Program Overview
Discover the best of Australia’s stunning landscapes and bustling urban centers on Travel For Teens’s Older Teens adventure in the Land Down Under. If you’re looking for an authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience in a teen tour, you’re sure to find it as you journey with Travel For Teens through lush rainforests, stunning coral reefs, and the rugged Australian Outback.
Start your journey in Australia’s capital city of Sydney, where you will explore the urban and cosmopolitan excitement of the world-class metropolis.
Then it’s off to the Gold Coast, where you will discover the city of Brisbane before reaching your island paradise where you will have the chance to feed wild dolphins, sand-board down giant dunes, snorkel through shipwrecks just off the shore and spend time relaxing on the gorgeous beaches.
Finally, you’ll reach Cairns, where you’re sure to snorkel with sea turtles in the Great Barrier Reef, and discover the incredible nature of the East Coast. Immerse yourself in the relaxed lifestyle of Australian culture on our classic Travel For Teens journey through Australia for Older Teens!
*This trip is part of our longer Australia & New Zealand for Older Teens program.
During this program, you will…
- Scuba dive* or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
- Go sand-boarding down giant sand dunes
- Discover waterfalls, swim in their pristine pools and slide down natural rock formations
- Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House and explore the neighborhoods of Surry Hills, Manly and Bondi
- Suit up and climb to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge for incredible harbor views*
- Hike through the rainforest and learn about this important ecosystem
*This is an optional add-on
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAY 2: CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
DAYS 3-5: SYDNEY
Our first stop in Australia will take us to Sydney, where you will explore the urban and cosmopolitan excitement of the capital city, with its splendid harbor and world-class metropolis. Visit the Botanical Gardens, discover the history of the famed Sydney Opera House, check out a movie on the world’s largest IMAX screen, stroll down Bondi and Manly Beach, enjoy the city’s fantastic shopping in Surry Hills, and explore Sydney’s world-famous fusion food scene. Relive childhood adventures at Luna Park, Sydney’s iconic theme park.
DAYS 6-8: BRISBANE > MORETON ISLAND
Hop on a quick flight and land in Brisbane. After exploring downtown, we’ll catch a high-speed ferry to the third-largest sand island in the world, Moreton Island. Choose how to spend your days — maybe feed wild dolphins, sand-board down giant dunes, or spend some time relaxing on the gorgeous beaches of the island.
DAYS 9-12: CAIRNS > KURANDA RAINFOREST > ATHERTON TABLELANDS
We round out our time in Australia in the “Far North Queensland”. After landing in Cairns, we will spend a full day in Kuranda, learning how to throw a boomerang, practice playing the didgeridoo, and we’ll enjoy a traditional Aussie BBQ lunch. You’ll also have the chance to get up close with koalas and kangaroos, and immerse yourself in a greenhouse full of butterflies! Then we’re off to spend a full day cruising the turquoise waters on the incredible Great Barrier Reef where we’ll have the the opportunity to snorkel or scuba dive* with sea turtles exquisite sea life. In-between the adventure activities, we’ll take the time to explore the bustling city of Cairns, including visiting the famous night markets where you can pick up a souvenir or two! During our time in Cairns we will give back through Reef Teach, learning how to assist with marine conservation, including a turtle rehab center.
DAY 13: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we stay?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Cairns we stay in the center of town a few blocks away from the Esplanade. On Moreton Island near Brisbane we stay in resort-style accommodation. In Sydney we stay in the heart of bustling Surry Hills, centrally located within walking distance of all the major attractions.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
In Cairns we stay in the center of town a few blocks away from the Esplanade. On Moreton Island near Brisbane we stay in resort-style accommodation. In Sydney we stay in the heart of bustling Surry Hills, centrally located within walking distance of all the major attractions.
What is unique about the Australia for Older Teens trip?
Swimming with sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, performing community service that makes a direct and positive impact on Australia’s indigenous wildlife, and gazing over Sydney from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to name just a few! Australia for Older Teens is chock full of unique experiences with something for everyone.
Swimming with sea turtles on the Great Barrier Reef, performing community service that makes a direct and positive impact on Australia’s indigenous wildlife, and gazing over Sydney from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to name just a few! Australia for Older Teens is chock full of unique experiences with something for everyone.
What is included on Australia for Older Teens?
Tuition cost include: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in the cost (not intended to be an exhaustive list): Airfare, visas and visa application fees, beverages other than filtered water at meals, lunches, activities and admissions not referenced in the itinerary or deemed not program related, such as movies, expenses incurred by the participant that are outside the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters, as well as personal and medical expenses.
Tuition cost include: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts and dinners.
Not included in the cost (not intended to be an exhaustive list): Airfare, visas and visa application fees, beverages other than filtered water at meals, lunches, activities and admissions not referenced in the itinerary or deemed not program related, such as movies, expenses incurred by the participant that are outside the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels, expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters, as well as personal and medical expenses.
What is the food like on this trip?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
Australia is very multicultural country with an incredible array of cuisines from around the world. With large migrant populations the food is as authentic and delicious as you would find in the original country. Greek, Italian, Thai, Indian, Chinese, the choice is yours! For the adventurous eaters there is also kangaroo, crocodile and emu to try.
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
Australia is very multicultural country with an incredible array of cuisines from around the world. With large migrant populations the food is as authentic and delicious as you would find in the original country. Greek, Italian, Thai, Indian, Chinese, the choice is yours! For the adventurous eaters there is also kangaroo, crocodile and emu to try.