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Semester Abroad in New Zealand & Australia - Conservation

by: Pacific Discovery

4.65 (40)VerifiedSince 2001

Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New Zealand and Australia, two of the world’s most amazing travel destinations. This Pacific Discovery program is designed for students taking a gap year, seeking an alternative study abroad, or looking to combine travel with purpose. Journey across dramatic landscapes, from the fjords of New Zealand to the tropical reefs of Australia. Hike, surf, snorkel, and dive while building global perspective through hands-on conservation and meaningful service learning. Learn directly from Māori and Indigenous Australian communities through authentic cultural exchange. Along the way, develop real-world skills in leadership, teamwork, and sustainability with the option to earn U.S. college credit. With experienced instructors by your side, you’ll gain clarity, confidence, and lifelong friendships while exploring two iconic destinations for adventure and growth. Whether you’re preparing for college, building your resume, or redefining your education through travel, this immersive journey will leave you inspired and ready for what’s next. Inquire today to start your New Zealand & Australia Semester with Pacific Discovery.

Program Highlights

Canyoning in the Blue Mountains: Navigate waterfalls, jump into pools, and rappel through rugged terrain, all while building trust and teamwork

Maori cultural immersion: Learn indigenous stories, attend workshops, and participate in traditional ceremonies to deepen your understanding of Aotearoa’s heritage

Conservation projects on both continents: Help with dune restoration, native habitat protection, and wildlife conservation alongside local partners

Snorkel & surf in Australia: Dive into reef life, ride waves, and discover marine biodiversity

Wilderness treks in New Zealand: Hike iconic routes through mountainous terrain, forest, and alpine landscapes

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Blue Mountains, Australia
  • Brisbane, Australia
  • Byron Bay, Australia
  • Crescent Head, Australia
  • Fraser Island, Australia
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • Nelson, New Zealand
  • Queenstown, New Zealand
  • Rotorua, New Zealand
  • Wellington, New Zealand
  • Multiple Countries
Starts At: $1500-2000
Availability
Year(s) Offered: 2026, 2027, 2028Duration:
  • 9-12 Weeks
Age Requirement: 18-20
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Backpacking
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Climbing
  • Eco Tours
  • Heritage Tourism
  • Hiking
  • Rafting
  • Scuba
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Student Tours
  • Surfing
  • Tours
  • Trekking
Subjects & Courses:
  • Australian Studies
  • Conservation & Preservation
  • Culture
  • Ecology
  • Independent Study
  • Marine Biology
  • Sustainable Development
  • Travel & Tourism
Causes:
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Welfare
  • Community Development
  • Conservation
  • Culture
  • Eco-Tourism
  • Environment
  • Marine Conservation
  • Organic Farming
  • Reforestation
  • Trail Building
  • Tree Planting
  • Wildlife
Types:
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Experiential Learning
  • Self-Discovery
  • Study Abroad
  • Volunteering
  • Wilderness
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: May 20, 2026

Awards

GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2025 - Gap Year2025 Finalist - Innovation in DiversityGoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Gap Year AbroadTop Rated Provider 2023 - Gap YearPeople’s Choice Award 2023 FinalistInnovation in Sustainability 2023 FinalistInnovation in Sustainability 2023 WinnerTop Rated Gap Year Provider 2022Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad Finalist 2022Innovation in Marketing & Digital Media Finalist 2022Top Rate Organization 2021 - Gap Year

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

4.65

Total Reviews

40

Made some unforgettable memories

November 18, 2025by: Brianna Campos
5

This program is perfect for someone that loves and appreciates the outdoors and is very active. I had an amazing experience and made some unforgettable memories. I also made amazing new friendship with the other people on the program.

An amazing experience

November 18, 2025by: Noah Wagner
5

Pacific Discovery was an amazing experience! I formed amazing friendships and did countless bucket list activities. This program allowed me to grow as a person and push past my comfort zone. You won’t regret signing up for one of their trips.

The group experience allowed him to travel to a new country in a safe environment without family.

April 21, 2025by: Natalie Dunn
4

The New Zealand and Australia trip was a wonderful experience for our son. The group experience allowed him to travel to a new country in a safe environment without family. He wanted to travel independently but we wanted him to learn within a safe environment first. Pacific Discovery has given him the skills knowledge to now go out and travel on his own.

