AAPC
The Adelaide Au Pair Club is designed to bring au pairs together and explore the best of Adelaide and South Australia. The tours and excursion are affordable, authentic and memorable.
The Au Pair Club features an extensive programme of activities, ranging from free informal meetings to fully guided overnight tours and day trip excursions. The program is designed to be fun and adventurous but safe and well organised rather than 5* luxury!
BONUS: your membership allows you to bring any of your short term visitors along too so a visiting friend or sister is welcome on the trips and pays the same as you do, all we ask of them is to be ‘young at heart’ like you are!
AND
if your parents are visiting, why not send us a mail about other excursion we do at discounted rates, we have more excursions and other dates available too. Some of the other excursions we have are a little less ‘backpacker’ orientated!
Newly-arrived au pairs, as well as those who have been here a while, may well find something of interest to them, so please promote this to all au pairs. If you know au pairs nearby that have not been placed through Smartaupairs, please invite them to join the fun!
Our excursions are always organised at times when most au pairs will have time off. All our pricing has been negotiated exclusively for the Au Pair Club and we have discounts of up to 15% on some trips. We also offer discounts on tours you may wish to take once you finish the au pair program.
Bookings for outings are usually made by e-mail. For the free events we expect at least 4 au pairs, otherwise the meeting may still go ahead but without agency staff attending.
Here is our schedule of events for the next couple of months:
Wednesday 18 November at 10.30am
FREE event – Beach walk, swim and BBQ get together at Glenelg, Adelaide’s most popular beach resort – bring swim gear and a towel, your own lunch food & a cold drink; we will bring some cans and great company.
Why not ride the tram to Glenelg from Adelaide City Center.
The BBQ is a public place next to a playground near the marina. Alcohol is not allowed in this location.
Wednesday 25 November at 11am
FREE Au Pair Club educational event – Tandanya (Red Kangaroo Dreaming) the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Guided tour and Cultural Performance.
We do the Ibis Tour – a self paced tour which includes a copy of the current exhibition catalogue if available and a seat at the 12noon Cultural Presentation.
The current exhibition is Making Tracks: A glimpse at two decades of Aboriginal art in SA
Featured artists range from emerging through to established and each are considered to have made some impact within Indigenous and wider realms of arts and culture in South Australia and nationally. Traditionally inspired and innovative explorations in art making – cultural, social, political and aesthetic – are evident in these paintings, prints, photographs, ceramics, film, videowork, weaving, batik, sculpture and glass installation. There are stories and profound ponderings, synchronicities between artists and movements and reflections on Tandanya’s exhibiting and collecting histories
Saturday 28 November – departs approx 10.30
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary – Come on a sea kayaking adventure and have a personal encounter with dolphins!
The Adventure Tour – 10% off - $65-00
3 hours of guided fun.
Dolphin spotting, mangrove creeks and the Ship's Graveyard
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is a "wetland of national significance" and one of Adelaide's "secret spots", an area of incredible beauty and ecological importance. The mangrove forests and sheltered creeks are home to a fascinating array of marine life, birds and of course the Port River Dolphins. The Ship's Graveyard with over 20 "wrecks" to explore is a unique feature of the area. All of these make for a sensational kayaking adventure.
Tours are conducted in double sea kayaks which are very stable, comfortable and easy to paddle. Single kayaks are available for hire. Tours depart from the Garden Island boat ramp (click to see location).
Wednesday 9 December at 10.00am
FREE event – Beach walk, swim and coffee get together at Henley Beach, Adelaide’s more tranquil and sophisticated beach resort – bring swim gear and a towel, we buy the first coffee and great company.
You can take the bus to Henley Beach Square.
Wednesday 16 December time t.b.a.
LEARN TO SURF LESSON - Ready to take a plunge, get wet and have the time of your life? Sounds like you're ready to join a Surfing SA lesson. By joining a "Learn to Surf" lesson you'll receive two hours expert training from our internationally recognised coaches. They will familiarise you with the important safety aspect of the beach, then teach you all they know about the fun of riding a surfboard.
