Kangaroos, Jackaroos & Didgeridoos

7 Day trip- All meals, lodging and activities included

Highlights:
• Making your own didgeridoo with an aboriginal family and cultural immersion
• Sailing and snorkelling at The Great Barrier Reef
• Staying at an outback cattle station and learning from "jackaroos"
• Service project at an Aussie animal sanctuary
• Guided UNESCO World-Heritage rainforest discovery

Overview
Itinerary
Inclusions
FAQs

Overview - 7 Day Adventure

Make and learn to play your own Didgeridoo

Take your hand-made didgeridoo home with you - the perfect souvenir!

This educational adventure captures the scenic highlights of wild Australia: UNESCO World-Heritage rainforest, the rugged outback, and The Great Barrier Reef.

A knowledgeable Small World Journeys guide teaches your students about the flora, fauna and natural history of the area, while simultaneously organising all the behind-the-scenes details, leaving you free to enjoy your time with your students.

We know that young people don't have fun with scenery alone, that's why we've included cool stuff like close encounters with wildlife, making didgeridoos with an aboriginal family, and natural rainforest waterslides.

Accommodation is a variety of experiences: dorm-style sleeping at a cattle ranch and in Cairns, camping at a wildlife park and on the property of an aboriginal family (all camping equipment included). Meals are a variety of all-you-can-eat buffets, homecooked meals, and unique restaurants.

We invite students to make meaningful connections with people of another culture, to stretch their comfort zone with fun new activities, and learn more about the natural world. And we know that by the end of this trip, they'll look at life a little differently.

Click on an image to view the gallery.

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

Welcome to the tropics! You are met at the airport by one of our staff and transferred to your award-winning hostel in the town's restaurant and shopping district.

Located only a few blocks from the waterfront, attractions, restaurants and the marina are all within easy walking distance. Your hostel features an outdoor pool, laundry facilities, large communal area with couches and pool table, free internet and WiFi. Each room has its own bathroom, and sleeps six students. Theses immaculate rooms also have ample luggage storage, hairdryers and linen. This excellent accommodation was recently inducted into the Tourism Tropical North Queensland's Hall of Fame for consistently rating excellent in the budget accommodation category.

Before dinner, explore the nearby celebrated Esplanade – a lively stretch of waterfront with night markets, occasional performers and an expansive swimming lagoon. This evening you have an orientation and a delicious dinner at one of Cairns' top seafood restaurants (non-seafood options available).

Accommodation: Cairns Central Hostel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: National Park, Waterfalls, Platypus and Aboriginal Culture

The Wet Tropics is a UNESCO World-Heritage area, and this morning in Wooroonooran National Park you visit one of the region's most ecologically diverse places. This area is host to some of the oldest continually surviving rainforest in the world. Your guide will explain your surroundings, helping you look for tree-kangaroos, listen for the call of the king parrot, or even taste the citrus tang of a green ant's abdomen. You take an easy walk through the jungle and emerge at Josephine Falls, where Josephine Creek plunges down a gorgeous set of cascades. Below the falls, boulders surround a fun swimming hole and a natural water slide down a smooth sloping rock face – always a highlight for students!

After lunch you visit Millaa Millaa Falls, the icon of tropical north Queensland and one of the most photographed natural sites in the region. For those who are keen, they can swim out to the peculiar columnar basalt and view the falls the falls from behind – a perfect tropical swimming hole.

In the later afternoon you arrive at the property of a gentle aboriginal family of the Yidinji tribe whose people have inhabited this region for thousands of years. After they welcome you, they will teach you about the traditions of aboriginal peoples through the telling of "Dreamtime" legends and stories, and through your host each of your animal "totems" will be revealed. You will also learn about the purpose of the boomerang and how to properly throw them (yes, they really do come back to you!) Your day ends with a traditional feast, a talk around the fire, and camping under the stars.

Accommodation: Camping with indigenous family
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Aboriginal Culture and Making a Didgeridoo, Outback Cattle Station and Pioneer Homestead

Under the care of your indigenous teachers today, you hand-make our own musical instrument, the didgeridoo. The didgeridoo is an integral part of ceremonial and spiritual life, and perhaps one of the most meaningful symbols of aboriginal Australia.

Your host and his brothers first collect eucalyptus trees that have been hollowed out by termites. Then you spend the day learning how to shave, sand, paint and play your creations, which you will bring home with you. This is truly an authentic cultural experience, and will provide a positive and in-depth look at indigenous culture.

