Sydney
- Stay at the Rocks (site of the first European settlement in Australia), only a 1 – 2 minute walk to Circular Quay, where you will find the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge
- Only a 10 minute walk to the entertainment hub of Sydney, Darling Harbor
- Visit NSW State Parliament for a guided tour and introduction to Australia’s political system
- Take a walk through time on a Mana-Nura Aboriginal tour to learn how the indigenous Cadigal people lived in the area for thousands of years
- Engage in cohort-specific activities (such as ESG, corporate social responsibility, sustainability, global health) with local leading organizations in Sydney
Great Barrier Reef
- The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Area
- Take a 40-minute flight (cost included) from the mainland to Lady Elliot Island, an eco-resort on the GBR, and home of the manta ray, where you will also encounter a vast array of corals, fishes, green (and possibly loggerhead) turtles, and most likely reef sharks (maybe even a tiger shark!)
- Learn about the animals and diversity of the reef through daily snorkels and reef walks, as well as management of the GBR
- Participate in Reef Check, a worldwide citizen science project
- Optional scuba diving (and Discover Dive) available through the eco-resort
Outback
- Travel to Carnarvon Gorge National Park on the edge of the Australian Outback
- Learn about the natural and cultural history of towering sandstone cliffs, vibrantly colored side gorges, diverse wildlife, and Aboriginal rock art of the region with one of the world’s best naturalists, Australian Nature Guides
- Participate in two guided educational hikes (and a night safari) to discover the archaeology and anthropology of the Art Gallery, Amphitheatre, and Moss Garden of the Gorge, places where indigenous Aboriginal culture runs deep over many thousands of years
- Spot iconic Australian wildlife including the Eastern Grey Kangaroo, swamp wallaby, yellow-bellied glider, goannas, and possibly the world’s only two monotremes, platypus and echidna
Queenstown
- Known as the Adventure Capital of the World
- We explore the sustainability practices of one of the world’s most progressive towns
- Hike to the summit (or plateau) of Ben Lomond to discover how the Southern Alps were formed (and to get majestic views of the Queenstown region)
- Learn about sustainable sheep farming at Fork Farm near Wanaka
Fiordland
- Travel to one of the southern-most points on earth (before Antarctica) in Fiordland National Park
- Travel via 4WD coach and stay at Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound, perhaps the most remote and picturesque place in New Zealand
- Learn about the geography and nature of the national park and its Greenstone (Pounamu) heritage; pne of the few places in the world to spot a kiwi in the wild
- Cruise Doubtful Sound and enjoy the sound of silence, along with the marine wildlife (Fiordland crested penguin, Southern fur seal, and bottle nose dolphin) and spectacular cascades and waterfalls
Aoraki
- Stay at the Alpine Lodge in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, at the foot of the highest mountain in New Zealand
- Hike the Hooker Valley track, one of only a few places in the world you can walk to a glacier
- Learn about glaciation, climate change, biodiversity, and protected areas management in the Mueller and Hooker valleys
Kaikoura
- Stay at one of the most sustainable places on Earth, Kaikoura was the world’s first township to be Green Globe certified
- Swim with hundreds (yes) of Dusky Dolphins with Dolphin Encounter and learn about their ecology, behaviors and characters in one of the most unique natural experiences anywhere on the planet
- Hike the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway (~3 hours) to learn about Maori culture, natural history, and observe native wildlife including seals, sea lions, and possibly humpback whales
*The itinerary includes activities that are representative of a program but, we cannot guarantee that all activities will always be included. For an example of a previous year program, click on the Sample Itinerary AU and NZ Maymester