You'll form part of a group of other keen 'learner surfer's' and it will be the ride of a lifetime.
Learn to Surf – 10% off introduction lesson - $40
Sunday morning 7am – on request
FREE event – Mount Lofty walk – not for the faint hearted! We leave early to avoid the heat and climb the spectacular trail to the top of the mountain. From the top you can enjoy the views all over the city.
Wednesday 23 December at 11am
FREE Au Pair Club educational event – Tandanya (Red Kangeroo Dreaming) the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Guided tour and Cultural Performance.
We do the Ibis Tour – a self paced tour which includes a copy of the current exhibition catalogue if available and a seat at the 12noon Cultural Presentation.
The current exhibition = not announced yet.
Wednesday 13 January at 10.00am
FREE event - SIP & SHOP we will meet for coffee at Central Market, Adelaide’s famous indoor market for gourmet shopping. We have a coffee and a chat first and then ‘hit the market’ The first coffee is provided by Smartaupairs, the deli food is on your own account!
Friday 15 January at 8.30am – 2 nights
Ocean to Outback adventure. Immerse yourself in Australia’s ancient landscape!
This tour has a bit of everything, starting with a dolphin spotting cruise and including a camel tour to spot the local wildlife such as emus and kangaroos. Finish the day with an outback barbeque and camping under the stars in the Flinders Range.
Fully guided, totally safe, no experience required.
Ocean to Outback Tour – 10% off - $145
Travel by coach from Adelaide to Port Augusta (not included) for your Ocean to Outback adventure by Camel!
You return to Port Augusta from an action packed trip Saturday at 8.30pm and will stay overnight in Port Augusta (not included) to travel back to Adelaide on Sunday at the end of the day.
(minimum 2 people – travel together and share twin accommodation to save)
Wednesday 20 January 10.30am
FREE event – Beach walk, swim and BBQ get together at Glenelg, Adelaide’s most popular beach resort – bring swim gear and a towel, your own lunch food & a cold drink; we will bring some cans and great company.
Why not ride the tram to Glenelg from Adelaide City Center.
The BBQ is a public place next to a playground near the marina. Alcohol is not allowed in this location.
Saturday 23 January – departs approx 10.30
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary – Come on a sea kayaking adventure and have a personal encounter with dolphins!
The Adventure Tour – 10% off - $65-00
3 hours of guided fun.
Dolphin spotting, mangrove creeks and the Ship's Graveyard
Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is a "wetland of national significance" and one of Adelaide's "secret spots", an area of incredible beauty and ecological importance. The mangrove forests and sheltered creeks are home to a fascinating array of marine life, birds and of course the Port River Dolphins. The Ship's Graveyard with over 20 "wrecks" to explore is a unique feature of the area. All of these make for a sensational kayaking adventure.
Tours are conducted in double sea kayaks which are very stable, comfortable and easy to paddle. Single kayaks are available for hire. Tours depart from the Garden Island boat ramp (click to see location).
Sunday morning 7am – on request
FREE event – Mount Lofty walk – not for the faint hearted! We leave early to avoid the heat and climb the spectacular trail to the top of the mountain. From the top you can enjoy the views all over the city.
Wednesday 27 January at 11am
FREE Au Pair Club educational event – Tandanya (Red Kangeroo Dreaming) the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute. Guided tour and Cultural Performance.
Friday 5 February or Saturday 6 February – at 6am (!)
Kangaroo Island – Campwild wildlife safari
Best discount – amazing value – all inclusive:
Kangaroo Island – 1 night, 2 days, dept Saturday – 15% off - $345
Kangaroo Island – 2 nights, 3 days, dept Friday – 15% off - $445
Enjoy days of action, wildlife and wilderness including sand boarding at Little Sahara (like snowboarding on sand), swimming and snorkelling at some remote beaches and optional quad biking around the bush at sunset.
We also visit Seal Bay, where we get up close to the Sea Lions on a guided beach walk.
