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Participant, CLF 2022-2023 Director, CLF 2023-2025 Harvard College Class of 2029
August 7, 2025
June 19, 2025
Journey through Australia's unique landscapes while you snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, traverse canyons in the Outback, and see the city lights of Sydney.
Travel from urban cities to the Outback and see more of Australia in two weeks than many do in a lifetime. After a stop in Brisbane, fly to Cairns—the adventure capital of Australia and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef—where you can snorkel in a revered aquatic landscape. Then visit the Daintree, where the rainforest meets the reef. In the Outback, hike through canyons, swim in natural springs, explore Kata Tjuta, see iconic Uluru, and learn about Aboriginal culture. Bid Australia farewell among the landmarks of Sydney, including the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Students love snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, sunrise Camel Ride and Sydney
Two Mediterranean adventures in one
Age 14-18
$6890 plus Airfare
Portugal’s coasts and Germany’s Alps
$6790 plus Airfare
Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways Flight Leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to Australia. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight.
Today is lost as you cross the international dateline, but don’t worry. You’ll get it back on your way home!
Arrive at Sydney Airport (SYD) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Make sure you look out the window as you land into Sydney and catch an aerial glimpse of the famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Once you have arrived you will head to your accommodation to settle in after a long travel day. Stay with 5-6 students in dormitory-style accommodation, separated by gender. Join the group for an orientation discussion.
Participate in an exciting, full day of service. Learn about the key social issues of the city of Sydney and how you can make a positive impact. Partnering with Our Big Kitchen, test your cooking skills by preparing meals for refugee communities and the homeless in Sydney.
Join another community service project in the afternoon, which our Community Impact Manager will identify based on the current needs of our service partners. This could involve anything from planting trees in one of Sydney’s National Parks, assisting in the classroom at a local school, or even providing social interaction for local elderly residents.
Explore Australia’s most famous city. Start with the spectacular Port Jackson, then walk through the famous Rocks District, admire Sydney Harbour Bridge, and ponder the Opera House. Cruise through the harbor to the seaside suburb of Manly and experience its well-known surf shops and beautiful beach.
Head back to the city and admire the sunset from the ferry. Enjoy your last taste of Sydney before moving onto the next phase of your Aussie adventure tomorrow.
Travel to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the center of Australia. Discover the enormity of the country and the desolation of its central deserts. Head out to see the cultural center and explore the different walks around the base of Uluru, which spans nearly six miles. Marvel at Uluru, knowing that you’re witnessing one of the world’s largest monoliths. At sunset, watch it change color and as the daylight disappears. The brightness of the Outback night skies will be a sight you’ll never forget.
Spend tonight at a local youth hostel with shared rooms and private and/or shared bathrooms with hot water and flushing toilets.
Start the day with an unforgettable sunrise camel walk. Finish the morning walking through the Valley of the Winds in Kata Tjuta, another rock formation famous for its spectacular domes. The sunset here can be as equally impressive as Uluru itself. Road trip through the Outback and make your way through a land that has been looked after by indigenous Australians for more than 60,000 years. Driving through the desert, keep an eye out for wild camels as you approach Kings Canyon.
Spend the next two nights camping in safari tents with permanent beds and shared bathrooms. You’ll stay at King Creek Station, a cattle ranch where they also catch and export wild camels! Join your group for a mid-program reflection where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.
The Red Centre is famous for its red sand and stunning Outback landscapes. Hike around the rim of Kings Canyon, a truly magnificent part of Australia. On your way around the canyon, pass the tropical pools of the Garden of Eden and the beehive rock formations called the Lost City. Be sure to stop and take in the scenery—Outback views don’t get much better than this! Have you ever wondered what would you eat if you were to get lost in the Australian desert? This afternoon, try the local food or bush tucker. Take a tour with an indigenous Australian and learn all there is to know about Aboriginal culture! Make your way back to camp for some hot chocolate and marshmallows around the campfire.
Drive back to Uluru and enjoy the Outback sunrise one more time. Say goodbye to the Red Centre and catch a flight to Cairns; home to the world renowned Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest get ready to be blown away! You will spend the next 2 nights at a youth hostel in Cairns. Shared rooms with private and/or shared bathrooms with hot water and flushing toilets.