Then you cross into classic outback country, where dingoes and kangaroos roam freely. Here you are welcome guests at a traditional working cattle station and homestead, opened only to your group. In the company of your "fair dinkum" cowboy friends--Kate and Peter--you have a tour of the station and a classic Aussie BBQ, followed by stargazing. From this remote outback station, views of the southern hemisphere stars are phenomenal. You'll learn how to find the southern the Southern Cross constellation and swap stories around a bonfire. Accommodation is in single gender dorm-style marquees, while teachers sleep in comfortable cabins.

Accommodation: Dorm-style marquees
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Outback Cattle Station and Pioneer Homestead, Granite Gorge and Wildlife Park Behind-the-Scenes

This morning you get a sample of true outback life on a cattle station. You'll visit the cattle yards to learn about the cattle musters and branding, and what this robust rural family does to survive flooding, drought and economic hardships. Breaking into small groups, you learn how to milk the cows, groom horses and crack a whip properly in true "jackaroo" style.

You also take a walk back through time on the homestead to the age of the early Australian pioneers, and you can touch the old furniture, antiques and memorabilia all well-preserved by the family. Lunch is a yummy steak BBQ (vegetarian options available).

In the afternoon you visit Granite Gorge, where a labyrinth of giant boulders and carved canyons have fashioned a fantastic place to explore. Here a giant boulder-filled canyon offers limitless opportunities to discover cracks and crevices, streams and side canyons. Formerly endangered rock wallabies (a cousin to the kangaroo) come out to play, and here we can hand-feed these wild but friendly creatures.

Later your guide takes you to a wildlife park and sanctuary for injured, sick and orphaned animals. Hundreds of animals are housed on the property, including kangaroos, wallabies, laughing kookaburras, goannas, quolls, snakes, lorikeets, tree kangaroos, owls, koalas and an assortment of other Aussie animals, all of which are in need of proper enclosures, feeding and care. In the evening as a unique treat, after the park has closed its doors to the public, you are privileged overnight guests. You set up "camp" and get a special behind-the-scenes experience of the sanctuary at night.

Accommodation: Wildlife Park Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Wildlife Park Service Project, Beach Time and Reef Presentation

Under the supervision of the wildlife keeper for the day you have the opportunity to do service work that helps keep this sanctuary going. You may be asked to help with repairing enclosures for birds, landscape work in the open-air kangaroo area, or collecting gum tree leaves for the koala's food. This is an opportunity to get close to animals and lend a hand to the park's operations. Breakfast and lunch are a full hot buffet.

After completing your service project, your guide takes you to Port Douglas' spectacular 4-Mile Beach for some well-earned swim time.

In the early evening you will attend a fun and dynamic presentation by a marine conservationist designed to help you understand coral biology and ecology, the major invertebrate groups and the different types fish that live at the Great Barrier Reef. In addition, you find out about threatened species and the consequences of climate change on the reef. On the lighter side, you'll discover fish that you can watch change colour, fish that change gender, which animal breathes through his bum, and how and where to find "Nemo." There's plenty of hands-on time, and this is a great way to enhance your reef experience.

Accommodation: Central Cairns hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Sailing and Snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is celebrated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the greatest natural wonders of our world. The reef lies just off Cairns' coast, luring snorkelers to its underwater universe and dazzling them with some of the best biodiversity in the world.

Snorkelers will find most of the abundant life and colours exist right beneath the surface at the reef. Within reach are giant clams, angel, butterfly and parrot fish, turtles, sea stars and corals of a thousand hues. Among the 1,800 species of fish and 450 species of coral, you can expect to see "Nemo" clown fish in anemones, Wally the giant wrasse, fan corals, sea cucumbers and stag horn coral gardens.

Later you enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and then sail to Green Island. Here you can sunbathe, stroll the boardwalk in the national park, or walk right into the water to view the reef. Options on Green Island include a ride on a glass-bottom boat, a cruise in a semi-submarine, and a visit to Marineland Melanesia (extra cost).

On the return, the crew is happy to get you involved with hoisting the sails and those who are keen can captain the sailboat. The friendly crew also offers up a fruit and cheese plates, cakes and other goodies. You return to land in the late afternoon and enjoy a hearty meal at one of Cairns seaside restaurants.

