Neanderthal Discovery in Australia

You’re off and on away on a new global travel  adventure as you head to Sydney. As your plane descends, look out the window to see Australia’s beaches, cities, rainforests, and of course the outback. A local guide will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to a city hotel. 

In the afternoon, take time to unpack, rest, and explore. Take a dip in the hotel pool, explore the city’s busy streets, or take a bus to the beach. In the evening, you will meet with your local guide and group for dinner, which is of course an excellent opportunity to get to know your guide and new travel buddies, as well ask lots of questions about your upcoming schedule!

Today, you get to tour the famous city of Sydney, Australia. Begin at the historic district of The Rocks for a walking tour. Next, drive by St. Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park, and Darling Harbour. Enjoy lunch in the Royal Botanic Gardens before heading to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair for panoramic views of the Sydney Harbor. Can you spot the famous opera house?! Next, you are off to Bondi Beach for a swim before jumping on a boat to view the city from the water. Cruise by the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. Head back to your hotel for rest and free time to explore more of the city independently. 

We hope you’re a history buff because today you will explore the Australian National Museum. Enjoy the scenic three-hour ride to Canberra. As you enter the museum, you’ll discover the expensive Neanderthal exhibit. A professional guide will educate you on these close relatives of us modern humans who disappeared around 28,000 years ago. See the first Neanderthal fossil that was found in 1829! Did you know it was not identified as being part of a human ancestor until the 19th century? Enjoy plenty of time exploring the interactive exhibit. Be sure to ask your guide lots of questions! Following this, you’ll enjoy lunch and tour the rest of the museum. History can be fun!

Start the day off by heading back to Sydney! You’ll spend the day today with some of Australia’s most famous and lovable creatures. Head over to Featherdale Wildlife Park to have an up-close and personal experience with kangaroos, koalas, snakes, and other native animals. In this intimate setting, a ranger will educate you on the different species. Make sure you take the opportunity to hug a koala, which is said to be a life-long memory! Enjoy lunch at a lodge before touring local landscapes, including Anzac Bridge.

Now that you’ve learned a bit of the history of Neanderthals, it’s time to explore a day in their lives. Head out to the breathtaking Blue Mountains. A local guide will lead you through a bushwalk to find cave carvings and paintings. Take time to explore these caves and use your detective skills to try to figure out what the art means. Following this, you enjoy lunch with spectacular views. Next, you’re off the Leura Cascades to discover Echo Point. Here, you’ll see the famous Three Sisters sandstone rock formation. Hear about the Neanderthal legends behind it, then explore the park on your own before heading back into the city.

Get up before the sun rises to take off into the air for a hot air balloon ride. Enjoy spectacular aerial views of the country. A pilot will educate you on the landscape, including the valleys, rivers, and mountains you will see. Try to imagine what it would be like to adapt to Australia’s harsh environment in the Stone Age. Upon landing, you will be rewarded with a refreshing glass of champagne and a buffet breakfast. As you return to your hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore Sydney’s top attractions. 

It has been an adventurous and educational week in Australia, but it’s time to say goodbye. Enjoy one final breakfast with your group and guides before heading to the local airport for your departing flight. We hope to see you on another group trip again soon!