July 3: Departure Day, Los Angeles to Alice Springs

In support of program and student safety, all details regarding specific travel and accommodations are available in the parent/guardian digital locker under Essential Information.

July 4 is lost crossing the International Date Line

July 5 – 8: The Outback

Accommodations:

Camping in the Outback

Begin your adventure with group orientation before heading into the Great Central Desert. See kangaroos, wallabies, and brumbies, and learn about the desert’s fire-dependent ecology. Try traditional bush food and camp out beside the warmth of a campfire under the constellations of the southern hemisphere. Hike through ancient rock formations, learn about rock art, and hear stories of the Dreamtime from local Aboriginal guides. Speak with locals about the effects of the assimilation and protection of the Aboriginal people.

July 9 – 11: Sydney

Arrive in Sydney and familiarize yourself with urban life in Australia. Have a traditional brekkie and stroll the promenade of the Rocks District. Become acquainted with the colonial history and explore this coastal harbor city. Take a ferry to the Taronga Zoo, go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic Sydney Opera House, or go to a local rugby match.

July 12 – 16: Airlie Beach and Sailing the Whitsunday Islands

We board a sailboat and spend four days sailing through the Whitsunday Islands and exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Our knowledgeable skipper and his crew teach us about the marine ecology and take us to some of the best dive sites in the region. Snorkel, swim, and explore the islands during the day and sleep on board the sailboat at night. Lend a hand to the boat crew and learn the basics of sailing. Spot dugongs and whales as we traverse the seas.

July 17: Christchurch, New Zealand

Fly from Hamilton Island, Australia to Sydney then continue on from Sydney to Christchurch, New Zealand. Spend the night in Christchurch before departing for Oamaru in the morning.

July 18 – 21: Homestays in Oamaru

Venture east to the coast and become part of family life in a traditional Kiwi sheep or dairy farming community. The rural town of Oamaru boasts a colonial-style downtown surrounded by rolling hills dotted with massive boulders. This otherworldly landscape made the Oamaru area a favorite filming location for both the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Chronicles of Narnia. During your homestay week, the group will meet up from time to time to go see a rugby game, participate in events at the local high school, or visit the nearby Moeraki boulders.

July 22 – 25: Wanaka

Travel west across the mountainous South Island to the picturesque town of Wanaka. Spend three days skiing or snowboarding at Treble Cone Mountain. Have a cup of hot cocoa at the lodge and visit some of the galleries in the quaint town square. Become acquainted with the modern Kiwi culture and explore Wanaka’s appropriately named Puzzle World. Spend evenings back at the lodge, where we break into cooking crews to produce group dinners, and relax around the fireplace after a day on the slopes.

July 26: Temuka

Say goodbye to your host family and immerse yourself in history during an overnight stay in a traditional Maori marae. We will stay in the meeting house and prepare a hangi, or traditional meal, with our hosts. Through discussions with the elders, learn about the culture’s ties to the land. The area is well known for its Maori rock art preserved in limestone shelters and caves.

July 27: Christchurch

Transfer to Christchurch and explore the cobblestone streets and gothic architecture of this coastal city. Witness a city rebuilding after the earthquakes of 2012, with a thriving graffiti art scene and outdoor shopping area constructed completely of shipping containers. Wrap up your time in New Zealand and prepare for your early morning flight to Fiji.

July 28 – August 2: Sigatoka, Viti Levu, Fiji

On July 28, fly from Christchurch, New Zealand Fiji. Settle in on the Coral Coast and spend the last days of the program enjoying the vibrant culture, beaches, and tropical weather of Fiji. Visit local villages, play a game of pick-up rugby with local kids, kayak, and snorkel. Participate in a kava ceremony and learn about the cultural history of this island nation. With your fellow Putney students, reflect on the journey you have taken over the course of the past month and prepare for your travels home.

August 3: Return Day, Nadi to Los Angeles