Join us for an active cultural adventure Down Under. Experience subtropical Queensland, the alpine winter landscapes of New Zealand, and the South Pacific paradise of Fiji. Get beyond the typical tourist itinerary and experience these unique places in engaging and exciting ways.
- Dates:
- June 30, 2012 - August 2, 2012
- Eligibility:
- Students completing grades 9-12
- Focus:
- Cultural Exploration
- Typical Group:
- 16-18 students, 2 leaders
- Duration:
- 5 week(s)
Overview
Cultural Exploration Australia, New Zealand, Fiji combines outdoor adventure—snorkeling, whitewater rafting, sailing, and skiing—with cultural exploration—living on a sheep farm, strolling the streets of cosmopolitan Sydney, and joining a Fijian ceremonial meal. In the course of just five weeks you can meet a wallaby, swim in turquoise water off a deserted South Pacific beach, take the wheel of your sailboat as you cruise along the Great Barrier Reef, visit the Sydney Opera House, learn to sheer a sheep with Kiwi friends, and lay down fresh tracks in Southern Hemisphere powder.
Throughout the program we rely on the on-the-ground knowledge of Putney’s longtime contacts in these countries, who insure that you experience the nations Down Under as an insider. Lou, our long-time guide in Queensland, is a jack-of-all-trades in Outback living. Dave, a native Kiwi, shares with you his expert knowledge of the ski-fields of the Southern Alps. Jenny, our Fijian contact, introduces us to the island’s unique culture.
Get to know the wildlife Down Under.
Accommodations range from small family-run inns to campsites in the outback, and berths on a sailing yacht to refuges high in snow country. We form cooking and cleaning crews for the skiing and sailing portions of the itinerary. We eat most other meals at restaurants, as picnic lunches, or in the homes of our Kiwi and Aussie friends.
Midway through the program, spend five days living with a Kiwi host family on a rural sheep station or deer farm. This is an unusual and fascinating opportunity to participate in life in rural New Zealand while getting to know a family. Help out with household and farm chores like cooking and sheep-sheering, and join the family on an outing to a rugby game or to a traditional Maori hangi, an outdoor performance and feast.
“We have now sent all of our children on Putney trips and are staunch Putney supporters. Each child participated in a trip that appealed to his or her strengths and interests and had a wonderful experience.”
- Mark Borges and Lynne Orton, Washington, DC
After extended stays in Australia and New Zealand, we enjoy four days visiting the island paradise of Fiji, staying at a rustic ocean-side resort area. It is an ideal place to relax, defrost from the Southern Hemisphere winter, and reflect back on the adventures we have experienced together as a group.
Highlights
- Spot kangaroos, emus, and wallabies as you explore the rugged Australian outback.
- Become a part of the crew as you sail among the tropical Whitsunday Islands.
- Participate in a traditional haka dance and learn about its significance to the Maori people of New Zealand.
- Observe sea turtles and giant clams up close as you scuba or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.
- Ski the light powder snow of New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
- Participate in a traditional Fijian kava kava ceremony with our local hosts.
What to Expect
This is a physically active program. You should be enthusiastic about outdoor exploration and varied daily activities. Experience in skiing is not required. Beginners can get their first lessons and enjoy the range of terrain available. If you are scuba-registered, you will have an opportunity to take a dive. You must be willing to contribute to the daily chores that are part of living cooperatively both with the group and in your homestay.
At Putney we take pride in our reputation for careful, thorough planning and attention to detail. The descriptions of our programs are based on our experiences in previous summers and our plans for this summer. It is inevitable that some things described here will not happen exactly as presented. To get the most out of the Putney experience, participants need to be flexible in responding to unforeseen situations, and creative in taking advantage of unexpected opportunities. We expect Putney participants to share responsibility for the success of their experience.
Fees
Tuition: $9,490
Itinerary
Click here to read last year’s trip blog.
This program begins and ends at Los Angeles International Airport.
Departure • June 30. Join the group to begin your adventure Down Under. The group flight departs from Los Angeles International Airport, where you meet your leaders and set off for Cairns, Australia.
Australian Outback • Our adventure begins with five days in the Outback rainforest. From our base camp on the shores of Lake Tinaroo in Queensland, we spend five days exploring the wilderness. Hike to remote waterfalls, rappel from lakeside monoliths, and whitewater raft on the Tully River.
Sail the Whitsunday Islands • Board a yacht for a four day sailing trip through the Whitsunday Islands. Snorkel or scuba on the famous Great Barrier Reef, sleep on deck under the brilliant Southern Hemisphere stars, and relax on white sand beaches.
Sydney • Spend four days in fast-paced Sydney. Visit the Opera House, try out surfing, and enjoy cafes and galleries as you explore the streets and “laneways” of this thriving, cosmopolitan city.
- Scuba dive along the Great Barrier Reef.
New Zealand Homestay • From Sydney, fly across the Tasman Sea to Christchurch, New Zealand, on the country’s ruggedly beautiful South Island. Here, we join Kiwi host families for a week-long homestay on a rural sheep or deer farm. Participate in sheep shearing, watch a rugby match with homestay brothers and sisters, go jet-boating, or take a “tramp” with your Kiwi family.
