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August 12, 2011
Hamilton Island Tourism Grows After Oprah Visit
A visit by Oprah Winfrey earlier this year put Hamilton Island, Australia, on the map for Americans. When Winfrey visits a destination, the country follows and, therefore, during my recent visit to Australia, I had to find out what drew one of our country’s top media moguls to the tiny island at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef—and it didn’t take long to find out what the hype was about.
Hamilton Island is located off the Queensland coast and is one of the 74 Whitsunday islands. It is the only island in the Great Barrier Reef with a commercial jet airport, and it’s easily reachable with direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.
Despite its small size—the island is only two square miles—a wide range of activities, a variety of accommodation types, a unique culture and easy access to the Great Barrier Reef draw visitors to its shores. A new championship golf course, golf club and yacht club, with villas available as rental properties, have recently given Hamilton Island an additional boost in tourism, and its year-round good weather makes it a popular vacation spot for Australian travelers.
Lap of Luxury
When it comes to finding a place to stay, there is certainly no lack of fine accommodations, be it the Yacht Club Villas, the Beach Club or the world-class Qualia resort. Qualia is fit for a queen, and so it is notable to mention that this is where Oprah stayed, of course. The resort is located behind a large gated fence. Visitors are provided with a two-seater golf cart—the preferred mode of transportation on the island ó and are met in the lobby with glasses of champagne.
Indulgences include a beautiful spa—Spa Qualia—beachfront watersports, complimentary boat rides to White Haven Beach for a picnic and more.
Rooms, or pavilions, are spacious, open and airy, designed to take advantage of the lush scenery and gardens. One of two room categories, Leeward Pavilions have a south-facing view of the Coral Sea and start at around $950 per night for the Classic Package. The Windward Pavilions have a north-facing view of the sea, a private plunge pool and start at around $1,500. Guests can also opt for the extravagant Beach House starting at $3,000 per night. The house is a secluded hideaway with a private, full-size swimming pool, a 10-person dining area and a separate guesthouse among other amenities.
Family First
While luxury options abound for the jetsetter, Hamilton Island is a bastion for families, as well and, while resorts such as Qualia offer the high-end traveler seclusion, families can make themselves at home on Hamilton. A good
option for accommodation is the Reef View Hotel. The property offers a selection of family rooms that have recently been configured by connecting junior rooms with two twin beds to rooms with double or king-size beds creating a two-room suite and offering parents privacy as well as an extra bathroom. Two-bedroom suites are also available and feature two bedrooms as well as a living area and a kitchenette.
The hotel, located just above Catseye Beach on the windward side of the island, has everything you could possibly want for an island stay, including a gym, a large pool, tennis courts and more.
Out and About
Families will find no shortage of activities to keep them busy outside of the hotel. A visit to the reef is a must, and there are numerous ways to get there, including the Fantasea cruiser or even by helicopter. There are also options for go-kart riding, quad bike tours, a golf driving range and bowling. Hikers will enjoy the 12 miles of walking trails that take visitors up to Passage Peak.
During my visit, my favorite activity by far was at the Wildlife Park, which offers short tours to acquaint visitors with some of Australia’s most unique creatures. There are wallabies, cockatoos, a wombat and—the highlight for me—koalas. At set times throughout the day, not only can you see the koalas in their habitat but, for a small fee, visitors can cuddle with one and have their picture taken.
Mom and dad can also leave the kids behind for some relaxing time on their own. Golf enthusiasts can take advantage of the recently opened Golf Club on Dent Island. Clients can also unwind at Spa Wumurdaylin, which offers a variety of treatments including body cocoon wraps, exfoliations, facials and massage. My Ritual Rejuvenation treatment, a hydrating facial with exotic fruits, oils and vitamins combined with a scalp and body massage, was a great way to recoup after my long flight from Los Angeles.
While mom and dad are busy on their own, the Clownfish Club keeps children entertained. Here, visitors can check-in their kids for a fun-filled day of activities with qualified childcare specialists. Older children enjoy beach games, make jewelry and do arts and crafts. Younger children have a full day of supervised play with snacks, lunch and personalized attention.
