We begin our Aussie adventure in Sydney, the bustling capital of New South Wales. After checking into our brand-new hostel with incredible views of Sydney's world-famous Opera House and Sydney Cove, we explore our surroundings in the heart of "The Rocks" district, the historic neighborhood where the city was born. After discovering the city's waterfront icons via cruise, we head over to Manly Beach, an Australian icon renowned for its surf. Local professional guides break us into groups and kickstart our evolution from "Shark Biscuits" (beginners) to "Surfies" (real Australian pros)!
Traveling North to Cairns, we check into our award-winning hostel in the center of the city's restaurant and shopping district, just a few blocks away from the waterfront. After swimming at an amazing oceanside park called "The Esplanade," we head north into Great Dividing Range for a day of cultural exchange with native Aboriginals. Our host family, whose people have inhabited the lands for years, give us hands-on instruction in crafting our very own didgeridoos!
Ancient volcanic craters have formed the area north of Cairns into a natural wonderland, and we explore the incredible formations of Crater Lakes National Park before visiting a set of idyllic waterfalls and swimming holes in Wooroonooran National Park. This experience is not to be missed! Next, we interact with some of Australia's famed wildlife -- koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles and countless exotic birds -- while led by a local guide at the famed Cape Tribulation, the spot where Captain Cook ran aground. A zipline through the lush canopy of jungle shrouding the Daintree River caps of our visit to the legendary Cape Tribulation area.
After a rewarding day of service planting trees with a grassroots non-profit based out of Cairns, we trade shovels for diving tanks and hop in the water for a multi-day diving course. Once armed with some practice and our certifications, we explore the undersea world of the outer Great Barrier Reef -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site and easily one of the world's top natural wonders. The Great Barrier Reef attracts divers from all over the world, and we spend the next three days exploring the coral walls, mysterious swim-throughs and exotic fish that populate the waters, all while enjoying the luxuries of a live-aboard boat. Our journey concludes with a day of epic whitewater rafting on the raging Tully River, which is revered by rafting enthusiasts for its stunning course through national parklands, thrilling Class III-IV rapids, and exceptional year-round flows. Tully Gorge National Park marks the starting point for our ultimate adventure of the trip: rapids like The Staircase, Corkscrew and Alarm Clock leave us with a lasting dose of adrenaline before we return to Cairns for a final group dinner to celebrate a summer of epic discovery and amazing friendships
• Open Water PADI SCUBA Diving the Great Barrier Reef
• Whitewater Rafting the Tully River
• Surfing at World-Famous Manly Beach
• Hand-Crafting your own Didgeridoo with Native Aboriginals
• Waterfall Trekking in Wooroonooran National Park
• Exploring Daintree Rainforest & Zip-Lining through the Jungle Canopy
• Urban Exploration in Sydney & Cairns
• Community Service Projects in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef: 12 Hours
