A group of young men lock arms and smile in front of the Sydney Opera House and a blue sky above. — Foundation House at the Sydney Opera House

Australia

Our 2024 International Expedition to Australia (our sixth continent) was built to rediscover enthusiasm for life in a setting that promises adventure, education, and the joy of recovery in one of the Earth’s most extraordinary places.

Following our transformative 2022 expedition to Chile, where we explored the melting northern Patagonia ice sheets and the stark impacts of climate change, we were set to embark on a next adventure to explore the impact taking place beneath the ocean’s surface. These unique expeditions continue to focus on the environmental destruction of our planet, drawing parallels to the internal and external journeys of our clients’ experience in addiction and recovery. This exploration emphasizes the necessity of proactive engagement and responsibility, both environmentally and personally.

An orange construction helmet, and leather glove mist on a rocky ground, with lush green backdrop. — Abseiling in the Blue Mountains

A man wearing a black scuba suit smiles while laying on a paddle board in the sand. — Surfing lessons at Bondi Beach

A scuba diver faces the camera with blue ocean, and bubbles rising while giving the thumbs up. — Scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef

A young man with a black backpack on sits on a rocky cliff in front of a mountainous backdrop. — Young men’s recovery—Australia-style

A group of young men line up in front of a silver van with large yellow bags of gear before their trip. — On the road to sober living

A Journey of Recovery and Discovery

Embarking from on March 22nd, our journey took us from the iconic Sydney Harbour to the mystical Blue Mountains and the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. Our journey, and our activities, were designed to challenge and inspire, from surfing at Bondi Beach to canyoning and abseiling in the rugged terrains of the Blue Mountains, culminating in a profound scuba diving experience. This expedition was no vacation, it was a pivotal part of our therapeutic process here at Foundation House, aimed at broadening horizons, fostering community, and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable recovery and environmental health.

A group of people with yellow climbing helmets sit along a cliff edge high above the tree line. — New heights in the Blue Mountains

A man tied to a rope climbs up a sheer cliff with bright blue sky above. — Abseiling in the Blue Mountains

A couple of young men in the jungle look at the camera with focused expressions while wielding wooden boomerangs. — Honoring tradition in the Daintree Rainforest

A group of young men line up on a rugby pitch under the golden sunset. — Rugby lessons in Sydney

A young man pauses along a dirt trail in the desert while on a run, yellow sky above. — The Outback—Broken Hill, Australia

The Outback

After 30 plus hours of travel, we landed in the tiny airport in Broken Hill. Located in New South Whales, Broken Hill historically was used a major hub for all mining operations in the Outback of NSW. Now, Broken Hill serves as a tourist destination for those looking to visit a more authentic and whacky Outback town. Within an hour of touching down, we entered the Mad Max Museum. Oddly enough, Broken Hill has served as a primary location for 3 of the Mad Max movies and the locals are quite passionate about this connection. The following day, we drove far into the Outback and learned about Aboriginal culture and the way of life for inhabitants in this corner of the globe. The day was capped off with a visit to the local footy team in Broken Hill. Otherwise known as Australian Rules Football, this a game that’s a mix between soccer, rugby, and football. After practicing with the local team for a couple hours and introducing them to American football, we went back to the hotel in preparation for our departure to Sydney.

“In leaving behind the noise and commotion of my familiar surroundings, I discovered the clarity and focus to nurture my own growth and forge genuine connections with those around me.”
— Ry (alumnus)

Two camels face the camera, against a brown desert floor and bright blue sky. — Recovery support from two camels

A couple of men sit on top of large brown camels while wearing helmets in front of a bright blue background. — Outback group camel ride

Looking down from an airplane, high in the sky of the arid, brown Australian desert. — Landing in the Outback

An orange sunsets along the horizon line with dark shapes of men in the foreground stand to watch. — Group therapy with an Australian sunset

Sydney

Our first stop in Sydney was a visit to climb the iconic Sydney Bridge. Ascending the bridge suspension during twilight hours, the Sydney opera house, skyline, and the distant Blue Mountains glowed prominently. The following morning, the group was up early for a surf lesson at Bondi Beach. In the afternoon, we toured the Sydney Opera House and learned the arduous history of this buildings production. After attending a local AA meeting and building new relationships in recovery, the group returned to the outdoor Handi Theater for a rendition of West Side Story. Our last day in Sydney found us combing through the Blue Mountains, learning about modern environmental protection techniques and abseiling down hundreds of feet of granite.

A group of people ready to jump off a bridge for bungee jumps in the sunset behind. — Another recovery milestone, check

A yellow rugby ball in the foreground with blurry figures running towards it in the background. — “Cultural immersion”

A group of men wearing wet suits sit in a circle on the sandy beach ground against a cloudy and blue sky. — Morning surf lessons, Bondi Beach

A group of surfers enter the rough water against a blue and cloudy sky. — Foundation House in the lineup

A finger points to an island on a blue ocean map with depth numbers all over. — The Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Australia

Cairns & The Great Barrier Reef

Our last leg of the trip, found us in Northeast Queensland. The town of Cairns serves as a popular launching point for divers looking to explore the Great Barrier Reef. After a night of relaxation and preparation, the group boarded the Oceanquest for a 3 day, 2 night scuba diving expedition. Heading out to Norman and Cay Reefs, many members of the group received their full Open Water Diver scuba certifications, while others received their Advanced Open Water Certifications. Group members were opened up to a whole new aquatic world. As the trip continued, group members were taught about the restoration efforts made by local researchers to improve the health of the many reefs. The success of these efforts was easily identified by our group during dives. The highlight of the trip for many came during a nighttime dive of Normal Reef. Seeing an abundance of white tip sharks, stingrays, and other predators, this was many of group members first dive as fully certified divers.

Our 4th day in Cairns found us boarding another day charter to get a few last dives in at Coral Gardens and Flynn reefs. On our final day in Cairns, we explored the world’s oldest rainforest, Daintree in Cape Tribulation. Almost 10 million years older than the Amazon, Daintree has survived to see dinosaurs, ice ages, dramatic shifts in climate, and early human ancestors. The Daintree Rainforest served as another educational experience for our group both learning about the importance of environmental protection and the positive influence of aboriginal culture on the region.

Scuba divers swim under royal blue water near prickly coral reefs below. — Chasing coral

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef: A Call to Action

Our expedition under water focused on the Great Barrier Reef, showcasing firsthand the severe bleaching events that threaten this vibrant ecosystem. This journey included educational dives, closely aligned with the insights from the documentary Chasing Coral, which highlights the urgent need for environmental stewardship. On each dive, our clients investigated the underwater impacts of climate change, experiencing the reef’s beauty and its plight, thereby understanding the broader implications of global environmental responsibility.

A scuba diver under water looks at the camera with yellow goggles on and blue bubbles all around. — This is the feeling we came for

Two orange clown fish swim amongst the yellow green tentacles of a sea anemone under water. — We even found Nemo

A man in a full scuba suit and tank on his back, looks up and smiles at the camera while standing on a grate above the blue ocean. — The scuba trip of a lifetime

A group of men line up in bathing suits against a watery sunny backdrop. — A truly supportive environment

Take Action with Us

These expeditions are more than just trips; they are a call to action. We invite you to engage with us in climate change activism and support the missions of the organizations we partner with to make a tangible impact.

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