12 or 15 days
Sydney, Townsville, Paluma, Magnetic Island, the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, extension to Auckland

Whether exploring Australia by land or at sea, you’ll soon realize life here is interconnected—and it all traces back to the Great Barrier Reef.

As the world’s largest living organism, the reef is the foundation of Australia’s coastal ecosystems. And Townsville, which will serve as your base of operations for this tour, is the world-renowned epicenter of scientific reef research and conservation. You’ll see the reef up close while also witnessing the abundant Australian biodiversity that relies on it. Take a koala hike, snorkel alongside the reef, and meet local Aborigines who have been guardians of these precious natural resources for millennia.
  • Day 1: Fly to Australia

  • Day 2: Cross the International Date Line

  • Day 3: Sydney

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay

    Visit the Sydney Tower

    Take a walking tour of Sydney

  • Day 4: Sydney

    Visit the Australian Museum

    Take a tour of Sydney

    Take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House

  • Day 5: Sydney

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Manly Beach Surfing Lesson

    Manly Beach Surfing Lesson

    After a short harbor ferry ride, learn how to catch a wave next to locals at the famous Manly Beach. An instructor will teach you surfing basics, and you’ll have time after your lesson to practice on your own. Those looking to stay on land can tour Manly Beach with a local guide. Wetsuit and picnic lunch included

  • Day 6: Sydney • Townsville • Paluma

    Fly to Townsville

    Take a walking tour of Townsville

    Participate in a workshop at the Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre

    Travel to the Hidden Valley Cabins resort in Paluma

  • Day 7: Paluma

    Learn about Hidden Valley Cabins' sustainability efforts during a Living off-the-grid discovery workshop

    Go for a hike in the Wet Tropics Rainforest

    With your guide, search for wild platypuses

  • Day 8: Paluma • Townsville

    Participate in a cultural exchange with the Nywaigi Aboriginal people at Mungalla Station

    With your group, you will:

    • Learn about the Nywaigi people's complicated history with European settlers
    • Interact with other students
    • Lend a hand with land management practices

    Travel to Townsville

  • Day 9: Townsville • Magnetic Island

    Take a ferry to Magnetic Island

    Take a hike to spot wild koala’s on Magnetic Island 

    Day in the life of a marine biologist opening workshop

  • Day 10: Townsville • Great Barrier Reef

    Take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef

    Learn about marine life firsthand on a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist

  • Day 11: Townsville • Brisbane

    Fly to Brisbane

  • Day 12: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

  • Day 12: Brisbane • Auckland

    Fly to Auckland

    Take a tour of Auckland
  • Day 13: Auckland • Waiheke Island

    Take a ferry to Waiheke Island

    Experience Waiheke Island to the fullest as you:

    • Plant a tree with expert ecologists to learn about, and contribute to, coastal restoration
    • Enjoy a ziplining experience through the island canopy
  • Day 14: Auckland

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Take a trip to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, one of New Zealand’s most diverse cave systems. Enjoy a guided boat ride through the glowworm grotto as you marvel at the thousands of glowworms that decorate this subterranean world. Then, get your blood pumping as you raft in tubes through underground rapids (Level 2) and float beneath a sky of glowworms.  

  • Day 15: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?
  • Day 1: Fly to Australia

  • Day 2: Cross the International Date Line

  • Day 3: Sydney

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay

    Visit the Sydney Tower

    Take a walking tour of Sydney

  • Day 4: Sydney

    Visit the Australian Museum

    Take a tour of Sydney

    Take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House

  • Day 5: Sydney

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Manly Beach Surfing Lesson

    Manly Beach Surfing Lesson

    After a short harbor ferry ride, learn how to catch a wave next to locals at the famous Manly Beach. An instructor will teach you surfing basics, and you’ll have time after your lesson to practice on your own. Those looking to stay on land can tour Manly Beach with a local guide. Wetsuit and picnic lunch included

  • Day 6: Sydney • Townsville • Paluma

    Fly to Townsville

    Take a walking tour of Townsville

    Participate in a workshop at the Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre

    Travel to the Hidden Valley Cabins resort in Paluma

  • Day 7: Paluma

    Learn about Hidden Valley Cabins' sustainability efforts during a Living off-the-grid discovery workshop

    Go for a hike in the Wet Tropics Rainforest

    With your guide, search for wild platypuses

  • Day 8: Paluma • Townsville

    Participate in a cultural exchange with the Nywaigi Aboriginal people at Mungalla Station

    With your group, you will:

    • Learn about the Nywaigi people's complicated history with European settlers
    • Interact with other students
    • Lend a hand with land management practices

    Travel to Townsville

  • Day 9: Townsville • Magnetic Island

    Take a ferry to Magnetic Island

    Take a hike to spot wild koala’s on Magnetic Island 

    Day in the life of a marine biologist opening workshop

  • Day 10: Townsville • Great Barrier Reef

    Take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef

    Learn about marine life firsthand on a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist

  • Day 11: Townsville • Brisbane

    Fly to Brisbane

  • Day 12: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

  • Day 12: Brisbane • Auckland

    Fly to Auckland

    Take a tour of Auckland
  • Day 13: Auckland • Waiheke Island

    Take a ferry to Waiheke Island

    Experience Waiheke Island to the fullest as you:

    • Plant a tree with expert ecologists to learn about, and contribute to, coastal restoration
    • Enjoy a ziplining experience through the island canopy
  • Day 14: Auckland

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Waitomo Glowworm Caves

    Take a trip to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, one of New Zealand’s most diverse cave systems. Enjoy a guided boat ride through the glowworm grotto as you marvel at the thousands of glowworms that decorate this subterranean world. Then, get your blood pumping as you raft in tubes through underground rapids (Level 2) and float beneath a sky of glowworms.  

  • Day 15: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?

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Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers

  • Hotels

    9 overnight stays in hotels (12 with extension)

  • Regional-style meals

    Breakfast and dinner daily; lunch on days 8 and 10 (and day 13 with extension)

  • Entrances

    Watsons Bay, Sydney Tower, Australian Museum, Sydney Opera House, Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre Workshop, “Living off-the-grid” discovery workshop, Wet Tropics Rainforest expedition, Mungalla Station Indigenous experience, koala hike, snorkeling with marine biologist, “Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist” workshop, Reef HQ Aquarium (with extension: tree planting activity, ziplining)

  • Full-time Tour Director

    Your dedicated Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides add cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • 24-hour emergency service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • Worldwide presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • Peace of Mind Program

    Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances. Learn more about your flexible options at eftours.com/peaceofmind.

Lowest price

Includes airfare, hotels, meals, full-time Tour Director, and more.
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      $5,749*
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      Price is valid for students under the age of 20 at the time of travel that room in triples and quads. Minimum participation is required. Change and cancellation fees of up to the total price will apply. Applicable airline baggage fees are not included and can be found at www.eftours.com/baggage. Program price is valid today only.

      Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.

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