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Small World Journeys
4.9
57 reviewsAbout
Small World Journeys is a Cairns-based educational tour operator offering eco-friendly, multi-day adventures for student groups.
Their programs integrate Indigenous perspectives, sustainability, and community service, providing immersive experiences in North Queensland's diverse ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. Students engage in activities like coral bleaching surveys, mangrove clean-ups, and cultural exchanges with Indigenous elders.
What sets them apart is their commitment to sustainability: they reduce and account for all trip‑related carbon emissions; power their office and company car on solar power, and donate 5% of net profits to local environmental and community organisations. Each tour includes a unique activity with Traditional Owners, fostering cultural understanding and respect.
Their excellence has been recognised with several awards, including the Queenlsland Tourism Awards Steve Irwin Bronze Award for Sustainability in 2024; The Sustainable Tourism Excellence Award from Tourism Tropical North Queensland in 2023, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Sustainability Award in 2021, and the Customer Service Award at the Queensland Community Achievement Awards in 2022. Additionally, they received gold in the Queensland Tourism Awards for Specialised Tourism Services in 2018 and silver at the national level.
What's Available
20 featuresEarthCheck Evaluate
Available Tours
Indigneous Culture Immersion
Far North Queensland is a region steeped in Indigenous traditions, where a rich tapestry of cultures is expressed through art, language, dance, food, and ceremony. On this immersion experience, students explore both the shared elements and distinct differences among the Yidinji, Yirrganydji, and Mbabaram peoples through guided walks, storytelling, and hands-on activities. You learn about the importance of totems, gain insights into bush medicine from a knowledgeable Mbabaram guide, and camp on Country under the guidance of the Traditional Custodians. These genuine encounters offer a deep appreciation for their enduring connection to land and the cultural practices that continue to thrive in this region. This is a unique experience like no other.
Ecosystems & Global Biodiversity: Reef and Rainforest
Far North Queensland is blessed with two UNESCO World Heritage areas — The Wet Tropics (of which the Daintree Rainforest is a part) and The Great Barrier Reef–both of which contain some of the planet’s best biodiversity. Led by knowledgeable guides, your trip explores the wonders of these World-Heritage sites that hosts some of the planet’s best biodiversity. On this trip, experience first-hand the impacts of both natural and human activity on these two ecosystems. Learn while on country from Indigenous rangers how they are managing country; discover endemic and endangered species, perform field techniques, and collect data through citizen science projects. You also investigate current management strategies for tackling invasive species and other threats to both precious ecosystems.
Sustainability Warriors
On this student excursion in Queensland’s far north, you discover how “sustainability” takes many forms. Hands-on activities on this trip include native tree planting, assembling hygiene packs for the homeless, monitoring coral bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef and making crafts with the elderly–all projects that help people and the planet. You also have fun discovering the natural beauty of two UNESCO World Heritage areas–The Wet Tropics and The Great Barrier Reef–and why local people are making such an effort to protect them. In the Wet Tropics you encounter edible and medicinal plants with an Aboriginal guide, and learn some traditions of the local Yirrganydji Indigenous people and at the Great Barrier Reef you swim among a rainbow of fish and corals.
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Reviews & Ratings
Edwin Auzins
Google review
I take a school Tour with Small World Journeys every 2 years exploring ecosystems at risk on the reef and in the rainforest. Our needs are considered carefully and we are looked after very well. Our students have a wonderful time. We will be back.
Brett Dale
Google review
The team at Small World Journeys prepared a thorough and relevant itinerary for our senior Geography students. The guides were very knowledgeable and accommodating. The Daintree and Great Barrier Reef experiences were fantastic and having all the details (food, transport, accommodation) taken care of made it a fantastic, stress-free experience for the teachers.
Thomas Levin
Google review
Extremely well organised and knowledgeable staff who provided a very engaging experience for our students. They had lots of little nuggets of info that fascinated all students.
Wyatt Harding
Google review
SMJ has amazing and knowledgable staff who create a fun, valuable and engaging experience for school excursions. The meals, accommodation and transport they prepared was excellent and the value was excellent. Picnic Point High School
Madeleine Barrett
Google review
First time taking a school group to Cairns. Small World Journeys made the organisation of the whole excursion so seamless! Everything was organised, down to have students individual meals ready when we arrived at the restaurants. Fantastic company! Would highly recommend, we did 5 days in Cairns!
Get in touch
Where you'll be
395 Lake Street
Cairns North QLD 4870