Australia E-Flyer
October 2012
The following exchanges are open to all Ambassadors.
If you are interested in any of the following exchanges, please contact the Exchange Director whose
name and contact information is provided.
At the bottom of this flyer, you will see a list of the confirmed outbound exchanges for the Australian clubs for 2012.
Some of these are already in preparation, and if you are interested in joining one of them, it is not too early to contact
the president of the club concerned to register your interest.
For other FF travel opportunities check the FFI website, where all available exchanges can be accessed.
All prices and dates are subject to change. Exchange costs are shown in the applicable currency.
Attention all Aussie EDs!! Please keep in touch – [email protected] – with details of the current status of your outbound exchanges. This way you can be assured that vacancies will be advertised
just when they need to be – and NOT advertised when they are filled.
~Jim Haxton
Tamworth and Gold Coast, Australia
Tamworth, NSW. Australia
Date: 15th - 21st November 2012
Contact: Geoff Brooking
(Exchange Director)
Email:
[email protected]
Phone: +61 2 6765 7409
Mobile: +61 419 688 527
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Date: 22nd - 29th November 2012
Contact: John Parsons
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 7 5502 6350
Would you like to spend a week
with home hosting on Queensland’s
glorious Gold Coast…?
The Thames Coromandel, NZ club
will be with us on an inbound exchange in November (22nd to 29th) &
there are some vacancies available.
Not only will you have the opportunity to experience the warm hospitality of Gold Coast members but a
chance to make new Kiwi friends.
Our area is famous for its world
class beaches, lush rainforest & waterfalls, fauna & flora parks; often included is a visit to Currumbin Wildlife
Sanctuary where koalas, kangaroos,
wombats, Rainbow Lorikeets & many
other Aussie animals & birds can be
seen in their native habitat, with the
additional attraction of displays by
Aboriginal performers. There is also
Contact: Ian Holford (President)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +61 2 6766 7692
the optional choice of visiting one
of a number of exciting theme parks
including Movie World, Seaworld,
Dreamworld & Australian Outback
Spectacular.
For a comprehensive overview of
what we offer ambassadors who visit
our club, have a look at our website www.friendshipforcegoldcoast.org.
au - and visit the
“Past Exchanges – Reports & Photos” page.
This exchange is not far off so if
you are interested in joining us please
contact our club President for further
details, including costs which will be
based on Domestic Exchange rates.
NOTE: The Inbound from Thames
Coromandel, NZ is a 2 phase exchange
and if you would like to add the week
with Tamworth, NSW club (15th to
21st November) to your visit you will
need to contact that club’s Exchange
Director or President.
Tuxtla-Gutierrez, Mexico and La Libertad, Peru
Date: March 14 2013
Cost: Approx $8,600 which includes all basic costs Auckland
to Auckland and FFI & Club Host Fees, and the 12 day tour.
Contact: Janet Goble (New Plymouth)
[email protected] 06-752 7254
Join us on this journey to the splendours of Central America.
We start by enjoying a three day stopover at Santiago including a panoramic tours and a winery visit.
Then we move north to our first seven day hosting at La
Libertad, Peru. This club is the second club situated in the city of
Peru’s third largest city Trujillo in the north of the city of Lima in
Peru. The name for the region means ‘freedom and liberty’.
The area is deeply cultured and surrounded by many archaeological ruins and temples of their ancestors. The Pre- Inca
cultures have left them the Huacas of the Sun & the Moon and
the marvellous ancient city of Chan Chan,
but so much has been destroyed by the Spanish conquerors.
Be prepared to be awed and gob smacked by all that we will see.
We then embark on a ten day tour through this amazing area,
and to name drop a few places we will visit, think Lima city, Nazca
Lines, Arequipa city, the guardian volcanoes of the area, the Pam-
pa plain Cafiahuas with the National Reserve Salinas and Aguada
Blanca. Then its on to the Mirador of the Andes, Cola Canyon,
and the majestic flight of the Condors. At Cusco, we train through
the Sacred valley of the Incas to Machu Picchu, visit Andahuaylillas, Racqui & Pucara, the Uros Islands 3810m above sea level.
An amazing tour.
We move further north to our next seven day
hosting at Tuxtla Gutierrez which is the capital of
Mexico’s southernmost state Chiapas.
This area has a wide variety of climates &
scenery; tropical savannas, canyons, rivers, rich
flora & fauna. tropical fruits, agriculture and
cattle rearing in the surrounding areas.
We may be taken on a boat ride along the
Sumidero Canyon, visit the archeological museum. Visit a nearby colonial town of Chiapas de
Corzo or a picnic by the river.
We are still considering three options for extra
tours between 1 and 3 days that we can do and
prices are reasonable.
Sadly all good things come to an end, and we
say goodbye to our new friends and return home
or go on to other adventures.
Taupo and Western Waikato, New Zealand
EXCHANGE #: 11280
DATE: March 8th, 2013
COST: Approx NZ$1250 made up of FFI Fees US$300
and Club Host Fees NZ$1200 - includes all travel during the
exchange, three night’s hotel accommodation, and breakfasts,
all entry fees to many attractions, the welcome and farewell
functions and sundry.
ED:
Colin Ridge +64-7-378 5088 [email protected]
or Gwenyth Dunford +64-7-843 5450 [email protected]
The New Zealand Friendship Force Clubs of Taupo and
Western Waikato invite you to a unique ecological experience travelling from the Mountains on the Central Plateau
following New Zealand’s longest River, the Waikato on its
journey to the Sea.
You make your way to the Mercure Hotel in Auckland on
8th March, and the journey starts with a train trip on the
Overlander Express to National Park and on to the historic
Chateau Hotel for our first night. Here we not only enjoy the
comforts of this world class hotel, but will also learn about
New Zealand’s unique mountain ecology, National Park systems, and how the Ngati Tuwharetoa Maoris gifted this special area to the people of New Zealand.
