Traveling to Australia with students is unlike most foreign trips abroad. Student tours usually target Europe, yet exotic destinations have become more popular over the last two decades. An Australia tour offers eco-tourism, adventure, and unique experiences in a relatively young nation very conscious of its natural treasures.
Preparing Travelers for the Experience in Eastern Australia
Because South Pacific trips tend to be longer, they are also more expensive. In most cases, tour itineraries only include breakfast. Thus, beyond the basic tour cost, student travelers need to factor in additional meal costs, costs for optional excursions such as a day visiting the Rain Forest or a side-trip to Cape Tribulation north of Cairns, and costs relating to non-included activities like the Sydney Bridge Climb.
Visiting Australia requires the purchase of a visa that can be processed on-line. Additionally, travelers should be prepared for a 12-14 hour flight from Los Angeles or San Francisco to the Australian east coast cities. Timing is also an important factor: the best time of year to visit Australia is during our summer (their winter). Cities like Sydney seldom if ever see snow or very cold temperatures and as the tour moves north into Queensland, expect tropical climates.
Student Friendly Water Activities Includes Surfing at Surfer's Paradise
Australian beaches are renowned for surfing. Most of the popular surfing areas like Bondi Beach in Sydney or Surfer’s Paradise north of Brisbane have surfer schools that teach rudimentary surfing techniques to students while maintaining a strict policy of safety. For a nominal fee, instructors will teach the basics and accompany small groups into the waves.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are also popular activities in the tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. Some companies, like Quicksilver in Cairns, will offer scuba training and basic licensing to first timers for costs that range from $95-150.00. Snorkeling the reef is included in the basic package. Many tour itineraries include excursions to the Reef although there are other options that must be paid separately.
Exploring the Tropical Rain Forest in Northern Queensland
The best place to explore the Australian rain forest completely is in the Cairns region. A side trip of one or two days to Cape Tribulation north of Cairns offers numerous opportunities. Resorts at Cape Tribulation run from the very rustic to the full-service that include most amenities. Due to the remoteness of Cape Tribulation, travelers should not expect television in their rooms and cell phones tend not to work.
A rain forest experience should include a visit to a crocodile farm or participation in one of the many “croc spotting” cruises down the Daintree River. The prevalence of these creatures is evident throughout the region. Public signs near waterways warn people about the crocs and travelers are advised to avoid the estuaries along the beach that are home to the dangerous predators.
Cape Tribulation offers escorted walking tours on elevated board walks through the pristine rainforest. The guides for these tours are professionals, often university students or naturalists.
Other Adventure Experiences for Student Travelers Vising Australia
For an “Outback” experience, tailoring the itinerary to spend two days at a typical farm or ranch can be exciting. Kroombit Park and Cattle Station in Biloela central Queensland is one of the best run establishments catering to students.
In Sydney, the Bridge Climb, which takes travelers to the top of the Harbor Bridge, is the most popular and exciting activity for students yet the costs tend to be steep depending upon the time of day and reservations must be made ahead of the visit.
Australia Travel is an Adventure
Australia student tours are not a “hard sell” despite the absence of traditional palaces and cathedrals associated with educational trips to Europe. Australia tours target environmental issues, anthropological concerns (visiting Aboriginal sites such as Tjapuki in Cairns), and rugged adventures that instill respect for global treasures like the Great Barrier Reef.
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