish.

The program ends with On Assignment presentations and a final celebration before departing for home.

*Students who are scuba certified may dive at the Great Barrier Reef, accompanied by a guide.

Australia Expedition:directorytourism.com/blog_view_7_The-Expedition-Australia.html