By Janeen Christoff
TravelAgeWest
May 29, 2011
Trip of All Trips
In May of 2011, I was lucky enough to go on a famil with Down Under Answers to Australia and New Zealand. This has always been a dream of mine to go to both places and i was not let down.
Cairns, Australia was the first stop on what lovingly called” the Amazaing Race” it was non stop from day 1. For someone who had never been to this part pf the world, Cairns would make a great home-base. Here you are located to some of Australia’s greatest sites. An Hour north and you are in the Daintree Rainforest, a relaxing boat ride east and you are at the Great Barrier Reef and about 2 hours east, the Outback. Our next stop was Sydney. It was truley amazing to see the Opera House and climb the Sydney harbour Bridge. You always see these images with the mention of Australia, but nothing comes close to seeing them in person. If were not for the pictures I took, it would seem like a dream to me now. We were off to Queenstown New Zealand next. Of all the places to visit, and all were fantastic, Queenstown was my favorite of all of them. Waking up to see snow capped mountains everyday and air the smelled so clean( I live in California, so that was a treat in itself). Here you can as much or as llittle as you like. Queenstown offers everything from just looking at the landscape, great food, shopping, to sports like skiing, I could have stayed there for longer if given the chance. The last stop before heading home was Auckland, New Zealand, again a place with so much to do. From shopping, eating, sailing to jumping from the Sky Tower (Anina).
To sum up, Down Under Answers is the company to use !! They handle everything from air to entry visa’s , if needed. The ground operators they used are TOP of the line and the entire trip was first class from start to finish. By using DUA, all your clients need to is to enjoy their vacation.
One last thing, Australia and New Zealand are two places that you can over and over again and never do the same thing twice, so if your clients think it is a once in lifetime trip, just wait till they return, I bet they will be back to book their next trip DOWN UNDER.
Carl Brown
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May 26, 2011
Best Trip Ever
Thank you and Down Under Answers for such a wonderful experience on our fam trip to Australia and New Zealand. It was so fantastic it’s hard to pick just one highlight. I think my two favorite experiences were croc hunting on the Daintree River and the private yacht experience with the gourmet lunch on Sydney Harbor. We ate like kings and queens and got to experience all of the fine cuisine the destinations have to offer. I had never been to the South Island of New Zealand before and I was blown away (blown out as they say) by the beauty and charm of Queenstown. The wine tour of the Central Otago Valley was fabulous and really shows that New Zealand is keeping up with the great winemakers of the world. You and Larry kept things working so smoothly and our guides were fantastic. A special thanks to Cathy from Australian Wild Adventures who gave us such great insight into the Indigenous Ones (Aborigines) that she had grown up with. All of the vendors and tourism representatives rolled out the red carpet for us and it was clear how much respect they had for their relationship with Down Under Answers. We made some new friends too and I hope we keep in touch!
It was the best familiarization trip of my life and I have been a Travel Agent for 27 years now!
Cindy Espiritu
AAA Washington
November 03, 2010
Update from the South Australian Outback!
Our winter has been busy, not only for our grain farming business, but also for Goin’ Off Safaris. We have had our best rain fall year for some time, so as the crops are ripening off for harvest, they are in great shape and we are expecting record yields so praying that nothing effects the crops from now on.
With all the rainfall, this has also fallen in outback South Australia as well, flooding a large part of what is normally zoned as desert country. This outback country is incredible and with the rainfall has completely transformed the landscape and also spirits of the folk who live in these ‘extreme” parts of the land. You may have heard of Australia’s inland sea, Lake Eyre. This is our largest lake covering 77km wide by 188km long and for the first time since 1974, it looked like filling. Water is still flowing in from the Cooper Creek into the lake and it is an incredible sight!
