Protect the ocean, explore the Great Barrier Reef and delve into the Aboriginal culture on this road trip along Australia's East Coast!

Calling all ocean lovers! Australia hosts breathtaking coastlines, tropical islands, and oceans that are home to a vast and colorful array of marine wildlife. During this gap year program, you will connect yourself to the land and the sea as you support a range of marine and environmental conservation projects, from protecting the marine and coral diversity of the Great Barrier Reef to preparing food for sick and injured turtles at a rescue center. If you are committed to making a positive change for our oceans and the planet so that future generations can continue to enjoy nature's beauty, this Australia Program is for you!

There will be plenty of ways to discover the rich biodiversity of Australia's oceans, waterways, and wetlands by heading out on exciting water adventures too. Peek into the magical underwater world by snorkeling in Byron Bay and Moreton Island, spot whales and dolphins on coastal walks, ride waves to your heart's content during a multi-day surf camp and take on the wilderness on a canoe expedition in the Noosa Everglades. At other times you will delve deeper into the Aboriginal culture that has been kept alive in this country for more than 50,000 years. Indigenous people across Sydney and Cairns will share stories and the meaning of the cultures and way of life for a truly immersive experience.

For Your Peace of Mind

Australia has reopened its borders to vaccinated tourists, meaning our Australia Students can feel confident that this program is going ahead.

 

  Pacific Discovery Top Rated Organisation Voted Best Gap Year Program

 

This Gap Year Program Is For You if You...

Want to road trip up the iconic East Coast with a group of friends

✓ Are interested in immersing yourself in a rich indigenous culture 

✓ Love water activities like surfing, canyoning, snorkeling, and kayaking

✓ Are enthusiastic about marine, wildlife and dune conservation

✓ Want to spot native Australian wildlife like koalas and kangaroos

 

Thoughts From a Former Pacific Discovery Student

  My Pacific Discovery trip was absolutely a life-changing experience. I not only had an excellent time and made 13 new best friends, but also gained perspective that changed the way I look at the world. Meeting people from local communities and learning about their way of life has inspired me to think differently about my own life and about those I meet. Coming home from this trip, I am more thoughtful, inquisitive, independent, and mature and will be much better prepared to handle what the future brings." 

- Emily Bosworth

 

Not sure where you want to go yet?

Our Program Quiz can help you find your perfect Program match! Or get the full Program run-down in our catalogue. This catalogue provides information about Pacific Discovery's values and program design, as well as program descriptions and testimonials!

Request Online Catalogue

  • Service-learning and Volunteer Projects
    • • Get hands-on with marine conservation in the world-famous Great Barrier Reef
    • • Volunteer project around bush regeneration and sand dune conservation on Australia’s East Coast
    • • Give a helping hand to a turtle rescue center that provides care for sick and injured marine turtles
  • Outdoor Adventures
    • • Snorkel with turtles and tropical fish in Byron Bay and Moreton Island
    • • Learn to ride waves during a multi-day surf camp on Australia's East Coast 
    • • Canyoning adventure in the Blue Mountains (swimming, jumping, and abseiling through waterfalls)
    • • Hike, swim, and spot some lazy koalas on Magnetic Island
    • • Three day two night adventure tour of K’gari Island (Fraser Island)
    • • Three days of surf school in Crescent Head
  • Cultural Immersion
    • • Learn about the local culture through working alongside local communities
    • • Enjoy a vibrant Aboriginal cultural performance
    • • Learn about the customs and ancient traditions that are kept alive in the rainforest of Kuranda
    • • Try your hand at boomerang throwing and observe traditional spear-throwing
  • Personal Development
    • • Become a global citizen with a global perspective on environmental issues
    • • Work confidently and collaboratively with others
    • • Apply innovative leadership that encourages and empowers others
    • • Transfer the applicable learning activities to benefit both school and personal life

**This is a guide to what you can expect to do on Program. The order in which the activities occur might vary**

Week 1. Sydney, Aboriginal Culture & Canyoning in the Blue Mountains

Welcome to Sydney, Australia! Bold, brash and beautiful, Sydney is arguably the world’s most vibrant city. On arrival, you will be met by your Pacific Discovery Program leader and transferred to our downtown accommodation near Sydney, where the first European settlement in Australia was established over 200 years ago. A comprehensive program briefing takes place where we get to know each other, before we explore Sydney’s famous harbor and beaches, the Opera House, and Australian Museum.

