Overview
Explore the Great Barrier Reef and beyond with your students. Arrive in Cairns, Australia, meet your Tour Director, and begin exploring. A marine biologist guides you through the amazing underwater world of these exotic reefs. Visit ancient rainforests and its nocturnal critters. Fly to Sydney and experience world-class culture with a ferry across Sydney Harbour.
Itinerary
Day 1
Start tour
Day 2
Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line
Day 3
Arrive in Cairns
Meet your Tour Director
Your 24-hour Tour Director will meet you at the airport and remain with your group until your final airport departure.
Cairns Tour Director-led sightseeing
Esplanade, Wharf Street, Cairns night market
Crystal Cascades Waterfall visit
Picture this... A series of small waterfalls flowing into large pools surrounded by large impressive granite boulders. The rainforest trees hang over the mountain water, keeping it cool and refreshing. Crystal Cascades is a secluded freshwater swimming hole, hidden in the middle of a tropical rainforest. It's no wonder locals wish they could keep this North Queensland secret to themselves.
Day 4
Great Barrier Reef full-day excursion
No trip to Cairns is complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the world's top natural wonders. Transfer from Cairns towards Moore Reef where the underwater universe awaits. Upon arrival at the reef, take part in a guided snorkel safari and participate in the Eye on the Reef program with a marine biologist to monitor the health of the reef. See firsthand the incredible array of life and colors that exist just below the surface with a semi-submersible coral reef viewing tour.
Lunch on board the Great Barrier Reef cruise
Day 5
Rainforestation Park full-day excursion
Rainforestation Nature Park visit, BBQ lunch, Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, LEAP Out & Back
Beach time
Day 6
Daintree National Park full-day excursion
Crocodile & wildlife cruise on Daintree River, Daintree Discovery Centre guided visit, Packed Lunch, Daintree Organic Orchard visit, Mossman Gorge guided nature walk, Explore Palm Cove
Day 7
Fly to Sydney
Bondi Beach excursion
The Gap, Mrs Macquarie's Point, Explore Bondi Beach
Day 8
Sydney Tour Director-led sightseeing
Sydney Harbour Bridge walk, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens
Opera House visit
Ferry ride across the Sydney Harbour
Hop aboard the Manly Ferry, one of Sydney’s most iconic experiences. Departing regularly to and from Manly to Circular Quay, the ferry cruises past the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House before passing Kirribilli House the official residence of the Prime Minister.
Explore Manly
Get to know the vibrant Manly, known for its stunning beaches, outdoor cafés, and cool restaurants. The streets are lined with surf and beach-ware shops and little boutique stores. Get active with a scenic coastal walk or go for a swim, hire a bike or walk to Fairy Bower Beach, where the little penguins reside.
Day 9
Blue Mountains and wildlife sanctuary excursion (optional)
Spend a day at the scenic Blue Mountain National Park - the traditional homelands of six groups of indigenous people – Darug, Gundungurra, Wiradjuri, Wanaruah, Darkinjung and Tharawal. Travel through rainforests and encounter new plants and wildlife. Observe the amazing sandstone rock formation known as the Three Sisters. The Blue Mountains offer a variety of lookout points for you to take in the views.
Day 10
Return home OR Extend your stay
Board your flight home or choose to extend your trip with a four-day visit to New Zealand. Explore Christchurch’s Cathedral, Canterbury Arts Centre, and botanical gardens, then enjoy a Maori Cultural Evening. Travel to Kaikoura for a whale-watching adventure, ride the TranzAlpine Rail into the Southern Alps, stroll through Arthur’s Pass National Park, and visit Dean’s Farm. This extension offers a perfect mix of cultural experiences and stunning natural landscapes.
Already Included
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
WorldAssist staff members available 24/7/365 should your group need extra help
Free high school credit for students who choose to complete WorldStrides free online coursework post-program
Professional development credits (CEUs) for educators
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
Scenes from Australia & New Zealand
Health & Safety
Additional health and safety measures may be available within your respective destination. Refer to your program-specific materials for complete details.
Financial Assistance
Financial Assistance
WorldStrides provides over $2.5 million in financial assistance each year to thousands of families. Families with annual adjusted gross incomes of less than $85,000 may qualify. One simple call to Customer Service and you’ll know how much may be available for your trip even before signing up. Please note: financial assistance is given on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Advantage Payment Plan
At program sign-up you can opt to pay in full, or break up the cost of your trip with the Advantage Payment Plan. This plan allows you to pay a small initial deposit, then have your remaining payments spread out into affordable monthly amounts.
EZPay
We offer an EZPay option, which is a simple way to pay for your WorldStrides program by scheduling hassle-free, automatic drafts from your checking account. With EZPay, you'll never be late or miss an installment.
Fundraising Tools
Our easy-to-use tools put students in the driver's seat of their own fundraising efforts. Students can send e-cards, share links on social media, and even send out printed letters through WorldStrides' Gift of Education program. In one click friends and family members can make a direct donation to the trip - with 100% of the money raised going to offset their trip price. Thousands of students pay for their entire trip each year through the Gift of Education.
Also, WorldStrides makes program-specific scholarships available as well as other scholarship resources. Ask your Account Manager for more information about scholarships and fundraising tools.