From this and our outback trips last year, we have been doing a Three Day Lake Eyre Flying Safari, which has proved to be very popular. Over 3 fantastic days, we depart from Adelaide flying over the Flinders Ranges and include places of interest such as the flooded Coongie Lakes, Goygers Lagoon, the Dig Tree, Warburton Groove, Lake Eyre, the Prominent Hill Mine site, Moomba Oil & Gas fields and the Painted Hills. We land at some of the best outback pubs in Birdsville, William Creek, Innamincka and Coober Pedy to chat and have a refreshing ale with the real characters of the outback.
Innamincka on the full & flowing Cooper Creek is awesome as we kayak this amazing river, full of bird & wild life and catch bags of massive yabbies. These are like fresh water prawns, but lots bigger and more like the size of small crayfish!
We also stay at Innamincka & then underground at the very unique opal capital of the world, Coober Pedy. Our choice of aircraft & no doubt that you are familiar with this, is the nostalgic, Beech 18. This is the same Beech that featured in classic films such as Octopussy and Casablanca, so has a bit of history in her! View additional blogs and trip information.
We have also had quite a bit of exposure of late and have featured in the Travel Editor, and major newspapers such as the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age’s travel sections through a feature on Eyre Peninsula. In a few weeks, we will be on prime time TV with a new series called No Leave, No Life on the 7 Network which will be quite exciting and I can send the link through when our segment will be on!
Apart from that, we are now gearing up for another busy summer. Our most popular trips such as the Extreme Ocean Adventure, our Fishing Safaris are all gaining a lot of attention as well as our Great Australian Bight Treks and camps. We now have a Personal Trainer Carly, on board to assist with out treks and health retreats as well as another very popular and comical driver, “Fish”, who everybody loves!
Apart from harvest just around the corner, a list of summer bookings all ready in place, baby No. 2 arriving at the start of December, its all relatively quiet around here!!
I hope that you are all well in your part of the world and hope that we can entertain you over the next few months or so!
David
Nominated as the Best Tour Operator Domestic category at the 2010 National Travel Industry Awards
David Doudle
Managing Director
Goin' Off Safaris
July 02, 2010
From the Washington Post, July 4, 2010
“As problems go, Diane Ullius and Rhonda Buckner of Arlington have a good one: how to narrow down their lengthy Australian wish list into one glorious, action-packed month. They want to visit the top destinations of Sydney, Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, but would also like to add Adelaide and Melbourne to the mix. They’d love to hook up with a guided camping tour for a few nights. They want to go
rafting, sample the country’s wines and visit botanical gardens. And they really want to visit Tasmania.
For a couple of different takes on how best to see the country, we turned to Norma Dugger, a certified Aussie Specialist at Portfolio Travel in Washington (202-966-4111 or 800-451-0637, http://www.portfoliotravel.com), and Michelle Stevenson, a spokeswoman for Tourism Australia (http://www.australia.com). Here’s an itinerary that starts out in Sydney, incorporating suggestions from both experts.
Days 1-7: Fly to Sydney, the oldest city in Australia, and settle in. Accommodations include the gay-friendly Cambridge Hotel (from $139 per night double), near the city center, and the Medusa Boutique Hotel (from $269), an 18-room inn in Darlinghurst. You’ll have no problem finding things to do in the city - stroll the Rocks neighborhood, climb Sydney Harbour Bridge, visit the Opera House - but Stevenson also recommends the one-hour Aboriginal Heritage Tour of Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens ($22 per person). The Blue Mountains National Park, part of a World Heritage natural area, is a must-do side trip, either by car (it’s about a 90-minute drive), train (about $15 round trip) or escorted four-wheel drive tour ($126 per person). Dugger recommends staying in a treetop cabin at the Jemby Rinjah Eco Lodge (from $160 double per night).
Days 8-12: Fly from Sydney to Tasmania. Spend a day in the capital, Hobart; Dugger recommends the Lodge on Elizabeth, a Georgian mansion built in 1829 by convicts (from $130 per night double). Then head to Maria Island National Park, home to wallabies, wombats, kangaroos and fairy penguins. Stevenson likes the four-day hiking tour offered by Maria Island Walks, where approx $1,869 per person double gets you a boat trip to and from the island, hiking guides, three nights’ accommodations, all food and wine, park passes and hiking gear.
