Sample Itinerary – Subject to Change

Take your game to Australia for an unforgettable international sports adventure! From the iconic sights of Sydney to the sun-soaked beaches of the Gold Coast, experience the perfect mix of competition, culture, and adventure. Hit the court against international competition, learn new skills, explore Australia's incredible coastline, and get up close with native wildlife. Whether you're catching waves, discovering vibrant coastal towns, or making lifelong friendships with teammates, this trip is about more than sport. It's your chance to challenge yourself, experience a new culture, and create memories that last long after the final buzzer.

Trip Highlights

• Compete in international basketball and volleyball experiences.

• Explore Sydney and see iconic sights, including the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach.

• Visit Wollongong for exciting basketball tournament action.

• Discover the beaches and coastal beauty of the Gold Coast.

• Meet Australia's native wildlife at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Take a day trip to Byron Bay and walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse.

• Catch some waves with a surfing lesson led by professional coaches.

• Enjoy opportunities to connect with fellow athletes, experience Australian culture, and build lifelong friendships.

• Return home with unforgettable memories from an international sports adventure.Important Things to Know

Walking & Accessibility

This tour includes sightseeing at historic and archaeological sites where travelers may encounter stairs, hills, cobblestones, and uneven surfaces. The itinerary also includes hotel changes, possible ferry travel, and transportation between destinations.

Travelers with mobility concerns should contact ABSA before registering to discuss the itinerary and scheduled activities.

Travel Expectations

International travel is part of the adventure!

When traveling outside the United States, you will experience different customs, traditions, foods, accommodations, sporting facilities, transportation systems, and ways of life. Things may not always operate or look exactly as they do at home—and that's part of experiencing another country.

Gyms, fields, facilities, equipment, competition levels, match formats, and game-day experiences may differ from what athletes are accustomed to in the United States.

Some games may be highly competitive, while others focus more on cultural exchange, sportsmanship, and sharing our love of basketball with athletes from another country.

Regardless of the opponent or facility, ABSA athletes are representing their team, their families, the United States, and ABSA. We expect athletes and travelers to approach every experience with respect, flexibility, and a spirit of adventure.

We encourage you to research your destination to enhance your experience. Tools like Google Street View are a great way to explore the area in advance.

Traveling With Children

All travelers under the age of 18 must travel with a parent or legal guardian unless an alternative arrangement has been specifically approved by ABSA.

Parents and legal guardians remain responsible for the supervision of their minor traveler throughout the tour.

Protect Your Trip

Travel insurance is strongly encouraged for all ABSA travelers.

ABSA does not provide individual or group travel insurance. Travelers may purchase coverage from the provider of their choice.

ABSA partners with InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison platform that allows travelers to compare plans from multiple insurance providers and select coverage appropriate for their individual needs.

When comparing policies, travelers may want to consider coverage for:

• Trip cancellation

• Trip interruption

• Airline delays or cancellations

• Lost or delayed baggage

• Illness or injury

• Medical treatment while traveling internationally

• Emergency medical transportation or evacuation

• Other unexpected circumstances that could affect travel

Coverage varies significantly between policies. Travelers should carefully review the policy's terms, exclusions, coverage limits, and eligibility requirements before purchasing.

We recommend speaking directly with a licensed travel insurance representative if you have questions about the coverage appropriate for your circumstances.

Purchasing travel insurance is the individual traveler's responsibility.

International Travel Documents

A valid passport is required for international travel.

To travel to Australia, you must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens traveling to any destination outside the United States are required to present a valid U.S. passport. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date.

Each traveler is responsible for ensuring they have all documentation necessary to enter Australia, transit through any connecting country, and return to the United States.

Requirements may include:

• A valid passport

• Required passport validity

• Visa or travel authorization, when applicable

• Transit documentation

• Entry or exit forms

• Documentation required when traveling with minors

• Any additional requirements established by the destination or transit country

The name on your airline reservation must match your travel documents.

Entry and transit requirements can change. Travelers should verify the current requirements applicable to their citizenship, itinerary, and connecting countries well before departure.

U.S. citizens should review current international travel and destination information through the U.S. Department of State at https://travel.state.gov
Travelers who are citizens of another country should verify requirements with the appropriate embassy or consulate.

Failure to obtain required documentation may result in denied boarding or denied entry and does not qualify a traveler for a refund from ABSA.

Travel and entry requirements are subject to change. Travelers are responsible for verifying current requirements before departure.

All trip deposits and balance payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

A $250 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure a place on the tour.

Because unexpected circumstances can prevent travel, ABSA strongly encourages travelers to consider appropriate travel insurance.

Payments

ABSA offers several options to make international travel more manageable:

• Payment Plan: Remaining payments are divided according to the payment schedule provided during registration.

• Automatic Payments: Scheduled payments may automatically draft from the payment method provided during registration.

• Affirm Financing: Financing may be available for eligible travelers.

• Fundraising: Travelers are welcome to utilize fundraising opportunities to help offset their individual trip costs.

All balances must be paid according to the established payment schedule to maintain your reservation.

Please Do Not Book Flights Yet

Airfare is not included in the tour price.

ABSA will provide the official arrival airport, departure airport, travel dates, and required arrival/departure time windows once flight parameters are finalized.

⚠️ Warning⚠️:

Do not book a roundtrip

• This trip starts and ends in different cities.

• When booking your flights, do not select a round-trip flight. Instead, search for a Multi-City itinerary so you can enter a different airport for your arrival and departure.

• A Multi-City booking allows you to fly into your starting city and depart from your ending city, rather than returning to the original airport. Multi-City flights are also often less expensive than purchasing two separate one-way tickets.