Spend the morning visiting Kuranda Markets for some traditional and unconventional souvenir shopping. The rest of the day is spent working at a wallaby rescue center. Work with a team of local volunteers to plant trees, build enclosures, paint and learn about the Agile Wallaby. These beautiful creatures are threatened by housing developments and deforestation, driving wallabies out of their natural habitat. Our partners are working hard to rescue and relocate these furry friends, so you will be helping a great cause!
Sail out to the magical Great Barrier Reef. With the world’s largest reef system as your playground, there’s no telling what you might see. Snorkel at two different sites during the day, giving you ample opportunity to spot fish, turtles, and reef sharks.
Still wondering what you saw down there? The team of marine experts on board will help you identify the species and teach you all about the reef system, which will be an experience you’ll never forget.
Travel north along the coast to the magnificent Mossman Gorge. Be welcomed by local Kuku Yulanji indegenous people. Continue across the Daintree River and immerse yourself in the sounds of the rainforest, from the whistling of the birds to the gushing sound sound of the rain and waterfalls.
Head out to the inner reef on a boat to snorkel with turtles! Continue exploring the underwater world, then play afternoon games on the beach in Cape Tribulation where the reef meets the rainforest.
Visit our local service partner and help maintain the Daintree Forest. Partnering with Rainforest Trust, your service project will be a combination of collecting seeds, removing poinsonous weeds, planting trees, and learning about all the different plants and animals that make this place so special. Keep your eyes open in case a cassowary decides to show up! Relax after service and enjoy some ice cream made from local tropical fruits.
Test your bravery by riding on a high-speed jungle swing over the water and treetops. After you catch your breath, travel back to Cairns and take an afternoon flight to Brisbane.
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.
Your program leaders will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next Rustic destination.
If you’re continuing on to another Rustic Pathways adventure in Australia, you’ll transition between programs by spending the day on Australia’s famous Gold Coast with other students and leaders also joining new programs. If you’re returning home to the United States or traveling on to another country, your program leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you reflect on your adventure in Australia.
Packing the right gear (and the right amounts) is the first step to an incredible travel experience. Follow these tips to pack like a pro:
Travel light. Pack only the essentials. You’ll need less than you think! Consider no checked bag. We strongly recommend that you consider packing only a carry-on size bag. This prevents your luggage getting lost or separated from you, keeps your bag manageable, and helps you be more mobile on your travel day. Bring the right clothes. Pack clothes that are culturally appropriate for your destination and acceptable for service projects. This means bringing long shorts (think Bermuda and basketball shorts), t-shirts with sleeves to cover shoulders, and appropriate footwear. Leave your valuables behind. While traveling, it’s easier for things to get lost, stolen, or damaged. Keep any prized possessions safe at home. Check with TSA. Make sure your luggage complies with TSA regulations, especially your carry-on. Useful tip: Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up after security. Extra paperwork? If you need additional forms filled out to get credit for your service hours, no problem! Bring these forms with you so they can be completed in-country.
A school backpack is ideal as it will be used for daily activities and outings.
A 40-50 liter duffel bag or backpack is ideal.
Clothes
Toiletries
(Travel size bottles in Ziploc bags)
Miscellaneous
Optional
Items Provided By Rustic Pathways in Australia
Cairns, Uluru, Sydney Students generally stay at youth hostels. Rustic students share 3-4 per room, separated by gender. Often in bunk beds. Private bathrooms in most hostels; shared bathrooms in some. Hot water and flushing toilets throughout the program. Electricity and linens are available in all accommodations.
Kings Creek Station Students share a permanent tent with another student. They sleep in beds. They use Shared bathrooms separated by gender.
Rustic Pathways works with local community leaders and organizations to identify and prioritize the needs of each community. Please note that while we try our best to ensure we provide our advertised projects, some changes may occur due to the communities and project partners we work with.
Service with Rainforest Trust Rainforest Trust Australia is a non-profit organization that works in partnership with Rainforest Trust in the USA, with a shared mission of protecting threatened tropical forests and endangered wildlife worldwide by partnering with local and community organizations in and around vulnerable areas.