Days 13-16: Fly to Melbourne. Hotel option: Travelodge Southbank (from $159 per night double). So much to see and do here: Take a walking tour of the city’s lanes and arcades, rent bikes, visit museums.
Stevenson recommends renting a car and heading for the Great Ocean Road. Drive via the Mornington Peninsula and take the car on the Portsea-to-Sorrento ferry, continuing your drive to Lorne. Lodging
option: the Cumberland Resort (from $217 per night double for an ocean-view apartment). Continue on the next day, stopping in the seaside town of Apollo Bay and taking the Otway Fly Tree Top Walk in the Otway Ranges ($19 per person). Then make your way to Port Campbell National Park, home of the famous Twelve Apostles stone formation along the shore.
Next up, Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve. Spend the night in the fishing village of Port Fairy. Lodging option: Oscars B&B . The next day, head on to Halls Gap and visit Brambuck Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Take a tour with an Aboriginal guide or explore Grampians National Park, known for its beautiful hiking trails and rugged scenery. Stay overnight in Dunkeld at the Royal Mail (from $156 per night double.
Next day, drive to Daylesford, with the highest concentration of natural springs in Australia. A splurge-y lodging option: Peppers Springs Retreat and Spa (from $355 per night double).
Also out of Melbourne, Dugger suggests adding the Savannah Walkabout full-day small-group tour. In the bushland of You Yangs Park, you can see koalas, herds of wild kangaroos and native birds, including emu ($156 per person).
Days 17-19: Fly to Adelaide. Lodging option: Mercure Grosvenor Hotel Adelaide, a 1920s landmark (from $92 per night double. For winery-hopping, the nearbyBarossa Valley produces some of Australia’s finest reds. Another must: Kangaroo Island, a sanctuary for numerous native Australian animals. Dugger recommends at least two days here. Lodging includes camping, hostels, B&Bs and luxury lodges; search at http://www.tourkangarooisland.com.au.
Days 20-23: Fly to Ayers Rock, Uluru. Lodging options at Ayers Rock Resort include hotel rooms (from $204 per night double), dormitory lodges ($30 per person), cabins ($130 per night double) and camping ($18 per person). The resort has a shuttle to the Rock, where you can join a guided tour. Stevenson suggests renting a car and driving two hours from Uluru to Kings Canyon, which has great walks and spectacular views. You can stay in a luxury tented air-conditioned cabin at Kings Canyon Wilderness Lodge (from $282 per night double. But here’s where you might want to fit in your guided camping trip: Dugger recommends Connections Safaris’ Ultimate Red Centre Dreamtime Safari, a four-day, small-group tour with overnight accommodations in permanent tents (about $778 per person double.
Days 24-29: Surf’s up! Fly to Cairns, the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and islands. Lodging option: Bay Village Tropical Retreat and Apartments(from $130 per night double. Take a cruise out to the reef and snorkel one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Rent a car and drive two hours to Port Douglas and the Daintree rain forest, the oldest surviving tropical rain forest in the world. Take the Aerial Walkway or fly through the trees with Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours. Then ferry across the Daintree River and drive to Cape Tribulation, the only place in the world where two World Heritage sites meet: the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef. Finally, drive from Daintree to Mission Beach, about 3 1/2 hours. Drive back to Cairns from Mission Beach and fly from Cairns to Brisbane.
Day 30: Return home from Brisbane.
Cost: This trip is doable for two for $10,000 to $12,000, depending on which options you select. Dugger quoted $10,955 for a package for two that includes many of these options, including air from Los Angeles; add at least $300 each to travel from Washington.”
June 02, 2010
Tips for Solo Travelers
There’s nothing quite like arriving in a new destination and figuring out your way through the airport, out into a cab and onto your hotel – what experiences await? The adrenalin does get you going and I think that it’s the perfect opportunity to get to know yourself, to find out how you like to travel and to get out of your comfort zone a little to be able to open up and meet new people, new experiences and just discover the people, the culture and the place in your own time, and at your own pace.
