High School Experiential Learning Programs in Australia

Step into the shoes of a conservationist in one of the most scenic and biodiverse destinations on Earth. Observe unique Australian wildlife in the marine, coastal, and bushland ecosystems in and around Sydney alongside a local guide and environmentalist. In this beautiful waterfront city, study the science behind extinction and the impact of human activity on Australia’s ecosystems. Conduct field work and collect data for analyzing and evaluating sustainability strategies implemented in urban coastal cities. Volunteer in bush regeneration and see firsthand the measurable effects of ecological restoration.  Also explore Australia’s culture, heritage, and way of life. Appreciate Aboriginal culture in Kamay Botany Bay—participate in a traditional ochre ceremony and listen to stories about the First Nations people and the Dreaming, or creation, of this land. Meet up with local youth in Sydney and work together in conservation activities. Enjoy “only in Australia” experiences—pet a kangaroo, go surfing with Aussies, witness surreal sunsets over the Opera House, practice Tim Tam slams, go on bushwalks, and return home saying words like lollies and You Beauty!

Fly across the International Dateline and arrive in the Land Down Under! Our journey to Australia and New Zealand is a TFT favorite, combining adventure with cultural exploration and major travel destinations with little-known gems. In New Zealand, we will experience the country’s famed natural beauty and enjoy a boat cruise on picture-perfect Milford Sound in the mountains. During the cruise, we will watch for penguins, seals, and even dolphins! We will also take an exhilarating ride on the world’s fastest jet boat, zooming through rock canyons. To cap off our time in New Zealand, we will enjoy a traditional Maori ceremony and even have the chance to learn the dance and participate! After New Zealand, we’ll hop on a short flight for the ultimate Australian experience. Here, we will enjoy the best of Australia’s wildlife while completing service work with local organizations dedicated to protecting the country’s unique and diverse wildlife and natural habitat. Projects include working at a rehabilitation center where we will help care for injured and orphaned tree-kangaroos and reintroduce them back into the wild, and visiting an endangered ecosystem.

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

At THINK Global School (TGS), the world's only traveling high school, students live and learn across four countries each year, gaining the skills, perspectives, and friendships needed to thrive in today's interconnected world. In an age of constant digital connection, TGS prioritizes authentic human experiences through real-world immersion and genuine cultural exchange. Students ages 16–18 experience life in up to 8 countries over two years while earning a fully WASC-accredited diploma. Instead of textbooks and lectures, students dive into project-based learning through TGS's innovative Changemaker Curriculum, tackling real-world challenges while drawing inspiration from each host country's culture, environment, and community. With a 4:1 faculty-to-student ratio, students receive individualized guidance from multicultural educators who act as mentors. Since 2010, TGS has called 34 extraordinary countries home, creating a truly global classroom. TGS uses sliding-scale tuition based on family circumstances, ensuring accessibility for qualified students from all backgrounds who have a passion for travel and a desire to improve the world.

Greenheart Travel’s High School Abroad Australia program allows students to live with a local host family and attend a local high school in South Australia, one of the safest, most underrated regions of this country-continent! Whether your preference is to join a surfing club, learn all the intricacies of Australian Footy, or be academically challenged, you’ll learn to speak some Australian (much more than g’day, mate!) and even try a bit of Vegemite (don’t smell it first, though). Is the “Land Down Under” calling your name? Let’s see... -You want to see as much of this giant country as possible—there are optional add-on trips to places like the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, or Kangaroo Island. -You have specific interests like tourism, child studies, technology, and more, and you want the opportunity to choose courses. -You want a culturally different experience, but you still want to speak English abroad. -You’re happy to live in a small, tight-knit community: our placements are outside of Adelaide, the region’s capital.

In Sydney, the creative sector is a key driver of innovation and identity. Our Creative Industries summer programme invites students aged 15-18 to explore the intersection of media, design, storytelling, and visual communication. From branding and advertising to content creation and digital storytelling, you’ll dive into workshops and projects that challenge you to develop your creative voice and think strategically. Guided by experienced tutors with backgrounds in the arts, marketing, and creative strategy, you’ll work through real briefs, visit real studios and agencies, and reflect on how creativity influences both culture and commerce. Sydney’s buzzing creative energy and multicultural influence provide an exciting backdrop for your ideas to grow. Whether you’re interested in filmmaking, graphic design, fashion, or creative direction, this course is your chance to learn practical skills, build a portfolio, and experience the pace and ambition of life in the creative industries.