Accommodation: Central Cairns hostel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Departure

Eventually all good things must come to an end. This morning after breakfast, you are transferred to the Cairns Airport for your flight home.

Meals Included: Breakfast

What's Included:

All activities and entrance fees as described in the itinerary
Small World Journeys naturalist guide
Additional specialty guides and educators
Cairns airport transfers
Transportation to activities
All breakfasts
All lunches
All dinners
3 nights at a Cairns central hostel (6-share single gender rooms w/bathroom)
1 night camping on property of aboriginal family (covered camping with shared bathrooms)
1 night at outback cattle station (dorm-style marquee with shared bathrooms)
1 night camping at wildlife park (shared bathrooms)
Tents, sleeping bags and all necessary camping equipment
A hand-crafted didgeridoo to take home
101 Animals of the Wet Tropics field guide book for each student
101 Plants of the Wet Tropics field guide book for each student
Community service certificate
Mask, fins, and snorkel hire on the reef trip
Your own FACEBOOK trip page, so parents can follow along during the trip
Marine park and national park fees
Small World Journeys reusable water bottle for every participant
Pre-trip educational information
Risk managment assessment on request
A 5 square metre plot of Daintree rainforest adopted in your group's name
ClimateCare™ carbon offsetting for a carbon-neutral trip

What's not Included:

Airfare
Travel insurance - not required but highly recommended
Optional professional photo with koala, python or crocodile
Optional activities on Green Island
Optional sleeping bag hire $15 per person for the trip
Personal expenses (phone, internet, laundry, etc.)

Other Destinations in Australia:

Ask us about continuing your Australian adventures in Sydney, Melbourne & The Great Ocean Road, or Uluru (Ayers Rock) and The Red Centre!

Where does the trip start?

Your trip leader/guide will meet you in the Cairns Airport Baggage Claim when you arrive on Day 1 in Cairns. We suggest you arrive between 1:00 - 5:00 pm on the first day, and schedule your departure before noon on the last day.

What qualifications do your trip leader/guides have?

Our guides have a government-issued Working With Children approval (also known as a "Blue Card") that is only given after an extensive background check, and allows them the ability to work with children. Each guide also has a Senior First Aid and CPR certification and government-issued Driver's Authority.

Many of our student trip leaders have higher degrees in environmental science, marine biology or experiential education, and there is one thing which unites them: a love for teaching young people about the outdoors.

We choose guides with extensive experience having worked with young people. They will be with the group the entire trip, and are responsible for the supervision and safety of all students.

For more information, see Our Guides

How do we make sure our educational goals are met?

If you have specific educational goals, or wish to include certain topics or areas of study, please tell us. Our guides have a range of knowledge about flora, fauna, natural history, geology, botany, and marine science and can tailor this program to include topics your students are studying in school, for example, rainforest ecology.

Can we change this itinerary to fit our budget or to include different activities?

Yes! This itinerary is just a sample of what we can arrange for your group. Have a look at our other itineraries - you can mix and match activities you like and we'll create a custom trip just for your group. We are happy to discuss custom options that are tailored to your budget.

What kind of insurance do you have in place?

Small World Journeys has public liability insurance up to $10,000,000 and is required for us to maintain our commercial permits for the national parks.

What is the weather like in Cairns?

Cairns is a tropical place, and outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round. In our summer (December-February), the weather is at its warmest and wettest. You can expect hot days with occasional tropical storms, producing lush green hillsides and plenty of waterfalls. Average temperatures are 23-31 degrees Celsius/73-87 Fahrenheit.

In our winter (June-August), the climate is at its most mild, with warm days, cool nights, and little rainfall. Average temperatures are 18-26 degrees Celsius/64-78 degrees Fahrenheit.

In spring (September - November), days are warm to hot and in autumn (March - May) temperatures are still warm to hot, with more chances of rain than in spring.

What is your safety record?

Our safety record is immaculate. Yes, we have had students receive minor cuts and bruises, but no injury requiring a hospital visit. We carry a first aid kit in our vehicles, as well as on the guide's person when in remote areas.

Safety is absolutely our number one concern at all times. We do everything in our power to make sure each trip is as safe as it can possibly be. Small World Journeys' trip leaders adhere to a comprehensive Risk Management Strategy.

What should we bring with us?

We will provide you with a suggested packing list in your Confirmation Packet. Some important things to remember to bring are a sleeping bag (one can be hired from us at $15 per person). lightweight clothes for the tropics, sunscreen, hat, and swim suit.

