Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Immerse yourself in the culture and wonders of the South Pacific on this summer program for high school students to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia. Experience the island paradise and culture of Fiji, hike the alpine terrain of New Zealand, and explore the rugged Outback and spectacular coral reefs of Australia. Go beyond the typical tourist experience and engage with all that Oceania has to offer.
- Program Highlights
• Participate in a kava ceremony in a traditional Fijian village
• Hike through the glacier covered mountain ranges of New Zealand’s Southern Alps
• Sail as part of a crew through the Whitsunday Islands
• Spot red kangaroos as you hike through the Australian Outback
• Hike through the glacier covered mountain ranges of New Zealand’s Southern Alps
• Sail as part of a crew through the Whitsunday Islands
• Spot red kangaroos as you hike through the Australian Outback
“The program exceeded our expectations! We hoped our child would connect with the group and make the most out of the trip. He did just that. The Putney group was so well organized that it helped to relieve any anxieties that came up!”
—Amy & Andrew Lasker, Elmhurst, IL
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in Los Angeles, and fly together to Nadi, Fiji. One day is lost while crossing the International Date Line. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Pacific Harbour, Fiji — 4 days
Start your adventure at an ecolodge in Fiji, a tropical paradise in the South Pacific. Get to know your Putney group and immerse yourself in island life. Learn about Fijian culture and home life in a coastal village that depends on the ocean for sustenance. Participate in a traditional kava ceremony, help prepare meals, and explore the spectacular coast together with local friends. Travel up the Navua River by longboat to visit a remote highland village. Float your way back by inner tube, stopping to swim at a secluded waterfall. Snorkel through vibrant oceanic ecosystems and partake in a soft coral adventure with local dive masters and underwater experts.
Nadi, Fiji — 2 days
Immerse yourself in the multicultural city of Nadi, visit the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere, and enjoy the therapeutic goodness of a mineral-rich mudbath. Contrast the bustling and urban way of life in Nadi with the slow-paced traditional life experienced in Pacific Harbour. Reflect on your time immersed in this incredible culture and prepare for life down under.
Queenstown, New Zealand — 2 days
Bid goodbye to Fiji and fly to Queenstown, a famous mountain town in New Zealand, on the ruggedly beautiful South Island. Ferry across Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic southern Alps: hike a scenic trail, and make your way down a mountain on the exhilarating Skyline Luge. Enjoy a full day at one of New Zealand's most beloved mountain towns, renowned for its adventure opportunities and landscape. Explore the city and get settled into the next chapter of your adventure.
Aoraki /Mt. Cook, New Zealand — 2 days
Hop on a bus heading out of the city to spend two days in the midst of New Zealand's tallest snowcapped mountain: Aoraki/Mount Cook. Visit the Glacier Moraine Lakes! Spend the following day hiking the famous glacier and enjoying stunning views of Tasman lake and the distant mountains.
New Zealand Homestay — 3 days
Join Kiwi host families for a homestay. Learn how to shear a sheep, watch a rugby match with homestay brothers and sisters, help make a traditional New Zealand meal, or take a “tramp” with your Kiwi family. Both leaders stay in town during the homestay, and the group gets together for excursions each day.
Queenstown, New Zealand — 1 days
Wrap up your time in Aotearoa, enjoy one final hike to see the beautiful views of the South Island, and make final preparations for your upcoming maritime adventure.
Sailing the Whitsunday Islands — 4 days
Fly to the Whitsundays, Australia, and board a yacht for a multi-day sailing trip through the spectacular Whitsunday Islands. Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef National Park, sleep on deck under the brilliant Southern Hemisphere stars, and relax on white-sand beaches. Lend the crew a hand as you learn the basics of sailing. Spot whales, tropical fish, spectacular coral reefs, and dolphins from the ship as you make your way among the islands.