Changed my life in a positive way!

April 05, 2025by: Julien Tulp
4

I have been on the Australia/New Zealand gap semester, had an amazing time here did so many cool tings, had amazing instructors and learned so much about a lot of things and it also changed my life in an positive way! I can really recommend it for people how really love to travel and learn and enjoy doing outdoor activity’s

Just do it

December 27, 2024by: Sophia Gidwani - United States
4

The 70 days I spent pacific discovery in Aus/NZ were absolutely unforgettable. My instructors were absolutely incredible people. Both were so knowledgeable and so qualified to lead us. The program was the perfect mix of freedom and structure. It was a great mix of camping/hostels. I learned so much about myself and the world I live in. I gained more than I could have ever imagined. New Zealand is the most incredible place I have ever been and you will never want to leave. If you are at all considering this program, DO IT. There is so much joy on the other side of the fear holding you back

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life

November 27, 2024by: Ander Sanchez
4

Pacific Discovery gave me one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The 10-week gap year program was a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and personal growth. The staff were very knowledgeable, and always there to encourage us. I left with lifelong friends and memories, plus a newfound appreciation for nature and different cultures. If you're looking for a meaningful, eye opening adventure, I can't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my life

November 27, 2024by: Ander Sanchez
4

Pacific Discovery gave me one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The 10-week gap year program was a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and personal growth. The staff were very knowledgeable, and always there to encourage us. I left with lifelong friends and memories, plus a newfound appreciation for nature and different cultures. If you're looking for a meaningful, eye opening adventure, I can't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!

The most amazing trip i’ve ever been on!

November 26, 2024by: William Bergland
5

The Australia and New Zealand semester was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on! From the beautiful beaches of AUS to the stunning southern alps of New Zealand, every single activity and view on this trip was amazing. There is nowhere I would rather have spent the last 70 days, and no group I would rather have been with!

The most amazing trip i’ve ever been on!

November 26, 2024by: William Bergland
5

The Australia and New Zealand semester was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on! From the beautiful beaches of AUS to the stunning southern alps of New Zealand, every single activity and view on this trip was amazing. There is nowhere I would rather have spent the last 70 days, and no group I would rather have been with!

Live and travel more sustainably

November 04, 2024by: Noa Heinrich
5

I had an amazing time with amazing people on the Australia New Zealand Gap semester! It was an incredible program that showed us how to live and travel more sustainably, make the most of our time with every experience, and learn from others we meet along the way! I definitely recommend this program!!

Live and travel more sustainably

November 04, 2024by: Noa Heinrich
5

I had an amazing time with amazing people on the Australia New Zealand Gap semester! It was an incredible program that showed us how to live and travel more sustainably, make the most of our time with every experience, and learn from others we meet along the way! I definitely recommend this program!!

These 10 weeks truly were life changing

April 24, 2024by: Jacob Wiczyk
4

I came into this program with different circumstances than most people. I didn’t necessarily feel like I needed a gap year, but my top choice college offered me admission for the class of 2028, meaning I would have to take a year off. I liked this program when I looked at it and I signed up, but I didn’t really come with any major or specific plans or goals in mind. I ended up growing not just in areas I knew I was going to be challenged in, but in so much more that I didn’t even know about myself. I am leaving this program as someone who is much more thoughtful about myself and my action, and I am more motivated than ever to focus on being the best I can in things that I am interested in, even if that means facing you do challenges along the way. These 10 weeks truly were s life changing experience and I am extremely grateful I was pushed into taking the year off and am very glad I signed up for pacific discovery. Thank you!

This trip was like no other

April 15, 2024by: Katie Mayer
5

This trip was like no other. I did things I never dreamed of doing and loved every second. I accomplished things I didn’t think were possible and grew so incredibly independent, confident, and free spirited.

I gained a lot of good travel skills

April 12, 2024by: Bella Chan-MacRae
4

I gained a lot of good travel skills, such as flying on a plane by myself, cohabitation with others, conflict management, etc. I would recommend this program because you get two countries out of it and you get to explore cultures that school didn’t really teach you about!