After a few days of orientation, we get a first look at Australia’s aboriginal culture with a cruise around the Sydney Harbour. Jump aboard a Mari Nawi, or big canoe, and listen to stories of the Cadigal, Guringai and Wallumedegal people of Sydney Harbor. We will learn the Aboriginal names and meanings of significant Sydney landmarks, step ashore on Be-lang-le-wool (Clark Island) to learn about life pre-colonization and traditional fishing methods, and even get to enjoy a traditional cultural performance!

Just two hours from Sydney but a world away, are the rugged sandstone cliffs of the Blue Mountains National Park. Based from the main township, Katoomba, we will get outdoors to discover for ourselves what makes ‘the Blueys’ so special. We explore the famous Three Sisters rock formations and spend a day canyoning - a unique adventure involving hiking, scrambling, and rappels through sculptured rock canyons.

Week 2. Surf Camp & Conservation Project

We journey north to an isolated section of the coast where we learn to surf from our surfing-guru instructors during a three-day surf camp. We will learn to laugh at ourselves as we no doubt tumble into the water and we’ll learn to trust ourselves as we slowly develop the skills and strengths needed to master this graceful art. Whether it is your first time on the water or you have a few days under your belt, the instructors will cater to everyone. Our evenings are spent relaxing at the campground and playing games, before a great sleep in preparation for another day’s worth of riding waves!

At the heart of surfing is a connection-to-nature philosophy. We get to experience this in a hands-on way by undertaking volunteer conservation work of bush regeneration and dune conservation in some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes on the East Coast of Australia. Our project aims to secure as much of the native plants and species that can be secured in the wild as possible for the next 100 years.

Week 3. Byron Bay & Australia Zoo

After some rewarding volunteer work, we head to Bryon Bay. On a sensational section of coastline, Byron Bay has been an alternative hang-out since the 1970s and is today, the quintessential surfing town. Tie-dyed hippies mix with bronzed surfers, artists and large numbers of local and international tourists, there to enjoy its beaches, boutiques and cafes. You will dive into the art scene by exploring the artisan markets, and appreciate all the beautiful beaches. While here, we also snorkel with a range of friendly sea creatures, go for a walk around Cape Byron to try and spot humpback whales, and rent surfboards for a day to put our new skills to the test.

From Byron Bay, we drive north into Queensland. We head into Queensland’s capital Brisbane and will spend some time exploring the South Banks Parkland and taking in all the history and culture that Brisbane has to offer.

On our way further up to the Sunshine Coast, we will spend a few hours exploring Australia Zoo to learn about the zoo’s wildlife and the conservation initiatives of its late founder Steve Irwin, a famous conservationist that is also known as the Crocodile Hunter.

Week 4. K'gari Island tour & Airlie Beach

We stay on the Sunshine Coast near another gorgeous beach and try to spot more whales and dolphins as we walk around the national park headland, and get all geared up and ready for our three day tour of K’gari Island. We will traverse the golden sand by 4WD, taking in the crystal clear waters. K'gari Fraser Island is home to an abundance of wildlife with over 350 different species of bird. It is an amazing place to observe dingoes and echidnas in the wild, along with all the marine life! During the day we will explore the nature and diversity of the island, snorkeling and paddle boarding, and venturing to the island hotspots with the experienced guides! In the evenings we will learn to throw a boomerang, eat marshmallows by the campfire, taking in the stars and sleeping in beach cabins.

After the Everglades expedition, we will drive up the coast, stopping off in Yeppon to explore Keppel Island before heading on to Airlie Beach. The charming township of Airlie Beach is the gateway to the Whitsundays and the iconic Great Barrier Reef, and will lure us in with its laid-back vibe and palm-fringed beaches.

Week 5. Magnetic Island

While in Airlie Beach we will head out to explore the world famous Whitsunday Islands by jet boat, stopping along the way to snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.

The adventure brings us to Magnetic Island next, where the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area meets the rain forests of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Over half the island consists of bird sanctuaries and a national park with a large koala population. We will stay on the island for a few nights, giving us plenty of time for hiking, swimming and koala spotting.

Week 6. Marine Conservation, Great Barrier Reef & Aboriginal Experience 

Our final stop in Australia is tropical Cairns. While we are here, we spend three days getting involved in marine conservation. We will learn all about coral, marine life and sustainability for our oceans, all while out on the outer Great Barrier Reef. A visit to the Great Barrier Reef isn’t complete without doing some underwater exploration ourselves of course. We are lucky to have a personal marine biologist guide us around the reef on an unforgettable snorkeling expedition! Be astounded at the diversity of this World Heritage area – spot sea turtles, myriad tropical fish and marine creatures.