Travel through Australia and Fiji on a high school adventure that blends island culture, marine exploration, and rugged Outback discovery. Begin in Fiji, where you experience village life, explore rivers and reefs, and connect with local traditions. Continue to Australia to bike through Sydney, sail the Whitsundays, and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. Trek among ancient rock formations in the Outback, camp under star-filled skies, and learn from local experts. Return home with new confidence, lifelong friendships, and a deeper appreciation for Pacific cultures and environments.

Treasure close encounters with kangaroos, koalas, and many exotic animals as you journey through Australia. Our programs give numerous hands-on experiences, including caring for animals at the Australia Zoo, snorkeling amid coral reefs, and trying Aboriginal practices like throwing boomerangs. Our current program offerings include: Service and Adventure Down Under: You will enjoy Australia’s Sunshine Coast as you surf, look for koalas on the coastline, learn about Aboriginal culture, and tour the Australia Zoo. Wrap up the program with a snorkel cruise amid shipwrecks and coral reefs. Animal Conservation: You will learn about animal care at the Australia Zoo and a wildlife rehabilitation center. Kayak to search for dolphins and whales and enjoy other must-do adventures for animal lovers.

Join us for a transformative 21-day cultural immersion in Australia and Fiji. We start in Fiji with a warm welcome ceremony, engaging in hands-on cooking classes to explore the diverse flavors of Fijian cuisine. Our community service focuses on a meaningful meal program that empowers Fijian women and fosters connections through shared meals. Traveling to Viti Levu's scenic highlands, we immerse ourselves in traditional island life by participating in bamboo raft building and local farming activities. On Taveuni, we embrace “island time” with snorkeling, kayaking, and preparing traditional meals while learning local customs. Next, we head to Australia, beginning in Cairns, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. Here, we earn our SCUBA certification and experience breathtaking underwater biodiversity while staying on a liveaboard boat. Our adventure includes community service at a wildlife refuge, where we care for iconic Australian animals. We’ll also delve into Aboriginal culture in the Daintree Rainforest, learning traditional practices and the connection between the land and its people.

Journey to the lands down under and immerse yourself in all this New Zealand and Australia travel program offers: incredible beauty, friendly culture, and thrilling adventure. Try a wide variety of activities you won’t see anywhere else: zorbing, waterfall rafting, and alpine trekking in New Zealand. Then, enjoy scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, boomerang throwing lessons, and bridge climbing in Australia. Your summer program leaders will be there to create a fun, inclusive, and accepting family atmosphere. This is no ordinary high school summer tour; it’s an adventure of a lifetime! Teens on this trip participate in the first 21 days of the longer New Zealand, Australia & Fiji Adventure 28-day program.

Discover Australia, one of the most environmentally and socially diverse places on earth. Beginning with a thrilling surf session in Sydney, you’ll be riding a wave of excitement until the very last minute. Whether you’re living aboard a yacht sailing the magnificent Whitsunday Islands, visiting the iconic Sydney Opera House, or cuddling a koala at the Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary, you won’t have time to digest one amazing moment before another sneaks up on you. While you explore, pick up some community service hours aiding the Daintree Observatory in re-building the rainforest, one plant at a time.

Join this two-week adventure “down under” and volunteer at the Walkabout Wildlife Park in Calga Springs outside Sydney, Australia. Get hands-on with koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, wallabies, and all kinds of other Australian wildlife. Enjoy a fun tourist trip in Sydney; explore aboriginal sites in the bush; and study “Australian Wildlife Handling, Conservation, and Care” with your veterinarian (DVM) trip leader in the classroom and with the animals. The program is open to high school students aged 14-18. Each group of up to 10 participants will have its veterinarian and Australian Volunteer Coordinator.

This program is for anyone interested in learning how the world works and exploring the global issues impacting our lives.  In the spring semester, students will learn the workings of communist and capitalist economies and gain insight through on-site assignments and case studies. As the program progresses, we explore how the world is handling issues like global warming, immigration, terrorism, globalization, and the uses of artificial intelligence while immersed in Eastern cultures. We will visit Bangkok, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Singapore, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. Dates: mid-January — late April 2026 The High School Study Abroad Program – Spring Semester in Asia is open to all secondary school students registered in public, private, or separate schools worldwide.