Marine Studies & Biology

• Learn from a marine biologist with mini-lectures and hands-on assignments
• Set up camp only steps from the water on a lush tropical island
• Visit a turtle rehabilitation centre
• Meet expert marine scientists at James Cook University
• Plunge into a dazzling show of colour and life at the outer Great Barrier Reef
• Contribute to ongoing efforts in reef health monitoring
• Learn from an Indigenous local about managing resources OR participate in a mangrove workshop
• OPTION: Participate in a community service project that helps the reef

• Cairns airport transfers
• Small World Journeys land guide Day 1
• Marine guide(s) on Days 2-3
• Additional educators, guides and boat crew
• All activities and entrance fees as described in the itinerary
• Transportation to activities
• 2 nights at Cairns 3-star hotel (2 or 3-share hotel rooms with ensuite)*
• 1 night island camping (toilets and cold showers available)
• Tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags
• All continental breakfasts
• All lunches
• All dinners
• Snacks (includes fresh fruit & share containers of chips, biscuits & crackers)
• 101 Animals of the Great Barrier Reef field guide for each student
• Mask, fins, and snorkel hire on Fitzroy Island and outer reef trip
• Pre-trip educational information
• Marine Park taxes & levies
• Reusable water bottle and cloth shopping bag
• Donation made to Reef Restoration Foundation to the “Care for Coral” program on behalf of your group (we give you a certificate on your trip)
• NEW: we offset the carbon emissions from your trip activities AND your flight to Cairns!

*Two teacher rooms (private twin or triple share rooms) are included in the trip price for groups of 15 students or more. For trips with low numbers (10-14), one teacher room is included. A single supplement is charged if an additional private room is required for the trip. If teachers are happy to share a room, no additional costs are incurred.

Small World Journeys reserves the right to change the order of activities for logistical reasons. Prices are valid for travel from 1 April 2025 until 31 March, 2026.

• Airfare to Cairns
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)
• Personal expenses ( souvenirs, laundry, etc.)

• Service Project for the Reef (done in conjunction with mangrove workshop)

Planning Your Trip

ACCESSIBILITY MENU: Small World Journeys’ website provides an accessibility menu. Visitors to our website can click on the “person” icon on the right side of the screen to bring up this menu. Options include increasing/decreasing font size, increasing/decreasing contrast, dyslexia-friendly fonts, and the ability to hide images, among other things.

BOOKING FORM: On our online booking form, we ask all participants to list any special needs they have, be them medical, dietary, or accessibility needs. We also offer free sensory packs to our guests who are neurodivergent, which include headphones, a timer for transitions, a squeezy fidget toy, and other treats to appeal to the senses like flavoured lip balm.

WAIVER FORMS: We understand that not all of our participants’ parents have a strong command of written English and therefore understanding and signing our on-line waiver may prove challenging. We therefore have our wavier form available in the following languages on request: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

Arrival at Cairns Airport

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS: Public toilets are located throughout the terminals. Each toilet facility includes an accessible toilet suitable for wheelchair access.

TGSI and HEARING LOOPS: The Cairns Airport makes use of Tactile Ground Service Indicators (TGSI) and Hearing Loops to assist people with vision impairments and hearing difficulties, respectively.  For example, Braille is included on toilet doors/signs to assist a person with vision impairment locate the correct facility.

ASSISTANCE FOR HIDDEN DISABILITIES: If you or someone you are travelling with has a hidden disability, you can request a hidden disability lanyard through a form here.  Wearing a sunflower lanyard when you are at Cairns Airport is a discreet way for you to indicate to the airport team that you may need a little extra help, guidance or time with the airport processes. The airport team has been trained to recognise the lanyard and provide the assistance and support you may need. Some of the airport staff will also be wearing a Sunflower badge on their shirts or lanyards to help you feel a little more at ease.

VISUAL AND WRITTEN STORY GUIDES: Visual Story Guides are available for Domestic Arrivals and have been designed to help you to understand how an airport works and what to expect. Written Story Guides are also available for Domestic Arrivals.

Our Safety Talks

Our arrival safety talk is done verbally but is supported by cards that illustrate the main talking points. Similarly, our snorkelling safety talk is done in the same manner, supported by cards with pictures and illustrations.

We can provide a transcript of our safety talk to any hearing-impaired guest.

Transport

Our buses have two steps up of approximately 40 cms to get inside. There is no lift for a wheelchair or mobility device. Similarly, on occasion we hire large coaches for bigger groups and those buses also have two steps up of about 40 cms to get inside. All buses are equipped with seatbelts.

