Unearth-Ed

What Unearth-Ed does

Unearth-Ed (legal entity Capets Pty Ltd) is an Australian family-owned educational travel company operating since 1988 that plans and coordinates fully inclusive school excursions for K-12 institutions across Australia. The company serves as a one-stop coordinator handling transport (Qantas/Virgin flights and charter via sister company Alura Coaches), accommodation, attraction entry, meals, risk assessments, and curriculum-aligned itinerary design across six primary destinations: Canberra, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bathurst, Ballarat & Bendigo, and the Snow Experience (Kosciuszko), with international extensions to New Zealand and Japan. The core offering is a dedicated tour coordinator service that manages each school booking from initial enquiry through execution, supplemented by PACER rebate navigation for Canberra tours and an exclusive school group travel insurance product.

The business is operated under Crowther Family ownership (acquired ~2005) with the family legacy spanning 100 years and three generations in transport/tourism. Distribution relies on direct sales through website quote requests, phone inquiries, and the annual Classroom Canberra Magazine & Planner distributed to every Australian school. The technology layer is a standard Squarespace website for content and lead capture; no proprietary software platform, APIs, or AI capabilities are evident. Revenue is generated on a per-participant transaction basis with deposits due within 14 days of booking and final payment 30 days before travel, with a A$1,000 amendment fee for booking changes. Unearth-Ed holds ATIA and SETO accreditations and is led by fourth-generation CEO Caitlin Crowther as of 2025.

Name

Unearth-Ed

Legal name

Capets Pty Ltd

Website

https://unearth-ed.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Unearth-Ed is an Australian family-owned company that plans and coordinates fully inclusive educational excursions for K-12 schools across Australia, handling transport, accommodation, attractions, meals, and curriculum-aligned itineraries across six primary destinations plus New Zealand and Japan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Caringbah

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. School Excursion Tour Packages: Unearth-Ed generates revenue through fully inclusive tour packages priced per participant. Pricing includes accommodation, transportation (flights via Qantas or Virgin Australia, coach transfers), attraction entry fees, and meal requirements. Prices are quoted in Australian Dollars and vary based on group size, itinerary customization, number of participants, and duration. Schools pay a deposit upon booking confirmation and full payment no less than 30 days before tour commencement.
2. Customization and Planning Services: Revenue is generated through dedicated tour coordination services, with amendment fees ($1,000 for booking changes) and additional costs passed through from suppliers for modifications. The company also offers optional travel insurance for school groups as an add-on service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Unearth-Ed plans and delivers fully inclusive, curriculum-aligned school excursion packages for Australian K-12 schools, with dedicated tour coordinators managing transport, accommodation, meals, attractions, and risk assessments from quote to tour completion. Core destinations include Canberra, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bathurst, Ballarat & Bendigo, and the Snow (Kosciuszko), with supplementary services such as school group travel insurance and PACER rebate navigation for Canberra tours.

