Travel Study Program – Biology in Australia
with The University of Tennessee at Martin
Study Biology in Australia with UTM!
This eleven day travel study will allow you to experience the culture, history, and the unique biology and ecology of Australia. Join UTM peers and explore cities, monuments, and national parks, and gain an appreciation for the issues and concerns of the Australian population!
Program Details
Where: Sydney, Alice Springs, Uluru & Cairns, Australia
Tentative Program Dates: January 2 – January 13, 2023
Program Cost: $5,595 [Price Details]
Faculty Leaders: TBD
Application Deadline: TBA
Itinerary Highlights
Visits and hikes through parks and preserves teach the importance of conservation. In addition to the ecological experiences, cultural, geographical, and historical encounters will make this trip a memorable one.
Special Excursions May Include:
- Visit to the Uluru monolith
- Walking tour of Cairns
- Visit to the Great Barrier Reef
- SkyRail over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest
TRIP ITINERARY
Please note that the itinerary below is subject to modifications based on availability.
Monday - 01/02/23
Morning:
- Arrive in Sydney, Australia. Your API Resident Director will meet you in the Arrivals Hall of Sydney International Airport and take you to your accommodation for check-in.
- Time to unpack and freshen up
Afternoon:
- Welcome to Australia: API cultural, health, and safety orientation
- Sydney Walking Tour
- Visit to Hyde Park, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, Sydney Harbour Bridge & the Rocks area
Evening:
- API organized group welcome dinner
- Free time or return to accommodation
- Overnight in Sydney
Tuesday - 01/03/23
Morning:
- Breakfast included at accommodations
- Culture tour incorporating Maori in Sydney + Aboriginal Culture
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Tour of Australia’s most iconic attraction: The Opera House
- Ferry to the world-famous Manly Beach
- A trip to Sydney is not complete without a visit to the famous Northern Beaches. We’ll take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly beach via the magnificent waterway of Sydney Harbour. You will have time to explore Manly Beach and its surrounding shops. You can relax on the beach or go
swimming!
- A trip to Sydney is not complete without a visit to the famous Northern Beaches. We’ll take a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly beach via the magnificent waterway of Sydney Harbour. You will have time to explore Manly Beach and its surrounding shops. You can relax on the beach or go
Evening:
- Return to accomodation. Free evening
- Overnight in Sydney
Wednesday - 01/04/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Depart Sydney for Alice Springs
- Group transfer to Sydney Airport
- Group flight to Alice Springs
Afternoon:
- Arrive in Alice Springs
- Group transfer to accomodations
- Lunch on own
- Alice Springs Desert Park
- Experience a guided Culture Walk through the Desert Park. Explore Aboriginal culture, plants and animals.
Learn about the interconnected lives of desert plants, animals, people and landscapes – and what we need to survive.
- Experience a guided Culture Walk through the Desert Park. Explore Aboriginal culture, plants and animals.
Evening:
- Dinner included at Desert Park
- Nocturnal Tour at the Desert Park
- Overnight in Alice Springs
Thursday - 01/05/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
All Day:
- Learn about outback conservation by volunteering with Arid Lands Environment Center
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Free Evening
- Overnight in Alice Springs
Friday - 01/06/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Group Transfer from Alice Springs to Uluru via Kings Canyon
- All day transfer, including tour of Kings Canyon
Afternoon:
- Lunch stop on the way – own expense
Evening:
- Arrive in Uluru
- Uluru is the spiritual heart of Australia. Be blown away by this giant monothith, rising 348 meters above the desert plain. Learn about Australia’s ancient indigenous culture, and explore the World Heritage-listed Natural Wonders
- Check in to accomodation
- Free evening
- Overnight in Uluru
Saturday - 01/07/23
Sunrise:
- Kata Tjuta Sunrise & Valley of the Winds Hike
- We’ll rise early and Travel to Kata Tjuta. Watch the spectacular sunrise over The Olgas with Uluru in the distance. Breakfast included. Then have a guided tour of the Valley of the the Winds and the Domes of Kata Tjuta.
- Return to resort
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Free afternoon to explore the national park
Evening:
- Sounds of Silence Dinner Experience
- Dine under a million stars at this award-winning Sounds of Silence Dinner. Feast on a gourmet barbecue buffet of authentic Australian
delicacies including barramundi, kangaroo, emu, crocodile, bush salads
and classic desserts. Witness some of the world’s best stargzing with the assistance of the resident astronomer.
- Dine under a million stars at this award-winning Sounds of Silence Dinner. Feast on a gourmet barbecue buffet of authentic Australian
- Overnight in Uluru
Sunday - 01/08/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Camel Ride
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
Evening:
- Uluru Sacred Sites and Sunset Tour
- We’ll begin to explore Uluru by visiting some sacred sites, waterholes, Aboriginal rock paintings, and learn about the early Aboriginal and European history. Witness Sunset at Uluru – An awe-inspiring must do experience with striking blazes of reds and oranges.
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Uluru
Monday - 01/09/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Group transfer to airport
- Group flight to Cairns
Afternoon:
- Arrive in Cairns and transfer to accommodation
- Check in to accommodation
- Lunch on own
- Walking tour of Cairns
- Neighborhood walking tour
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Cairns
Tuesday - 01/10/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Great Barrier Reef Day Trip
- Spend an exciting day on the Great Barrier Reef, teeming with brilliantly coloured corals and an infinite number of vibrant tropical fish. You’ll enjoy snorkeling at two different Great Barrier Reef sites! Your day tour includes morning tea, full buffet lunch and afternoon tea, snorkelling gear and floatation devices, unlimited snorkelling, and a 10-minute trial scuba dive with briefings and assistance from their friendly crew.
