Description

Life's A Beach
With more than 80 percent of the country's population living somewhere along the coastline, surfing, swimming, and beach time are a way of life in the Land DownUnder. If you love the beach and are up for a real adventure, then Aussie Surf and Service is the trip for you! Grab your camera and pack your bags, it's time to head to Australia.

Fun on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast offers more than 100 kilometers of pristine coastline, countless beach breaks, and an almost endless number of places to catch a wave. You'll stay in a typical Aussie house by the beach, where you will surf until your legs turn to Jell-O and check out local sights such as Noosa National Park and cosmopolitan Hastings Street. Have a go at cable-skiing, lend a hand on some of our local service projects, and choose an optional activity such as jumping out of a plane or riding a camel along the beach. Chill out at the surf house in the evenings with your new mates or play games on the beach while gazing up at the incredible night skies. Come join us DownUnder for an authentic Aussie experience!

Surf the Coast
Whether you're honing your surfboard style or just learning how to catch a wave, come join us! This program is suitable for both experienced surfers as well as students who want to learn the basics of surfing and 'have a go' on some great Australian waves. These beaches have a choice of gentle waves close to shore and some bigger peaks further out. Your coaches for the week will be true-blue Aussie surf instructors who will teach you all the basics, and then help you refine your technique and skills. Once you've mastered the waves on the Sunshine Coast, you'll head to Moreton Island to surf along magical beaches with bottlenose dolphins while humpback whales glide by.

Magical Moreton Island
Just off the coast of Brisbane, Moreton Island feels a world away. Load up the four-wheel drive and take the ferry to this spectacular sand island that's full of lush forests, towering sand dunes, glistening lakes, and sensational lagoons. You'll spend an action-packed couple of days camping out near the beach, kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, feeding the fish, sandboarding down the dunes, hiking up to incredible views, and getting involved with some service work. And at the end of an awesome day, relax on the beach and watch the glistening sun set over the ocean. Add in good times with new friends and some close encounters with the native wildlife, and you'll never forget your magical Moreton Island experience.

Giving Back to the Community
Throughout your trip you will work on various service projects as well as helping to preserve the pristine environment you're enjoying while in Australia. Partner with several local environmental organizations working to rehabilitate Australia's beautiful natural environment and help out with beach cleanups and waterway restoration. You'll also spend an afternoon coaching basketball to special-needs students. No experience is required  just bring a smile, and you'll have new friends as soon as you walk in the door.

Join our Australian Surf and Service adventure for one great week as a stand-alone trip, or connect with one of our other fantastic South Pacific programs for an unforgettable summer. Life in Oz is amazing, and we'd love to share our waves, our islands, and our other hidden treasures with you!

Highlights

SURF on Australia's beautiful Sunshine Coast, where you'll learn from local Aussie surf coaches at some of the region's best breaks.

HELP local environmental groups preserve the coastline through beach clean-ups and waterway restoration work.

EXPLORE magnificent Moreton Island by four-wheel drive, camp near the beach, spot dolphins, and wave to the whales as they migrate up the coast.

SANDBOARD down massive sand dunes, snorkel, kayak, fish and cable-ski - this is an action-packed week DownUnder!

PLAY basketball with special-needs students and teach them some basic skills.

Travel Types

• Kayaking (Sea)
• Snorkeling
• Surfing

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 1,995

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Disability Issues
• Environment

Age Range

14-18 years old

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 6-15 students

Scholarships are Available

Scholarships are available annually for students interested in Rustic Pathways programs on an application basis. The scholarships are for all Rustic Pathways programs across the world and not only for this particular program. Applications for scholarships are available starting in late January or early February for students and interested parties should contact Rustic Pathways directly to learn how to apply.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983