Overnight is spent at our private stone cottage not far from Vivonne Bay and surrounded by kangaroos, possums and the occasional echidna and koala. The nights are spent around the campfire. After dinner, whether an Aussie BBQ feast or some other “tour specialty”, we take a nocturnal walk and see those animals active at night, including penguins. Choose to sleep inside in the cottage bunk beds or under the stars in swags.
Adelaide Au Pair Club –
Every month at least 2 free events, usually a choice of beach meeting, shopping meeting and/or educational visit & tour to museum or cultural center.
Also every month at least one trip to explore (payable) the amazing sights that South Australia has on offer!
In South Australia, all au pairs placed by smartaupairs have extensive services included in their program.
Other au pairs & nannies can join the Au Pair Club for $200 (annual membership) or combine Adelaide induction + Au Pair Club included for $650 and get the access to the all of the following benefits:
* Extensive excursion program, ranging from free meetings to fully escorted overnight tours at heavily discounted prices (only $150 for the year for Smartaupairs candidates)
* Helpdesk during office hours 9.30am – 3pm Monday - Friday + answerphone out of hours. We speak numerous languages in the office. A mobile number is available for emergencies. (automatically included for Smartaupairs candidates)
* Courtesy e-mails and telephone call within settling in period (included)
* Generous welcome pack with gift and ‘handy stuff’ (included)
* Basic ‘find a friend’ service to locate au pairs nearby (included)
* Access to further training courses such as First Aid certificate, sometimes paid for by families (payable)
* Regular e-mail updates with the latest hints & tips (too much to put in a welcome pack!) (included)
* Adelaide au pair familiarisation including: Adelaide airport collection and transport to host family (metro only). Three day familiarisation package – jet-leg recovery, training and induction program including help with Tax File application and opening of bank account; city tour (all this is already included for Smartaupairs candidates!!) (*)
TOP TRIP – this excursion is the most popular trip from Adelaide, ideal at the end of the program to start your travelling experience – you can save $130 by joining our Adelaide Au Pair Club today!
The Desert Patrol – normally $865 all inclusive (15% off with Au Pair Club)
ADELAIDE to ALICE SPRINGS 7 Days / 6 Nights
Departs Adelaide every Tuesday (also Friday October to May): Pickups from City 6:45am
DAY 1: We escape the city heading north to the Flinders Ranges and the jumping off point for our outback desert adventure. Passing through small country towns like Quorn and Hawker, the scenery gradually changes to the legendary landscapes of the oldest continent on earth. Tonight we stay at Angorichina, in the magnificent Parachilna Gorge.
DAY 2: Destination outback, with a day of driving the dirt ahead of us. From Marree, rich in its history of camel trains, along the Oodnadatta Track, we follow the Old Ghan Railway and its long abandoned railway settlements. This is remote territory, with red, stony plains stretching to the horizon. At William Creek (SA’s smallest town) we camp under the desert stars.
DAY 3: Taking an isolated track through the world’s largest cattle station (Anna Creek), we head for the opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy. We take an underground tour to learn about the history of Coober Pedy and its opal.Free time is then available to explore the charms of the town or look for opals on your own. Tonight we sleep like the locals, underground.
DAY 4: It’s a big day driving up the Stuart Highway with several pitstops en route. Our goal for the day is Uluru (Ayers Rock). We set up camp at Yulara (Ayers Rock resort), for nights four and five before watching the sunset over Uluru, taking time to absorb the beauty and majesty of this place.
DAY 5: A sunrise breakfast at Uluru, followed by a guided cultural walk around the base. Hear about Tjukurpa (creation/law) leading you to an understanding of the cultural landscape. Time will be available for those wishing to climb before visiting the Cultural Centre and then heading back to the camp for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
DAY 6: We spend the morning at Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), hiking the magnificent Valley of the Winds followed by lunch and an afternoon drive to Watarrka (Kings Canyon). Camping tonight at Kings Creek cattle station.
DAY 7: A morning at beautiful Watarrka, through the sandstone domes and down into the Garden of Eden. Cool off in the waterhole before returning to camp for a feed. Then it’s on to our final destination Alice Springs. Approximate arrival time 6.30pm.
See you soon :)