SYDNEY, REEF & RAINFOREST - High School Summer Programs (800) 321-4353

This fantastic program combines an intriguing mix of must-see places in Australia. Take in the sights and sounds of Sydney, explore the underwater wonderland of The Great Barrier Reef, study Minke Whale populations, and experience an exciting array of high adventure activities throughout the tropical north. It’s all happening on Sydney, Reef and Rainforest in The Land DownUnder!

Sensational Sydney and Her Sights!
Cruising Sydney Harbor provides unforgettable views and fabulous backdrops for photos. Enjoy the beautiful northern beaches and the great shopping opportunities around the Rocks district where bargains and unique gifts can be found to take home. Finish the day off by taking in the city lights and captivating night skyline.

Minke Whale Research
From Sydney, head north to tropical Cairns. Your next six days are an adventure into an underwater wonderland. Spend time snorkeling and scuba diving on the many ribbon reefs that make up The Great Barrier Reef. Get up close and personal with amazing sea life aboard the Undersea Explorer, where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel with Dwarf Minke Whales. At any given time there may be as many as 20 whales in the water with you! On this expedition, assist with recording whale vocalizations, as well as photo and video identification. Onboard research also includes observing and monitoring interactions between whales and humans. The International Whale Commission has cited Undersea’s operations as a great case study for in-water whale tourism. You may also assist in other research that is being conducted on the boat, encompassing a variety of subjects such as reef ecology, sharks, nautilus populations, fluorescent corals, water quality, and coral spawning. In return for your time and help with the research on board the boat, receive a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) certificate stating that you have taken part in a Reef Discovery Course and earn up to 30 community service hours. You can also upgrade your diving certification to become a PADI Advanced SCUBA Diver (optional).

Australia’s Tropical North
Next, we head off on a variety of fun-filled day trips exploring the diverse Aussie landscape, including the Outback, rainforest, and coastline. Raft Australia’s raging Tully River, explore the rugged interior and have the option to sky-dive from 14,000 feet! Take in the sights of the Atherton Tablelands, ride the famous Kuranda Rail, and spend time with some of Australia’s native aboriginals. Throughout your time in Australia, meet people who will make you laugh, treat you like a long lost friend, and show you a way of life that seems as though it is out of a movie. Past students have regularly described this Australian journey as a truly life changing experience. Australia’s essence can challenge, amaze, and humble you. As with any trip of this nature, your group bonds together, functioning as a family and life long friends are made with staff and fellow travelers. Get set for a wonderful adventure through The Land DownUnder, including the Outback and some of the world’s most treasured reef systems, rainforests, and coastlines. We know this is an adventure you’ll never forget. For more information about this program, please contact Tanya Rinaldi at tanya@rusticpathways.com.

Day 1: Depart U.S.A
Students traveling to Australia depart LAX on our escorted group flight to Fiji and then connect from Fiji to Australia. Please note that some of our flights between South Pacific countries may not be escorted flights. The flight will take about 14 hours, plenty of time to get to know the rest of your group before arriving Down Under.

Day 2: In transit
Today is “lost” as you cross the international dateline, but don’t worry too much… you will get it back on your way home!

Day 3: Welcome to Australia
You set foot on the land Down Under today! Spend your first day in Australia’s most famous city-Sydney. Climb the Sky Tower in the heart of the city and take in the breathtaking 360-degree views from Sydney’s tallest building (optional).

Day 4: Sights of Sydney
Today we spend the day taking in the sights of Sydney Harbour, take a boat cruise and get some great photos from the water of the famous bridge and the Opera House. Enjoy lunch over looking Sydney’s beautiful northern beaches. There will also be plenty of time to shop for bargains in The Rocks District and enjoy some of Australia’s great cuisine.

Day 5: The Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef
This morning you will bid Sydney farewell and hop on an early morning flight to Cairns. From Cairns we will head north to the cosmopolitan town of Port Douglas. Here we will have time to enjoy the beaches and do some souvenir shopping. Then it’s time to hop on the Undersea Explorer boat our home for the next week. We steam out to sea and watch the sun set and the land disappear over the horizon.

Day 6 to 11: Dwarf Minke Whales and the Great Barrier Reef
The next six days you will be involved in the adventure of a lifetime. Start each day with a morning dive or snorkel on one of the many ribbon reefs that make up The Great Barrier Reef. Each dive site varies with something new and exciting to see on every dive. The marine biologists onboard will introduce you to the wonders of the most diverse eco-system on the planet.