We end the program by delving deeper into the Australian aboriginal culture. We will learn about the fascinating customs and ancient traditions that are kept alive in the rainforest of Kuranda, discover how the spear was used for hunting, try throwing a boomerang, and enjoy a traditional dance performance. We will spend our last few days enjoying the waterfront boardwalk and lagoon beach that Cairns has to offer, and it’s unfortunately time to start program wrap. We complete the program by reflecting on all we have experienced and learned. Remembering that we are stewards of the land and sea, and that we are entrusted by our ancestors to take care of what has been given to us.

 

*Each week there will be some designated free time so that you can catch up on email, laundry, rest, and explore independently with others in the group.
**Pacific Discovery reserves the right to alter and/or change the order of the itinerary, the focus of the projects or the activities themselves due to dates, availability, and safety precautions.

For full program details, please request the information booklet

What's included?

✓ All in-program travel and transportexcluding flights

✓ All accommodation

✓ All meals

✓ All expeditions, activities, excursions, volunteer projects and entry fees as described in the itinerary

✓ Experienced Program Instructors and local guides

✓ Informal lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism

✓ Experiential core curriculum that pushes students to reflect and ask questions of themselves

✓ Certificate of Program Completion

Activity Level

    

Medium Activity Level: Anyone with an average fitness level and an enthusiasm for the outdoors and new experiences will have a great time on this mini semester! You will need to be prepared for some physical work during the volunteer projects on the program.

Camping Level

  

Low Camping Level: You will only be camping for a couple of nights on this gap year program during the canoe expedition, but you will spend most of your time in comfortable hostels and lodges.

Volunteering Level

    

Medium Service Learning Level: You will be able to make a difference to the local community during your stay. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some hands-on learning about local issues.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Our accommodation will be a mix of camping (tents supplied) and comfortable, clean hostels and lodges. Laundry and Wi-Fi facilities will be available some days, except during the weeks in the field on volunteer projects and on expeditions. Accommodation is diverse, comfortable, and carefully chosen to fit our needs.

Meals are fresh, tasty, healthy, and varied. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the program cost. Any snacks are at an additional cost, which we recommend budgeting around $10 per day for.

Food preparation responsibilities are shared by all students. It’s fun, social, and often a highlight. An average day on the program would consist of the following:

  • Breakfast: cereals, porridge (oatmeal), toast, spreads, eggs, yogurt, fruit, tea, and coffee
  • Lunch: wraps, sandwiches, salads, dinner leftovers
  • Dinner: BBQ meat, vegetables and salads, potato salad, pasta, chili, wraps, fish and chips, burgers

Camping meals will be adjusted to the cooking equipment at hand

To make things easy for you, we partner with a full service travel agency that can arrange flights, appropriate travel insurance and post program arrangements for our students.

They have access to a "Cancel For Any Reason" or CFAR travel insurance for US citizens in participating states. This optional travel insurance product allows travelers to cancel for any reason whatsoever up to two days prior to departure and still receive a significant refund. This allows you to keep planning for the future while avoiding the stress and the financial worry of canceling a program if you need to.

Our program locations and itineraries have been carefully selected and modified to minimize risk of exposure to anyone outside the group with most being located in rural areas. This allows for a more focused learning environment, as well as a safe haven from the stress of our modern world.

We've been working hard and watching closely to any CDC recommendations about group sizes and testing requirements to come up with options that will allow you to have a safe, healthy, and stress-free Gap Year experience. We do the hard work so you can come and enjoy the fresh air, adventures, and new friends!

We have been running successful international gap year programs in Spring, Summer and Fall 2021. The students shared their experiences in testimonials and wrote their stories down in blog posts - feel free to have a look. 

Check out the information on our COVID-19 page to find out more about our Covid-19 policies, procedures and updates.

We have answered the most frequently asked questions in the FAQ SectionIf you still have any other questions, feel free to schedule a call with our admissions team for more information.

Fall Dates 10 Oct - 20 Nov, 2024
Spring Dates 6 Mar - 16 Apr, 2025
Duration 42 days
Program Tuition $10,875 USD Estimated Flight Cost $2,500 USD
Availability Open
Group Size 12 Students & 2 Instructors Ages 17 - 22 Ideal Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement Vaccination Strongly Recommended
Optional College Credit Yes Start/Finish Start in Sydney, Australia
Finish in Cairns, Australia