We will spend time up the active volcano Mount Ruapehu which last erupted in 1996 and weather permitting
will chair lift to greater heights to discover an amazing vista.
And view Mount Doom for you ‘Lord of the Rings’ fans.
Then it’s on to FF Taupo for five days of local culture. Taupo is rich in thermal activity and we will visit Geysers, Mud
pools, the Wai-a-tapu Thermal area, the Volcanic Activity
Centre and not least, learn how New Zealand was the first
country in the world to harness this renewable source of
power – done right here in Taupo.
A visit to world famous Rotorua is not to be missed, including Maori Culture at Whakarewarewa, Ohinemutu and
the Rotorua Museum.
How about a trip on Errol Flynn’s boat the ‘Barbary’, and
a walk to famous Huka Falls, and if you feel inclined, a jet
boat ride at your cost. So much to do in Taupo.
Goodbye to your Taupo friends, and it’s an interesting
trip alongside the Waikato River to the second five days
hosting at Hamilton by the FF Club of Western Waikato.
In Hamilton, you will learn about the plans for the Waikato River from Environment Waikato including a visit to the
Huntly Power Station site, the Rangiriri site of a Maori Wars
battle, and the Waimarino Swamp or Serpentine Lake.
We will pay a visit to the world famous Waitomo Caves,
to Raglan with its special coastal views and Bridal Veil Falls,
to Karapiro site of the recent World Rowing Championships,
to a dairy farm, on a bush walk and to see many other local
sights.
All too soon our journey ends, and we must say goodbye
to our new friends. A short bus trip to Auckland for a last
night in a hotel, and then on to other exciting places in New
Zealand of your own choosing or back home.
Asia Pacific Festival
Adelaide, for the ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL and post
festival home hosting and Discover Australia tours.
Date: April 11 to 15th 2013. Plus additional days for
optional home hosting and discovery tours.
Contact: Expressions of interest to Susan or June (convenors) [email protected]
Visit ADELAIDE, South Australia for the ASIA PACIFIC
FESTIVAL followed by Australian discovery tours of the rugged beauty of the Australian Outback, Kangaroo Island or
spectacular the Great Ocean Road.
•
•
•
•
Highlights: ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL
Adelaide city tours visiting the renowned Aboriginal
Artefacts at SA Museum, art and craft studios and the
vibrant Adelaide food markets. Opportunity for half
day free time or golf at the Adelaide golf course.
Barossa Valley, Australia’s premier wine growing area
and one of the world’s great wine regions acclaimed
for food, wine and cultural experiences.
Beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula touring through picturesque seaside towns to Victor Harbor. Ride the horse
drawn tram to Granite Island, view the River Murray
mouth and visit a wildlife park to see koalas and kangaroos.
Murray Bridge for historical city tour, river cruise on
Australia’s longest river and local cultural experience
organised by local Friendship Force clubs.
Post ASIA PACIFIC FESTIVAL
Four day Home hosting with South Australian Friendship
Force clubs in Adelaide, Mt Barker, Mt Gambier Murray
Bridge or Salisbury.
• Post Festival /exchange suggestions: (arrange independently through South Australian Tourism or independent companies)
• Spectacular Australian Outback trek visiting the rugged
semi-arid landscapes of the Flinders Ranges and Lake
Eyre. Sleep underground at the famous opal mining
town of Coober Pedy.
• Kangaroo Island, a pristine wilderness recently described as the “world’s best island secret”. See koalas, kangaroos, seal colonies and spectacular coastal
scenery.
• Home hosting in Mt Gambier combined with onward
travel to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road for
Estimated Cost:
$US 1,150 per person twin share. Deposit: $US 250
with registration.
Early bird registration: $US 1100 by September 30.
Includes 4 star accommodation at the Hilton Hotel,
central Adelaide - supplement for single occupancy.
(deluxe rooms extra) Breakfast, all lunches, three evening dinners and all tours are included.
Post festival: Additional four day home hosting fees
apply.
Post festival tours: Costs for tours as stated on booking with SA Tourism or independent company.
Australian Outbound Exchanges for 2012
Date
Number Details
01-03-12
10795
Perth to Shelby, Missouri-St. Louis and Greater Denver, USA
01-05-12
10787
Hobart to Malang and Semarang, Indonesia
01-05-12
10793
Newcastle, Australia to Flanders, Belgium and Cleveland County, UK
01-06-12
10781
Adelaide to Tirana, Albania and Bratislava, Slovakia
01-06-12
10784
Cairns to Hertfordshire and Sussex, UK
01-06-12
10791
Mount Gambier to Sao Jose do Rio Preto and Itanhaem, Brazil
01-08-12
10799
Sydney to Niagara and Saskatoon, CAN and Columbia Cascade, USA
01-09-12
10789
Melbourne to Limburg, Belgium and Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
01-09-12
11103
Sunshine Coast to Stratford & St. Mary’s, Canada, N. Illinois and Central Virginia, USA
01-09-12
10783
Bundaberg to Nelson and South Taranaki, New Zealand
01-09-12
10788
Kempsey to Shelby, Kansas and Central Arizona, USA
01-09-12
10794
North Moreton to Penticton-Okanagan, Canada, Utah and Sacramento, USA
01-09-12
10786
Gold Coast to San Diego, Napa-Sonoma and Olympia, USA
01-09-12
10796
Mount Barker & Salisbury-N.Districts, to Saitama, JPN, Nicosia, CYP and Varel, GER
01-10-12
11200
Southern Sydney to Christchurch and Marlborough, New Zealand
Australian Outbound Exchanges for 2013