Journey Down Under
From afar, New Zealand and Australia may appear similar, both Pacific nations shaped by a shared history of British colonization.
But up close, each country reveals its own rich, distinct culture—from Māori traditions in Rotorua to Aboriginal roots along the Great Barrier Reef.
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Fly to New Zealand
Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Tour Director at the airport
Travel to Rotorua
Visit the Whaka geothermal area
Visit the Whaka Maori Village
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Day 4: Rotorua
Ride the Skyline Gondola
Participate in an “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience
Take a Rotorua Duck Tour
Enjoy an authentic Hangi Feast
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Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Visit the Agrodome
Travel to Auckland
Take a tour of Auckland
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Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Travel to the Auckland airport
Fly to Sydney
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Day 7: Sydney
Visit Sydney Tower
Take a tour of Sydney
Enjoy a harbor cruise
Visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Take a walking tour of The Rocks
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Day 8: Sydney
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Featherdale Wildlife Park and Opera House
Get up-close and personal with Australia’s most iconic animals on a visit to the Featherdale Wildlife Park. There, students will get a comprehensive lesson in the Learning Burrow—an outdoor amphitheater designed to complement most high school curriculums. The local education officers give live lessons with four of the endemic Australian animals, and walk students through their habitat, behaviors and nutritional needs. 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 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to Cairns
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Day 10: Cairns
Take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling 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 11: Cairns
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Continue on to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing at Tjapukai Cultural Center. A short walk from Tjapukai is the Skyrail train, 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 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 12: Cairns • Honolulu
Enjoy free time in Cairns
Fly to Honolulu
Cross the International Date Line
Receive a lei greeting
Take a tour of Honolulu
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
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Day 13: Honolulu
Make a photo stop at the Dole Plantation
Visit the Waimea Valley
- Botanical Gardens
- Waterfall
Enjoy a free evening or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Luau Evening
Join your friends for a traditional Hawaiian feast under the stars and swaying palm trees. Be amazed by an unforgettable display of the Polynesian art form of hula, as dancers in grass skirts and flowing gowns perform in perfect time to the beat of the drum. A luau feast usually features chicken, fish, pork, and a variety of fresh island fruits and vegetables, so be sure to bring your appetite.
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Day 14: Dinner • Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Fly to New Zealand
Cross the International Date Line
-
Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Tour Director at the airport
Travel to Rotorua
Visit the Whaka geothermal area
Visit the Whaka Maori Village
-
Day 4: Rotorua
Ride the Skyline Gondola
Participate in an “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience
Take a Rotorua Duck Tour
Enjoy an authentic Hangi Feast
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Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Visit the Agrodome
Travel to Auckland
Take a tour of Auckland
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Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Travel to the Auckland airport
Fly to Sydney
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Day 7: Sydney
Visit Sydney Tower
Take a tour of Sydney
Enjoy a harbor cruise
Visit Wild Life Sydney Zoo
Take a walking tour of The Rocks
-
Day 8: Sydney
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Featherdale Wildlife Park and Opera House
Get up-close and personal with Australia’s most iconic animals on a visit to the Featherdale Wildlife Park. There, students will get a comprehensive lesson in the Learning Burrow—an outdoor amphitheater designed to complement most high school curriculums. The local education officers give live lessons with four of the endemic Australian animals, and walk students through their habitat, behaviors and nutritional needs. 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 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to Cairns
-
Day 10: Cairns
Take an excursion to the Great Barrier Reef
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Snorkeling 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.
-
Day 11: Cairns
Time to explore on your own or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Kuranda
Continue on to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing at Tjapukai Cultural Center. A short walk from Tjapukai is the Skyrail train, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.
-
Day 12: Depart for home
Add 2 more days
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Day 12: Cairns • Honolulu
Enjoy free time in Cairns
Fly to Honolulu
Cross the International Date Line
Receive a lei greeting
Take a tour of Honolulu
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
-
Day 13: Honolulu
Make a photo stop at the Dole Plantation
Visit the Waimea Valley
- Botanical Gardens
- Waterfall
Enjoy a free evening or
Add this in-depth excursion:
Luau Evening
Join your friends for a traditional Hawaiian feast under the stars and swaying palm trees. Be amazed by an unforgettable display of the Polynesian art form of hula, as dancers in grass skirts and flowing gowns perform in perfect time to the beat of the drum. A luau feast usually features chicken, fish, pork, and a variety of fresh island fruits and vegetables, so be sure to bring your appetite.
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Day 14: Dinner • 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; comfortable motorcoach; 2 internal flights; ferry
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Hotels
9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms (11 with extension)
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Regional-style meals
Breakfast and dinner daily.
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Guided sightseeing
3 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director (4 with extension); 1 walking tour
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Entrances
Rotorua geothermal area; Māori village; Skyline gondola; “Introduction to Jade in New Zealand” experience; Rotorua duck tour; Agrodome; Great Barrier Reef; Sydney Tower; “Introduction to Opal in Australia” experience; harbor cruise; Hyde Park Barracks Museum (with extension: lei greeting; USS Arizona Memorial; Waimea Valley)
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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.
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.