Students will learn about Rainforest Trust Australia and what they do to protect Australia’s native Rainforest areas. Students will then have a tour of the property and nursery, and will then assist with tree planting, weeding and collecting seeds.
My Big Kitchen cooking project Students will prepare between 50 and 100 meals for different organizations. These organizations will then distribute meals to homeless people or refugees. All the students will be working in the same kitchen and next to other volunteers. After finishing with the cooking the student might visit some of the communal kitchens where they will learn about the different problematics that exist in the city.
This program involves adventure activities that require students to be physically active
Food in Australia is quite similar to American cuisine, with options such as pasta, sandwiches, salads, grilled meats, and pizza. We focus on providing fresh, healthy home-cooked meals. The group will prepare meals together as well as eat at local restaurants. Vegetarian diets and other common dietary requirements can easily be accommodated.
Dietary Requirements/Food Allergies – We can easily accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other common dietary requirements on this program. Please make sure to include this in your medical form so that our staff can prepare and we recommend bringing along some of your own favorite snacks!
Water from the tap is safe to drink and access to drinking water is provided throughout the program in Australia. We ask students to bring reusable water bottles in order to reduce plastic usage.
This weather on this program will vary, but will generally be warm to hot. It will be warm (65-75 degrees F) in Alice Springs and at Uluru, but does cool down in the evenings. It will be cooler (55 – 65 degrees F) in Sydney, and hotter (75-85 F) in Cairns. There may be some rain in Sydney and the Daintree Rainforest, but in all other places it is the drier time of year and the skies should be clear and sunny.
Flights – This program starts in Sydney, and departs from Brisbane. We offer chaperoned group flights from Los Angeles (LAX) that take us to and from these airports. The flight from Los Angeles to Sydney is approximately 14 hours one-way. The advertised dates for this program includes travel time from the USA. Students from the USA will depart LAX on a Tuesday evening and return on a Wednesday morning. The program within Australia runs from Thursday to Wednesday. Please refer to the itinerary for further details.
Visa – Nearly all nationalities will require a visa to enter Australia. Residents of the USA should apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which is an online visa found at eta.immi.gov.au and costs US$25. Residents of Europe may be eligible for a free eVisitor visa. Other nationalities may require a Visitor Visa (e600), which costs approximately AU$130. Visa costs are not included in our program prices.
Internal Travel – There are four internal flights on this program: 1. Sydney – Uluru, approximately 3 hours 2. Uluru – Cairns, approximately 3 hours 3. Cairns – Brisbane, approximately 2 hours
These are included in the program price.
We want to encourage students to disconnect in order to fully immerse themselves in the experience and get the most out of their program. That being said, students will have access to wifi at times during this itinerary while in the larger cities. Parents will have access to our 24/7 emergency number and will also receive updates from our staff once your student is in country.
Checked luggage fees, personal gifts, internet, phone calls, and snacks are not included. All other costs (accommodation, meals, in-country transportation, and activities) are included in the program price. We generally suggest $200 – $300 for spending money.
Please pack reasonably for this program. Students will have the opportunity to do laundry once during the program. The cost is approximately $5 per load.
In general, Australians dress fairy casually. However, when students are visiting local Indigenous communities or participating in service projects, it is important to show respect at all times. The requirements are fairly straightforward and the same for all genders:
Shorts: Great for service. Basketball-style only; no running or soccer-style shorts. Rule of thumb is that the bottom of the shorts should be approaching the kneecap. Loose-fitting pants. Tops: Shoulders must be covered – No tank tops or spaghetti straps.
If you arrive and your clothing is deemed unacceptable by your Program Leaders, you’ll have to purchase appropriate clothing before service work begins. The sun is very strong in Australia due to the hole in the ozone layer. This means much higher, more severe levels of UV radiation get through to ground level. Therefore sun safety is very important and we recommend taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of sun damage. We require tops which cover your shoulders, and suggest a hat (preferably wide brim) and sunglasses.
Ensuring the safety of your teen as they travel with Rustic Pathways is a top priority. Please review our Health and Safety measures.
Our Travel Protection Plan helps protect our participants, their belongings, and their travel investment in those unforeseen circumstances that may arise during travel. Learn more about the plan offered through our partner.