Why Australia in March?

The timing of the Study Tour has been carefully chosen to ensure delegates experience the very best of Australia’s unique crops and production processes. Based on harvest cycles and seasonal factors, late February through early March emerges as the most suitable period aligning with key harvests while still allowing participants to explore crops and processes that are available year-round.

Objectives

The Study Tour to Australia in 2026 has several objectives:

  • To gain insights into the production and processing of major Australian essential oils including, but not limited to; tea tree, lemon myrtle, eucalyptus, boronia, sandalwood, buddhawood, white cypress, peppermint, parsley and fennel.
  • Explore field cropping, packing and processing plants, greenhouses and nurseries.
  • Gain insights into cutting-edge plant genetics and breeding programmes, including the cultivation practices of tea tree and cannabis plantations.
  • Understand the growing importance of organic essential oils, including their certification and traceability.
  • Provide delegates with opportunities to connect with Australian producers, processors, and exporters.
  • Learn about Australia’s culture and heritage.
  • Facilitate networking with F&F industry professionals, invariably from over 20 countries and diverse roles.
  • Achieve all these objectives within an eight-day programme.
Itinerary
  • Day One: Gold Coast

    Saturday 28 February 2026


    Arrival at Gold Coast Airport
    Transfer to Hotel
    Welcome briefing and Reception

  • Day Two: Gold Coast/Byron Bay

    Sunday 01 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    Blue Dog visit
    Australian Native Products visit
    Depart to Byron Bay

  • Day Three: Byron Bay

    Monday 02 March 2026


    Down Under Enterprise visit
    Southern Cross University visit
    Dinner at Byron Bay

  • Day Four: Byron Bay / Adelaide

    Tuesday 03 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    Main Camp visit
    Golden Grove visit
    Flight to Adelaide

  • Day Five: Adelaide/Canberra

    Wednesday 04 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    Wild Woods of Australia visit
    Flight to Canberra

  • Day Six: Canberra/Hobart via Melbourne

    Thursday 05 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    G.R. Davis Pty Ltd. visit
    Flight to Hobart, Tasmania via Melbourne

  • Day Seven: Tasmania

    Friday 06 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    Essential Oils of Tasmania visit
    Coach to Launceston

  • Day Eight: Tasmania/Sydney

    Saturday 07 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    Visit Cressy – peppermint, parsley and fennel
    Flight to Sydney
    Closing Dinner at Sydney Harbour

  • Day Nine: Sydney

    Sunday 08 March 2026


    Breakfast and check out
    Flights out of Sydney Airport

Airport Arrival and Departure

The upcoming Study Tour will commence on the Gold Coast and conclude in Sydney, offering participants a rich and varied experience across Australia’s eastern seaboard. To ensure smooth travel arrangements delegates should plan to arrive at Gold Coast Airport (OOL), which serves both domestic and international flights. This will be the starting point of the Study Tour. The tour will conclude in Sydney, with departures from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), which offers excellent global connectivity.

Travel information

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that personal travel insurance (particularly medical cover) be taken out at the time of making your Tour reservation. Travel insurance may facilitate some refund of travel expenses and the tour fee to be obtained through insurers in the event of inability to travel due to ill health or other circumstances. Make sure you read the fine print to ensure you are purchasing the correct coverage. IFEAT takes no responsibility in the event an inadequate policy has been purchased or of the refusal or inability of an insurer to pay the claim. For further information on personal travel insurance please contact your local insurance broker.

Passports & Visas

If a visa is required, delegates are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid delays. IFEAT can provide visa invitation letters to support your application. Please note that processing time may vary depending on the nationality of the applicant and conditions of the issuing office. While IFEAT will assist as much as possible in obtaining the necessary visa, it cannot be held responsible for delegates failing to obtain the necessary travel permits.

Qualifications and Restrictions on Participation

Initially participation is restricted to personnel directly employed by IFEAT Member companies and initially only one person per Member company will be permitted to attend.

To qualify, it is necessary that the Member company has paid its annual membership subscription to date including that current at the time of application for a place on the tour and at the date of the Tour. Delegates must be at least 21 years old at the time of registering. No accompanying persons are permitted. Bookings will be accepted by IFEAT on a first come, first served basis. Delegates will only be registered for the Tour once full payment has been received by IFEAT.

Please read the full terms and conditions here (opens in new tab)