Arcadia Excursions and Activities Spring 2026 for
New South Wales Students

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY; MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY; THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY; UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG; UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES

Arcadia Abroad has planned a few events and activities for the semester to help you catch up, spend time with Arcadia staff, and connect with other Arcadia students studying abroad! 

WELCOME MEAL 

To start, we usually have a friendly welcome dinner after two weeks of arriving in Australia. 

Our Welcome Meal is the perfect opportunity to come together, connect with fellow Arcadia students and the Arcadia Aussie staff. It’s a fun, FREE feast to kick off your semester with a bang!

On campus catch-up!

Take a break and bring your game face! Join Arcadia staff and students for a fun Pickleball competition at Moore Park, Sydney. Meet new friends, show off your skills (or learn a few!), and unwind with good vibes.

Not into Pickleball? Grab a coffee or snack with us on campus — just as fun, minus the sweat! 

Inclusions: Racket + Court Hire

Exclusions: Transport to Moore Park—catch a tram; it's easy! 

Australia's public transport is reliable and safe.

CRU LAKE MACQUARIE - FREE WEEKEND EXCURSION

Food + Activities + Accommodation all covered by Arcadia!

Need a break from the hustle and bustle of life? Join us for an action-packed weekend at CRU-Lake Mac at Lake Macquarie, where nature, adventure, and relaxation collide! Imagine yourself wandering through lush bushland, relaxing by peaceful waters, and basking in the sun at a beautiful lake!

But here's the real excitement: we're bringing the sandboarding action to the dunes, plus some surprise activities that will keep you on your toes! What's on the agenda? You'll have to come and find out! Did you know it's free? 

This link gives you a better idea of what the day will entail! 

FRIDAY:

Pack your bags and get ready for the journey! We'll hit the road for a scenic 2-hour drive, with a pit stop for some tasty food along the way. Once we arrive at our accommodation, we’ll kick things off with some fun team bonding activities to get everyone in the spirit!

• Star Gazing
• Bonding activities (It'll be fun, I promise)

SATURDAY:

We’ve got activities running from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, filled with fun and excitement—including an epic sandboarding session to wrap up your Saturday arvo! As the sun sets, we’ll come together around the bonfire for a cosy, unforgettable night under the stars.

• Hiking (grade 3)
• Sandboarding

SUNDAY:

The fun doesn't stop there! We’ve got even more adventures in store, including treetop challenges packed with exciting obstacles or exploring the cave beach — get ready to be up in the air, zipping through the trees!

• Cave Beach OR
• Treetops challenge 

(Activities may vary depending on the weather or the group’s vibe!)

It's the perfect escape to recharge, make new memories, and dive into an adventure before we all head back to reality. Don't miss out on the fun—come along and see what's waiting for you! 

Inclusions: All activities, meals, and coach bus hire

Exclusions: Transport to the bus pick-up location

TAKE3FORTHESEA VOLUNTEERING

Join Take 3 For The Sea, a movement dedicated to the belief in the effectiveness of simple actions in addressing complex issues. Are you eager to combat plastic pollution, which is wreaking havoc on our planet and threatening wildlife? It's as simple as 1-2-3!

Just commit to picking up three pieces of litter whenever you leave the beach, bush, or any other location, and voila!

You've already made a significant impact. Let's take action together and preserve our beautiful planet. Remove an item at a time! 

Prepare for an exciting adventure focused on environmental conservation! We'll embark on a rejuvenating stroll along Wollongong Beach, contributing to its cleanliness and greenery. 

And guess what? Following that, we'll treat ourselves to some delicious dessert and capture stunning photos of Wollongong's breathtaking scenery. It's going to be an enjoyable experience that's not only beneficial for the environment but also a treat for your taste buds!

Inclusions: Snack/Coffee (e.g. ice cream)

Exclusions: Transport to the designated location will cost you $8-15 AUD (return)

BLUE MOUNTAINS DAY EXCURSION (Approx. $60 USD)

The Blue Mountains are just a 2-hour bus ride from Sydney CBD and are widely known for their natural rock formation, the Three Sisters. This structure of three enormous rocks has a strong connection to the local Indigenous people, and the legend of their formation is much more intriguing! According to Aboriginal legend, the three sisters, Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo, fell madly in love with three brothers from neighbouring tribes. However, the girls were forbidden to follow their desires or marry outside their tribe. The brothers fought for their loved ones to overturn the ban on marriage, which launched a war between them. A witch doctor turned the sisters into stone to protect them from the raging battle.

However, tragedy struck when he himself was killed in the battle, leaving no one to reverse the spell. And so, the three sisters remain rocks forever, never to be reunited with their loved ones or return to human form.  Whether you believe in legends or not, it is still a gut-wrenching sight to gaze upon these powerful rocks carved from earth and to remember the tragic tale. 

The three sisters are sure to spark your imagination and bring to life a touch of magic and myth with the Aboriginal Dreamtime. This will give you a better idea of what the day will entail! 

This will give you a better idea of what the day will entail!

• 8:00 AM Pick-up Sydney Central
• 10:00 AM Glenbrook: Pick up Lunch (15-minute stop)
• 10:30 AM Minnehaha Falls
• 12:30 PM Three Sisters + Lunch will be either in the parking lot or at the base of the waterfall. All students should bring their own food, which will be distributed before the activity.
• 1:30 PM Wentworth Falls
• 4 PM Return to Sydney
  • + Bonus stop permits to Lincoln Rock

COST: Approx. $60 USD

Inclusions: Lunch, Tour Guide, Bus hire

Exclusions: Transport to the bus pick-up location

If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to your student coordinator!