Here’s some tips to help you get the best bang for your buck and to perhaps be hooked up with like-minded travelers in similar situations:
- Never stand on a street corner with a map (unless you are in Australia or New Zealand and the locals will bowl themselves over to help you out and see you on your way), it shows that you are a tourist and you could be charged extra for a cab ride, or targeted for local scam artists.
- Be aware of your belongings, just like you would where you live. Australia and New Zealand thrive on tourists and I’ve never heard of any situations of tourists being in danger due to muggings.
- Safety is a priority, but as I mentioned we love North Americans and so you’ll find that the locals are so friendly and welcoming, you’ll be invited to bbq’s and offered advice and assistance on your trip, we love our country and are proud to show it off to visitors.
- Leave a copy of your itinerary with friends and family – it’s always good for them to know where you are.
- If you are staying in Australia or New Zealand for an extended period of time, you can register at the local embassy.
- Take a photocopy of your passport, driver’s license and credit/debit cards and leave them with a trusted friend or family member, and put a copy on your computer if traveling with one. If you lose your wallet or ID, at least you will have copies of it to allow you to get on flights or rent cars until they are replaced.
- Get a local Cell phone. You can buy a phone from AU/NZ $60 or less and then buy a pre-paid month to month amount of credit, it’s great to have the security of a phone, but it also
- Be organized, book your sightseeing experiences and hotels/before you leave America, that way your time is left free to enjoy the sites and meet new people and you will get the best deal and the most reputable hotels and tours. Leave it to the experts to talk to you about their knowledge on best locations for hotels and best experiences for sightseeing tours.
- Pack lightly, when you are by yourself, there’s nothing worse than lugging two big suitcases, a small handbag or travel bag, perhaps even a laptop and a souvenir bag full of purchases – it’s too much and you’ll be stressed out from carting it around and jumping on and off buses, flights and transfers. Pack light, then there’s no stress about excess luggage charges and you still will have room to buy a few things too.
- Going out for dinner and not used to dining alone, eat at the bar. You’ll find that the bartender will keep you company and most often you’ll have interesting conversation with the people surrounding you. I like to write my to-do list or check off my itinerary for the next day while I eat, it’s fun to look up what you are doing and start preparing for the next day.
- Do some fun and unique things, like read the local paper to find local sporting events or wine tastings, art gallery openings or local markets. You’re guaranteed to meet people when you go to an event or function.
- Give back to the community! Take a few days out of your vacation to volunteer for a local organization, perhaps save turtles in Cape York, help rescue injured koalas or kiwi or perhaps even find a similar company to the work you do and ask if you can come and have coffee with them – the key to remember is Aussie’s and Kiwi’s are so open –and they’ll welcome your invitation.
SOLO TRAVELERS – SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
Don’t want to pay the single traveler supplement, then here’s a few ways we can help you overcome it:
These three companies all offer to find a like-minded traveler of the same sex to share your room and expenses with you. If they don’t find someone, you will end up with a single room at the twin share price, so it’s a great option and Down Under Answers is the expert at helping you decide which trip suits you.
http://www.duatravel.com/aatkings - Escorted and Independent vacations to Australia and New Zealand
http://www.duatravel.com/aptouring/ - Escorted and independent vacations to Australia and New Zealand, as well as a fully escorted option from North America
http://www.duatravel.com/activeoznz/ - For the young, the young at heart and the adventurous, these programs range from discovery tours, safari style camping tours, small group accommodated tours and special activities throughout Australia and New Zealand, all at a price that your budget will like.
Kerryn Cook
February 25, 2010
“And the winner is, New Zealand’s South Island”.
If earthlings were asked to select one place on this planet to represent our world in a universal contest that best exemplified what our earth was really like . . . without hesitation, my vote would go to the South Island of New Zealand. Why this choice? Because in my travel of the world, I’ve not found a place with as much diversity all located on island that’s just 150-miles wide and 500-miles long.