Presentations & Workshops

OUR OFFICE & PRESENTATION SPACE: We use the Small World Journeys office space for presentations, workshops and some community service projects. There is a rise of approximately 2 cm to enter the presentation room. We have one accessible, gender-neutral toilet block with shower.

In the outside area of our office, planes fly overhead frequently and the noise can be startling and confronting. However, as part of the terms of construction, the entire building has sound mitigation devices (double glazed windows, etc.) which creates the opportunity for multiple breakout spaces for neuro-divergent people who desire a quiet space with reduced stimuli.

Our presentations are designed to appeal to both visual and auditory learners.   We can provide a transcript of our presentations to any hearing-impaired guest.

NOVOTEL PRESENTATION SPACE: We also use Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort for presentations at dinnertime.

Overall accessible resort information:

• All entries to the hotel are wheelchair-accessible
• 2 accessible spaces in the on-site car park, near lifts
• 1 accessible toilet in hotel lobby (hand rail | grab bar)
• Most walkways within the hotel are wheelchair-accessible
• Well-lit main areas
• All meeting rooms are accessible
• Braille call buttons for lifts on each floor (external)
• On-site restaurant & breakfast buffet is mostly accessible – Please ask for assistance at hot food station.

Hotels

FLEXIBILITY WITH ACCOMMODATION: We have flexibility with the accommodation we choose; therefore if we know in advance that we have a guest with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or is short statured, we can choose hotels that cater accordingly.

PREFERRED HOTEL 1:  One of our preferred Cairns hotels is centrally located and one block from the waterfront.  The reception and breakfast room are widely accessible through a double automatic door as there are no steps or thresholds. Accessible guest rooms are all on the ground level.  The staff are happy to move the furniture around if required, and the rooms are fitted with a zipped-together queen bed or two single beds depending on preference. The under-bed clearance is 40mm, and there’s around 1000mm of space between the side of the bed and the wall. Unfortunately, the balconies have sliding door tracks and may not be completely accessible. Light switches are all large dish-style type and located 1000mm from the floor in accessible locations. The air conditioning can be remotely controlled. Moving into the bathroom: the hotel boasts accessible showers and toilets that are hobless and fitted with a fold-down seat. Both horizontal and vertical grab rails are fitted and the shower is home to a hot and cold flick mixer tap. The lifts which provide access to the third accessible room provide ample space for wheelchairs, and also boast buttons fitted with Braille.

PREFERRED HOTEL 2:  A second preferred hotel is also centrally located.  With accessible rooms that boast a double bed and a single bed, the staff at Coral Tree Inn are also happy to move the room furniture around to suit guests who use a wheelchair or mobility device. With a coffee and tea making space and a small bar fridge at hand, the TV can also be controlled by the remote. It’s worth noting that at this hotel the air conditioning unit cannot be operated by a remote. There is an accessible combined toilet and shower facility fitted with grab rails and a fold-down set. The shower is also hobless for added accessibility. Unfortunately, the balconies have sliding door tracks and may not be accessible to all guests, and there are also no designated accessible parking bays. However, there is ample room for drop offs immediately in front of reception.

Entering the reception may also be a little difficult as the door is manual, but staff are always happy to assist (and man the desk 24 hours). There are wide paths that lead from the reception to every area of the resort, including the BBQ area, the pool and the adjoining dining room.

Meals & Restaurants

FLEXIBILITY WITH RESTAURANTS & CATERING: We have quite a bit of flexibility with the restaurants we choose; therefore if we know in advance that we have a guest with a wheelchair, mobility scooter or is short statured, we can choose restaurants that cater accordingly.

We offer flexible menu options for people who have food allergies or intolerances, and in many cases religious requirements relating to food.

Guests are given space on our online booking form to specify their allergy, intolerance or religious requirement. On arrival we then give them a bag containing, for example, lactose-free milk, nut-free cereal and snacks, and/or other food items that cater to this allergy or intolerance. Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee catering for preferences like low carb meals or FODMAP.

Similarly, we inform all caterers and restaurants of our guests’ food allergies or intolerances.  Breakfast is typically served at the hotel, whilst lunches are often boxed lunches as we move around quite a bit on our tours.

