New Zealand & Australia Adventure 23 Days
Journey to the lands down under and immerse yourself in all that this New Zealand and Australia travel program has to offer: incredible beauty, friendly culture, and thrilling adventure. Try a wide variety of activities that you won’t see anywhere else: Zorbing, waterfall rafting and alpine trekking in New Zealand followed by SCUBA diving the Great Barrier Reef, boomerang throwing lessons and bridge climbing in Australia. Your summer program leaders will be there to create a fun, inclusive, accepting family atmosphere. This is no ordinary high school summer tour; it’s truly an adventure of a lifetime!
Experience new cultures and thrilling activities in a smaller, tight-knit travel group.
Hotels, hostels & basic lodges.
Includes breakfast and dinner daily, plus 5 lunches.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection.
Up to 26 participants.
Deluxe, private motor coach between cities, and occasional public transportation within cities.
Separate departure dates are assigned to create compatible co-ed age groups.
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
Start your program with an overnight flight across the International Date Line to Auckland. 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.
Immediately upon arrival, you will notice how friendly and how welcoming the people of New Zealand are. Kiwis pride themselves on being down-to-earth and humble and it shows in their respect for visitors, the environment and the native Maori community. You will settle into life "upside down" with a warm welcome orientation, a city tour, a climb up Mt. Eden and a visit to the beautiful waterfront.
Discover this geothermal area sculpted by volcanic activity, with hot springs and boiling mud pools. Your Kiwi guide will show you the area of volcanic activity in this active caldera. Get psyched for your whitewater rafting adventure down the famous Kaituna River that will be like no other trip! With 13 major drops and a 22' descent over Tutea Falls, the largest commercially rafted waterfall in the world, you will experience quite the adrenaline rush! Visit a traditional Maori Village, where you will learn more about this wonderful culture at an interactive dinner experience. Your adventure continues with an amazing downhill luge ride and the ultimate New Zealand adventure invention - zorbing in the region where it all began!
Experience the true New Zealand, with breathtaking views and lots of sheep! Stay at a genuine homestead with activities that may include kayaking, farming, sheep shearing, hiking and volunteer work with the endangered blue duck.
Look familiar? A substantial part of the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit were filmed here! Join professional alpine guides for what has been rated one of the greatest day treks in the world. The Tongariro Alpine Crossing involves a trek alongside three incredible volcanoes, including Mt. Doom from the LOTR trilogy. No previous experience is needed and your guides will provide all the equipment and expertise to navigate this stunning journey.
Take a break from the adventure to visit New Zealand's capital. Relax at your hotel and enjoy the facilities before heading over to trendy Cuba street for a great meal and some city life.
Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World”, Queenstown is situated on beautiful Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by spectacular peaks. Many travelers claim it’s the most beautiful city they've ever seen! You will quickly understand why once you experience the famous Shotover Jetboat gliding over crystal clear water through magnificent canyons and after you ski or snowboard the Southern Alps. Bid farewell to this extraordinary country and your unforgettable journey in the land of the long white cloud at a celebration dinner atop Queenstown overlooking this majestic area. After saying goodbyes to any New Zealand only travelers, the amazing adventure continues to the Land Down Under.
Learn about the reef during an educational session run by a local expert. Go cable kneeboarding or wakeboarding on a man-made lake designed for this incredible sport. Relax at one of Cairns' amazing northern beaches. Snorkel or SCUBA dive at the most extensive reef system in the world (For your safety, all SCUBA operators restrict participants with certain medical conditions. Please ask about your own circumstances if applicable.)
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 when you learn about its history and how it receives its nutrients. Keep your eyes peeled for tree kangaroos and platypuses on a guided walk and night canoe. Spend time with all the amazing wildlife of Australia with a visit to Koala Gardens in the rainforest village of Kuranda.
Fly to Australia and its most populous and well known city, Sydney. Take a thrilling once-in-a-lifetime climb up the Sydney Harbour Bridge for stunning views. Head out for surf lessons at one of the most famous beaches in the world, Bondi Beach. Check out the renowned Sydney Opera House on your guided tour. Explore the oldest area of Sydney, the Rocks and the newest, Darling Harbour.
Say farewell to your new friends as you part ways for your return home. You'll be flying back over the International Date Line, so here's where you get your day back!
The summer might be over, but all the memories you’ve made will last a lifetime!
Auckland, New Zealand
The Auckland City Hotel is a modern boutique-style hotel in the center of the city. Here you’ll recharge from your international flight and walk around Auckland and explore.
Rotorua, New Zealand
While in Rotorua, you’ll enjoy a comfortable and down-to-earth stay at Haka House Rotorua where you can unwind after a day of exploring.
Whakahoro Region, New Zealand
Everyone who has stayed at the Blue Duck Lodge has described it as the true New Zealand! Breathtaking scenery, secluded and a genuine experience. Blue Duck is sure to be something that you will talk about forever.
Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
The Park Hotel Ruapehu property has a great ski lodge feel to it and offers a fantastic stay due to its great restaurant and proximity to the base of Mt. Tongariro. The large hot tub will certainly be enjoyed after your amazing trek across the mountain.
Wellington, New Zealand
Stay at the Ibis Wellington and enjoy comfortable, modern amenities. You'll be within walking distance to the Te Papa Museum, Cuba Street and other Wellington highlights.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Here is lodge-living condo style. Each unit at the Pinewood Lodge has multiple rooms and bathrooms as well as common rooms, kitchens and lounge space. The Queenstown resort area is just a few minutes walk, allowing us to easily explore and enjoy this incredible area.
Sydney, Australia
The Sydney Harbour YHA is located right in the centre of all the action! Enjoy amazing facilities including private rooms for our group with in-room bathrooms, a group lounge and meeting area, and a rooftop terrace offering incredible views of the harbour and the Sydney Opera House. This is truly one of the best locations in the city.
Atherton Tablelands, Australia
Nestled amidst the magnificent Atherton Tablelands and close to the rainforest, your three night On The Wallaby Lodge adventure will definitely be a highlight!
Cairns, Australia
Staying at the Cairns Plaza Hotel, we'll be perfectly situated with easy access to the waterfront, Esplanade Lagoon, and other Cairns attractions.
Flights: On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection.
Flight to Auckland, New Zealand
We begin this program with a chaperoned flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. 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.
Internal Flights
Separate from the airfare to and from this program, there is an additional $745 USD fee for internal flights from Wellington to Queenstown, and from Queenstown to Cairns.
Return Flight Home from Sydney, Australia
We offer a chaperoned flight back to the USA through either San Francisco or Los Angeles, then onto New York. Final flight details are determined in the spring. For travelers from outside these cities, we will help you arrange transfers at suitable times after the group has cleared customs and immigration in the USA.
Meals
Breakfasts and dinners are enjoyed at the properties we visit or out at restaurants. For lunch, you will have the opportunity to eat in smaller groups and to choose from different options in the various towns and cities you’ll be visiting. On some occasions, we make our own breakfast and lunches – usually when we’re off the beaten path experiencing an amazing adventure highlight! No matter what, there is always choice and variety. Those of you who are more adventurous can try kangaroo meat, crocodile, emu or the Aussie staple, vegemite! And of course everyone comes home loving Tim Tams!
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. Every week you may drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, 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!
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 if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
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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