Australia Plus Hawaii 28 Days
Join us on this unforgettable Australia student travel program and explore the land down under! You’re in for off-the-charts fun, seeing and doing things you’d never thought of, all in one student trip to Australia! Visit the world’s largest sand bar on Fraser Island, take a once-in-a-lifetime journey diving and snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, check out the Crocodile Hunter’s Australia Zoo (and their koalas, kangaroos and wallabies) and enjoy a private tour of the Sydney Opera House. Each day is better than the last on this fantastic high school adventure. But wait, there’s more! Finish your exciting trip with a dreamy 5 days in Hawaii and see why so many people call it paradise.
An adrenaline-filled trip with the coolest activities, picture-perfect landmarks and a close group bond.
Hotels, resorts & lodge.
Includes breakfast and dinner daily, plus 6 lunches.
Air-conditioned, professionally-driven motor coaches and vans, plus flights between Brisbane, Cairns, Sydney and the Hawaiian Islands.
Teens travel in compatible co-ed age groups.
On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection.
Varies from 26 to 42 participants.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
From vegan to gluten-free, we can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Start your program with an overnight flight across the International Date Line to Brisbane. You'll lose a day here, but don't worry, you'll get it back at the end of the trip! Once you land, your orientation will officially begin with some of our favorite icebreakers and “get to know you” activities.
Welcome to the Land Down Under and its famous Gold Coast! Learn to master the waves with professional surfing lessons near Australia’s premier resort area. Ride the day away at Dreamworld and brave the Tower of Terror II. Wind your way through the amazing Infinity Light Show and Maze. Kayak and snorkel on pristine blue waters and stop to search for thousands of sub-tropical fish and incredible marine life such as dolphins, turtles, and stingrays.
Travel by catamaran to the world’s largest sand bar! Jump on a 4×4 ranger-guided eco-tour through a tropical rainforest and discover incredible wildlife. Experience unique foods from the rainforest and outback through a ranger-led Bush Talk and Taste. At night enjoy a bonfire on the beach, stargaze at the Southern Sky and look out for the creatures of the night like sugar gliders – the inspirations for the extreme sport called "Wingsuiting".
Explore the shops of Queen Street. Feed Kangaroos by hand, cuddle with koalas and discover crocs, emus and dingoes at the world famous Crocodile Hunter’s Australia Zoo.
Venture deep into the rainforests of the Atherton Tableland and check into our lodge surrounded by incredible scenery. View the miraculous 1,000-year-old, 200-foot-tall Cathedral Fig Tree on our waterfall tour through the rainforest. You will be fascinated by its history and learning how it actually receives its history and learning how it actually receives its nutrients. Try to spot tree kangaroos on your guided canoe ride and platypuses on your guided walk.
Whitewater raft the Mighty Tully River, one of the best rafting adventures you can experience with more than 45 rapids. Go cable wakeboarding or kneeboarding on a man-made lake designed for this incredible sport. Learn about the reef during an educational session run by a local expert. Relax at one of Cairns’ amazing northern beaches. Dive into the most extensive reef system in the world, your chance to view sea turtles and virtually thousands of fish. Snorkel or SCUBA dive at the world’s biggest structure made by living organisms. (For your safety, all SCUBA operators restrict participants with certain medical conditions. Please ask about your own circumstances if applicable.)
Hang ten with a surf lesson on Bondi Beach. Gaze from atop the 1,001′ Sydney Tower. Take a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge for stunning views. Check out the renowned Sydney Opera House on your guided tour. Check out the city views from the Wild Ropes course at Taronga Zoo. Explore the oldest area of Sydney, the Rocks and the newest, Darling Harbour. Get ready for spins, slides, power-break stops, and fishtails as you jet boat through Sydney Harbour. Cheer like a local at a rugby game if there is one in town. Enjoy a farewell banquet to Australia – look back on a remarkable adventure through the Land Down Under and the best time of your life!
Fly as a group to Honolulu, Hawaii (arrangements organized by Westcoast Connection). You'll be flying back over the International Date Line, so here's where you get your day back! Due to the time change during the flight, you will have the day to explore Honolulu, your hotel facilities and the beach.
Sunbathe or swim at the beautiful beaches of Waikiki and stroll through the seaside shops and cafes. Visit Pearl Harbor and pay tribute to those lives lost at the Remembrance Circle and learn about an important time in US history through the interpretive exhibitions and displays. Hike to the top of Diamond Head for incredible views of Honolulu. Sail and snorkel in the pristine Hawaiian waters. Enjoy your farewell banquet and authentic luau and look back on your remarkable adventure through Australia and Hawaii!