Activities

If we are informed in the planning phase of your trip about  any participants or (potential participants) who have disabilities or special needs, we can suggest certain activities over others or suggest certain boats to the reef.  For example, one boat that travels to the reef has a lift for a guest in a wheelchair to get in and out of the water which is a great choice for guests with wheelchairs or mobility devices. Conversely, we know that the facilities on the boat that travels to the Fitzroy Island reef is not well set up for those with wheelchairs or mobility devices.  We also can include activities such as the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which recognises and supports the Sunflower program for people with hidden disabilities.

On this particular trip, there is a visit to James Cook University and an overnight reef excursion:

James Cook University:

There are ramps and lifts that give wheelchair and mobility device access to most of the University and there are accessible toilets in every building on the University campus. There are spot on campus where a person who is neurodivergent could find a quiet space with reduced stimuli. As the presentations and information about the marine labs are given verbally and there is limited support for people with hearing impairments.

The Great Barrier Reef Overnight Trip/Island Stay:

• The boat cannot accommodate persons using wheelchairs and mobility devices.
• Safety instructions are given verbally (no written instructions available).
• The captain is the first point of call for any questions or queries in regards to accessibility and/or special requirements that guests may have on the day.
• Assistance dogs are permitted, but must be confirmed with the reservations team prior to the trip.
• The boat uses pictogram signs (for example a pictogram showing feet standing on coral with a red line through it) to assist people with low literacy levels or who speak English as a second language. The company also has risk snorkel assessment forms in Japanese & Chinese for those nationalities.
• The distance from the Reef Fleet terminal to the vessel is approximately 150 metres; unfortunately no assistance is available for guests with mobility impairments.
• Lunch catering is sourced from a third party contractor who supply very detailed ingredient lists on request. Most dietary restrictions (gluten or lactose free, vegan, nut-free) can be accommodated.
• Although the boat itself does not have a specific low-stimulus quiet area, there are places on the island that could serve in this capacity.
• The island has dirt tracks and uneven terrain to get to the turtle rehab centre, and the beach front is mostly coral rubble.
• The campground is an uneven grassy area, and the campground toilets are not accessible.

Departure at Airport

VISUAL AND WRITTEN STORY GUIDES: Visual Story Guides are available for Domestic Departures and have been designed to help you to understand how an airport works and what to expect. Written Story Guides are also available for Domestic Departures.

Arrival in Cairns: On arrival you are met by a Small World Journeys staff member and given a brief orientation on what to expect and a safety talk. (Plan to arrive by noon today)

Marine Science Seminar: Next you head to James Cook University for a marine-focused seminar. JCU is Australia’s highest-ranked university in environmental science and offers marine biology studies not found anywhere else.  Today you have the opportunity to engage with world leading researchers and equipment.

Marine Labs & Aquarium:  Popular with film crews, the marine labs at JCU boast one of the world’s best sites for capturing marine creatures on camera.  Sophisticated equipment placed in the tanks allows for observing and filming animal behaviour up close. Additionally, JCU’s unique circular tank allows for a simulated current and the careful study of jellyfish. You meet staff who are on the cutting edge of marine science research, learn how they “milk” fish for venom, and about the latest findings in the development of anti-venoms.

Dangerous Marine Creatures & Mangrove Biome: Here you meet unusual and deadly creatures such as sea horses, baby crocodiles, cone shells, the lethal chironex jellyfish, and the extremely rare lung fish, found in captivity only at JCU. The cast members of Finding Nemo live here too.  You also investigate a working model of a mangrove biome, an important tool for studying effects on water quality and salinity as well as climate change mitigation. Perhaps most importantly today, in a controlled environment you closely view elements of the underwater world with which you will be interacting over the next couple of days.

Expert Speaker:  Speakers about dangerous marine animals may include famous venomologist Dr. Jamie Seymour, whose recent discovery that vinegar is not the best treatment for jellyfish stings has turned science on its head or Richard Fitzpatrick – “the shark wrangler” – a marine biologist and Emmy Award-winning cinematographer with more than 50 films for the BBC, National Geographic and Discovery Channel.

Life in the Sea: After dinner with our marine naturalist, you are introduced to the different phyla in the sea and the diversity of life at the Great Barrier Reef – both big and small.  You learn what interrelationships exist between organisms in marine ecosystems, and some cool examples of species that have adapted to changes in their underwater environment.  You also review what changes the Reef, its biggest threats, what scientists are doing to help it and what you can do too.

Accommodation: Cairns 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Travel to the Reef: This morning you are ferried to the pristine Fitzroy Island. A fringing coral reef surrounds the island, part of the Great Barrier Reef, providing a sheltered home for a variety of fish and coral species.

