Travel Tips & Incentives for Travelling Home Schooling Families

One of the greatest advantages of travelling while home schooling is the opportunity to turn everyday experiences into meaningful learning moments. Across Australia, there are also a range of programs, subsidies and free activities available that can help support families on the road.

🌏 Queensland Education Experience Program Subsidy

Subsidies of up to $150 per student are available to support participation in the:

  • Great Barrier Reef Education Experience Program
  • Outback Queensland Education Experience Program

These programs are designed to support first-hand, place-based learning. Queensland’s natural environments provide students with a unique opportunity to explore biodiversity, history and heritage in real-world settings.

For registered home educators, excursions must support an approved learning plan.

These programs also form part of the Queensland Government’s long-term tourism strategy, supporting the Destination 2045 plan, which aims to position Queensland as a global leader in tourism and education-based travel experiences.

📝 Application Information

If you are a registered home educator in Queensland:

  • Applications should be submitted at least four weeks prior to your departure date
  • Applications are assessed within 10 business days
  • You will be notified of the outcome once assessed
  • Applications must be approved before travel occurs (no retrospective payments are made)
  • Applications are processed in order of receipt
  • You can apply up to 12 months in advance
  • Funding is limited and applications may close once allocations are exhausted, so early submission is strongly recommended

For more information, visit the Queensland Government Education Experience Program website. 

🎒 School Holiday Activities (Free & Low Cost)

Something worth considering during school holidays is checking local community listings for free or low-cost activities. These can often be found through:

  • Local council websites
  • Shopping centre event calendars
  • Public libraries
  • Retailers such as Bunnings

You may be surprised by what’s on offer.

I still receive emails from my local shopping centre back home, which regularly hosts free activities such as cupcake decorating, live music performances, petting zoos, and seasonal craft sessions for children.

Libraries are another fantastic resource, frequently running school holiday programs that include author visits, performances, storytelling sessions, writing workshops, and reading activities.

Bunnings is also a favourite in many travelling families, and for good reason. There is something simple and grounding about a sausage sizzle while the kids are happily engaged in a hands-on activity like painting a terracotta pot or creating a small craft project. These projects often double as thoughtful handmade gifts for grandparents and loved ones, becoming keepsakes that are treasured for years.

🔗 School Holiday Activity Links Across Australia

Below are links to help you find free and low-cost school holiday activities in your area:

One of the things I love most about the travelling community is how willing everyone is to share ideas and help one another. If you've discovered a fantastic free activity, an educational travel subsidy, or a hidden gem that other travelling home schooling families should know about, I'd love to hear from you. Together, we can continue creating a valuable collection of opportunities to help families make the most of learning on the road.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Happy travels,

Carlee