• Trips to OZ
• 2002 - Easter
• 2002 - Summer
• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• • Dingoes
  • Koalas
  • Possums
  • Skippies
  • Wombats
• 2009
• 2010
• 2011
• 2012
• 2013

• Fundraising Tips

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Although the Dingoes (Wayahhhhhh) arrived at the airport as two separate groups, a quick drink in the O’Neill’s pub in the departure lounge soon bonded them as a team! On arrival in Hong Kong we were met by Gemma and after settling in at the luxurious Salisbury YMCA we headed to see the light show and then onto another Irish pub, followed by an amazing Chinese meal. Some of the group headed back to bed after the meal, leaving the others to sample many more Irish pubs until the small hours! The trip around Hong Kong was made unforgettable by a lovely lady called Wendy who literally knew everything there is to know about Hong Kong! The tram ride, the boat trip and Stanley Market were thoroughly enjoyed by the whole group.

After another long flight the very tired pack of Dingoes landed in Sydney. After having our bags sniffed by a very cute sniffer dog and Jenny being held back (because they obviously didn’t like the look of her), we lost our bus driver! Eventually the group made it onto the bus to Newcastle, where we were to stay for a few days. The group’s first stop was Subway, which was a place frequented by the boys almost every day of the trip! Newcastle was full of activities, including a trip to the Blackbutt Animal Reserve, a surfing trip and a rugby league game. The highlight of Newcastle was the wine tour, run by the amazing Lance and his wooden tram! After sampling a few too many wines, asking some silly questions… “it’s not funny he died” and doing a breathaliser test (Geraint’s nine times over the limit!) and Emily and Emma’s brilliant sausage sizzle barbeque we headed back to the hostel.

The next morning, dressed up in our dashing conservation gear, we were picked up by our CVA leaders, Nicky the fitness freak, Phil the tattooed crazy man and Steve! We piled into the minibuses and troopies (very uncomfortable) to be taken to the Outback Animal Park, our conservation site for the next four days. On arrival we met Zoe and Ugg the tame kangaroos and Dexter the Cockatoo…. “Emmmmmaaaaaaaa”. We were shown some aboriginal drawings by Raebabes and told that we would be making a track through the bushland between the two aboriginal sites. Over the next four days the group built a fence, cleared twigs, cleared frog ponds, cleared the bushland, made, mulched and lined a path and built a beautiful hut (that became home to a wallaby). “I know everything about mulch… bark… the end”. Whilst on conservation some of the group learnt to make rope out of stringy bark, some more successfully than others… “It’s my first time LIIIIIKKKKEEEE!”. Others made the trip memorable by getting into a fight with a Kangaroo and losing! Every day the group took it in turns to cook (for 26!) and considering it was the first time in the kitchen for most they did an excellent job! The boys practiced their Scooby Doo impressions for the week and took them along with them to Sydney!

After the four days had passed “We’d only gone and done it” and the group were craving Subway and were all very excited about leaving the 6.30am starts for the bright lights of Sydney, though we were all sad to be leaving Phil and Raebabes we were excited to meet the Wombats and the Possums. It didn’t take the boys long to find Subway and the rest of us to find the shops! Other than shopping the group visited the Holocaust museum, which was very emotional and an eye-opener for many. We also ate as much as we could at the revolving restaurant in the Sydney Tower, climbed the Harbour Bridge at night, which was spectacular, and learnt about the man who fell off and survived! We had a lovely meal aboard the Sydney 2000 boat, went to Manley, the official Neighbours Night… “is that Connor?” and witnessed an Aussie Rules football match. The Dingoes were not too impressed with Bondi, which is not quite the same in the middle of winter, needless to say only a few braved a dip! Most of the group went to the Aquarium and were very impressed with the Nemo exhibition and the underwater tunnel… “Does that shark have legs because it ate a dog?”.

We left Sydney in the rain and were blamed for bringing it home with us! We said an emotional goodbye to half of the team at the airport as the other half boarded the coach back to Cardiff, where another emotional goodbye ensued. Just want to say a massive thank you to the Dingoes for such a fantastic trip… We’ve only gone and done it! You should all be very proud of what you have achieved and it was a pleasure meeting you all and let’s hope we all stay in touch. You’re a fantastic bunch and were a credit to The Oz Experience.