Each day we search for populations of Dwarf Minke Whales and you can experience the ultimate in water whale encounter. You will have the opportunity to snorkel with the amazing Dwarf Minke Whales. During this trip Marine Biologists and Whale experts will be on board and you will assist them in their research. For your time and help with the research on board the boat you will receive a Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) certificate stating that you have taken part in a Reef Discovery Course and earn x community service hours. While on board you can also upgrade your diving certification to become an Advanced Diver (optional).

Day 12: The Adventure Continues
The high adrenaline starts this morning with the opportunity to Bungy Jump or experience the Minjin Jungle Swing. Jump of the 150 feet high Bungy Tower amongst World Heritage- listed rainforest or swing through the jungle on the Minjin, the choice is yours.(Optional) After lunch it’s off to Cairns Tropical Zoo where you can get up close and personal with Australian native wildlife. Cuddle a Koala, feed a kangaroo and experience a crocodile show like no other.

Day 13: Tame the Mighty Tully River
Today the action begins with Australia’s number one rafting adventure on the famous Tully River. This spectacular region of the country offers some wonderful rainforest scenery and plenty of exciting rapids to keep the adrenaline pumping.

Day 14: The Daintree National Park
First stop today is the famous World Heritage Daintree National Park. This is one of the oldest and most diverse rainforests in the world. Trek the rugged roads, push the limits with deep-water crossings and explore some of the highlights within this ancient rainforest. Drive the coastal road stopping at any of the numerous beaches on the way back to Cairns.

Day 15: Island Adventures
We cruise by boat to Dunk Island today. Dunk Island is a tropical paradise fringed with palm trees and surrounded by crystal blue water. Explore the pristine inland rainforest on foot, enjoy the many activities available including para-sailing, and ocean kayaking (optional) or just snorkel and soak up the sun on the white, sandy beaches.

Day 16: Optional Sky Diving
Today we head south to Mission Beach for a day of sun, surf and an exciting optional tandem skydive. Jump out of a plane from 14,000ft and enjoy a 60-second free fall overlooking The Great Barrier Reef, then glide on to the sand for a perfect landing. The biggest rush you can imagine!

Day 17: Returning home or continuing onto your next adventure
If you are returning home today, your flight will depart Cairns this morning. If you are continuing onto another Rustic Pathways adventure in Australia, or one of our other countries your Rustic Pathways staff will help you with your flight arrangements.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will stay at hotels in Sydney and Cairns and will spend five nights aboard the Undersea Explorer boat along the northern part of the Great Barrier Reef.

At hotels, students will typically stay in pairs or three to a room, with males and females in separate rooms. Guides will sleep in separate rooms in close proximity.

Students stay at sea on a research vessel while conducting their research on Minke Whales. On the boat students will sleep in cabins with more simple amenities, with toilets and showers at the back of the boat which are shared by all aboard.

2 - Will the students be drinking bottled water?
Water is safe to drink from the tap throughout the regions where students will be travelling. Bottled water is not provided, although it is widely available through-out the country should students wish to purchase it on their own.

3 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Food in Australia is quite similar to American cuisine. Students will eat at local restaurants with a variety of options, from pasta to sandwiches, pizza and other basics. On the boat, food is fully catered, with large buffets and a variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarians and other dietary restrictions can easily be accommodated.

4 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
Participants are generally 60% female and 40% male.

5 - How does this program connect to other programs?
This program connects easily with other programs in the South Pacific, as well as our other countries. Students end this program with a short flight from Cairns to Brisbane, where flights depart for New Zealand and Fiji. Brisbane is also the starting point for our other programs in Australia.

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
Students travelling on our group flights from Los Angeles will fly to Nadi, Fiji where they will have a short layover before continuing on to Sydney. A flight leader will accompany students on the group flight as far as Fiji. Students will stay in-transit in Fiji and continuing onto Sydney where they will be met with their program staff at the airport.

Flights within the South Pacific, from Fiji to Australia or New Zealand and the returns, do not have flight leaders. In-country staff will meet students at the airport on arrival.

7 - How long is the flight to this country?
From Los Angeles to Fiji is 10 hours by air. From Fiji to Sydney is approximately 4 hours.

8 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
Yes -- Our office makes arrangements for the processing of the required Electronic Travel Authority as part of the ticket issuing process. You should not need to make any additional arrangements for a visa if you are a US citizen, residents of other countries may need to take additional steps.

9 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
All Rustic Pathways students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot. We suggest Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid vaccinations and recommend that you consult a doctor regarding immunizations for travel to the region. You can find additional information on immunizations for travel from the US Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.

10 - What costs are not included on this trip?
Optional activities, snacks and souvenirs are not included in the program cost. Scuba diving while aboard the marine research vessel is included. Optional activities include sky diving and bungee jumping at students’ own expense.