HANCEVILLE — Australia is a destination that finds a spot on bucket lists, and it is one item that can be checked off with a July 2106 trip planned by The Evelyn Burrow Museum at Wallace State Community College.
The 12-day “Journey Down Under” is planned for July 1-12, and includes stops in Australia at Sydney and Cairns along the Great Barrier Reef, and in New Zealand at Auckland at Rotorua. A two-day tour extension to Hawaii is also available. Included in the cost is a full-time tour director, three sightseeing tours led by your tour director, admission to the locations on the itinerary, round-trip airfare and transportation, accommodations, breakfast daily and four dinners.
Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity and the Maori Village. A Maori guide will lead the tour through geothermal features including bubbling pools of mud, crystal springs of hot mineral water geysers and richly colored craters. A visit to a traditional Maori village will include legends, songs and dance and a hangi dinner. The visit will also include a sheep shearing demonstration. A second day in Rotorua includes a ride in the Skyline Gondola and jade-carving demonstration and more.
After a day touring Auckland, the group will travel to Sydney, where stops include the deck of the Sydney Tower, Bondi Beach, and the Sydney Zoo.Additional excursions to the Taronga Zoo and the Opera House are also offered.
Two days in Cairns round out the trip, which is highlighted by a tour of the Great Barrier Reef, where you can opt to swim, snorkel or enjoy the view seated in the glass-bottom boat. Optional excursions at Cairns and Kurunda include snorkeling with a marine biologist as well excursions on the skyrail, train and to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Center.
This is Wallace State’s 10th year to organize trips abroad for students and the community.
For more information, contact Kristen Holmes at 256-352-8118 or kristen.holmes@wallacestate.edu or visit wallacestate.edu/abroad.
