Dates of Comings & Goings 2016
German Group (DASH/SAGSE) arrives in Brisbane: Sunday 17. July 19.30pm Flight SQ245 from Singapore
Qld Tour: begins 31st July
6:15am Departure from Kelvin Grove State College bus stop, L’Estrange Tce., Kelvin Grove
Blacksoil pickup
approx. 7:00am
Toowoomba Approx. 8:15am)
Qld Tour returns: 10th August Late afternoon arrival (approx.5:30pm) at Kelvin Grove State College, L’Estrange Tce. bus stop.
Departure from Brisbane: Wednesday 24th August, Be at airport 11:30am Flight SQ 236 to Singapore, Departs at 14:30pm
DASH tour 2016
Carnarvon Gorge, Lava Tubes, Cairns Whitsundays & Hervey Bay
| Day 1 Sunday 31th July 2016 |
6:15am sharp departure. We travel west via Toowoomba, Miles and Roma before heading north to Carnarvon Gorge. We will arrive late in the afternoon at Takarakka Resort. (Students will be required to bring a packed lunch from their host parents to ensure a reasonable arrival time at Takarakka Resort). Tents | D |
| Day 2 Monday 1st August 2016 |
Today we will spend a full day walking in Carnarvon Gorge. On our walk we will visit the Moss Garden, Ward’s Canyon, the Art Gallery and possibly Bulimba Bluff. After this spectacular walk we return to camp for dinner and time around the campfire. Tents | BLD |
| Day 3 Tuesday 2nd August 2016 |
An early start today as we head into the Tropics through the Central Highlands Coal area and the township of Emerald. We then travel through to the old Gold Mining town of Charters Towers where we will stay tonight. Tents | BLD |
| Day 4 Wednesday 3rd August 2016 |
This morning we continue north and travel to the Undara Lava Tubes. On arrival we will set up camp and then do a tour this afternoon to see these amazing Lava flows. Tonight we will have some time around the campfire Tents | BLD |
| Day 5 Thursday 4th August 2016 |
This morning we will travel through the Atherton Tablelands where an amazing variety of crops are grown. We will then visit the village of Kuranda before taking the Skyrail down from Kuranda. Students will buy their lunch in Kuranda. We will then travel to our accommodation and then travel into Cairns this evening for some shopping. Cabins | BD |
| Day 6 Friday 5th August 2016 |
This morning we will visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Tjapukai. Here we will learn about the Aboriginal history, culture and view some Aboriginal dancing. We then have a free afternoon in Cairns to do some shopping or have a swim at the beautiful lagoon on the Cairns Esplanade. Students will buy their own dinner today. Cabins | BL |
| Day 7 Saturday 6th August 2016 |
This morning we will make our way to the Cairns Port where we will board our boat to Green Island. While at Green Island we will be able to snorkel, view the coral from a glass bottom boat and have some time to look around the island. Cabins | BLD |
| Day 8 Sunday 7th August 2016 |
We leave Cairns this morning and make our way south to Townsville and then on to Airlie Beach, the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands. Tents | BLD |
| Day 9 Monday 8th August 2016 |
We will travel on a Catamaran around the magnificent Whitsundays. We will visit Whitehaven Beach, voted one of the top 10 beaches in the world. The day includes a buffet style lunch, snorkeling and sailing amongst the beautiful Whitsunday Islands. Tents | BLD |
| Day 10 Tuesday 9th August 2016 |
We depart early this morning and travel south via Mackay and Rockhampton where we will cross the tropic of Capricorn. Our destination is the beautiful Hervey Bay Tents | BD |
| Day 11 Wednesday 10th August 2016 |
An exciting morning as we board a whale watch cruise to find Humpback Whales. We will be in the pristine waters surrounded by Fraser Island and Hervey Bay where humpback whales come to give birth to their young. We will have lunch before our return trip to Brisbane late this afternoon.
We will supply all the knives, forks, spoon, cups, plates, bowls and tea towels for the group. Students will need to bring a sleeping bag and the usual toiletries, clothes, sunscreen, repellent, torch, etc. |
BL |
“My wonderful time in Australia!”
Students from Germany experienced an unforgettable 6 weeks in Queensland: exploring the country, the language, the culture .. and having the time of their lives! Here’s one student’s story …
From Hessen to Queensland
When 20 young German school students from the state of Hessen arrived in Brisbane as part of the Society for German-Australian Exchange (SAGSE Qld Inc) exchange program , little could they imagine what impact the six weeks with host families would have on them, and how their love of Australia would grow.
Staying with families in Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Bundaberg and experiencing school and family life here was not all. They also enjoyed a fascinating journey as part of the exchange – an organised bus tour of the best of Queensland’s sights from Brisbane to Carnarvon Gorge to Cairns to whale watching at Hervey Bay and much more.
Here are the memories of one of these students …
Katja Hansen’s story – “My wonderful time in Australia”
These 6 weeks I spent flew by. It feels like yesterday that I arrived at the airport and saw my host family for the first time. Now it’s coming to an end, but when I look back it was a wonderful experience that I will never forget.
I saw so many different things in such a short time. We hiked through the national park (Carnarvon Gorge), snorkelled at the third most beautiful beach in the world (Whitehaven Beach), we went whale and dolphin watching, learned about the aboriginal culture and travelled with the Skyrail over the rainforest in Cairns. Each day was a surprise and no one knew what to expect.
I also really enjoyed my time at school. There are so many differences between German and Australian schooling. In Germany: There are no school uniforms, the start and finish of school is different for every student, the teachers are not like friends and they are stricter and not so funny and we get marked on your involvement in class.
I’m very thankful for my host family for doing these amazing trips to Brisbane City, New South Wales, Eumundi Markets, to the Gold Coast and a lot more. I enjoyed every day with them and I couldn’t ask for a better one.
I’m very happy that I got to meet so many new people. Thanks to everyone who made my time unforgettable!
Katja Hansen aus Griesheim
SAGSE QUEENSLAND STUDENT EXCHANGE 