- Roundtrip airfares departing Chicago (ORD) including associated taxes and 3 domestic stops in Australia ie: Brisbane, Cairns & Sydney. Also includes your travel visa for entry into Australia
- Accommodation: 8 nights hotel and 6 nights home stays
- 8-10 games against Australian Club and HS teams. After game functions will be arranged after most of the games where players can meet and socialize
- Playing Uniform: shorts, jersey and warm up which are yours to keep as a tour souvenir
- Sanctioning with USA Basketball & Basketball Australia
- 20 Meal Package includes: 9 breakfasts, 10 dinners & 1 lunch. Players are responsible or buying 6 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 5 dinners. See “additional costs involved” on page 13
- Ground Transportation: 30, 48 or 53-seat Luxury 5-star safety coach includes reclining seats each with a seat belt, air-conditioning, PA System, TV/video player and rest room. Note: We will also utilize some public transportation (train) in Sydney and 26 seat vehicles for our Daintree & Atherton Tablelands visit in Cairns (the big buses cannot do these day trips due to some rather tight corners)
- A pre-departure camp will be conducted for players to get to know each other and formulate game strategy
- A pre-departure meeting will be conducted for all players and parents. We will also show a power point presentation for the trip and take questions. Those not able to make it can watch the meeting on You Tube
- Attend one day of classes at an Aussie HS with one of your home stay students and experience the daily life of an Australian student
- Guided Coach tour of each city you visit: Excellent for orientation to the city itself as well as highlights of the surrounding area
- Multiple Educational Presentations which are highlighted on the itinerary
- Entry to Sydney’s World Famous Aquarium where you’ll be up close with sharks and see a variety of other marine life
- Sydney Harbour Highlights Cruise: A beautiful narrated cruise lasting 75 minutes with great photo opportunities
- Entry to the Power House Museum: Australia's largest and most popular museum boasts a unique, interactive and diverse collection of 385,000 objects which span history, science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music, transport and space exploration
- Guided Walking Tour of The Rocks & Darling Harbour areas (Sydney)
- Entry to an Aboriginal Cultural Centre: Enjoy lessons throwing a boomerang & playing the didgeridoo as well as learn a little about Aboriginal culture, traditional foods, medicines, etc.
- Entry to an Australian Wildlife Park where you can have photos taken holding a koala & baby crocodile, pat kangaroos, see free flight bird and crocodile shows, as well as many other native Australian animals
- Entry to a professional Australian Football League (AFL) game, otherwise known as Aussie Rules Football or just “footy”
- Entry to a professional National Rugby League (NRL) Game
- Surfboard riding lessons (optional) with an accredited professional surf instructor (duration 75-90 minutes)
- Full Day Great Barrier Reef Excursion: From 8:30am-5:30pm. Lunch and Snorkelling gear are provided
- Day visit to the Kuranda Ranges via SKYRAIL: You will ride the longest gondola (cable car) in the world which runs for 4.7 miles above the canopy of this pristine tropical rainforest. Also have time to walk through the forest & eat lunch in the mountain town of Kuranda
- Guided group tour in the rainforest onboard an Amphibious WWII USA Army Duck
- Full day trip to the Daintree National Park & Daintree River Crocodile Cruise: You will spend 60 minutes cruising the Daintree River where you will (probably) see Crocs in the wild
- Fun activities like bowling with Aussie students, enjoying an authentic BBQ, etc These add-ons will be included after scheduling games and discussing options with host clubs/schools
- Illinois Pride Coaching Staff & STA Tour Guides led by Doug Smith & Craig Douglass will travel with your group 24/7 for the duration of your tour. Our tour leaders assist with tour logistics and provide suitable options for the group as required. Our tour leaders’ contacts, background, and local knowledge considerably enhance the quality of your group’s experience in Australia. Craig has led dozens of USA groups on Aussie tours since 1995
