UltimateOz Sydney Gap Year

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UltimateOz Sydney is a first week in Sydney to start your gap year in Australia, packed with activities and with everything you need arranged for you — a bank account, tax file number and jobs support — so you can settle into life Down Under with a group of new mates and an experienced guide.

Days

8 days, 7 nights

Age

Young adults

Group size

Max 24

Start / finish

Sydney / Sydney

Return

See itinerary for details

Accommodation

7 nights in a Sydney hostel

Transport

Airport arrival transfer, coach transfer to the UltimateOz Basecamp and back

Meals

Welcome dinner, BBQ on the catamaran cruise and some other meals

Route

View map

Included experiences

Sydney Harbour — private catamaran cruise with BBQ
Worimi Conservation Lands — 4WD and sandboarding on the Stockton Bight dunes
Mt Tomaree — bush hike and lookout
Port Stephens — dolphin cruise
Beach evening — bonfire and stargazing
Bondi Beach — coastal beach walk
Gap year set-up — bank account, tax file number and jobs support

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

DAY 1: WELCOME TO SYDNEY

A driver collects you from Sydney Airport and takes you to your hostel in the city centre. You meet your group leaders and the office team, get your SIM card going, then set off on a guided walk past Darling Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House and the Royal Botanic Garden. The garden was founded in 1816, which makes it the oldest scientific institution in Australia. The night ends with a welcome dinner at a party bar.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney Central)

DAY 2: WORK AND TRAVEL, THEN THE HARBOUR

The morning is the gap year session: how to find work, setting up your tax file number and bank account, and the jobs support that lasts 12 months. Then a private catamaran takes your group out on Sydney Harbour, a drowned river valley with more than 240 km of shoreline. Anchor in a quiet bay for a swim, and the BBQ is fired up on deck.

Overnight: Sydney (WakeUp Sydney Central)

DAY 3: TO PORT STEPHENS

Head north to Port Stephens, a bay bigger than Sydney Harbour with dunes, bush and wildlife all around. Base for two nights is the UltimateOz Basecamp, eco cabins in the bush about five minutes' walk from the beach. In the evening the group gathers on the sand for a bonfire and a sky full of stars, far from the city lights.

Overnight: Port Stephens (UltimateOz Basecamp eco cabins)

DAY 4: SANDBOARDING AND MT TOMAREE

A 4WD carries you through the Worimi Conservation Lands, owned by the Worimi people, onto the Stockton Bight dunes, the largest moving coastal sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere at 32 km long. Grab a board and sandboard down the slopes. Later a guided bush walk climbs Mt Tomaree, 161 metres above the entrance to the bay, for views along the coast. Watch the trees for koalas, and from May to November look out to sea for migrating humpback whales.

Overnight: Port Stephens (UltimateOz Basecamp eco cabins)

DAY 5: DOLPHINS AND BACK TO SYDNEY

A morning cruise goes looking for the bay's wild bottlenose dolphins; about 90 of them live in Port Stephens year-round, and turtles and, in season, whales sometimes turn up too. Then it's back down the highway to Sydney.

Overnight: Sydney

DAY 6: FREE DAY AND A NIGHT OUT

A free day to settle in. Book a session with the Ultimate team to polish your Australian CV, or take yourself off to the beach. In the evening the group heads out on a Sydney pub crawl, with express entry and a welcome drink.

Overnight: Sydney

DAY 7: COOGEE TO BONDI

Walk the 6 km coastal path from Coogee to Bondi, past six beaches, sandstone cliffs and ocean pools carved into the rock shelves. Finish on Bondi Beach, a kilometre of sand that has been a Sydney institution since the surf club was founded there in 1907. Your guided week ends that afternoon, and you check out of the hostel the next morning. On Thursday departures the same activities run in a slightly different order.

Overnight: Sydney

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Sydney airport — an arrival transfer is included.
Suits: Young adults starting a gap year.
Fitness: Moderate.
Please note: The Ultimate travel app gives you your itinerary and a chat with your group; login details are sent a week before the tour starts.

What is included

Ultimate tour guide
Airport arrival transfer
5 nights in Sydney and 2 nights at the Port Stephens basecamp
Tax file number and Australian bank account setup
SIM card activation
12 month mail holding service
12 month jobs support
Welcome gap year orientation and work and travel information session
Guided Sydney city walk and welcome hostel dinner
Private Sydney catamaran cruise with BBQ
Return transfer to the UltimateOz Basecamp
4WD through the Worimi Conservation Lands and sandboarding on the Stockton Bight dunes
Mt Tomaree bush hike and lookout
Port Stephens dolphin cruise
Some meals
Free WiFi and computer access at Ultimate HQ

Not included

Meals not included in the itinerary — budget about $20 to $30 a day

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.