Product overview

Unearth-Ed is a family-owned educational travel company operating for 37 years, specializing in custom school excursion planning across Australia. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of tour services centered around six main destinations: Canberra, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Bathurst, Ballarat & Bendigo, and Snow Experience (Kosciuszko). Each tour is fully customized and includes coordinated transport (Qantas/Virgin flights and Alura Coaches charter), accommodation booking, attraction entry, meal arrangements, and curriculum-aligned experiences. The core offering is a dedicated tour coordinator service that manages the complete booking process from initial enquiry through to execution, with supplementary services including exclusive school group travel insurance and PACER rebate assistance for Canberra tours.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Canberra School Tours Curriculum-aligned educational tours to Australia's civics capital featuring visits to Parliament House, the War Memorial, and national institutions, with PACER rebate eligibility for visiting schools.
• Sydney School Tours Urban educational tours covering geography, history, and science through sites including Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Taronga Zoo, and the Australian Museum.
• Blue Mountains Tours Nature-based educational tours exploring Earth and Environmental Science, geography, and Aboriginal culture through dramatic landscapes and cultural centres.
• Bathurst Tours Colonial history and geology-focused educational tours featuring Mount Panorama, local museums, fossil exploration, and gold rush experiences.
• Ballarat & Bendigo Tours Gold rush history educational tours featuring Sovereign Hill, AURA Light Show, Central Deborah Gold Mine, and heritage sites aligned with history and economics curriculum.
• Snow Experience (Kosciuszko) Tours Alpine educational tours including snow activities, Snowy Hydro visits, ski lessons, and environmental studies in Kosciuszko National Park.
• School Group Travel Insurance Exclusive school group travel insurance policy offered in partnership with a NSW insurance broker and leading Australian insurer, covering cancellation, medical, and travel disruptions for school groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by schools across Australia with 30+ years of experience delivering educational tours
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alura CoachescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company and Unearth-Ed's trusted transport provider. Founded in 1926 as Crowthers Coaches, approaching 100 years of operation in 2026. Led by third-generation CEO Paul Crowther. All drivers hold Working with Children clearances. Specializes in high-quality charter services for schools.
• YHA AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's largest network of youth and group accommodation with 19 properties across Australia. Offers flexible, tailored stay options and budget-friendly group rates for school groups. Properties in major cities, national parks, and near iconic sites.
• Land's Edge FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerched between Sydney Harbour and Chowder Bay's bushland. Home to Saltwater School - a unique outdoor classroom with easy access to the city, offering hands-on, curriculum-linked outdoor education including kayaking, snorkelling, bushwalking, and indigenous cultural sessions.
• Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanberra's premier sport destination. Students tour the facility, experience Sportex interactive sports exhibit, and can purchase merchandise. Tours support STEM learning through sports science, biomechanics, nutrition, and performance technology.
• QuestaconcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInteractive science museum in Canberra. Students interact, experiment, and make discoveries through immersive exhibits designed to ignite creativity in physics, engineering, and scientific inquiry.
• Canberra Deep Space Communication ComplexcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSIRO facility where students engage with real NASA communication systems, learn about spacecraft tracking, and explore the science behind deep space exploration.
• Canberra GlassworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHub of applied STEM learning where students explore the physics of heat, materials science, and engineering principles through glassmaking. Also supports creative and cultural learning outcomes.
• Outward BoundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGold standard for personal development programs. Students learn resilience, teamwork, and leadership through outdoor challenges. Programs support Health and Physical Education outcomes, personal and social capability, and wellbeing.
• Alivio Tourist ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccommodation partner in Canberra offering group accommodation options for school tours.
• Power Kart RacewayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndoor electric go-karting, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, and virtual reality. Activity supports teamwork, personal growth, and friendly competition.
• Zone 3 Laser TagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFast-paced team-focused activity building communication, collaboration, and social skills. Especially effective for Year 7 transition, leadership days, and group bonding.
• Flip Out MajuraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrampoline park offering high-movement experiences that support confidence, teamwork, and positive risk-taking through physical activity.
• Cockington GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHandcrafted miniature villages representing global history and culture. Engages students in cultural storytelling, geography discussions, and world-building.
• StayKCCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccommodation partner in Canberra offering group stay options.
• The Y - Canberra RegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYMCA Canberra offering accommodation and programs for school groups in the Canberra region.
• Westwood LodgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccommodation partner in Canberra providing group accommodation for school tours.
• National Portrait GalleryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents explore identity, representation, and storytelling through visual art. Guided tours help interpret artworks and uncover hidden narratives.
• PACER (Parliament and Civics Education Rebate)coreOthersAustralian Government initiative providing financial assistance for students to travel to Canberra. Unearth-Ed helps schools navigate and apply for the rebate, ensuring all Canberra itineraries meet PACER eligibility requirements.
• OZY Youth ChoirminorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth choir that conducted the '1,000 Voices for Reconciliation - A Yarning in Song' event at Parliament House. Unearth-Ed facilitated travel for students from various regions to attend.
• Making PeasceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer not-for-profit movement founded by Hazel Davies, dedicated to understanding the story of the desert pea as a symbol of remembrance for Indigenous Australians.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Education Horizons: Australian school and student tour operator offering curriculum-aligned excursions across domestic and international destinations; directly competes with Unearth-Ed for the same K-12 customer base and uses a similar end-to-end coordination model.
• Round About Travel: Australian family-owned travel agency specializing in school group tours and educational excursions, with overlapping product set (Canberra, Sydney, Snow) and a comparable personalized coordinator-based service model.
• World Youth Adventures: Australian youth-focused tour operator running school expeditions, service programs, and curriculum-linked trips; competes for the same school outdoor/adventure education spend as Unearth-Ed's Snow and Outward Bound offerings.
• Class Tours Australia: Specialist Australian school tour operator focused on curriculum-based excursions and camps; directly comparable in target customer (K-12 schools), destination mix, and inclusive pricing structure.
• Student Horizons: Australian school tour company offering educational trips, ski programs, and international study tours for primary and secondary schools; competes head-to-head for school group bookings in the Australian market.
• Waratah Adventures: Australian school camp and adventure education provider offering multi-day residential and travel programs for K-12 students; comparable target market and overlapping curriculum-aligned outdoor education offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Australian Pacific Touring (APT): Large established Australian tour operator with a broad portfolio including some educational and group travel offerings; not specialist in K-12 schools but overlaps in destinations and group travel infrastructure.
• Topdeck Travel: International youth-focused tour operator with a presence in Australia; while primarily serving older students and young adults, the brand overlaps with school-leaver and educational group travel categories.

Emerging players

• Outward Bound Australia: Not-for-profit personal development program provider offering outdoor leadership and resilience programs for Australian school students; overlaps with Unearth-Ed's Outward Bound partnership and competes for the same Outdoor Education budget.

Others

• YHA Australia (school group programs): Australia's largest youth and group accommodation network; an existing Unearth-Ed partner and ecosystem enabler, but also offers direct school group booking infrastructure that competes at the accommodation-plus-program layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/unearthedaustralia
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unearth-Ed