Important: ONE off-site activity is included in the price of your University registration. These activities are open to members and their registered guests (full participation and limited participation). All off-site activities will take place on Saturday, 14 March 2020.
Please read these important notes about off-site activities:
- Registered members and their registered guests (full or limited participation) may sign-up for ONE (1) off-site activity per person.
- All off-site activities include lunch. Some activities that depart in the early morning will include breakfast.
- All off-site activities have limited space and are first come, first served.
- Some activities are weather permitting and may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
- All activities require a minimum number of people to participate and may be cancelled prior to the event if the minimum has not been met.
- Some off-site activities may require a user-pay supplement and are indicated in the description.
- All user-pay activities are non-refundable.
- Members and guests that sign-up for the same activity will be assigned to the same group.
- There are no wait-lists for sold out activities.
For questions about off-site activities, please contact Rebecca Litwack on the EO Global Events team at [email protected].
Behind the Scenes at the Sydney Opera House
14 March 2020 – Depart 10:30am, Return 2:30pm
Price: Free
This will be an incredible journey. Start the day with a stop at Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for one of the most iconic photo opportunities in Sydney. Next stop is a private tour of the Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage Masterpiece. Walk in the footsteps of legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Pavarotti, Mikhail Baryshnikov. See what really goes on backstage and inside theatres and stunning glassed harbour foyers that are not open to the public. You will discover the stories, history, magic and real-life dramas behind the Sydney Opera House, a work of art that came into existence against impossible odds and went on to become one of the busiest performing arts centres in the world. You might even catch a rehearsal in action.
After the tour, indulge in a tasting plate of the chef favourite picks at Opera Kitchen, overlooking the famous Sydney Harbour.
Dress: Casual with comfortable walking shoes
Surfing on Bondi Beach
14 March 2020 – Depart 7:00am, Return 1:00pm
Price: Free
Learn to surf on one of Australia’s most famous beaches, Bondi Beach. The golden sands and crystal waters of Bondi Beach continue to capture hearts all around the world. Enjoy an authentic experience with surfing lessons hosted by local surfing experts who are passionate about their craft and catching the perfect wave. You will learn the basics from warm-up to paddling and how to safely get out and up to catch your first wave. A great surf experience on Australia’s greatest beach.
Breakfast will be included in this off-site activity.
Dress: Casual and comfortable beach attire, including swimmers and sandals.
Note: Surfboards, wet suits, rash vests, sunblock, and towels will be provided. Lessons will last one hour in small groups; you will have time at leisure on the beach in between lessons.
Bike over the Harbour Bridge
14 March 2020 – Depart 9:30am, Return 3:30pm
Price: Free
You’ve seen it – you may have climbed it – but have you ridden over it yet? Head out over the fantastic Sydney Harbour Bridge, take in its amazing views and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Sydney’s North Shore! You’ll start out in the famous Rocks district before you make the easy ride over the bridge – it’s an unforgettable sight looking at Sydney and the harbour from this famous landmark. After crossing, you will explore Kirribilli and the Governor’s House, then on to a breathtaking 2.5 km stretch of easy harbour-side riding past Luna Park and the tranquil Lavender Bay. After heading back over the Bridge for a sit-down picnic lunch, we will take in all the main sights that travellers came to see and ride through the ever-popular suburbs of Surry Hills and Woolloomooloo.
Lunch is included in this off-site activity.
Dress: Comfortable clothes and trainers or closed-toed shoes.
Note: Bicycle, helmet, small mounted bag (for small items such as camera, wallet, etc.), secure bag storage (to leave items behind while on tour). Rain ponchos (if necessary) will be provided.
If you are five months pregnant or more, please consult your doctor before registering for this experience. Unfortunately, you will not be able to register for this experience if you have had a seizure in the last six months. This does not include anyone with epilepsy who has consulted their doctor.
Featherdale Wildlife Sanctuary
14 March 2020 – Depart 9:00am, Return 3:00pm
Price: Free
Featherdale Wildlife Park is Sydney’s ultimate hands-on wildlife experience!
During this off-site, you will meet and take a picture with a koala, feed the kangaroos, admire the Tasmanian devils and the enormous Saltwater crocodile “Ngukkur,” all while enjoying a stroll at leisure through the sanctuary.
Established on seven acres of land in 1953, Featherdale has evolved into one of the best privately-owned wildlife parks in Australia. Set among natural bush, this sanctuary is covered in beautiful Australian native trees and plants that line the walkways and landscape the enclosures.
