Reef Regeneration and Conservation Down Under

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12 or 15 days

Sydney, Townsville, Paluma, Magnetic Island, the Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, extension to Auckland

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.

Image displaying map describing the itinerary of the Reef Regeneration and Conservation Down Under tour

Day 1: Fly to Australia

Day 2: Cross the International Date Line

Day 3: Sydney

Meet your Tour Director at the airport

Take 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

Add 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

Day 12: Depart for home

Add 3 more days

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

Add 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.

Day 15: Depart for home