The Island is about the same size as Florida, and, in one way it’s like our state with white sand beaches lapped by beautifully blue waves. However, unlike out state that has a maximum elevation of less than 500-ft., the island reaches over 12,000-ft., less than 25-miles away from the seashore. The Southern Alps run for 300-miles along the western shore, and gets their name from their rugged counter part located across the southern part of Europe in France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria. To make another comparison of these slopes, you might ask Sir Edmond Hilary . . . he trained here for this climb of Mt. Everest in Nepal. Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand is often touted at the tallest mountain in the world to climb . . . the reason is, that all of its 3,754-meters must be climbed to get to the top, starting at sea level. Not like Mt. Everest, where base camp is less than half that distance to the top.
Cruising the southern part of these mountains you’ll find the fjords of this South Pacific Island . . . just like those in Norway, with hanging glaciers and magnificent water falls. Numerous hiking trails snake through the area, the most well know is the Milford Trace that leads its walkers to Milford sound and the inlet to the ocean.
The craggy cliffs and that circle the southern end of the island are reminiscent to those along the west coast of Ireland. Trapped between the cliffs and the Alps to the west lies the “Sheep Country,” for which New Zealand is so famous. Three times as many sheep as there are people. Rich grazing land, free from the predators that could harm the flocks. Called the Southland, it is the islands breadbasket, much like our mid-west. The western portion of Southland resembles New York, it has a number of Finger Lakes that formed between the fold in the earth. Here, at Arrowtown, gold was fond about the same time as the strike that started the great California Gold Rush. Today, Queenstown, just south of Arrowtown, has become the Aspen of the alpine skiing area.
Continuing up the East coast you’ll pass through the checkerboard field separated by hedgerows and stone fences. Apply named the Canterbury Plain, it’s a true replica of the same plains by the same name in Merry Old England. As a matter of fact, Christchurch, located on the north end of the plain, carries the repetition as the most English city out side of England. Here you have a chance to go punting on the Avon River that flows through the heart of the city, and watch the children as the walk from school in their shorts, knee socks and beanies.
Looking at the landscape on the north end of the island, one could imagine being in France or the Napa Valley . . . and the wines and especially sparking wines, help paint that picture. The Montana vineyards squeeze the fruit of the vines of Picton and Blenheim . . . however is no relation to state. Apples, cherries and sheep all take advantage of the abundant sunshine along the Marlborough straight, which separates the North and South Island of New Zealand.
The waters off the island are whale rich, and the Scottish city of Dunedin sprung up to serve the needs of this industry. Today, it boasts one of the finest breweries’s anywhere. Because of its cool climate, Dunedin is also ideal for chocolate production. To us, it’s Hershey, but to New Zealanders, it’s Cadbury.
The first recorded settlers navigated the open ocean, arriving on New Zealand North Island from Polynesia. These settlers apparently had a keen sense of lay of the land when they began their folklore. There legends tell of their people who use the South Island as the boat that caught the fish, the North Island, and was anchored by Stewart Island that lies just south of the South Island. One need only to turn the map of New Zealand one quarter turn counter clockwise to see the great shark diving into the ocean at the bow of the boat.
Stewart island adds to my reasoning for selecting this area as the showcase to represent the world. It is a paradise of numerous species of wildlife that man and other animals have not corrupted. Here those visitors from other parts of universe would realize a harsh environment, which support fauna and flora found no other place on earth, which was created by New Zealand’s Geological History.
New Zealand’s actual birth began some 80 million years ago during the reign of the dinosaurs. It’s land mass split away from the prehistoric continent of Gondwana as the Tasman Sea was formed. About 60 million years ago it became separated from Australia by some 1,000-miles. By then, the Islands rocks had recorded a complex history of development. Because of differing land make up, recent theory has Australia not connected to New Zealand, but rather the North American Continent. Interesting, to say the least.