Say farewell to your new friends as you part ways for your return home. The summer might be over, but all the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
Surfer’s Paradise, Australia
Enjoy the Mantra on View, located on the Gold Coast in the heart of Surfers Paradise. The hotel is a block from the beach and surrounded by shops, restaurants, cafes, nightlife, and attractions. Relax at the pool and workout in the gym.
Fraser Island, Australia
Nestled within the rainforest on the world’s largest sand island, the Kingfisher Bay Resort is the only eco-resort on Fraser Island. Designed to be integrated into the beautiful scenery and world heritage surroundings of the island, the hotel has all the amenities you would expect, including a heated pool and hot tub.
Atherton Tablelands, Australia
Nestled amidst the magnificent Atherton Tablelands and close to the rainforest, your two-night On The Wallaby Lodge adventure will definitely be a highlight!
Cairns, Australia
Beautiful tropical surroundings and modern contemporary style is waiting for you at Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort. Each of the resort’s 314 rooms feature a private terrace or balcony facing either the lagoon swimming pool, lush tropical gardens or Cairns city. The city location is ideal with easy access to the award-winning Esplanade and Cairns attractions.
Sydney, Australia
Location, location, location! Stay at the Mantra on Kent which is ideally located in the heart of Sydney – just a short walk to amazing Darling Harbour and stunning Circular Quay. The hotel offers large spacious suites and modern amenities.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Located in Waikiki Beach next to Diamond Head Crater, Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort & Spa offers a truly luxurious oceanfront stay. Experience the perfect mix of exceptional hotel accommodations and classic Hawaiian hospitality.
Flights: On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection.
Flight to Brisbane, Australia
We begin this program with a chaperoned flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane. For those coming from the New York area, we have a chaperoned NY to LA flight to connect to the escorted overseas flight from LAX. For our participants from outside the New York area, our program leaders greet you at LAX airport and are with you for the duration of the flight to Australia. Because of the International Dateline, you will lose a day, but you’ll make it up on the return flight when you get the very cool opportunity to live part of the same day twice.
Return Flight Home From Honolulu, Hawaii
For your return from Honolulu, we offer a chaperoned flight back to Los Angeles and onto New York. You may choose to join that flight and arrange transfers (if required) at suitable times; or you may fly from Los Angeles to your home city and our leaders help you to check-in and remain in the airport until flights in designated times have departed.
Food and Meals
Savor the tastes of Down Under, where every meal is an adventure in itself! We raise the bar for teen dining experiences with our group dinners at hibachi-style grills, authentic Australian BBQ, and popular local eateries. For lunch and some dinners, you will enjoy eating in smaller groups and choosing from local hot spots with a variety of different cuisines. The selection of food is diverse and abundant from burgers and sushi, to Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. For those who are adventurous, there are also opportunities to try more local fare such as kangaroo, crocodile, emu or the Aussie staple, vegemite! Cap off some meals with dessert at delicious local establishments where you can find countless gelato flavors to choose from, pavlova, bush honey & macadamia tart, yoyo biscuits, fairy bread, and a variety of other sweet treats. And of course everyone comes home loving chocolate Tim Tams!
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, anaphylactic food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Rooming
Accommodations are chosen based on safety, security, amenities, comfort and location. Rooms vary from dorms, triples and doubles. Triples may contain two beds and a rollaway or be a suite style with a sofa bed. Each trip member has their own bed.
Laundry
You will only need to bring one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. We visit local laundromats weekly and we will supply the detergent and dryer sheets. Don’t worry if you’ve never done laundry before, we’ll show you the ropes. Parents, we know the thought of your children doing laundry is making you smile!
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, internal flights, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program, lunches, snacks, personal spending money for souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
Do you separate different age groups?
It depends on the program, so it’s always best to contact us. On some programs, we assign a specific departure date by age group to create the best possible social dynamics. For example, if grades 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are listed on a program, note they will not all be traveling together on the same departure.
To find the programs with exclusive age-specific departures, look for tags saying “middle school” for students completing 7th and 8th grades, or “ON TOUR” for students completing 11th and 12th grades.
Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
What is the difference between an Active Teen Tour and a Global Adventure program?
Our Active Teen Tours offer larger group sizes (generally 35-48 participants) and travel in deluxe motor coaches. Accommodations include quality hotels and occasional fun college residences.
Global Adventures are smaller group experiences (generally up to 26 participants). Groups travel by private motor coaches and occasional public transportation internationally, and use passenger vans in the USA. The France, Switzerland and Italy itinerary travels exclusively by train and public transportation. While these programs have a slightly bigger focus on adventure travel, we stay in quality hotels and lodges, always ensuring a good night’s rest.
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