Australia Adventure Holidays

We waste no time getting started. After SCUBA classes in Airlie Beach we hop on a high-speed dive boat to the famous Great Barrier Reef. Experience life at sea as we live aboard the boat and complete our PADI Open Water Dive course. We view unparalleled beauty and exotic creatures on the world's largest reef system! We finish with sea kayaking through crystal blue lagoons alongside white sand beaches in the Whitsunday Islands.

We stay in the Outback on a ranch where we learn how to milk cows, ride horses and dirt bikes and live like Aussies. Next stop is the Crocodile Hunter Zoo, where we learn about the unique plants and animals native to Australia. We see koalas, kangaroos, eucalyptus trees and more!

Fall in love with the Aussie surf town of Byron Bay where unique eateries, hip boutiques and surf shops line the streets. Three days of surf school means catching gentle waves alongside schools of dolphins and enjoying awesome beach time! This is also the site of our service project where we revegetate the sand dunes along the beaches we've been surfing.We enjoy the stunning scenery of Govetts Leap as we hike to beautiful vistas from our cozy hostel in the Blue Mountains. Finally, we check out Sydney, Australia's most famous city, including the opera house, aquarium, Hyde Park, Harbor Bridge and the local beaches!

All students must pass a thorough SCUBA diving physical and cannot have used an inhaler or suffered from asthma in the past three years. For those not wishing to SCUBA dive, alternative water activities are available.

Day 1:
We head to our first camp in Airlie Beach to settle in and begin our orientation. During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, daily jobs, safety rules and all trip logistics are explained and the process of growing together as a group begins.

Days 2-3:
We wake early to start learning the fundamentals of scuba diving as we earn our Open Water Dive Certifications through PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors). Our classes are held in Airlie Beach and take place in both the classroom and their heated dive pool. Students will have the opportunity to practice in the safety of a simulated experience before taking their new skills to the open water. In the evening we board the dive boat and travel to the Great Barrier Reef, cruising through the Whitesunday Islands along the way!

Days 4-6:
This is the first of three days spent diving on the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef! It is classified as one of The Seven Wonders of the World, extends 2000km (243 miles) along the Queensland coast and is the world's largest living structure (about half the size of Texas)! We see manta rays, huge grouper, vibrant, multicolored coral, sea turtles, puffer fish and much more!!

Days 7:
Sea kayak, snorkel and relax on white sand beaches. We spend the day exploring the 74 islands that make up the Whitesunday Island chain and then head back to Airlie beach for a night in town.

Days 8-10:
We travel to our camp in Rockhampton to prepare for our time in the outback living like a true Aussie! The next two days are spent on a cattle station riding motor bikes, horses, milking cows, gathering chicken eggs, outback sunsets, traditional food and much more!

Days 11-12:
Grab your iPods and play DJ as we relax in the van, enjoy some music, and take in the scenery. We make a stop at the famous Crocodile Hunter (RIP) Zoo where we see kangaroo, wallabies, crocodiles, koala bears and more. We finally reach the relaxing surf town of Byron Bay and get ready for an early start the next morning.

Days 13-15:
We wake early to meet our surf guides and learn the basics before hitting the water for some hands on learning. There are miles of white sand beaches along the Coast of Byron Bay and we spend the next three days playing volleyball, surfing, relaxing, and swimming. The town of Byron Bay is dotted with hip stores, boutiques, cafes, and surf shops. There is something for everyone!

Days 16-18:
Our drive south takes us to the Myall Lakes Coastal National Park which includes rainforests, sand dunes and of course, lakes! The following two days we hike into the Blue Mountains National Park and spend some time exploring. Named for a blue haze caused by sunlight reflecting from evaporating eucalyptus oil they are part of the Great Dividing Range that runs along Australia's east coast.

Days 19-20:
We take some time this morning to check out the town of Katoomba, the gateway town to the Blue Mountains and then off to Sydney! Our hostel is near Darling Harbor and we will spend the next day and a half visiting the Opera House and the Aquarium. You and your group will help decide your schedule, whether you take a water taxi tour of the harbor or go shopping at the Riverside Mall, Sydney is a beautiful and exciting city everyone will enjoy!

Day 21:
Head to the airport to say goodbye to all your new friends after the summer adventure of a lifetime that is AAVE in Australia!