Australia Expedition
Outback, Rain Forest, and Reef
20 Days
- Meet Aboriginal people and learn about their spiritual beliefs
- Snorkel with marine biologists along the Great Barrier Reef
- Explore the oldest rain forest on Earth
- Attend a show at the world-famous Syndey Opera House
Nat Geo Expert
Photojournalist and filmmaker Ulla Lohmann will join both departures.
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How To Apply
• About the Application Process
• Apply Now
• Call or Email Us
Itinerary — 20 Days
With roughly the population of metropolitan New York City and the landmass of the continental United States, Australia is the most sparsely populated continent on the planet after Antarctica. Its isolation for millennia allowed unique ecosystems and cultures to thrive. Explore rain forests, deserts, and the world's largest coral reef; and spot fascinating wildlife. Meet members of the Aboriginal community—the world's oldest living culture, which settled here more than 50,000 years ago. Experience Australia through the lens of your On Assignment project—Photography, Wildlife & Conservation, or Filmmaking.
Sydney
3 days. The expedition begins with an orientation in the vibrant coastal city of Sydney. Break into teams to begin working on your On Assignment project. Visit Cockatoo Island, a former prison and shipyard, and learn about Australia's colonial history; explore the lively Rocks District and cross the city's iconic bridge on foot. Discover the ghost stories of old Sydney on a nighttime tour. Attend a game of rugby or Australian football, or take in a show at the Sydney Opera House. Meet your first koalas and kangaroos at the famous Taronga Zoo, and visit the Sydney Aquarium to get acquainted with the marine life you will encounter on the great Barrier Reef.Uluru and the Outback
5 days. Fly from Sydney to the outback, and settle into life in Alice Springs, the region’s largest city. Have your first interactions with Aboriginal culture, and discover how their people have survived for more than 50,000 years. Stop in at the School of the Air and the Royal Flying Doctor Service and learn how education and health care are disseminated to remote communities across the vast outback by plane. Discover the role of fire in one of the driest places on earth, and learn to safely handle snakes and lizards at the Alice Springs Reptile Center.
From Alice, journey through the outback towards the largest monolith on earth, Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock); a colossal piece of sandstone that rises abruptly from the desert plain. Trek through the adjacent Kata Tjuta with its giant rounded domes and bright green Ring Necked Parrots. Visit a working cattle ranch, examine ancient rock art and medicinal plants, and listen to Dreamtime stories told by our Aboriginal guides. Set up camp in the ‘bush,’ and help collect fire wood, prepare dinner, and sleep under the stars. Spot Scorpio and the Southern Cross, and learn a whole new set of Southern Hemisphere constellations.
Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef
10 days. Fly to northern Queensland, our hub for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Set out on a two-day snorkeling adventure with marine biologists. Anchor at the outer reef and snorkel along brilliant fields of coral. Spot sea turtles, giant parrotfish, and the harmless reef shark. Discover the reef through hands-on instruction from marine biologists on board, and learn about the threats to this unique ecosystem and the efforts being made to protect it. Back on land, hike through the lush, tropical Daintree National Park to see cassowaries, wombats, crocodiles, and other endemic wildlife. Spend the night in a rain forest lodge and encounter native species of the surrounding rain forest, wetlands, and grasslands. Soar high into the canopy of the rain forest on the region's largest research crane and speak with experts about the tropical plants and animals that are still being discovered today. Then, wind down on the coastal side of the park, relaxing on the white-sand beaches of remote Cape Tribulation.
The program ends in Cairns with On Assignment presentations and a final celebration.
Accommodations
In Sydney, Alice Springs, and Queensland, we will stay in small hotels. In Daintree National Park, we stay in a small, family-run eco-resort, and in the outback we stay in sturdy canvas structures called swags.Apply now for this program or call us for more information at 877-877-8759.
