Arcadia Australia

Over the past year, things have been shaking up a bit down under! We've made some changes to our excursion spots and weekend adventures to give students a chance to bond, make memories, and explore a whole new slice of New South Wales—because let’s face it, kangaroos and beaches never get old, right?

We've been rolling with Cru Lake Mac up in sunny Lake Macquarie, Newcastle for the past year. Every semester, we’ve been fine-tuning the activities —trying to find the perfect mix that’s fun, fresh, and not “been there, done that” for our seasoned Aussie explorers.

Sure, it's been a little tricky—students are off doing their own thing, living their best life in Australia—but we've pulled out all the stops to make sure their free weekend is actually a weekend worth talking home about. (Or at least worth posting about on Insta!)

I guess i’ll have to tell you all about what we did over the weekend so you have an idea:

Friday:

We all pile onto the bus (42 students on board in Spring 2025). The trip usually takes about an hour and forty minutes—give or take, depending on Sydney traffic (aka the ultimate mystery box). But don’t worry, our bus driver is basically a human GPS with a sixth sense for shortcuts, so we almost always make it just in time for dinner!

Once we roll in, it’s all about good vibes and new faces. We kick things off with some fun icebreakers—because let’s be real, not everyone’s had the same orientation, and some folks are meeting for the first time. Awkward? Maybe. Hilarious? Definitely.

The city noise fades away, the stars come out, and it’s just us—hanging out, sharing stories, and soaking in the chill vibes. It’s the perfect peaceful night before the weekend kicks into high gear!

Saturday:

We kick off the day bright and early with some classic camp vibes—think kayaking showdowns and throwback archery that’ll have you feeling like you're back at school camp. Cue the nostalgia and friendly rivalries!

By the afternoon, it’s time to turn up the adventure with sandboarding—a crowd favorite! Students always say, “It’s just like snowboarding,” until they faceplant into a sand dune and realise... it’s not. But hey, it’s still bucket-list-worthy fun! And the ride back to the accommodation? Let’s just say the bus turns into a mobile nap pod. Out cold.

But wait—the day isn't over! That night, we bring the heat (literally) with a bonfire and, get this, a charcuterie board. Yeah, it’s a weird combo, but no one’s complaining when there’s cheese and crackers by the fire. And of course, the marshmallow debate begins—students swear Aussie marshmallows are different from the American ones. Are they fluffier? Chewier? Who knows—but you’ll just have to try for yourself.

We wrapped it all up with some tunes and a peaceful moment lying on the dock, eyes to the sky. And then—bam! Southern lights. Yep, they made a surprise appearance just for us. As if that wasn’t enough, the water was glowing with bioluminescence too. Pure magic. Only in Australia, folks.

Sunday:

Bright and early, we packed our bags, rubbed the sleep from our eyes, and set off for the TreeTop Challenge—our newest addition to the adventure lineup! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

Imagine zip lines, wobbly rope bridges, and the occasional “WHY did I sign up for this?!” moment—all wrapped up in a forest playground in the sky. It was a perfect mix of belly laughs, shaky knees, and epic “nailed it!” moments.

Let’s just say, between the challenges and the commentary from below (“You got this!” followed by “Oof, maybe not…”), it was a morning we won’t forget anytime soon!

As the weekend came to a close, we packed our bags, our memories, and maybe a little sand still in our shoes. From heart-pounding adventures to peaceful stargazing by the dock, every moment at Cru-Lake Mac brought us closer together and gave us stories to laugh about.

We arrived as strangers, but left as a tight-knit crew—bonded by kayaking fails, sandboarding tumbles, bonfire dance-offs, and the pure magic of bioluminescent waters. It was more than just an excursion; it was a reminder of the beauty of connection, nature, and stepping out of our comfort zones.

Until next time, Cru-Lake Mac—thanks for the memories and the charcuterie board!