Sydney to the Great Barrier Reef
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Group Leader: Mary Ainsworth
Requested Return Date: 6/16/2025
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
In Sydney’s Rocks neighborhood, revisit that historic moment when European settlers first came ashore 200 years ago.
Up the scenic coast, learn about Australia’s amazingly diverse marine biology. Explore a sand island in Queensland and see the Great Barrier Reef. This is nature’s largest living organism, home to 400 kinds of coral and 1,500 species of fish.-
Day 1: Fly to Australia
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Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Sydney
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a tour of Sydney
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
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Day 4: Sydney
Visit the National Opal Collection
Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
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Day 5: Sydney
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursionSydney Harbor & Opera House
Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind the scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage.
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Day 6: Sydney • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast
Fly to BrisbaneTravel to the Sunshine Coast -
Day 7: Sunshine Coast • Queensland Island
Travel by ferry to a Queensland sand island
Enjoy a 4-wheel drive excursion through sand dunes and sunny beaches
Enjoy a park ranger-led walking discovery tour
Return to the mainland by ferry
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Day 8: Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton
Travel to Rockhampton -
Day 9: Rockhampton • Airlie Beach
Visit the Capricorn Caves
Travel to Airlie Beach -
Day 10: Airlie Beach
Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Whitsunday Passage
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Day 11: Airlie Beach • Townsville • Cairns
Travel via Townsville to CairnsTake a tour of Townsville -
Day 12: Cairns
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursionKuranda
Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
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Day 13: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursionSnorkeling with a marine biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
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Day 14: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly to Australia
-
Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
-
Day 3: Sydney
Meet your Tour Director at the airportTake a tour of Sydney
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
-
Day 4: Sydney
Visit the National Opal Collection
Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
-
Day 5: Sydney
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursionSydney Harbor & Opera House
Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, take a tour of the world-famous Opera House where you’ll go behind the scenes and see what it takes to get a live production on stage.
-
Day 6: Sydney • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast
Fly to BrisbaneTravel to the Sunshine Coast -
Day 7: Sunshine Coast • Queensland Island
Travel by ferry to a Queensland sand island
Enjoy a 4-wheel drive excursion through sand dunes and sunny beaches
Enjoy a park ranger-led walking discovery tour
Return to the mainland by ferry
-
Day 8: Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton
Travel to Rockhampton -
Day 9: Rockhampton • Airlie Beach
Visit the Capricorn Caves
Travel to Airlie Beach -
Day 10: Airlie Beach
Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Whitsunday Passage
-
Day 11: Airlie Beach • Townsville • Cairns
Travel via Townsville to CairnsTake a tour of Townsville -
Day 12: Cairns
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursionKuranda
Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
-
Day 13: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursionSnorkeling with a marine biologist
Enhance your time in the world’s largest reef system by opting for a snorkeling adventure with a marine biologist. Learn about the sights and sounds of the Great Barrier Reef from an expert who can teach you more about the animal and plant life you spot in this interactive, aquatic classroom.
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Day 14: Depart for home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans, scholarship opportunities, safety protocols, and more.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
¿Quiere leer la Guía para Padres en español?
What’s important to you is important to us
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Flexibility & coverage
Policies like Peace of
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Health standards
We’re actively helping to innovate on new global standards for cleanliness & safety.
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See your tour come to life
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; internal flight; ferry
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Hotels
11 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily
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Guided sightseeing
2 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director; 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Sydney Tower; ferry to Watsons Bay; Hyde Park Barracks Museum; “Introduction to Opal in Australia” experience; Sand Island excursion; Capricorn Caves; Whitsunday Island cruise; snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
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Experiential learning
Marine biology talk
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Full-time Tour Director
Your culturally connected Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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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.