14 days
Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Airlie Beach, Townsville, Cairns, Great Barrier Reef

In Sydney’s Rocks neighborhood, revisit that historic moment when European settlers first came ashore 200 years ago.

Up the scenic coast, learn about Australia’s amazingly diverse marine biology. Explore a sand island in Queensland and see the Great Barrier Reef. This is nature’s largest living organism, home to 400 kinds of coral and 1,500 species of fish.
  • Day 1: Fly to Australia

  • Day 2: Cross the International Date Line

  • Day 3: Sydney

    Meet your Tour Director at the airport

    Take a tour of Sydney

    Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood

  • Day 4: Sydney

    Visit the National Opal Collection

    Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay

    Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum

    Visit the Sydney Tower

  • Day 5: Sydney

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Sydney Harbor & Opera House

    Sydney Harbor & Opera House

    Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, 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 6: Sydney • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast

    Fly to Brisbane

    Travel to the Sunshine Coast
  • Day 7: Sunshine Coast • Queensland Island

    Travel by ferry to a Queensland sand island

    Enjoy a 4-wheel drive excursion through sand dunes and sunny beaches

    Enjoy a park ranger-led walking discovery tour

    Return to the mainland by ferry

  • Day 8: Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton

    Travel to Rockhampton
  • Day 9: Rockhampton • Airlie Beach

    Visit the Capricorn Caves

    Travel to Airlie Beach
  • Day 10: Airlie Beach

    Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Whitsunday Passage

  • Day 11: Airlie Beach • Townsville • Cairns

    Travel via Townsville to Cairns

    Take a tour of Townsville
  • Day 12: Cairns

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Kuranda

    Kuranda

    Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.

  • Day 13: Cairns

    Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Snorkeling with a marine biologist

    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 14: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this 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 tour of Sydney

    Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood

  • Day 4: Sydney

    Visit the National Opal Collection

    Take a boat ride across the harbor to Watsons Bay

    Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum

    Visit the Sydney Tower

  • Day 5: Sydney

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Sydney Harbor & Opera House

    Sydney Harbor & Opera House

    Explore the Sydney Harbor area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbor Bridge and its stunning pylon lookout offering 360-degree views. Then, take in the sea and sky—perhaps upside down—while enjoying rollercoasters and other rides at the iconic Luna Park. Lunch is included (just try not to lose it!). Finally, 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 6: Sydney • Brisbane • Sunshine Coast

    Fly to Brisbane

    Travel to the Sunshine Coast
  • Day 7: Sunshine Coast • Queensland Island

    Travel by ferry to a Queensland sand island

    Enjoy a 4-wheel drive excursion through sand dunes and sunny beaches

    Enjoy a park ranger-led walking discovery tour

    Return to the mainland by ferry

  • Day 8: Sunshine Coast • Rockhampton

    Travel to Rockhampton
  • Day 9: Rockhampton • Airlie Beach

    Visit the Capricorn Caves

    Travel to Airlie Beach
  • Day 10: Airlie Beach

    Enjoy a cruise through the beautiful Whitsunday Passage

  • Day 11: Airlie Beach • Townsville • Cairns

    Travel via Townsville to Cairns

    Take a tour of Townsville
  • Day 12: Cairns

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Kuranda

    Kuranda

    Take an excursion to the picturesque mountain town of Kuranda, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs, along with a guided walk through the rainforest, at the Pamagirri Rainforest Walkabout. Then head to the Skyrail gondola, which you’ll board to take a journey through a pristine rainforest that spans Red Peak and Barron Falls stations’ dramatic mountain lookouts.

  • Day 13: Cairns

    Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling

    Explore on your own or
    Add this in-depth excursion:
    Snorkeling with a marine biologist

    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 14: Depart for home

Interested in learning more about this tour?

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Your experience includes

  • Airfare & transportation

    Round-trip flights on major carriers; comfortable motorcoach; internal flight; ferry

  • Hotels

    11 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms

  • Regional-style meals

    Breakfast and dinner daily

  • Guided sightseeing

    2 sightseeing tours led by your Tour Director; 1 walking tour

  • Entrances

    Sydney Tower; ferry to Watsons Bay; Hyde Park Barracks Museum; “Introduction to Opal in Australia” experience; Sand Island excursion; Capricorn Caves; Whitsunday Island cruise; snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef

  • Experiential learning

    Marine biology talk

  • 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.

  • Expert Local Guides

    Your expert local guides are natural historians, adding cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.

  • Personalized Learning Support

    Our personalized learning experience engages students before, during and after tour, with the option to create a final, reflective project for academic credit.

  • Continuous Support

    Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travelers to planning and managing your tour.

  • Worldwide Presence

    EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we're there too.

  • 24-hour Emergency Service

    Travelers and their families can count on EF's dedicated emergency service team.

  • 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

Includes airfare, hotels, meals, full-time Tour Director, and more.
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      $5,649*
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      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.

      Price displayed includes an Early Enrollment Discount; restrictions apply. To determine if you qualify, please contact your Tour Consultant. Tours departing between 10/1/2023 and 9/30/2024 may be eligible for a $100 discount. Tours departing 10/1/2024 and beyond may be eligible for a $200 discount; restrictions apply.

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