Journey Down Under
Group Leader: Farrah Kufske
Requested Return Date: 3/25/2025
ABOUT EF
For over 55 years, we’ve dedicated ourselves to one global mission: Opening the World Through Education. Our programs help students expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, grow more confident and independent, and understand new people, places, and cultures.
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Tour Director at your destinationTravel to RotoruaWatch a sheep and dog show at the Agrodome
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Day 4: Rotorua
Take a Rotorua duck tour
Take a tour of a Rotorua geothermal park
Ride the Skyline GondolaLearn about jade carving in a local craftsman's shop
Visit a Maori Village for a traditional Hangi feast
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Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Travel to AucklandTake a tour of AucklandAdd this in-depth excursionAll Blacks Experience OR the Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Choose between two memorable, hands-on experiences: the All Blacks Experience rugby showcase or Wētā Workshop Unleashed. In the former, you'll learn about rugby's history and get to test your skills firsthand in an interactive play zone. At Wētā Workshop Unleashed, you'll journey into the world of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi filmmaking as you explore make-believe film sets and participate in a hands-on crafting workshop.
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Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Fly to Sydney -
Day 7: Sydney
Take a tour of SydneyVisit the National Opal Collection
Watson Bay Boat Excursion
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
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Day 8: Sydney
Add this in-depth excursionSydney Icons: the Opera House and Harbour
Explore the Sydney Harbour area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbour 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.
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Day 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to Cairns -
Day 10: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Add this in-depth excursionSnorkeling 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.
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Day 11: Cairns
Add this in-depth excursionKuranda
Your full-day excursion begins with a scenic train ride to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Pass through the lush Atherton Tablelands, a tropical rainforest home to waterfalls and dramatic mountain lookouts. After free time, descend via a gondola and visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Park, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing.
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Day 12: Depart for home
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Day 1: Fly to New Zealand
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Day 2: Cross the International Date Line
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Day 3: Auckland • Rotorua
Meet your Tour Director at your destinationTravel to RotoruaWatch a sheep and dog show at the Agrodome
-
Day 4: Rotorua
Take a Rotorua duck tour
Take a tour of a Rotorua geothermal park
Ride the Skyline GondolaLearn about jade carving in a local craftsman's shop
Visit a Maori Village for a traditional Hangi feast
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Day 5: Rotorua • Auckland
Travel to AucklandTake a tour of AucklandAdd this in-depth excursionAll Blacks Experience OR the Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Choose between two memorable, hands-on experiences: the All Blacks Experience rugby showcase or Wētā Workshop Unleashed. In the former, you'll learn about rugby's history and get to test your skills firsthand in an interactive play zone. At Wētā Workshop Unleashed, you'll journey into the world of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi filmmaking as you explore make-believe film sets and participate in a hands-on crafting workshop.
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Day 6: Auckland • Sydney
Fly to Sydney -
Day 7: Sydney
Take a tour of SydneyVisit the National Opal Collection
Watson Bay Boat Excursion
Visit the Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Visit the Sydney Tower
Take a walking tour of the Rocks neighborhood
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Day 8: Sydney
Add this in-depth excursionSydney Icons: the Opera House and Harbour
Explore the Sydney Harbour area from multiple perspectives, starting with the arched Harbour 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.
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Day 9: Sydney • Cairns
Fly to Cairns -
Day 10: Cairns
Board a cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for a full day of snorkeling
Add this in-depth excursionSnorkeling 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.
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Day 11: Cairns
Add this in-depth excursionKuranda
Your full-day excursion begins with a scenic train ride to the rainforest village of Kuranda. Pass through the lush Atherton Tablelands, a tropical rainforest home to waterfalls and dramatic mountain lookouts. After free time, descend via a gondola and visit the Tjapukai Aboriginal Park, where you’ll learn about traditional Aboriginal culture and customs through live dancing and boomerang throwing.
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Day 12: Depart for home
Feel confident helping your child see the world
Parents, we know you have tons of questions—and we’re here to answer each and every one. (Seriously, call us anytime.) Visit our parents’ page for everything from payment plans and scholarship opportunities to safety protocols and the chance to hear from fellow moms and dads like you.
Are you the “print it, scribble notes on it, stick it to the fridge” type? You can download a printable version of our Parent Guide, too.
Hear a fellow parent's experience with student travel
What’s important to you is important to us
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Flexibility & coverage
Policies like Peace of
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Health standards
We’re actively helping to innovate on new global standards for cleanliness & safety.
Learn more
Have questions about this tour? Give us a call at 1-800-263-2806.
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See your tour come to life
Everything you get
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Airfare & transportation
Your flights—covered. Buses, trains, cruise ships, ferries and subways—covered. We take care of getting you around so you can enjoy the ride.
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Hotels
Safe, comfortable hotels with private bathrooms will be waiting for you at your destination.
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Meals
Breakfast daily; 4 dinners (6 with extension)
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Entrances
Rotorua Duck Tour; Maori Village; Skyline Gondola; Rotorua Agrodome; Whaka geothermal area; Barrier Reef; Sydney Tower; National Opal Collection; Harbor Cruise; WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo; With extension: USS Arizona War Memorial; Waimea Valley
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Full-time Tour Director
Your dedicated Tour Director is with your group 24/7, providing deep local insight while handling all on-tour logistics.
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Expert Local Guides
Your expert local guides add cultural insight and global perspective on your sightseeing tours.
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Continuous Support
Your dedicated EF team helps you every step of the way—from recruiting and enrolling travellers to planning and managing your tour.
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24-hour Emergency Service
Travellers and their families can count on EF’s dedicated emergency service team.
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Worldwide Presence
EF has over 500 schools and offices in more than 50 countries worldwide so wherever you go, we’re there too.
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Peace of Mind Program
Feel secure knowing your group can change their destination or travel dates due to unforeseen circumstances.
All your EF tour questions, answered
On our easy-to-navigate Help Center, you’ll find information on everything from our Automatic Payment Plan to passports to our experienced, culturally knowledgeable Tour Directors.