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Australia

An Australian Odyssey: From the Outback to the Great Barrier Reef

Program No. 22754RJ
Marvel as you explore Australia’s unique heritage: astounding Outback, natural wonders, iconic architecture, Aboriginal art and the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.

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Protecting the Environment

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At a Glance

Home to the largest reef system in the world, Australia’s natural wonders and unique species make it a land unlike any other. From cosmopolitan cities to impossibly expansive landscapes, explore the highlights of Australia on this educational adventure. Examine fragile ecosystems from desert to rainforest to coral reef, compare the personalities of Sydney and Melbourne and learn the often rough-and-tumble story of Australia.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles at a time at a normal public walking pace over varied terrain. Standing at least three hours daily; climbing stairs (at times without handrails), getting on/off buses and boats, carrying own luggage. If you believe you require wheelchair assistance to get through an airport you are not fit enough to participate in this program.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Snorkel along the wondrous Great Barrier Reef or explore it via semi-submersible vessel.
  • Discover the giant red rock formation known as Uluru and learn about its sacred meaning to the Aboriginal people.
  • Go behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House and take in a performance.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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David O'Brien
Originally from the island state of Tasmania, Dave O’Brien has lived in North Queensland for more than 30 years. Working as a biologist almost his entire career, Dave has been involved in reptile research, aquaculture, government organizations, private enterprise and owning his own business. Outside of work, Dave’s interests include birding, photography and long-distance running. He has been married since 1986 and has two adult children, presently living in Melbourne, Australia and Alberta, Canada.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of David O'Brien
David O'Brien View biography
Originally from the island state of Tasmania, Dave O’Brien has lived in North Queensland for more than 30 years. Working as a biologist almost his entire career, Dave has been involved in reptile research, aquaculture, government organizations, private enterprise and owning his own business. Outside of work, Dave’s interests include birding, photography and long-distance running. He has been married since 1986 and has two adult children, presently living in Melbourne, Australia and Alberta, Canada.
Profile Image of Ruth Pullin
Ruth Pullin View biography
Dr. Ruth Pullin wrote her Ph.D. thesis on the Australian colonial artist Eugene von Guérard and was guest curator of a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria in 2011, “Eugene von Guérard: Nature Revealed.” She is the principal author and commissioning editor of the book of the same title. She derives great joy in discussing with Road Scholars the relationship of Australians to the land as a key way in which Australian artists have established a sense of our cultural identity.
Profile Image of Sue Grebenschikoff
Sue Grebenschikoff View biography
Sue Grebenschikoff is an instructor and site coordinator in Cairns. Originally from Sydney, Sue moved to Cairns 20 years ago after she fell in love with the tropical region. Sue has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a concentration in marketing, is a keen gardener, and loves to travel and meet people. She has worked in various capacities for many years on award-winning wilderness adventure programs around tropical North Queensland.
Profile Image of Andrew Fitzgerald
Andrew Fitzgerald View biography
Andrew Fitzgerald is a keen astronomer with considerable experience presenting information on stars, planets, our solar system, and the galaxy to large groups. He regularly presents a session on the local radio station informing locals and visitors of current astronomical features and events. Andrew’s wealth of knowledge enhances sessions exploring the features of Southern Hemisphere skies.
Profile Image of Robyn Kidd
Robyn Kidd View biography
A retired secondary school principal, during her career Robyn Kidd also lectured on teacher education at Wollongong University College. She lived abroad as a volunteer lecturer at a teacher’s college in Papua New Guinea, and she received the Public Service Medal during the Queen's birthday honours in recognition for her achievements in education. A keen walker, Robyn has walked the Inca Trail in Peru, the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Peace Walk in Slovenia and the Larapinta Trail in Australia.
Profile Image of Rayleen Brown
Rayleen Brown View biography
Rayleen Brown is an Aboriginal who worked as a project officer to help Aboriginals secure their traditional land. She now owns and operates a successful catering business that’s been specializing in traditional bush products and foods for the past 10 years. In addition, Rayleen is a member of the national Bush Foods Council, an educator for schools across Central Australia and a mentor with the local Desert Leadership Program. She continues to be a strong advocate for the Aboriginal people to this day.
Profile Image of Michael Kidd
Michael Kidd View biography