Skiing in New Zealand • Visit a selection of New Zealand’s most famous “ski-fields” where adventurers of all abilities ski or board in snow-filled basins above timberline.
Fiji • We wrap up our adventure at a rustic resort on Fiji, a tropical paradise in the South Pacific. With its white sand beaches and opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, sail-boarding, bicycling, and volleyball, it is an ideal place to relax with new friends from the group before the journey home.
“Besides seeing new cultures, Paul was challenged to step out of his comfort zone. We knew Putney could have a life changing effect on him and sure enough, people said he came home like a different person. More outgoing. He loved it. It was a wonderful experience for him.”
- Paula and Henry Ristuccia, Basking Ridge, NJ
Return • August 2. Fly with the group and leaders from Nadi, Fiji, to Los Angeles International Airport. Continue to your final destination on a connecting flight.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Destination
Background • The South Pacific is an area as rich in cultural history as it is in biodiversity and scenic beauty. From the stunning coral of the Great Barrier Reef to the snow-capped peaks of New Zealand’s Southern Alps and the white sand beaches of the Fijian islands, we explore the unique landscapes and cultures of these three countries.
Head to the South Island for homestays, hikes, and visits to local farms.
Population • The population of Australia is approximately 22 million, with nearly 5 million living in Sydney. New Zealand is home to a population of over 4 million. Fiji has a population of 800,000, most being indigenous Fijians.
Language • English is an official language in all three countries. In New Zealand, Maori is also spoken, and in Fiji portions of the population speak Fijian and Hindi.
Climate • Our summer is winter Down Under. Temperatures in Sydney are cool, with highs in the 50′s and 60′s. In the tropical climate of Queensland, daytime temperatures are typically in the mid 70′s to mid 80′s, with little rainfall. Winter in New Zealand means temperatures in the 30′s and 40′s at lower elevations, and snow in the Southern Alps. Fiji is tropical–warm and humid, with highs in the 80′s.
Spend some time with Fijian friends.
Cuisine • The strong British influence in Australia and New Zealand can be seen in their cuisine: meat pies, fish and chips, stews and hearty breakfasts. Recent immigration has brought along with it cuisine from the Mediterranean and Asia. Traditional Fijian cuisine incorporates seafood, root vegetables, and coconut milk into many dishes as well as fresh tropical fruits.
Currency • The currencies used in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji are the Australian dollar (AUD), New Zealand dollar (NZD), and Fijian dollar (FJD), respectively. We will have regular access to ATMs in all three locations.
“Hannah and Russ were great leaders. They were friendly and so easy to feel comfortable around, which I feel is very important on a student travel trip. They listened to what we wanted to do and worked to make sure that even if something that we wanted to was not part of the original plan, it could still happen.“
- Charlotte de Vaulx, The Lawrenceville School, North Salem, NY
Voltage • Electricity in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji is 240V/50Hz. Type 1 electrical outlet adapters are necessary and can be used in all three countries.
Visa • Australia requires a tourist visa for entry. This visa can be requested online and obtained electronically.
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
The Cultural Exploration Australia, New Zealand, Fiji program is directed by Hannah Gilkenson. If you have questions, are interested in receiving more detailed information, or would like to talk further about the program, please get in touch!
Hannah Gilkenson
Hannah Gilkenson: University of Michigan, B.S., Anthropology & Zoology. Before joining Putney as the ecology instructor on the Foundations program, Hannah spent six years studying monkeys in Costa Rica. While living in Costa Rica, Hannah worked to bring conservation education to local schools and communities. She has led programs in Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador and the Galapagos, Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. She has also served as the director of the Foundations program. Hannah helps coordinate programs in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and oversees curriculum and hiring for Putney’s Excel Programs. A Vermont native, Hannah loves being outdoors and can often be found hiking, snow shoeing, or camping in the Green Mountains.
How To Apply
Step 1: Log On.
If you are new to Putney Student Travel, visit our Online Application.
If you are a Putney Student Travel alumni family, use your existing account information to Log In.
Step 2: Hold A Space In The Program.
You can hold a space in a program by completing the Online Application Form and providing the $700 Application Deposit by Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Card through our secure online system or by sending a check to our office. Our admissions staff is also available to take credit card information over the phone. We will hold a space in a program for a reasonable time, pending completion of the full application process. See Step 3.
After March 15, to hold a space in a program an application must be accompanied by full payment made by check or wire transfer and the signed Agreement Form.
Step 3: Complete the Application Process.
Before we can make a final admissions decision, an application must be complete. In addition to the Application Form and Application Deposit described above, a complete application includes:
- Applicant Statement
- Two Teacher References
- Signed Agreement Form
These documents are available as part of our Online Application. We review a completed application within a few days, and notify families of our admissions decision by e-mail.
For a full description of eligibility, admissions policies, and terms of payment, please visit our Terms & Conditions.