Travelers who arrive before the official tour begins or remain after the tour are responsible for any transportation or accommodations outside the official ABSA itinerary unless otherwise stated.

You will need book THREE flights for this trip. 

Example:

Flight 1-USA to Sydney, Australia (SYD)

Flight 2-Sydney to Brisbane, Australia (BNE)

Flight 3-Brisbane to USA

Please wait for official ABSA flight parameters before purchasing non-refundable airfare.

Take your basketball experience international with an unforgettable trip to Sydney and Take your game to Australia for an unforgettable mix of international sports, coastal adventures, and cultural experiences! From exploring Sydney to soaking up the sun on the Gold Coast, compete, catch waves, discover incredible wildlife, and make lifelong friendships along the way. It's more than a sports tour—it's an adventure you'll never forget!

Compete internationally. Experience the Australia with your family. Build friendships with basketball players from across the United States and abroad. ABSA tours combine sport, culture, connection, and adventure to create experiences that go far beyond the court.

Sample itinerary. Activities, competition schedules, accommodations, transportation, and order of events are subject to change.

Depart the USA and fly to Sydney, Australia (SYD) as your unforgettable Australian basketball adventure begins!

A day in the air as you cross the International Dateline and make your way toward Australia!

Welcome to Australia! Meet your ABSA Tour Manager and kick off your adventure with Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach, stunning coastal views, and your first basketball training session and game. Settle into your accommodation, soak up the Aussie atmosphere, and get ready for an unforgettable international tour.

• Arrive in Sydney and meet your dedicated ABSA Tour Manager.

• Explore the world-famous Bondi Beach.

• Enjoy the option to walk the spectacular Bondi to Bronte coastal trail.

• Begin your basketball experience with training and your first game.

• Check in to your Sydney accommodation for a three-night stay.

• Enjoy an included group dinner.

It’s game day! Take the court in Wollongong for an exciting basketball tournament, competing against local teams and embracing the challenge of international play. Show your skills, bring the team energy, and make memories on and off the court during your Australian adventure.

• Compete in the Wollongong basketball tournament.

• Represent ABSA on the international court.

• Connect with teammates through competition and shared experiences.

• Enjoy included breakfast and dinner.

Keep the tournament energy going in Wollongong! Spend the day representing ABSA, building team chemistry, and embracing the excitement of international basketball. With an evening game on the schedule, get ready to bring your best to the court and make every moment count.

• Continue competing in the Wollongong basketball tournament.

• Take the court for an exciting evening game.

• Build team spirit and gain international playing experience.

• Enjoy included breakfast and dinner; lunch is at your own expense.

Experience one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks with a visit to the world-famous Sydney Opera House. Take in the stunning harbor views, explore the surrounding waterfront, and enjoy another memorable day discovering the best of Sydney.

• Enjoy included breakfast.

• Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House.

• Take in the sights and atmosphere of Sydney Harbour.

• Enjoy an included dinner.

It’s time to swap Sydney for the sunshine of Queensland! Fly to Brisbane before transferring to the Gold Coast, where five nights of coastal fun and adventure await. After checking into your accommodation, enjoy free time to explore, relax, and soak up the laid-back Aussie atmosphere.

• Enjoy included breakfast before departing Sydney.

• Fly from Sydney to Brisbane on a morning flight.

• Transfer to the Gold Coast by bus.

• Check in for a five-night stay at your Gold Coast accommodation.

• Enjoy free time to explore the Gold Coast.

• Finish the day with an included dinner.

Experience the wild side of Australia before gearing up for the basketball finals! Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to see iconic native animals, including kangaroos and koalas, and enjoy the chance to hand-feed colorful wild birds. Then head to Downey Park in Brisbane for the tournament finals and an exciting afternoon of competition.

• Visit Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast.

• See kangaroos, koalas, and other native Australian wildlife.

• Experience the chance to hand-feed wild birds.

• Head to Downey Park in Brisbane for the basketball finals.

• Cheer on your team and finish the tournament strong.

• Enjoy included breakfast and dinner.

Time to hit the waves! Join professional surf coaches for an unforgettable surfing lesson on Queensland’s famous coastline. Learn the basics, practice catching waves, and see if you can stand up on your board. It’s the perfect chance to try something new, challenge yourself, and make the most of Australia’s beach lifestyle.

• Enjoy included breakfast at your accommodation.

• Learn to surf with professional surf coaches.

• Practice catching waves and standing up on your surfboard.

• Experience the iconic beach culture of Queensland.

• Enjoy included lunch.

Explore the laid-back coastal town of Byron Bay, famous for its beautiful beaches, vibrant shops and cafes, and incredible marine life. Walk to the iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse, perched at Australia’s easternmost point, and keep an eye out for dolphins and migrating whales along the way. Want to take the adventure further? Join an optional guided kayak tour for the chance to paddle through the surf and encounter marine life up close.

• Take a day trip to beautiful Byron Bay.

• Enjoy a scenic coastal walk to Cape Byron Lighthouse.

• Look for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles along the coast.

• Explore Byron Bay’s shops, cafes, and relaxed beach-town atmosphere.

• Opt for a guided dolphin kayaking adventure (US$75, at own expense).

• Enjoy included breakfast and dinner; lunch is at your own expense.

Enjoy breakfast before saying goodbye to Australia and heading to Brisbane Airport for your flight back to the USA. Take home the memories, friendships, and unforgettable experiences from an incredible international sports adventure.

• Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation.

• Transfer by bus from the Gold Coast to Brisbane Airport.

• Depart Brisbane on your morning flight to the USA.

• Celebrate the friendships, cultural experiences, and sporting memories made along the way.