Tidal Charts and Currents: After an introduction to the island, you analyse a tidal chart and the currents to determine the best area for snorkelling today. Then you review your equipment and the basics of snorkelling before getting acquainted with the marine life at the reef.

Snorkelling and Marine Life ID:  During this first snorkel, you can expect to see among other things giant clams, gentle turtles, spaghetti coral that waves in the current, lionfish, cuttlefish, colourful coral gardens and fluorescent parrotfish.  With your marine guide you identify plankton, nekton and benthos and then once out of the water discuss their roles as producers, consumers or decomposers.

Food Pyramids and Classifications: After a hearty lunch your marine guide helps you classify examples of ocean life discuss the differences between classification groups in terms of their structure and needs.

Reef Restoration Coral Project: Before your next snorkel, you discuss why the reef is at risk and what is being done about it using the work of Reef Restoration Foundation (RRF) as an example.  RRF’s coral propagation gardens at Fitzroy Island—a first at the Great Barrier Reef!—are a superb example of resilience and adaptation.  You learn how the gardens have been established with resilient corals, and how the cutting/propagating process accelerates the recovery of damaged reefs.  You have an opportunity to view both a mini replica of a coral “tree” and the underwater coral garden volunteers are cultivating.

Camping at Water’s Edge: Your campground is beautifully situated only steps from the water where you set up your tents.  There is a BBQ and covered pergola area for eating an ablutions block with toilets and cold showers.  There is also a small store and Foxy’s Café which offers a games area and music.

Accommodation: Fitzroy Island Campground
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (dinner is student prepared with food provided)

Lighthouse Hike: This morning if you feel like a challenge with your guide you can walk a gorgeous but steep rainforest track that gives way to dry open forest and scenic vistas. At trail’s end stands a historic lighthouse where views of the sparkling Coral Sea stretch to the horizon.

Snorkelling and Species Identification: Next you continue with your snorkeling adventures with your marine naturalist.  Using the waterproof coral reef creatures tiles help you identify what you are seeing in the water:  hard and soft corals, fish families, and invertebrates.

CoralWatch Data Collection:  You also collect primary data in an activity that addresses climate change and coral bleaching. During this exercise you find out more about how and why coral bleaches.  You learn how to identify different kinds of coral, match its pigments to a waterproof chart, and then record what you observe in teams of two. The data then goes back to the University of Queensland’s Coral Watch scientists, where they analyse the results over time and look for any long term trends. Your results also go into a database to track bleaching around the world, and your group receives a graph of your results.

Water Quality Testing:  During your time on the island you discuss the physical and chemical properties of seawater and measure water quality using abiotic tests and a Secchi disk to measure turbidity. Small World Journeys collects these tallies from each group that visits Fitzroy Island so we can log this data, analyse the results over time, and look for any long term trends.

Turtle Rehabilitation Centre: During your visit you also visit the island’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre where a collection of volunteers help save sick and injured sea turtles by looking after them until they are ready to be released back into the ocean. You learn about their unique characteristics and about human impacts on their population.

Great Barrier Reef Field Guide: Included in your trip is your own field guide 101 Animals of The Great Barrier Reef written by our guide Dr. Martin Cohen to better understand the underwater world.

Optional Evening Activity – Documentary Film: Documentary films can inspire discussion and action, in addition to complementing the content of your trip. Tonight you have a choice to view one of several optional documentary films that relate to the environment (no extra cost).

Accommodation: Cairns 3-star hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Indigenous Speaker:  This morning you learn from an Indigenous local – a speaker who shares with you his personal stories of living his whole life in this area. Topics can include traditional use of marine and terrestrial resources, the significance of totems, and what sustainability means from the perspective of an Indigenous resident.  This is a great way to get insight into the local Aboriginal way of life. (available only on weekdays)

– OR –

Mangrove Workshop:  Your guide teaches you about the interesting aspects of mangrove systems and their importance to the Great Barrier Reef. You walk along a critical mangrove ecosystem which is the breeding ground for many important aquatic species.  You learn how mangroves deal with a lot of salt in their diet, how they act as the baby nurseries of the Great Barrier Reef and why both humans and the reef rely on these complex systems.

Optional Mangrove Cleanup: Unfortunately household rubbish also often makes its way into these mangroves systems and as a community service option this morning you can do your bit to clean up the waterway and help the reef.  You tally your “rubbish results” at the end and the team with the top results gets a prize.

Meals Included:  Breakfast