Evening:
- Arrive back on mainland.
- Free evening
- Overnight in Cairns
Wednesday - 01/11/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Rainforestation – Wildlife Encounter and Aboriginal Culture Experience
- We’ll begin the day at Rainforestation, where you will see Australian native animals and have your photo taken with a koala. You’ll meet the aboriginal people of Australia and learn about their culture through traditional dance, boomerang throwing, spear throwing & didgeridoo
playing. Also travel though the rainforest on an army duck and learn about your tropical surroundings.
- We’ll begin the day at Rainforestation, where you will see Australian native animals and have your photo taken with a koala. You’ll meet the aboriginal people of Australia and learn about their culture through traditional dance, boomerang throwing, spear throwing & didgeridoo
Afternoon:
- Buffet lunch included
- Kuranda Village
- After Rainforestation, we will be transported to the town in the clouds of the rainforest called Kuranda. This is a picturesque town with local indigenous arts and crafts. We will have free time to walk around and explore the local markets and shops before heading to the Skyrail for our afternoon trip back down to sea level.
- SkyRail over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest
- Embark on a fascinating journey of discovery over and deep into the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. The iconic Skyrail experience is a must do Cairns attraction that provides a truly unique perspective of Australia’s World Heritage listed tropical rainforest, immersing guests in the sights, sounds, smells and tranquility in one of the most botanically fascinating areas on earth. Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is a 7.5 km scenic cableway running above the Barron Gorge National Park, it is a slow journey through the canopy of the rainforest, with two scenic stops along the way.
- Transfer back to hotel
Evening:
- Dinner on own
- Overnight in Cairns
Thursday - 01/12/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations
- Great Barrier Reef Conservation – Talk or volunteer opportunity TBC
Afternoon:
- Lunch on own
- Free afternoon
Evening:
- API Farewell Dinner
- Overnight in Cairns
Friday - 01/13/23
Morning:
- Breakfast at accommodations and check-out
- API organized airport return
- Depart Australia for the United States
LEARNING GOALS
- Develop an understanding of Australia’s cultures, history, and natural resources.
- Explore issues and concerns of the Australian population through evidence-based resources and discourse.
- Encourage interest and appreciation of travel and different cultures
- Sharpen critical thinking, communication, and other professional skills relative to biology/ecology
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Transportation & Travel Documents
- Group airport pick-up in Sydney
- Group airport return in Cairns
- Ground transportation on all program activities, as necessary
- Two group domestic one-way flights: Sydney-Alice Springs & Uluru-Cairns
Not Included:
- International airfare from the United States
- Passport processing fees
- Luggage fees
Activities & Excursions
- Walking tour of Sydney
- Culture tour incorporating Maori in Sydney and Aboriginal Culture
- Sydney Opera House tour
- Ferry to Manly Beach
- Culture walk and Nocturnal Tour through Alice Springs Desert Park
- Guided tour of the Valley of the the Winds and the Domes of Kata Tjuta
- Uluru Sacred Sites and Sunset Tour
- Great Barrier Reef Day Trip
- Rainforestation – Wildlife Encounter and Aboriginal Culture Experience
- SkyRail trip over the world’s oldest tropical rainforest
Please note: Cultural activities and Excursions are subject to change depending on availability, weather, and other factors
Room & Board
- Accommodation in shared hotel rooms for program duration
- Hotel to provide linens and towels, weekly cleaning,
internet access - Daily breakfast included at hotels
- Group welcome meal in Sydney and farewell meal in Cairns
- Group dinner at Alice Springs Desert park
- Lunch in Rainforestation
- Sounds of Silence Dinner Experience
Not Included:
- Any meals not specified
Health & Safety
- API health, safety and cultural orientation upon arrival in Sydney
Not Included:
- Medical and life insurance
Learning Opportunities
- Culture walk through Alice Springs Desert Park
- Arid Lands Environment Center conservation volunteering
- Rainforestation wildlife encounter and Aboriginal culture experience
Program Pricing
-
- 10-14 Students: $5,595
- 15-19 Students: $5,295
- 20-25 Students: $5,050
Program fees are guaranteed for January 2023 regardless of currency conversion fluctuations.
“My Resident Coordinator was awesome and provided me with every bit of information I needed to thrive in Australia. She was great, and I couldn’t have asked for someone better to make me feel comfortable in a new country.”
Get One Step Closer to Going Abroad!
Interested in Learning More?
Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch!
Connect with UTM Faculty & Staff:
For general Travel Study questions, contact the Center for Global Education and Experience:
Located in 124 Gooch Hall | 731-881-1023
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
API is committed to providing enriching international experiences to its participants. We believe in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.
Who is API?
Academic Programs International (API) is an approved affiliate provider that works closely with U.S. institutions and universities abroad. API was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable experiential learning programs. API’s extensive pre-departure preparation, coupled with strong support services on-site, facilitates academic, cultural and linguistic learning. Within the supportive environment of the API programs, API participants are encouraged to explore their host communities and become increasingly independent and confident in their own abilities. API strives to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible, and, as such, works to provide multiple program components at a low program cost.