Small World Journeys

22/10/2026

Two years ago Small World Journeys won the Sustainable Tourism award from Tourism Tropical North Queensland. We are now a sponsor of the same category at tomorrow night's awards ceremony in Cairns. We are celebrating all Cairns businesses that are creating positive outcomes for our environment, our communities and our region's future.

12/10/2026

If baby goats in pyjamas don't make your day better, we're not sure what will.

At Small World Journeys, we believe travel is all about those unexpected moments of joy, connection and delight that stay with you long after you've returned home. Much like these little legends, sometimes the simplest experiences leave the biggest impression.

30/09/2026

Big love to our students and teachers — your kindness keeps moving.
Our newest Hygiene Helper Packs have just been donated to Wheels of Wellness, founded by the inspiring Dr Amanda Roberts, whose team provides vital support to people doing it tough in Cairns.

Every pack you assemble becomes a moment of care for someone who needs it. Proud of this community.

07/09/2026

The way we see the world is changing! Cool news for geography teachers and students...and all of us!

The UN is now encouraging the use of the Equal Earth projection rather than the traditional Mercator projection. See more below

05/09/2026

Duuuuuude....rehabilitated turtle returns to the ocean! The Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre cares for sick and injured turtles with this ultimate goal. Jelly, a vulnerable flatback turtle and important breeding female, is a wonderful example: after being rescued from entanglement and successfully rehabilitated, she was released back into the wild at Fitzroy Island in August. For every Small World Journeys group visiting Fitzroy Island, we donate to both the Cairns Turtle Rehabilitation Centre AND Resilient Reefs — helping protect the wildlife and ecosystems our students come to experience.

A great reminder of the important work the Centre is doing, and a reminder that tourism can give back. 💚🐢🪸

Rescued flatback turtle “Jelly” has been released back onto the Gre...

29/08/2026

We’re thrilled to see Small World Journeys and our "young eco-travellers" featured in the latest Reef & Rivers Magazine! It’s wonderful to be included alongside the passionate people, scientists and organisations working to protect the incredible waterways, rainforests and Great Barrier Reef we call home. (page 34 to be exact) https://wettropicswaterways.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/ReefRivers_Mag26_WEB.pdf

12/08/2026

A message from Small World Journeys owner:
I’m honoured to be named the CBWC Businesswoman of the Year. This recognition means so much, not just for me, but for the mission-driven work we do at Small World Journeys — creating meaningful learning experiences for young people and helping them discover the magic of the natural world.

A huge thank you to Champions in Real Estate for generously sponsoring this award and for championing local businesswomen.

Deep gratitude to Margaret Gill, whose leadership continues to blaze a trail for women in business across Cairns. Your legacy lifts all of us.

To my friends and family — thank you for standing by me through every high and low, especially during the COVID pandemic when Small World Journeys almost shut down. Your belief kept me going when the future felt uncertain.

And to the Small World Journeys team — this award is yours as much as mine. Your passion, integrity, and commitment to learning outcomes make it easy to lead a business with purpose. I’m so proud of what we create together.

Here’s to more impact, more joy, and more young people discovering the world in meaningful ways.

Thanks Cairns Business Women's Club; the recognition has filled my heart.

Businesswoman of the Year – Laurie Pritchard

Laurie Pritchard is the driving force behind Small World Journeys, a Cairns-based educational tour operator creating immersive learning experiences for students from Australia and around the world.
Since 2008, Laurie has brought together education, sustainability, conservation, community and Indigenous culture to create journeys that extend far beyond the classroom.
Working alongside local communities, researchers, conservation organisations and Traditional Owners, Laurie is helping inspire the next generation to connect, learn and make a positive impact on the world around them.

12/08/2026

We love Peninsula Grammar! Check out their post...

05/08/2026

Whenever Small World Journeys has fresh fruit and other unused produce or food left over from our tours, we donate it to local organisations that provide meals and support to people doing it tough. Nothing goes to waste if it can help someone else.

This week, we're proud to deliver bags of fresh fruit to Rosies - Friends On The Street, whose incredible volunteers head out into the Cairns community four nights a week, offering friendship, food, and compassion to people experiencing homelessness and hardship.

For many people Rosies supports, fresh fruit is a rare treat. We're grateful that something as simple as surplus produce can become a healthy meal and a small reminder that someone cares. (And how adorable is Don, the volunteer coordinator shown here?)

Thank you to the amazing Rosies volunteers for the difference you make in our community. 💚