Location
Multiple Locations +2
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel College Credit Conservation Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Volunteer Abroad Wilderness Yoga Retreats
General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
Hiking Snorkeling Yoga
Timeframe
Spring
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
22

Pricing

Starting Price
15495
Price Details
Program Tuition Includes: All in-country travel and transport (not flights), All accommodation, 3 meals a day (excluding snacks), All expeditions, activities, excursions, entry fees and adventure travel as described in the itinerary, Environmental education and service-learning projects, Experienced Program Instructors and local guides
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Tour Guide Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Oct 18, 2022
Sep 20, 2023
11 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Hike, kayak and surf your way through Australia and Bali on this exciting and fulfilling 10-week gap year program!

Learn about marine and beach conservation on the beautiful Great Barrier Reef, work with New South Wales Parks to learn about sustainability, discover Australia’s beautiful beaches and desert outback, immerse yourself in Balinese culture and go on a yoga retreat in Bali. You will explore incredible National Parks, islands, beaches, waterfalls, gorges and geographical sites, as well as gain skills with lessons in marine conservation, snorkeling, surfing and canyoning.

This 10-week gap semester program combines volunteer service-learning, marine conservation and amazing educational adventure travel. Prepare to be immersed in unique environments and cultures and to learn about sustainability and conservation with projects on the East Coast and in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

We understand that we have a long way to go in achieving the diversity we strive for among our students, staff, and partners. We are committed to fostering a more diverse and inclusive organization, and we recognize that this requires time, effort, and resources. At Pacific Discovery, we deeply value diversity, equity, and social justice, and we are dedicated to creating educational experiences that reflect and promote these values. Our program curriculum incorporates social justice education and encourages students to explore their own identities. To further support these efforts, we offer a 'Diverse Voices' Scholarship.

LGBTQIA+ Support

All of our Pacific Discovery programs are LGBTQIA+ friendly, and our operations team have attended CIS Abroad's LGBTQ+ Allyship Training, to ensure we’re doing what we can to support this community. We provide an open and non judgemental space for students to explore who they are at this pivotal time of their life, and in our admissions process we seek information not only on a student's gender, but their pronouns and gender identity. We’re aware of the differing cultural perspectives of LQBTQIA in the countries that we visit, and can direct students to a semester location where they’ll feel the most comfortable. Operationally we ensure that our instructors use inclusive language and can facilitate conversations with students around their identity, and discuss the rooming situations with LGBTQIA+ students.

Neurodivergent Support

Our programs are designed to support students with a wide range of neurodiverse conditions while following our essential eligibility criteria. For students needing extra help, we provide personalized wellness plans . These plans include coping strategies, care protocols, and specific requirements to help them engage effectively in the program. Our instructors have access to mental health first aid resources and are well-prepared to offer strong support to students with these needs.

Accessibility Support

Our programs offer a variety of physical activities, including hiking, surfing, rafting, and mountain biking. We make sure to accommodate students with diverse needs such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic medical conditions, while working within the infrastructure of the host country and our program schedules. We're mindful of the varying levels of accessibility in the countries we visit and can help students choose a semester location where they feel most at ease.

Impact

Sustainability

Sustainability is one of the 6 core components of each Pacific Discovery program, where we educate students about the local and global environmental issues, how to travel sustainably, and have them think deeply about their impact and what they can do in their daily lives to affect change.

We recently embarked on a Net Positive Benefit project where we are qualifying what impacts our groups have on the local communities, taking into consideration carbon emissions +/- social impacts +/- conservation impacts +/- community impacts. On our programs, students engage with non-profit organisations such as Litter Intelligence, Scholars of Sustenance, Ulu Mau puanui, Llama Pack project where they directly work for a better future - planting trees, eradicating invasive weed species, helping local communities and food banks.

Ethical Impact

We make a conscious decision to partner with host communities and suppliers who are passionate about our students' participation and involvement with them being of a positive benefit to the community. We want our presence to enable positive sustainable growth for our partners and this mantra is ingrained in the fabric of our programs.

Program Highlights

  • Rewarding conservation volunteer project in National Parks
  • Visit amazing Australia Zoo and learn about wildlife and the conservation initiatives of the late founder, Steve Irwin, the 'Crocodile Hunter'
  • 3 nights on Magnetic Island – koalas, day hikes and beautiful beaches
  • Yoga retreat in Bali’s tropical Ubud
  • Learn traditional Indonesian crafts and try your hand at authentic activities with a local village community in Bali

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 3 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.35
  • Support 4.7
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.7
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Default avatar
Seth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Australia/ Bali

Leaders were amazing and had lots of fun. Our group really meshed well together and had a blast traveling everywhere and doing all the activities. Food was amazing in Australia but a little on the pricier side so maybe spend less on that because in Bali everything is so cheap and we could have planned a little better. Accommodations were great especially Waves campground, the people were so cool there. I would recommend adding an excursion in Bali with the water because Nusa Penida is so close. ( we checked it out after and it was so cool). I highly recommend this trip to adventurers and I met my best friend on this trip. You will make amazing relationships with people all around the world!

Pros
  • New Experiences
  • So fun
  • Memories for Life
Cons
  • Dependent on weather
  • Food Budgeting
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Imogen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Australia and Bali program

I had an amazing time on my Pacific Discovering program and grew in so many different ways! I grew in confidence, independence and pushed myself out of my comfort zone, doing things I would have never imagined doing! I absolutely loved travelling around with a group of new people, getting to explore stimulating, new cultures so different from our own, learning about different ways of living. The variety of activities was incredible throughout the program, ensuring there was something for everyone. During these activities, the support and encouragement from the group was so reassuring, creating an amazing group dynamic. Also big shout out to my program instructors John and Kali who got stuck into every single activity with us! They didn’t seem like instructors at all, but instead were keen to get to know us individuals on a personal level, there whenever we needed anything. I would 100% recommend to do a pacific discovery program as you will grow and learn in so many different ways, experiencing brand new things.

Pros
  • Getting to experience many different cultures
  • The amazing support of the program leaders
  • Getting to meet different kinds of people in the group
Cons
  • Some activities (villa kitty) were not that enjoyable
  • We didn’t have as much independence as we may have liked
  • Some of the core sessions dragged on a bit
9 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Delaney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Australia and Bali gap semester

This trip was one of the most amazing in my life so far. I was forced to open my mind to new experiences and ideas. I felt so supported by my program instructors and fellow students. I met loads of people, some of which I am still very close with. I grew in many unexpected and positive ways, and my outlook on life has improved greatly. Since coming home J am filled with love, gratitude, and independence. I think taking a gap year is a spectacular idea for anyone out of high school feeling lost or confused, these worldly adventures will help guide your path!

Pros
  • Made amazing friends
  • Saw breathtaking nature landscapes
  • Immersion in new culture
8 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers