Day by day

1. Day 1Welcome to Sydney

   

   Land in Sydney and your airport transfer takes you straight to your hostel in the CBD, so there is no fumbling with trains on day one. Drop your bags, freshen up and meet the rest of the group, most of whom have also just arrived on their own.

   In the late afternoon your Group Leader takes everyone on a walking tour of the city: Darling Harbour, The Rocks, the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens, with tips on the cheapest places to eat and how to get around. The day finishes with a welcome dinner and drinks, a good chance to get to know who you are travelling with.

2. Day 2Work session and harbour cruise

   

   The morning is the work and travel session. You go through how tax works for working holiday makers, your Tax File Number, opening your bank account, phone plans, Opal cards and public transport, and where the jobs are in Sydney and beyond. Bring your questions, nothing is too basic.

   In the afternoon you board a private catamaran for a cruise on Sydney Harbour. You sail past the Opera House and under the Harbour Bridge with a BBQ on board, music and plenty of time for photos. It is one of the best ways to see the city and a highlight for most groups.

3. Day 3To Port Stephens

   

   Pack a small bag and head about 2.5 hours north up the coast to Port Stephens. Basecamp is a set of eco beach cabins with shared dorms, a 5 minute walk from the sand, in a laid back area with bush, beaches and wildlife on the doorstep.

   The afternoon is relaxed: settle in, swim or walk along the beach. In the evening the group gets together for dinner, then it is a beach night and stargazing away from the city lights. It is a great reset after the long flight and the first busy days in Sydney.

4. Day 4Sand dunes and sandboarding

   

   Today is all about the sand. A 4WD takes you through the Worimi Conservation Lands to the Stockton Bight dunes, the largest moving coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. The views across the dunes to the ocean are huge, and the scenery feels like a desert next to the sea.

   Then it is time to sandboard down the steep faces of the dunes, which is easier than it looks and a lot of fun. Later there is a guided walk up to a lookout over the bays of Port Stephens. Bring sunscreen, a hat and water, as the sand gets hot in summer.

5. Day 5Dolphins and back to Sydney

   

   Start the morning on the water with a dolphin watching cruise. Port Stephens is home to a large pod of bottlenose dolphins that live in the bay all year, so sightings are very common, and in the right season you may also see migrating whales offshore.

   After lunch you head back down the coast to Sydney and check back in to your city hostel. The evening is free to rest, catch up on messages home or head out for dinner with the group.

6. Day 6CV day and night out

   

   Today is about getting ready to work. With your Group Leader on hand, you finish your Australian CV, set up your job search profiles and start applying for jobs, whether that is hospitality in the city, farm work for your second year visa, or work further along the coast. Use our free CV builder to get it done quickly.

   Once the applications are in, it is time to celebrate. The night ends with a pub crawl around Sydney with express entry into the venues, a fun way to see the city's nightlife with your new friends.

7. Day 7Coogee to Bondi

   

   Your final day starts with the famous coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi. The path runs along the clifftops for about 6 km, past six beaches, rock pools and ocean pools, with plenty of spots to stop for a swim or a coffee. Finish at Bondi Beach for lunch and a swim.

   After that it is farewells. Many people stay on in Sydney to start work, while others head off to travel or to regional jobs. Your 12 months of TAW job support and your TAW Mailbox keep going, so help is still there after the week ends.