Australia & NZ GAP Semester Programs | Pacific Discovery
- New Zealand
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Australia
- Sydney
- Byron Bay
About Program
This epic gap year program through New Zealand and Australia will reveal the wonders of life Down Under, before you hike, climb and camp your way through Aotearoa.
New Zealand and Australia are two of the most ecologically intact and diverse countries in the world, and this experiential travel gap semester offers an amazing immersion during the temperate southern hemisphere spring and summer months.
It combines week-long conservation volunteer projects in diverse national parks and marine reserves; multi-day outdoor expeditions including backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing and surfing; and educational adventure travel through New Zealand and Australia’s stunning mountain, forest and beach environments!
Video and Photos
Program Highlights
- Rewarding volunteer conservation projects in National Parks and wildlife reserves
- 4-day tramping (backpacking) trip in Kahurangi National Park
- 3-day canoe journey in the Noosa Everglades, Australia
- Mountain bike in Rotoura, New Zealand’s mountain biking mecca
- 4-day surf camp, learning to surf on Australia’s East Coast
Popular Programs

This program combines three week-long service-learning conservation projects in diverse national parks and marine reserves; five multi-day outdoor expeditions including backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing and surfing; and educational adventure travel through New Zealand and Australia’s stunning mountain, forest and beach environments.

This program combines three week-long service-learning conservation projects in diverse national parks and marine reserves; five multi-day outdoor expeditions including backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing and surfing; and educational adventure travel through New Zealand and Australia’s stunning mountain, forest and beach environments.
My trip was also ranging between 18-22 years old. Most of the people were 18, but I was 22 at the time, done with college, and was the oldest besides the trip leaders. I wasn't bothered by this though because it was still awesome to hang out with such outgoing and motivated people!