Lunch is included in this off-site activity.
Dress: Casual attire and comfortable walking shoes
Note: There is a 45-minute transfer time to and from the off-site activity.
Sydney Bush Walk
14 March 2020 – Depart 9:30am, Return 3:30pm
Explore one of Sydney Harbour’s most beautiful walking tracks. This 10km coastal walk starts at Spit Bridge, north of the harbour. Take in the sights of picturesque bays, native bushland, sub-tropical coast heathland and panoramic ocean views juxtasposed with million-dollar harbourside homes. Suitable for most ages and fitness levels, the walk includes a mix of paved walkway, boardwalk, maintained bush track and a few short sections of soft sandy beach walking. Discover 1,000 year-old Aboriginal rock engravings or stop for a quick dip in one of the quiet inner harbour beaches before finishing at one of Sydney’s most loved beaches, Manly Beach.
Lunch is included in this off-site activity.
Dress: Casual and comfortable attire, trainers, swimmers, sandals and a towel, if you fancy a dip.
Note: The tour starts and ends at the Sydney Hyatt Regency Hotel. Guests are welcome to stay in Manly and make their own way back to the hotel at leisure.
Sailing Regatta
14 March 2020 – Depart 10:30am, Return 2:30pm
Price: US$100 per person
Take over the waters of Sydney Harbour during the EO Regatta, the ultimate way to see Sydney and have some fun at the same time. Sailing aboard a luxury performace fleet and under the guidance of a highly qualified Australian skipper, the boats head for the waters of Sydney Harbour to begin a thrilling regatta race. Departing from Rushcutters Bay, the yachts explore and race all around Sydney Harbour waters. So sit back and relax or take part, steer the boat, trim the sails and help in the tactics.
Lunch will be provided in this off-site activity.
Dress: Casual attire, layers due to temperatures on the water, cap and sunglasses, comfortable soft bottom shoes (no heels or hard shoes, preferably no black soled shoes), sunscreen.
Sydney Diving Experience
14 March 2020
Depart 10:30am, Return 2:30pm
Price: US$150 per person
Australia offers fantastic scuba diving with a broad range of marine life – and Sydney, as the gateway to Australia, has dive sites unequalled in any large city. After a 30-minute boat transfer, you will arrive at a dive destination that will guarantee colourful schools of fish swimming about, both temperate and some tropical species, an abundance of aquatic flora and unique gems. Keep your eyes peeled for the weird and mystical looking weedy sea dragon (they are not quite seahorse, not quite fish!) The weedy sea dragon is closely related to the seahorse and is found off the southern east coast of Australia.
Lunch will be included in this off-site activity.
Dress: Casual attire and sandals, swimmers, sunscreen.
Note: To ensure your safety, divers who have not dived in the past 12 months and/or who have done fewer than 20 dives are required to undertake a scuba review before joining one of the dives. If you have not dived for a while, be safe and tune up your diving skills.
Full gear, including: boots, fins, mask, wetsuit, BCD, regs, weights, tanks, signal tube, and towels will be provided.
Bridgeclimb
14 March 2020 – Depart 8:15 – 10:00 am, Return 2:00pm
Price: US$225 per person
Absorb a 360 degree panorama of Sydney as you journey to the summit on this unique climb experience. This truly memorable adventure provides you with a view of Sydney that will take your breath away. With your climb leader as your guide, step-by-step you’ll ascend the arches of the Bridge and enjoy iconic views of Sydney. Throughout the climb you will be entertained with stories about the history of the bridge, from its construction to its opening in 1932, right through to its place in day-to-day local celebrations.
Lunch is included in this off-site activity.
Dress: Comfortable attire and closed-toed shoes are essential; suggested rubber soles such as trainers.
Note: To participate you need to have a general level of health and fitness, and the ability to climb independently. This is an amazing experience and every assistance is provided for you to enjoy your climb. However, there are some things that will prevent you from participating, including:
- You must have a blood-alcohol reading below 0.05 to climb (the same as if you are driving). A reading above this will mean you will not be able to participate.
- A fit or seizure in the last six months
- Broken bones
- You’re under 1.2 metres tall
- You may need to provide a doctor’s certificate of fitness note before you climb if you are pregnant, 75 years of age or older or have any pre-existing health conditions.