Michael Kidd is a retired secondary school principal and teacher. After teaching mathematics at four Sydney high schools, he was appointed the principal of Hurlstone Agricultural High School, a school on 200 acres of farmland with 300 boarders, mostly from the country in New South Wales. He and his wife Robyn (also a retired secondary school principal and Road Scholar group leader) have traveled extensively with their two daughters. As group leader, Michael loves to share his passion for his homeland with Road Scholars.
Profile Image of Richard De Gille
Richard De Gille View biography
Richard De Gille has recently retired after practising as a lawyer for the past 30 years. For the last 20 years, he was a partner of a large suburban legal practice in outer Melbourne. He holds degrees from Monash University in economics and politics, education and law. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, bushwalking, gardening and reading.
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Mark Pugh View biography
Born and raised in the Whitsunday region of North Queensland, Mark Pugh has lived in every state in Australia and worked in various arenas such as banking, engineering, hospitality, teaching, agriculture and aquaculture. He found his calling as a trek excursion leader in Tasmania nine years ago, and this has led to him basing himself in Cairns doing long-haul 4wd safaris during the cooler months. He also works with hot-air ballooning in the wetter season. In his free time, Mark enjoys trekking, diving and travel.
Profile Image of Martin Ludgate
Martin Ludgate View biography
Martin Ludgate was a lecturer at Charles Darwin University in Alice Springs, where he lectured and managed the educational travel program. Now semi-retired (although still doing some lecturing and leading educational excursions), Martin has a keen interest in local history and culture as well as the landscapes, flora and fauna of the Northern Territory. “The great pleasure of enabling Road Scholar participants to bring alive their desire to experience a sense of Outback Australia, which they have heard so much about, makes my involvement so rewarding,” Martin says.
Profile Image of Russell Boswell
Russell Boswell View biography
Russell Boswell is the manager of Savannah Guides and Savannah Way Limited. A long-term Cairns resident, Russell’s background is in education and marketing. His travel career has included group and safari operation, magazine publishing, and training local experts. Russell sits on several industry committees and has been the proud recipient of a Cassowary Award for services to Wet Tropics nature-based travel.
Profile Image of Hirani Kydd
Hirani Kydd View biography
Hirani Kydd has a background in biology and zookeeping, and began leading groups in the Wet Tropics in the mid-2010s. Hirani loves anything to do with natural history, but particularly enjoys the interconnectedness of all lifeforms within an ecosystem, and how they work together or against each other. The Wet Tropics is a fantastic place to see this. When she is not thinking about biology in a landscape, Hirani is probably thinking about geology instead.
Profile Image of Sandy Greenwood
Sandy Greenwood View biography
Sandy Greenwood was born a Novacastrian but lives in Sydney, Australia. She has worked extensively in the Australian and international tourism industry, specializing in managing small group expedition companies. Sandy holds postgraduate degrees in business management and education, and a bachelor’s degree in visual arts. Sandy has been on the Boards of Oxfams International Youth Parliament and The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, and was co-chair of the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). She collaborated with the Mawson's Huts Foundation and the Australian Antarctic Division to instigate the restoration of Mawson's Huts in Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, Antarctica in 2006. Her interests include the visual arts, hiking, live music, Scrabble, house renovation, and traveling to remote locations.
Profile Image of Denise Hanlon
Denise Hanlon View biography
Denise Hanlon lives in the Inner West of Sydney, Australia. Denise is a career HR director who is now keen to explore her other loves. She has an MBA with another master's degree in finance, and is a part-time teacher of human resources as well as a singer/comedienne and golf addict. Denise enjoys combining her loves of travel, people, and exploration as a Road Scholar group leader.
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Elizabeth Frances Day View biography
Liz Day, born in Sydney, had a long career in corporate learning and management development after working as a registered nurse and nurse educator. With her husband, she loves loading up the car for long road trips exploring and learning more about Australia and its people. In more extensive travel overseas, highlights have been travelling and hiking in the Himalayas, Machu Picchu, Southern Patagonia, Europe, and the Camino Portuguese. Liz enjoys keeping fit so she can keep traveling and learning about the world.
Profile Image of Meredith Peters
Meredith Peters View biography
Meredith Peters, after many years in senior management, decided to combine traveling with the pleasure of semi-retirement. She has spent time working, hiking, and traveling in many parts of Australia. During her career, she spent time working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander medical and health students, based across the Northern Territory. She is currently president of her local ballroom dancing association, and has four grown grandsons and a motorhome. In her spare time, she can be found walking, dancing, reading, or writing.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.





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