Sydney, Australia — 2 days
Experience life in lively Sydney. Take in a rugby match, explore the city by bike, visit the world famous Taronga Zoo, or have a picnic lunch down on “The Rocks.” Visit the Sydney Opera House, go surfing, and enjoy cafés and galleries as you explore the streets and “laneways” of this thriving, cosmopolitan city.
Australian Outback — 3 days
Adventure across the Outback toward Uluru, the largest monolith on Earth. Steeped in mythology, this colossal piece of sandstone rises abruptly from the desert plain. Trek between the giant rounded domes of adjacent Kata Tjuta on the lookout for bright green ring-necked parrots, plunge into the cool waters of desert swimming holes, examine ancient rock art and identify medicinal plants, then camp out in “the bush” and sleep under the stars. Catch a sunrise over this otherworldly landscape and learn about the cultures that have lived here for over 40,000 years.
Sydney, Australia — 1 day
Cap your amazing adventure with one more day outside of Sydney, where you will have your final goodbye dinner and reflect on your experiences with new friends.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Sydney, Australia, to Los Angeles with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Program Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review specific program questions here. For more general information, visit our full FAQ:
What are the main focuses of this program?
Our high school Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji program blends cultural immersion with active, outdoor adventures to experience these spectacular landscapes immersively and directly. Students snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, hike in New Zealand, sail for four days in the Whitsunday Islands, and hike and camp in the Australian Outback.
Alongside these outdoor experiences, students engage with local communities and learn about Fijian island culture, gaining insight into daily life, traditions, and perspectives different from their own. The program is designed to balance active exploration with meaningful cultural connection, helping students build confidence, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of both place and people.
How does the homestay work?
Homestays during the program are organized in Oamaru by a local coordinator and longtime Putney partner, Kara, who vets families to find the best fits for our students. Host families have at least one student around the same age as our Putney students and our coordinator works with the family and host sibling to identify shared interests. Putney has well-established roots within the community and has hosted the student homestay portions here for over 18 years. Our host families are incredibly enthusiastic about sharing their culture, customs, and food with our students. Homestays are a longtime staple of Putney’s programs and our alumni often report that it is one of the most impactful portions of their experience.
Will students have the opportunity to practice the local language?
In Fiji, students learn and practice basic Fijian phrases as part of everyday interactions with local communities. These simple exchanges of greetings, thanks, and common expressions, help students show respect and build rapport, while deepening their cultural understanding.
What is an Independent Project?
All students on Putney programs pursue an independent project as a way to more deeply engage with aspects of local culture that are of particular interest to them—in the Oceania, you might learn about the impacts of coral bleaching as you explore the Great Barrier Reef, master the rules and culture of rugby in the South Pacific, or create a recipe book with traditional Fijian dishes.
What is the technology and cell phone policy?
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney Student Travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones or other internet-connected devices (including tablets, smart watches, laptops, etc.) on our middle school or high school travel programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During the group’s in-country orientation, program leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our Approach to Technology.
How physically active is this program?
This is a physically active summer travel program, with many outdoor adventures and activities. Students should be enthusiastic about outdoor exploration and staying active. The program is designed to be accessible to beginners interested in trying new outdoor experiences: hiking experience is not required.. During your homestay and throughout the program you must be willing to contribute to daily chores that are a part of cooperative living.
What are the accommodations for this program?
Accommodations throughout the program range from ecolodges and small family-run inns in Fiji to campsites and sailing yacht berths in Australia, and mountain refuges high in New Zealand's snow country. Students have access to common and outdoor spaces at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Leaders reside together with students throughout the program.
What are meals like in Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand?
We experience many different types of cuisines throughout our adventure that are culturally specific. We form cooking and cleaning crews for the mountain town in New Zealand and Outback portions of the itinerary, and eat most other meals at restaurants, as picnic lunches, or in the homes of our Fijian, Kiwi, and Aussie friends. Traditional Fijian cuisine incorporates seafood, root vegetables, and coconut milk into many dishes, as well as fresh tropical fruits. The strong British influence in Australia and New Zealand can be seen in its cuisine: meat pies, fish and chips, stews, and hearty breakfasts. Recent immigration has brought along with it cuisine from the Mediterranean and Asia.