Step out of your comfort zone

April 12, 2024by: Mare de Wit
5

Being on a PD program is a cool experience, because this environment teaches you a lot about how to deal with future struggles. For example: how to deal with people, who are really different than you are. I would recommend this program, because it offers more than just gap year/ travel experience. It taught me a lot about my own personality, abilities and my growth. I think this program challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, and led me to being more confident. This is an opportunity to learn about nature, culture, yourself, new physical activities, hoe to approve certain situations and personality trades.

I learned so much about myself

April 05, 2024by: Sophia Aureden
5

Going on the New Zealand and Australia gap semester program with Pacific Discovery was one of the best decisions of my life. I learned so much about myself, the world around me, and made lifelong friends.

Became more comfortable with being uncomfortable

April 03, 2024by: Jack Clelland
4

Became more comfortable with being uncomfortable. A good opportunity to have reflection time and work on finding yourself. Lean into the negative things more and use your positivity to help others when they need it. A perfect way to distance myself from my normal home life. Great opportunity to explore myself and my values. Loads of time to reflect.

I became more invested in nature and being outdoors

April 23, 2023by: Jamie Herfort
5

I became more invested in nature and being outdoors. This trip has inspired me to become more aware of how I affect the planet and how I can help change my own life. This trip also helped me overcome my fears and had me try new things I ended up loving.

This was an incredible trip

April 06, 2023by: Amelia Carr
4

This was an incredible trip and I highly recommend it to any prospective students. I made such amazing friends, saw so many amazing places, and did so many cool activities. It was the experience of a lifetime and I would do it 1000 times over.

I feel like I have become more independent

April 02, 2023by: Colin Bennett
5

I feel like I have become more independent. I would recommend it to others because it was a once in a lifetime experience. I felt like I came into the program with an open mind which I think was the best decision for me.

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Blue Mountains, Australia
  • Brisbane, Australia
  • Byron Bay, Australia
  • Crescent Head, Australia
  • Fraser Island, Australia
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • Nelson, New Zealand
  • Queenstown, New Zealand
  • Rotorua, New Zealand
  • Wellington, New Zealand
  • Multiple Countries

Types and Subjects

  • Adventure Types
  • Backpacking
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Climbing
  • Eco Tours
  • Heritage Tourism
  • Hiking
  • Rafting
  • Scuba
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Snorkeling
  • Student Tours
  • Surfing
  • Tours
  • Trekking
  • Subjects & Courses
  • Australian Studies
  • Conservation & Preservation
  • Culture
  • Ecology
  • Independent Study
  • Marine Biology
  • Sustainable Development
  • Travel & Tourism
  • Causes
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Welfare
  • Community Development
  • Conservation
  • Culture
  • Eco-Tourism
  • Environment
  • Marine Conservation
  • Organic Farming
  • Reforestation
  • Trail Building
  • Tree Planting
  • Wildlife
  • Types
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Experiential Learning
  • Self-Discovery
  • Study Abroad
  • Volunteering
  • Wilderness

Availability

Years Offered: 2026, 2027, 2028

Duration:
  • 9-12 Weeks
Terms Available:
  • Fall
  • Spring
Gap Year Timing:
  • After College
  • Post High School
  • During College

Age Requirement

18-20

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Group

Starts At

$1500-2000

Program Cost Includes

  • Tuition & Fees
  • Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
  • All Program Activity Costs
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Group Meals
  • Required Equipment
  • Guide / Chaperone
  • Pre-Departure Orientation
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
  • Certificate of Completion

Accommodation Options

  • Group living
  • Other

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Online Application
  • Written Application
  • Other
Pacific Discovery

Pacific Discovery

4.65Verified

Ready to Learn More?

Experience an unforgettable 10-week Gap Year Semester through New Zealand and Australia, two of the world’s most amazing travel destinations. This Pacific Discovery program is designed for students taking a gap year, seeking an alternative study abroad, or looking to combine travel with purpose. Journey across dramatic landscapes, from the fjords of New Zealand to the tropical reefs of Australia. Hike, surf, snorkel, and dive while building global perspective through hands-on conservation and meaningful service learning. Learn directly from Māori and Indigenous Australian communities through authentic cultural exchange. Along the way, develop real-world skills in leadership, teamwork, and sustainability with the option to earn U.S. college credit. With experienced instructors by your si...

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