Reef Regeneration and Conservation Down Under
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 foundation of Australia’s coastal ecosystems (and the world’s largest living organism) the reef supports an incredible array of marine life. 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 Aboriginals who have been guardians of these precious natural resources for millennia.
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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 boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay
Visit the Sydney Tower
Take a walking tour of Sydney
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Day 4: Sydney
Visit the Australian Museum
Take a tour of Sydney
Take a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House
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Day 5: Sydney
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
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.
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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
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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, spot wild platypuses
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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
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Day 9: Townsville • Magnetic Island
Take a ferry to Magnetic Island
Participate in a field-based survey of the Island's wild koala population
Participate in the “Day in the Life of a Marine Biologist” opening workshop
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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
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Day 11: Townsville • Brisbane
Stop for a photo with 360-degree views of Townesville and the Coral Sea
Enjoy free time at The Strand
Fly to Brisbane
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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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
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Day 14: Auckland
Explore on your own orAdd this in-depth excursion:
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.
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Day 15: 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 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 orAdd this in-depth excursion:
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, spot 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
Participate in a field-based survey of the Island's wild koala population
Participate in the “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
Stop for a photo with 360-degree views of Townesville and the Coral Sea
Enjoy free time at The Strand
Fly to Brisbane
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Day 12: Depart for home
Add 3 more days
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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 orAdd this in-depth excursion:
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.
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Day 15: Depart for home
Reviews
Refer a friend or colleague to EF and we’ll thank you with $1,000. Learn more
Your experience includes
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Airfare & transportation
Round-trip flights on major carriers
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Hotels
9 overnight stays in hotels (12 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily; lunch on days 8 and 10 (and day 13 with extension)
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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, Castle Hill lookout (with extension: tree planting activity, ziplining)
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Full-time Tour Director
Your dedicated 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 add 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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24-hour emergency service
Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.
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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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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
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.