Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Adventure in the South Pacific
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 of Fiji, the alpine winter landscapes of New Zealand, and the rugged Outback and spectacular coral reefs of Australia. Go beyond the typical tourist experience and engage with places and cultures in exciting ways.
- Highlights
• Participate in a kava ceremony in a traditional Fijian village
• Ski the majestic slopes 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
• Ski the majestic slopes 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 innertube, stopping to swim at a secluded waterfall.
Nadi & Yasawa Islands, Fiji — 3 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. Explore the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters of the Yasawa Islands. Snorkel and scuba dive through vibrant underwater ecosystems and partake in a coral restoration project with marine biologists and the local community. Reflect on your time immersed in this incredible culture and prepare for life down under.
Skiing in New Zealand — 6 days
Fly to Queenstown, New Zealand, located on the rugged and beautiful South Island, surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Ferry across Lake Wakatipu, hike a scenic trail, and make your way down a mountain on the exhilarating Skyline Luge. Visit a selection of New Zealand’s most famous “ski fields,” where adventurers of all abilities ski or board in snow-filled basins above the timberline. Lessons are available for beginners. Explore the alpine town of Wanaka and break into cooking teams to prepare group dinners at your accommodations.
New Zealand Homestay — 3 days
Join Kiwi host families for a two-day 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.
Christchurch, New Zealand — 1 day
Wrap up your time in Aotearoa in the Gothic-style city of Christchurch and make final preparations for your upcoming maritime adventure.
Sailing the Whitsunday Islands — 5 days
Fly to Airlie Beach, Australia, and board a yacht for a multi-day sailing trip through the spectacular Whitsunday Islands. Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, 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 — 3 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. Cap your amazing adventure with a final BBQ dinner around the campfire and reflect on your experiences with new friends.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Uluru, Australia, to Los Angeles, by way of Sydney, with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
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 innertube, stopping to swim at a secluded waterfall.
Nadi & Yasawa Islands, Fiji — 3 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. Explore the white sand beaches and crystal blue waters of the Yasawa Islands. Snorkel and scuba dive through vibrant underwater ecosystems and partake in a coral restoration project with marine biologists and the local community. Reflect on your time immersed in this incredible culture and prepare for life down under.
Skiing in New Zealand — 6 days
Fly to Queenstown, New Zealand, located on the rugged and beautiful South Island, surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Ferry across Lake Wakatipu, hike a scenic trail, and make your way down a mountain on the exhilarating Skyline Luge. Visit a selection of New Zealand’s most famous “ski fields,” where adventurers of all abilities ski or board in snow-filled basins above the timberline. Lessons are available for beginners. Explore the alpine town of Wanaka and break into cooking teams to prepare group dinners at your accommodations.
New Zealand Homestay — 3 days
Join Kiwi host families for a two-day 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.
Christchurch, New Zealand — 1 day
Wrap up your time in Aotearoa in the Gothic-style city of Christchurch and make final preparations for your upcoming maritime adventure.
Sailing the Whitsunday Islands — 5 days
Fly to Airlie Beach, Australia, and board a yacht for a multi-day sailing trip through the spectacular Whitsunday Islands. Snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef, 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 — 3 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. Cap your amazing adventure with a final BBQ dinner around the campfire and reflect on your experiences with new friends.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Uluru, Australia, to Los Angeles, by way of Sydney, with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—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 Fijian recipes.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program and you should be enthusiastic about outdoor exploration and varied daily activities. Experience in skiing is not required, and beginners can take lessons, as a range of terrain is available. If you are scuba certified, you will have an opportunity to dive in Fiji. During your homestay and throughout the program you must be willing to contribute to daily chores that are a part of living cooperatively.
Accommodations
Accommodations range from small family-run inns to campsites in the Australian Outback, and berths on a sailing yacht to refuges high in snow country. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, socializing, etc. Leaders reside together with students throughout the program.
Meals
We experience many different types of cuisines throughout our adventure that are culturally specific. We form cooking and cleaning crews for the skiing 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.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore an aspect of local culture of particular interest to you—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 Fijian recipes.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program and you should be enthusiastic about outdoor exploration and varied daily activities. Experience in skiing is not required, and beginners can take lessons, as a range of terrain is available. If you are scuba certified, you will have an opportunity to dive in Fiji. During your homestay and throughout the program you must be willing to contribute to daily chores that are a part of living cooperatively.
Accommodations
Accommodations range from small family-run inns to campsites in the Australian Outback, and berths on a sailing yacht to refuges high in snow country. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, socializing, etc. Leaders reside together with students throughout the program.
Meals
We experience many different types of cuisines throughout our adventure that are culturally specific. We form cooking and cleaning crews for the skiing 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.
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 heading to bed in the berth of your sailboat
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 heading to bed in the berth of your sailboat
“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
Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
