Port Stephens Trip - Sand Dunes & Dolphins

Port Stephens Trip - Sand Dunes & Dolphins

Date: 31 October 2025

Cost: $125

Departure Time: 7:30am sharp (please arrive by no later than 7am)

Departure point: From Parramatta South Campus, the shuttle bus stop outside building EA & EB – Please note you will need to arrive by 7am for 7:30am departure time.

Return Time: 7pm

Return point: Parramatta South Campus, the shuttle bus stop outside building EA & EB

Please note that registering for this event does not gain you entry or a ticket for the trip. You will need to purchase your ticket from the one stop link https://payments.westernsydney.edu.au/PortStephens

Please remember that these events are popular so do not hesitate to purchase your ticket. Ticket sales close 23 October 2025 or if sold out.

What’s Included:

· Guided transport to and from Parramatta

. Free time at Nelson Bay

· 4WD Sand bus transfer

· Sandboarding

· 1.5hr Dolphin Cruise

· Tour Guide

 

Itinerary & Highlights:

After collection from Parramatta Campus, you’ll soon find yourself going over the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the mid-north coast of New South Wales.

We will have a brief refreshment stop on the way before we board an air-conditioned customised 4WD bus at Anna Bay for a tour along the amazing coastline to our sandboarding site.

Once we arrive at  you will learn of the history surrounding the lost shacks, how it was once used for shipwrecked sailors and as a bombing range. After you are full of knowledge, it is time for some fun!

Experience the thrill of sliding down our sandboarding hill – it can be up to 50 metres high! Our instructors will give you all the tips for maximum safety & speed on our custom made sandboards. You will be having so much fun you will want to go again and again!

After a little break where you’ll be able to purchase lunch and refreshments, we jump aboard the Moonshadow V - an 85″ (26 metre) Catamaran, with 3 decks (main deck, cocktail deck and sun deck), a stage and dance floor. It has state of the art underwater live video cameras, boom net and twist and twirl slide.

Port Stephens is home to over 160 resident bottlenose dolphins and that’s why we call ourselves the Dolphin Capital of Australia! This cruise has a very high success rate in dolphin sightings, boomnet rides, entertaining and informative commentary and scenic harbour cruise including spectacular Tomaree and Yacaaba headlands.

 

Refund Policy for Out & About and The Socials Programs:

We are delighted to have you participate in our Out & About and The Socials programs. Due to the high volume of interest and the necessity to pre-purchase group bookings, we have established the following refund policy to ensure fairness and clarity for all participants:

1. Refund Requests

• No Refunds Within 10 Days of Event: Refund requests will not be entertained if submitted within 10 days of the scheduled event unless due to illness or serious misadventure. Please ensure you check your availability and commitments before purchasing a ticket. A 10% penalty of the cost of the purchase will be applied to all approved cases, accounting for the administrative difficulty and uncertainty of filling the spot-on short notice.
• Case-by-Case Basis: All other refund requests will be reviewed individually. Each request must be accompanied by supporting documentation as outlined in Section 3.

 

2. Submitting a Refund Request

To submit a refund request, please send a written email to studentevents@westernsydney.edu.au with the following attached:

* Supporting documentation as outlined in **Section 3** (e.g., Medical Certificate, official school documentation)

* Web receipt issued by Onestop to the nominated email address of the purchaser

3. Supporting Documentation

To consider your refund request, please provide one or more of the following documents in your email:

• Medical Certificate: If you are unable to attend due to illness or medical reasons, please submit a valid medical certificate from a licensed healthcare provider.
• Academic Reasons: A refund will only be considered if an exam, assessment, graduation ceremony, or work placement is scheduled after your ticket purchase, and you can provide clear evidence and official documentation from your school. Refunds will not be issued for clashes with pre-existing academic obligations.

4. Reasons for Non-Refund

Refunds will not be issued for reasons of change of mind, clashes with work commitments or personal engagements.

5. Weather Conditions

Most of our events can proceed in the event of rain. We will notify you via email or phone if a trip is cancelled due to severe weather conditions. If you have not heard from us, please arrive as planned.

6. High Demand and Fairness

We aim to offer these experiences to as many students as possible. When a student purchases a ticket and does not attend, it prevents another interested student from participating. This policy helps ensure that all students have a fair opportunity to enjoy our programs.

7. Financial Considerations

Most trips and activities are pre-purchased as group bookings. When students do not attend, the organization incurs financial losses. This policy is designed to help mitigate these losses and maintain the sustainability of our programs.

Photo Release

By purchasing the ticket, I hereby give my permission for the Western Sydney University, to use this photographic material or video footage in official University business, including University Web sites, University newsletters, newspapers, and promotional material. I hereby waive any claim for payment for use of the material or footage.

It is agreed that the use of this photographic material or video footage shall in no way be used in any other forum other than for official University business.

I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect or approve the finished product and the advertising copy or other matter that may be used in connection with the material or footage or the use to which it may be applied. I hereby release the University from any infringement or violation of personal and or property rights of any sort whatsoever based upon the use of the photographic material or video footage.

Trip Waiver

I AGREE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING:

I have considered my health and ability to participate in my nominated trip. I am confident that my health and safety, and that of other participants, will not be put at risk by me taking part.

I have understood and acknowledge that if I have any special dietary requirements, allergies, or pre-existing medical conditions then I have declared these to WSU & Welcome to Travel via the booking website and registration platforms.

I acknowledge that should I have any allergies or medical conditions; I will bring the necessary medication with me.

I acknowledge that if I am participating in certain adventure activities, I will be required to sign a waiver with the activity provider acknowledging the risk involved in the said activity.

I acknowledge that if I am joining the Learn to Surf and Water Safety Day trip, I will be required to sign this waiver on or before the day.

I acknowledge that if I am joining the Blue Mountains with canyoning and abseiling trip, I will be required to sign this waiver on or prior to the day.

I will not be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance which limits or changes my physical or mental abilities while joining the required activities on tour.

I will act in accordance with the WSU student code of conduct [url: https://policies.westernsydney.edu.au/view.current.php?id=00258]. I understand that failure to do so may result in my removal from the tour.

I understand that adventure travel involves a higher-than-normal risk. I understand that Western Sydney University (WSU) and Welcome to Travel cannot guarantee my health and safety. These risks include the risk of physical injury or death, the inducement or exacerbation of medical conditions, mental harm or distress, and damage to my property. I acknowledge that my health, ability, and conduct will affect such risks.

I will use all personal safety and protective equipment provided during the tour and follow instructions of the tour operator.

I agree to let the tour operator apply first aid or call for medical assistance if this is required.

WSU, Welcome to Travel, and its authorised subcontractors have the authority to use and reproduce photos or videos taken of me for promotional and marketing purposes including social media, without any compensation to me.

Photographs and videos acquired through the Out and About program remain copyright of WSU/Welcome to Travel.

WSU and Welcome to Travel will rely on this declaration and are not responsible for my decision to participate in an Out and About tour.

I have read and understood the contents of the Terms and Conditions of travel and this Student Declaration and Disclaimer.

I acknowledge that I am over 18, have the capacity or are the legal parent/guardian of the student participating in the Out & About tour.

I acknowledge that I can swim, am of sound mind and in good health to do so.

Please note that trip guides reserve the absolute right at its sole discretion to require anyone to undergo any test to assess whether they can participate in the activities on the trip.

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