Do you do risk management assessments?

Yes. We evaluate and re-evaluate the safety of each of our destinations and activities, and we always reserve the right to modify or cancel an itinerary if the guide feels that conditions are unsafe. We will gladly provide a risk management assessment specific to your trip on request.

Small World Journeys' staff also adhere to a comprehensive Risk Management Strategy.

What kind of food will we have?

We understand how important food is to young people – and heaps of it!

A typical breakfast will be a continental breakfast including juices, cereals, toast & jams (and optional vegemite!) and a typical packed lunch will be a meat and salad sandwich, drink, chips, biscuits and a piece of fresh fruit. On the reef trip and the wildlife park you are treated to buffet lunches. Lunch at the cattle station will also include a delicious steak! (vegetarian options are available)

Dinners include all-you-can-eat Italian, modern Aussie and seafood restaurants, and we place a big emphasis on variety and healthful options. A traditional underground dinner will be prepared by the aboriginal family.

Best of all, we carry our Bottomless Snack Box when we travel to ensure that no one is ever hungry.

Where will we sleep?

We have chosen accommodation that is safe, clean and unique. In Cairns, you stay at a clean and safe hostel close to the waterfront. Rooms are single gender, shared ONLY with students in your group (no "strangers" in the room). You also stay in comfortable dorm-style marquees at the outback cattle station where students are separated by gender. Two nights will be camping - at the property of the aboriginal family and at the widlife park - bathrooms and covered camping areas are available at both sites. All camping equipment is provided.

The hostel has laundry facilities so you may wash your clothes during the trip.

We have a 24-hour mobile number that parents may ring at any time during their child's trip if there is an emergency, and we will also provide the group coordinator with contact details of where the group is staying each night.

How active will we be on this tour?

You do not have to be an athlete to join this trip; however, our trips are NOT “sight-seeing tours”. Our trips are active, and we will be outside the majority of the day, every day. We can accommodate a range of fitness and skill levels within one trip, and you will always have options.

How do we arrange airfare?

We do not arrange airfare in house, however we do work closely with several travel agents. In Australia, we recommend Kim Salter, our Sydney-based travel agent. Contact Kim at kims@travelmanagers.com.au or call + 61 0433 324 455 or toll free within Australia 1 300 640 821.

Why should we travel with Small World Journeys?

LOCAL SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE
Our office is in Cairns – this means we are right around the corner for 24-hour support, to answer your questions, or if you have an emergency in the middle of the trip.

Local knowledge means we know the restaurant owners who catch their own fish (and then deliciously prepare it for you!), where to buy the real indigenous-made souvenirs, and where the best swimming holes are.

ECO-CREDENTIALS
Being an “eco” tour operator means more to us than just offering walks outdoors. It means we pay to offset the carbon emissions from your trip, give a percentage of profits to local environmental and community organizations, plant trees, recycle, and participate in Rainforest Rescue’s Adopt-a-Square program. See 10 Reasons Why We’re Eco for more on what we do for our environment and community.

HUNDREDS OF HAPPY STUDENTS
We could tell you that we provide highly professional customer service, respond attentively and consistently exceed our guests’ expectations. But don’t believe us! Read some of our testimonials or ask us for references from past guests who are willing to tell you all about their experience with Small World Journeys.

GOODIES!
You get a Small World Journeys water bottle, an animal field guide book and a 5 square metre of Daintree rainforest adopted in the group's name, plus a certificate detailing where your rainforest square is located. Plus you get an unforgettable trip too.

For international groups: do we need a visa to travel to Australia?

All visitors to Australia need a visa, with the exception of visitors from New Zealand. An Australian entry visa, commonly known as an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) will let you spend up to three months in Australia. In most countries it is easily obtained by the travel agent who issues your ticket, and should be free of charge. You can also get an ETA on line by visiting www.eta.immi.gov.au. There is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application, and you do not need a stamp or label in your passport. Upon check in at the airport, the airline agent will be able to confirm your ETA electronically. All visitors will also need a passport, valid for at least six months after the planned return date.


Minimum group size:	12 students
Days:	7 day trip
Dates:	Year round, your choice
Starts/Ends:	Cairns, Australia
Free Teacher:	For every 8 paying students
Topics Covered:	Rainforest Ecology Marine Science Indigenous Culture Animal Husbandry Pioneer History
Options:	This trip is fully customisable!