Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program opens

Applications are now open for Queensland schools to join the Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program which has already seen more than 40 registered marine tour operators commit to participating in sharing their reef knowledge.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe notes “this three-year program will turn the Great Barrier Reef into Queensland’s biggest classroom and create new tour opportunities for reef operators from Bundaberg to Cooktown.”

To ensure schools across the State can be part of the program, the Queensland Government will pay up to $150 for each student joining an overnight reef education excursion and $40 for an eligible day excursion.

Minister Hinchliffe said the program would deliver a unique outdoor learning opportunity for more than 6000 students.

“Not only will the Reef Education Experience boost the next generation’s understanding of Queensland’s greatest living asset, this also supports local jobs and the tourism industry’s economic recovery.”

The Great Barrier Reef program joins the popular Outback Queensland Education Experience Program in offering Queensland students the chance to immerse themselves in the State’s impressive natural history.

Queensland-based The Busy Group administers the Education Experience Programs.

More information and the school application form are available: www.qldeducationexperiences.org.au