Free Day

MENTION 1: Currumbin is a beautiful, bustling town with restaurants within walking distance. How much you spend during your free evening and free day is entirely up to you. For example, you could eat budget meals from the grocery store or fast food restaurants and spend your free day exploring Currumbin on foot, and spend less than $20. Or, you could go to a few popular and fancier restaurants and book a full-day tour to the great barrier reef and see dugongs and spend closer to $120, or even more depending what activities you choose. We suggest budgeting at least $50 for your free day so that you have enough money for meals, public transportation, small admissions fees, and other things you might want to do. 

MENTION 2:You will have one Free Day in Gold Coast on the weekend. Housing and breakfast ae included, and support staff are available. On this day, you are responsible for the cost of your meals, as well as your activities of choice. There are many free outdoor activities in the area, as well as plenty of expensive tours and excursions, so the cost of this day is dependent on what you like to do! 

Currumbin is a great town with lots of cafes and a beautiful beach so you can shop, relax, swim, rent a paddle board or surf board on the day. On Friday night there is a beachside market from 4:30pm. You can book other tours in advance if you'd like, or directly in town or at the YHA on arrival. There are so many types of tours and activities but certain adventure activities, such as SCUBA diving, are prohibited on your free day.

Some tour/activity examples include:

- Surf lessons

- Kayak half day

- Day tour to Gold Coast Hinterland

- Explore the famous Gold Coast

Please note that this is part of your CampDoc agreements regarding your free time: I may not enter private residences, such as houses or apartments, and I must still follow the Loop Abroad code of conduct. I understand that I am not permitted to take part in any of the following activities, even at my own expense: riding or driving a motorcycle or motorscooter, mountaineering, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, mountain biking, parachuting, bungee jumping, caving, cage diving, heliskiing, skiing, snowboarding, SCUBA diving, white or black water rafting, rock climbing, ziplining, wakeboard riding, or water skiing, and agree not to participate in any of these activities. I understand that I am not permitted to rent a car, drive a rental car, or drive in a privately driven vehicle, and I agree not to do so. I will follow restrictions and communications guidelines given by Loop Abroad staff.

MENTION 3: Most of our time is spent on the project at Currumbin. However, there are times when students are allowed to be out in the city on their own. Students will have one free evening and one full free day during their program. Activities and meals during that evening and free day are at your own expense, risk, and discretion. Loop Abroad staff will be available at our housing in Currumbin to assist you. Your housing is included in your tuition.

During your free time, you are expected to stay in Currumbin or be on an organized tour to an area near Currumbin. You are required to return to Loop Abroad housing in the evening and to communicate with your Loop Abroad staff about your plans for the day. During your free time, you are prohibited from participating in the following high-risk activities:

● Riding or driving a motorcycle or motor scooter

● Mountaineering

● Hang gliding

● Hot air ballooning

● Mountain biking

● Parachuting

● Bungee jumping

● Caving

● Cage diving

● Heli Skiing

● Skiing or snowboarding

● SCUBA diving

● White- or black-water rafting

● Rock climbing

● Ziplining

● Wakeboard riding

● Water skiing

● Renting a car

● Driving a rental car

● Riding in a private vehicle outside an organized tour

● Entering a private residence (eg an apartment or house) of a stranger

● Getting a tattoo or piercing

● Participating in a protest or rally

Some of these activities may be available to book at the hostel; you are still not permitted to engage in them during your free time. You agree that you won’t participate in any of these activities during your free time. Your Loop Abroad staff may, at their discretion, prohibit your participation in other activities that are deemed to be unsafe or otherwise unsuitable.

PROGRAM TRANSPORTATION

During your trip, you may find yourself transported by plane, truck, train, car, bicycle, or tractor, among other things. Listen to the drivers and the staff and follow any safety precautions they give you. Wear seatbelts when available.

There is no hitchhiking under any circumstances. You may not operate any vehicles. Even if you have a license at home, you aren’t permitted to drive any motor vehicle during the trip. You are never permitted to drive, rent, ride, or travel on a motorcycle.