Inland Study Tour, Newcastle, Port Stephens, The Hunter Valley, Sydney, The Blue Mountains, The Great Barrier Reef

Inland Australian Study Tour

21st April – 1st May 2008

This study will occur after the Indigenous Family and Community Strengths Conference delegates and The Fifth Australian Family and Community Strengths Conference delegates and you are invited to join us on a 10 night Inland Australian Study Tour.

Come and learn about one of the oldest cultures in the world - the cultures of the Australian Aboriginal.  Central Australia is a place of great beauty - the striking colours of the orange earth and the clear blue sky. Paul Ngala, a local Arrernte identity, will be our Tour Leader.  Paul Ngala will take us to his homeland - his “country” where we will learn about ceremonies, creative activities including the now world famous Aboriginal paintings, the kangaroo and bush tucker and the stories of how their land was created in The Dreamtime. Paul will be joined by other community identities to share their stories with us.

Paul will take us to other communities and the spectacular landforms in the McDonald Ranges, Emily Gap, Kings Canyon and Uluru to name just a few.  We will experience meals prepared in restaurants and out in the open where we will eat under the bright starlit sky.

We will visit historic Hermannsburg, Alice Springs, School of The Air, The Flying Doctors Service and Indigenous service organisations.

We will learn about didgeridoos, Arrernte Languages, family systems and skin names (kinship systems). 

This is a unique tour put together for conference delegates and others who have an appreciation of the importance of culture and environment to families and communities around the world.

 Please download the information sheet and registration form which shows that this is going to be a great and unique opportunity.

There are limited places available so please book fast. A deposit will be required by the 13th December 2007.

Click here for details of the post study tour to Alice Springs

 For further details please contact Michelle Gifford on 02 4921 6830 or email Michelle.Gifford@newcastle.edu.au

Additional information for Independent Travel and Sightseeing in Australia

Newcastle

Sightseeing in Newcastle
Newcastle, capital-city of the Hunter Valley is a city graced with some of the most spectacular beaches and waterways in the world.  Newcastle is now a very different place to the time when steel and coal industries were the major source of employment.  Today, whilst industry continues the city features elegant restored buildings, picturesque parks and gardens – some with panoramic ocean views.  Surfers worldwide are attracted to this unique part of Australia’s coastline.  As Australia’s second oldest settlement, Newcastle is also rich in cultural heritage.  It has many historic buildings, museums, art galleries, nightclubs, restaurants, theatres, a magnificent harbour foreshore, picturesque parks, bush land reserves and a wide variety of excellent sporting facilities.
www.visitnewcastle.com.au/ 

Walk a mile with a Smile
Features fun and fitness with Terri taking in some of Newcastle’s best beaches as well as historical sites. 
Location: Newcastle
Email:  greatwalks@hotmail.com 
Phone: +61 02 4956 4112
Mobile:  0439 567 115 

Breakwater to Breakwater, Full Bathers Way, Half Bathers Way, Shipwreck Way, The Awabakal Walk,  Yuelerbah Track 

Newcastle HeliServices
Board the HeliServices helicopter and embark on an exhilarating flight over Newcastle City and its beaches, Lake Macquarie or Port Stephens.
Location: 45 Fitzroy Street, Wickham
Email:  steve@heliservices.com.au 
Website:  www.heliservices.com.au 
Phone: +61 (02) 4962 5188
Fax No:  +61 (02) 4962 1009
Mobile:  0408 938 700

Newcastle’s Famous Tram
“An essential Newcastle Experience”. Enjoy a 45 minute journey through Newcastle’s major tourist attractions. Visit the sites of our convict past, fort, jail.  Australia’s oldest school and pass places of interest along the way.  
Email:  tram@castle.net.au
Phone: 02 4963 7954

Blackbutt Reserve
Explore nature in its truest form.  Blackbutt will captivate your heart forever when you discover a natural bush land oasis full of native animals and birds, idyllic picnic settings, wildlife exhibits, bushwalking trails, koala encounters and children’s playgrounds nestled on 182ha in the heart of Newcastle.  Open everyday and entry is free.

Port Stephens

Port Stephens is a beautiful port with lovely beaches with clear waters and white sands.  You can enjoy Dolphin, Whale & Dolphin & Marine Discovery & Snorkelling Cruises. Sunset Sails and Private Charters also Available.
http://www.portstephens.org.au/visitstephens.asp

The Hunter Valley

Tour the Hunter Vinyards 
The Hunter Valley is renown for the making of fine wines and excellent food and is only 1 hours drive from Newcastle.
For Day Tours
Email  daytoursncle@hunterlink.net.au
Website  www.daytoursnewcastle.com.au
Phone +61 (02) 4952 1079
Fax No  +61 (02) 4952 1079

Hunter Valley Gardens
Less than a 1 hour drive from Newcastle, in the heart of the Hunter vineyards, you will find the magnificent Hunter Valley Gardens – over 25 hectares of spectacular international display gardens that will amaze you with sensational sights, colours and fragrances.   Exploring over 8 kilometres of walking paths, visitors are able to experience each of the superb feature gardens, all of a standard you won’t see elsewhere in Australia.   One visit simply won’t be enough to take in all there is to see and do at Hunter Valley Gardens! 
Location: Broke Rd POKOLBIN
Email:  alenap@hvg.com.au
Website:  www.hvg.com.au 

Sydney

Sydney is 2 hours south of Newcastle and if you are attending the Conference we suggest you spend Saturday the 19th and Sunday 20th April enjoying Sydney and its beautiful harbour prior to leaving on Monday 21st on the tour to Alice Springs.  If you are not attending the Conference you may appreciate a longer stay in Sydney, there is much to see.  You will also need to recover from your long trip to Australia.

International visitors to Sydney can enjoy some uniquely Australian experiences by visiting any of the attractions. See over 11,500 all Australian aquatic animals at Sydney Aquarium, Experience Sydney’s best views at Sydney Tower plus be amazed by OzTrek, a virtual adventure ride across Australia, or dare to step out over the edge with Sydney Skywalk, or have the experience of a lifetime by diving with sharks at Shark Dive Xtreme
http://www.sydneyattractions.com.au/

Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains would be an option if you have already explored Sydney.  Blue Mountains are two hours West of Sydney.

Discover a tempting combination of breathtaking nature, romantic accommodation, fine restaurants and indulgent shopping within two hours of Sydney, in the Blue Mountains World Heritage Listed National Park.

Breathe the fresh mountain air and relax, as you marvel at a majestic landscape of waterfalls and awe-inspiring sandstone escarpments. Indulge at restaurants renowned for their creative use of fresh, local produce. Unwind with a rejuvenating day spa treatment.

Whether you're seeking an indulgent, romantic escape or a well-deserved short break, the Blue Mountains offers experiences you'll remember for a lifetime.
http://www.bluemts.com.au/tourist/Default.asp

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef runs along the Coast of Queensland, the north east state of Australia.  A flight from Sydney to Cairns or Townsville will take you the Coast where you can stay on a tropical island and take a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef where you can snorkel with the beautiful fish and coloured coral. 

If you want to experience this unique environment you would need to allow four or five days from Sydney.
http://www.great-barrier-reef.com/