Attention Lakers! Have you ever been interested in traveling abroad? Well, lucky for you, because Lake Land College (LLC) is planning an 11-day trip to Australia and New Zealand in 2027, and you can be a part of it!
According to flyers that can be found around campus, those who sign up, which is open to everyone, will enjoy an “unforgettable, 11-day adventure,” with “Airfare, transportation, security, accommodations, trip insurance, entry tickets to venues and the majority of meals” included within the tour package.
As of mid-February, the trip is priced at $5,503 per person in full, or $389.50 per month for 14 months after an initial payment of $50. In order to get this specific early-bird price, interested parties should apply by Feb. 27, 2026. Prices are expected to go up in the months leading up to departure, with a specific cutoff date for sign-ups typically set for a few months before the summer of the trip.
From June 1 to June 11, 2027, the trip is filled to the brim with fun activities and sights to see! Some of the most notable include a Bondi Beach excursion, a guided visit to New Zealand’s world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and a visit to the one and only Sydney Opera House. These are just a few of the over 15 different events on the tour’s itinerary. For an extra fee, a surf lesson on Bondi Beach is being offered, as well as a wildlife sanctuary excursion at the Blue Mountain National Park in Australia.
The three chaperones on this trip are all Lake Land College staff members, and each hasve been on multiple international trips through LLC. They are Casey Reynolds, Jennifer Melton and Megan Nelson. All three are incredibly excited for this trip to become a reality!
On what sets this trip apart from those Lake Land has done in the past, Melton noted the cultural elements of the trip, citing the opportunity to “get a view into traditional Māori culture in New Zealand and have the chance to pay respects to the native culture of that country.”
Reynolds is excited to see the Sydney Opera House, as well as the nature aspect, which is quite unique to this trip compared to those past. Reynolds included, “There’s a lot going on in this tour that I really want to see,” and said he is very excited for when, “in New Zealand we’ll be up, kind of outside the city, in the mountains,” for a portion of the trip.
Sarah Creel, a current LLC student who attended the last Lake Land international trip to Italy this past summer, said that LLC trips are “a perfect starting point for anyone ready to dip their toes into international travel.” Creel also added for those who are hesitant about taking this leap with LLC, “The Italy trip was the first time I had traveled abroad and, honestly, I believe that it being through Lake Land helped me so much with preparation and feeling like I had people to share the moment with.”
Nelson encouraged anyone who is currently interested and has the means to enroll to absolutely do so! “Opportunities like this do not come around often,” said Nelson. “The beauty of group trips is built in traveling companions and, because the itinerary is already selected, there is no planning on your end! All the stress of figuring out what you will be doing has been taken care of for you!”
An in-person informational meeting is currently scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, at noon in the Luther Student Center here on campus. For any questions, please contact Casey Reynolds at [email protected]. For anyone who wants to register, take a closer look atinto tour fees or view the full itinerary, all information can be found on Explorica.com/LakeLand-2027.
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or have never left the country, signing up for Lake Land College’s 11-day trip to Australia and New Zealand is certainly one to consider, and it is definitely worth the wait!
