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Australia

Australia: Golden Sands and Helping Hands — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 10 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Live at our Glass House Mountains base and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Australia. Learn about Australia’s ancient Aboriginal culture and encounter exotic wildlife while exploring the countryside and coastlines. Give back by helping with service projects such as environmental conservation and cooking meals for charities. Stay at a farm then learn to surf on the Sunshine Coast’s golden beaches.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 8-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to Australia!

Arrive into Brisbane Airport (BNE) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to our Glass House Mountains Base and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.
2

The Steve Irwin Australia Zoo and Wildlife Hospital

See many of Australia’s native animals firsthand. Feed kangaroos, watch the famous croc show, discover wombats, and pet the koalas. Visit the Wildlife Warriors Animal Hospital—the most advanced wildlife hospital in Australia. Learn about the animals that are unique to this part of the world and be inspired about conservation through exciting education. In the evening, enjoy the base house’s beautiful views and peaceful sounds as you get some rest for the evening.
3

Hands-On Service and Cultural Workshop

Spend the day working with one or more of our amazing community partners to support an ongoing project, which might include helping out in a school, contributing to an environmental project, coaching athletes with disabilities, assisting with wildlife conservation, or providing food relief for local community members. In the afternoon, visit an indigenous family and learn about ancient and modern Aboriginal culture, including demonstrations on boomerang throwing, fire making and didgeridoos.
4

Eumundi Market and Noosa Beaches

Head to the famous Eumundi Market, one of Australia's largest outdoor markets and a vibrant center for shoppers on the hunt for unique Aussie souvenirs. Grab your beach towel and bathing suit and travel to Noosa, one of Australia’s most famous stretches of sand to spend the day relaxing and enjoying the beautiful natural resources of Australia’s Sunshine Coast. In the afternoon, head to the Farm Camp that will be your base for the next few days.
5

Life on the Farm

Wake up on the farm to kangaroos grazing in the paddock and kookaburras sitting in the gum trees. Enjoy activities such as working with horses and helping a farmer with her daily chores. Spend the afternoon trying your hand at cracking stockwhips, throwing boomerangs and perfecting your campfire cooking. In the evening, join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you'll begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.
6

Surf and Service

Learn to surf and develop ocean safety skills during a morning at the beach with a certified instructor. Help the local community with one of our long-term partners—either in social services or education-based projects, depending on the need and the season. After a big day, join your group for a post-service debrief in the evening, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community.
7

Bright Lights of Brisbane

Explore the city of Brisbane and take a bike tour along the river. Pick up some souvenirs along the promenade, then dine in the city to celebrate your final night in Australia. At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.
8

Return Home

Say goodbye to new friends and prepare for your journey home. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Total: 8 calendar days / 7 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Australia

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Australia offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Australia Oceania Service + Adventure
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