Australia
The Great Barrier Reef, Ancient Rainforests, and Unique Wildlife
Program Details
Location: Cairns, Australia
Dates: Summer 2027: June 23—August 5, 2027
Applications: Accepted on a rolling admission basis
Accommodations: Primarily camping or rural lodge
Credits: 15 quarter credits or 10 semester credits
Language: English instruction
Courses: Environmental Wildlands Studies
Prerequisites: One college course in environmental studies, environmental science, ecology or similar. 18 years of age.
Minimum 2.5 GPA
Program Costs
Australia Summer 2027
$ 150 Application Fee
$ 8,600 Program Fee
$ 4,700 In-Country Logistics Fee
$ 2,150 Estimated Airfare and Mandatory Travel Insurance
$ 1,250 Estimated Food and Personal Expenses
$16,850 Total Estimated Cost
Summer 2027: Program fees due by May 1, 2027
The Program
On the Australian continent, millions of years of isolation have allowed ecosystems to develop over unfathomable timescales, facilitating the evolution of incredibly unique wildlife and diverse cultural groups. Nowhere is this more apparent than in North Queensland, where ancient rainforests like the Daintree meet the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest living structure, spanning over 2,300 kilometers and consisting of individual reefs, coral cays, and picturesque islands. Inland from both sits the edge of the Outback, where expansive savannahs stretch toward the dry interior, creating a striking mosaic of landscapes shaped by ancient geologic history and profound Indigenous heritage.
The marine, coastal, and terrestrial landscapes of Queensland provide the ultimate setting for students to study coral reef ecology, the evolution of endemic species, conservation strategies, and Aboriginal culture. Although our field sites may vary between years, program highlights include camping on islands such as Fitzroy, South Molle, and Whitsunday to snorkel among fringing reefs, identify reef fishes, and practice field techniques used to measure reef health; hiking through Queensland's spectacular rainforests, including the ancient Daintree and a challenging backpack through the Conway Range; contributing to ongoing reef monitoring at Orpheus Island, home to a world-class research station, along with a special excursion to the outer Great Barrier Reef; exploring the fertile Atherton Tablelands, dotted with crater lakes and home to massive fig trees, platypus, and tree kangaroos; interacting with local conservation groups to learn about coral reef restoration, wildlife corridors, and efforts to rehabilitate vulnerable species such as sea turtles and flying foxes; camping near Undara Volcanic National Park, a remote Outback site featuring savannahs, swamplands, and the world's longest lava tube; witnessing marsupial rehabilitation and completing research projects at Sheoak Ridge Nature Reserve; and engaging with Aboriginal Traditional Owners at Mungalla Station, where students will gain a deep understanding of complex cultural histories and land restoration efforts.
By the end of the program, students will understand the complexities of the Great Barrier Reef system and how it is being impacted by bleaching events and ocean acidification. They will also grasp how isolation shaped Australia's flora and fauna, and why its rates of extinction are among the highest in the world. Through community engagement, field journaling, reef surveys, and visiting a range of ecosystems, students will gain a deep respect for the land, its remarkable wildlife, and its people.
Academic Syllabus
Student Program Manual
Stories From the Field
Max Arquilevich
Hawaii 2021 Alumni and Australia 2023 Teaching Assistant
"Working as a teaching assistant for the Wildlands Studies 2023 Australia program was a dream come true. Spending six weeks in north tropical Queensland, we explored the coral reefs, ancient rainforests, and Australian outback that define this region. During our time, we learned from people who have lived in Queensland for years, giving us a real look at the area. By the time the program was over, I felt very connected to the place and the people.
I wanted to capture the experience for those who may be interested in this program, and with the help of the students and Wildlands staff, was able to create this video about the Land Down Under!"
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Watch Max’s Video
Kayla Keyes
Lead instructorMA in Biology, Miami University of Oxford, 2019
Kayla is a marine biologist and ocean advocate based in the North Island of New Zealand. She specializes the human connection with marine and coastal ecosystems to design community-based conservation initiatives. Kayla has worked as an environmental educator in a variety of global marine hotspots including Florida, Australia, and New Zealand. She currently works in New Zealand as a marine researcher and the Education Director for the Tangaroa Research Institute of Oceanographic Studies as well as with Māori groups to understand local culture & customs in connection with te moana (the ocean). Kayla leads our New Zealand and Australia programs.
Kayla’s other program:
