Overview
Our program brings you the best of both worlds: the consistency you rely on and the flexibility your group needs.
Immerse your students in authentic Polynesian and Māori culture on this immersive adventure through Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand. In Honolulu, students will tour Pearl Harbor and experience a traditional luau. In Sydney, your students will visit the famed Opera House, Harbour, and Bondi Beach. Finally, in Auckland, your class will experience the power of geothermal activity at the Te Puia Thermal Reserve and enjoy an authentic Māori Hangi feast.
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Honolulu, HI
Lei greeting at airport
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.
Day 2
Honolulu guided sightseeing tour
'Iolani Palace visit, Kawaiahao Church, King Kamehameha statue, City Hall, Mission Houses Museum, Punchbowl National Cemetery, Pearl Harbor visit
Luau evening
Get your ukuleles and grass skirts ready—it’s time for the quintessential Hawaiian experience. The luau, originally a celebratory feast for family and friends, got its name from the leaves of the taro plant, which are used to wrap food before it’s placed in a traditional underground oven. The highlight of the meal is the roasted pig cooked in this oven, but you’ll also see poi (pounded taro root), fish, shellfish, chicken, vegetables.… After all this food, you’ll wonder how anyone has the energy to hula.
Day 3
Fly to Sydney
Lose a day as you cross the International Date Line
Day 4
Arrive in Sydney
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.
Day 5
Sydney Tour Director-led sightseeing
Sydney Harbour Bridge walk, The Rocks, Royal Botanic Gardens
Sydney Opera House guided visit
Tour the world-famous Sydney Opera House. The unique design has made it an iconic performance space.
Day 6
Bondi Beach excursion
The Gap, Mrs Macquarie's Point, Explore Bondi Beach
Optional
Surf lesson on Bondi Beach (optional)
Good on ya, mate. It’s time to grab a board, catch a wave and hang ten. Well, after some first-class lessons and lots and lots of practice. Starting on the sand and then progressing to the sea, budding surfers will spend about an hour and a half learning the tricks of the trade from some of Bondi’s most colorful surfers and lifeguards. Surfboards and wetsuits are all part of the package, along with everything you need to get you surfing in style.
Fish and chips lunch
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.
Dinner on your own
Day 7
Optional
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 8
Fly to Auckland
Auckland Tour Director-led sightseeing
Experience Auckland through Tour Director–led sightseeing that highlights New Zealand’s diverse landscapes and bicultural foundations. Visit Mission Bay to see how the harbor shapes city life, then travel to Maungawhau (Mount Eden), once a major Māori settlement. From the summit, enjoy sweeping views of Auckland and the Waitematā Harbour while learning how geography and culture are closely connected.
Day 9
All Blacks Experience guided visit
The All Blacks Experience celebrates the All Blacks rugby team and other national teams and offers an interactive journey into the heart of New Zealand rugby, showcasing its rich history and cultural significance, including the famous haka.
Travel to Rotorua
Before you see Rotorua, you may smell it first: sulfur. It’s a fitting introduction to a city shaped by geothermal forces. Rotorua offers a striking look at volcanic activity, with steam rising across the city from several thermal areas. One of its geysers erupts multiple times each day, sending water high into the air.
Agrodome New Zealand farm visit
Rotorua's Agrodome, located in the heart of scenic farmland, offers a fun and educational world-famous show. Learn all about the various breeds of sheep of New Zealand. After the show, when in season, a visit to the Farmyard Nursery is not to be missed.
Māori hāngī feast
Experience Māori culture through a traditional hāngī feast, where food is cooked using natural geothermal steam. Vegetables and meats are wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked underground, offering insight into an age-old, community-centered cooking tradition.
Day 10
Rotorua Tour Director-led sightseeing
Discover Rotorua with Tour Director–led sightseeing focused on Māori culture and geothermal science. Explore the living village and thermal landscape of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, then visit Te Puia to see boiling mud pools, hot springs, and the powerful Pōhutu Geyser. Learn traditional carving and weaving at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute before ending the day with scenic views from the Skyline Gondola on Mount Ngongotahā.
Travel to Auckland
Day 11
Return home
TourFlex: Your Experience, Your Way
Explore Your Way
- Add experiences like theater tickets or unique excursions
- Swap activities for ones that better serve your group
- Extend the learning through go-aheads or stay-behinds
Go Your Way
- Choose the most accessible departure airport for your group
- Opt for 2-, 3-, or 4-star hotels that are centrally located or a convenient ride to major itinerary attractions
Dine Your Way
- Opt for pre-selected meals or encourage exploration by dining on your own
- Enjoy 2-3 course, culturally representative meals or opt for 3-course, authentic dinners at local restaurants
Already Included
WorldStrides Tour Director: A dynamic destination expert who makes learning come to life by leading your group's activities and discussions
Transportation to & from your destination
Hotel accommodations
Meals (unless otherwise noted on your itinerary)
Admissions to top attractions (details in itinerary)
Guided sightseeing tours & city walks (details in itinerary)
Tips for local guides and drivers
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
Scenes from Hawaii, 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.