What type of student is most successful on this program?
Our Australia, Fiji, & New Zealand program is designed for high school students (grades 9–12) who are seeking adventurous outdoor activities and who are interested in delving into diverse cultures and experiences. This program is a great fit for students who want a longer, outdoor-focused experience with variety and a sense of adventure, while also gaining meaningful cultural insight along the way. The most successful students are curious, flexible, and eager to be active and engaged. Students who are positive, adaptable, and comfortable in a close-knit group tend to thrive on this program.
What makes Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand good locations for a Putney Student Travel program?
This program is distinctive as it brings together three diverse countries—Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand—into one immersive journey where adventure, culture, and environment come to life. From Fiji’s warm island communities and traditions, to New Zealand’s dramatic mountains, coastlines, and outdoor landscapes, to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and rugged Outback, students get to experience a little bit of everything that Oceania has to offer—and along the way there is so much room for self-exploration, connection, and building new friendships.
Putney’s long-standing local relationships within these communities ensure the student experience goes beyond sightseeing, offering authentic cultural connection and expert guidance. The program offers a thoughtful balance of high-adventure activities, cultural immersion, and reflection that allows students to truly experience and make connections with each place and each other.
How does the Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand program compare to Putney’s other Exploration programs?
Our high school Australia, Fiji & New Zealand program is one of the most dynamic and wide-ranging options within Putney’s Exploration programs. At 26 days, this is one of our longest programs, and it gives students the rare opportunity to fully experience three countries—Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand—while packing in an incredible range of activities, from snorkeling and hiking to cultural immersion and outdoor adventure. Students travel through these three countries experiencing everything from vibrant cities to remote islands and dramatic alpine landscapes. It’s a highly active, adventure-driven program. Despite the breadth of the program, it is thoughtfully paced so students aren’t just passing through locations—they’re actively engaging with each place and its culture.
Do students need prior experience or specific skills to join this program?
Students do not need any prior experience or specific skills to join this program. Our Australia, Fiji, & New Zealand program is designed for students of all backgrounds with instruction and support provided along the way.
What matters most is a willingness to be active, try new things, and participate positively in a supportive, small-group environment. An open mind and sense of adventure are what set students up for the best experience.
What outcomes, skills, or growth can students expect to gain from this experience?
Students in Australia, Fiji, & New Zealand gain a powerful mix of adventure skills, cultural understanding, and personal growth. They build confidence and adaptability through outdoor experiences like hiking, snorkeling, camping and sailing. Standout moments include living aboard a sailboat for four nights, hiking in the Australian Outback, and learning directly about Aboriginal culture, all of which deepen their cultural awareness and global perspective. Alongside these exciting experiences, students develop independence, teamwork, and resilience through close-knit group travel, returning home more self-assured, open-minded, and curious about the world.
A Day in the Life: Whitsunday Islands
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in the Whitsunday Islands.
- Morning
7:00am
Wake up and enjoy breakfast on the deck of your sailboat
8:00am
Join the crew as you help sail across the Coral Sea
10:00am
Hike to a cave on a nearby island containing ancient Aboriginal paintings
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Make your own sandwich from a spread on board your sailboat for lunch
1:00pm
Explore the Great Barrier Reef while snorkeling
4:00pm
Relax with some beach time
- Evening
6:00pm
Eat dinner on the deck of your sailboat and take in the sunset
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and plans for tomorrow
10:00pm
Gaze at the stars before being lulled to sleep by the sea
“The homestay was one of the highlights of my entire trip! The family was amazing and I loved getting to hang out with locals and get a feel of their daily lives.”
—Alaina C., Emerson Waldorf School, Chapel Hill, NC