New Zealand was located along the leading edge for several million years before it broke off. At the oceans edge on southeastern most of the south island you’ll find the petrified remains of a forest that at one time stood on the super continent of Gondwana. The trees had fallen during their life onto what must have been the soft soil at the waters edge, and then both soil and wood turned to stone. Today, at low tide, you can step over the remains of these petrified trees as you stroll along the waters edge. It’s unlike no other place that I know of on this earth.
Lastly, if those terrestrial visitors were to land in New Zealand’s I would be proud to have the New Zealanders represent me. In my many visits to the islands, I’ve found them to be some of the world most giving, friendly, and easy going people that I have ever met. They are truly committed to the environment and are staunch protectors of what Mother Nature has provided to us. It is easy to see why our film industry has chosen the islands as backdrops for so many films.
New Zealand is truly a “Must See.”
Don Kiselewski
Kiwi & Aussie Specialist
Palm Beach Gardens Travel Specialists
March 13, 2009
Australian Wild Escapes were awesome!
I just wanted to let you know that Craig and the Blue Mountains tour yesterday were both awesome. He is just a wonderful guide – so much knowledge and just a great personality – very attentive to the passengers on the trip and really aware of their abilities and interests, etc.
I enjoy the fact that you give the guides the freedom to mix things up a bit and so even though this is “stock” tour we felt like we were seeing and doing some things that not everyone else was doing.
The barbecue in the bush was a major highlight as well – not sure I could cook up steak’s for 11 people that quickly and efficiently and still keep smiling. Jemby-Rinjah is a great location – again with that feeling of being very much “off the beaten” path.
Thanks again for allowing me to join AWE on this great day in the Blue Mountains.
Rhonda Robinson
Hanover, MN
Indigo Journeys
March 09, 2009
VAustralia Inaugural Flight
G�day Mates!
We�re so excited about our latest trip to Australia that we just have to tell you about it. First, we got 48 hours� notice from DUA that two (yes, two!) seats had our names on them for Vaustralia�s inaugural flight from LA to Sydney. In true Aussie fashion, Phil picked himself up off the floor and decided to seize the day! 48 hours later we were on our way to LAX, filled with anticipation and smugness for having been lucky enough to live this spontaneous lifestyle where we could just pack and go. For those of you who are passionate about travel, you know what I�m talking about.
The anticipation was exceeded only by the experience� We were greeted by �The New Crew in Town� who made us feel a part of the family from the beginning, and the check-in crew made their way down to the gate in time to see us off with smiles and waves just like they were sending off their Mom and Dad. (Yes most of The New Crew in Town are young enough to be our children!) When we arrived in Sydney, another New Crew in Town was at the gate to meet us. Incredible, we thought. Obviously this was special treatment for the historic Inaugural Flight. But we were wrong, because when we returned a week later, we received exactly the same treatment. We were blown away when the young lass who checked us in at LAX walked up to us at the LAX baggage claim a week later and said, �G�day Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy. How was your flight?� It�s true, mate, fair dinkum.
Both flights were outstanding! Seated comfortably in Premium Economy (truly equivalent to business or first class on most domestic airlines), we were offered a glass of �bubbly� while waiting for take-off. Now you all know how routine the pre-flight safety instructions can be not so on Virgin! You�ll have to see the cartoon video to appreciate it and all the crazy characters, including Sir Richard Branson himself. Once in flight, the true blue Aussie crew offered us choices of fine Australian wine and cuisine for dinner. Then we propped our feet up on the foot rests, laid back in our luxurious leather seats, popped on our headsets (these are to die for) and selected from the smorgasbord of new release movies and entertainment. (Even the children had their special channels and games on their own personal touch-screen monitors.) A couple of great movies and a few hours� sleep later, we were awakened by the aroma of coffee and a delicious hot breakfast�
What was our return flight like? Just ditto all the above then add in that we are now feeling a part of the Virgin family�.and we were dressed in style as on the inaugural flight we received a smashing Virgin wardrobe (hats, t-shirts, singlets).
We have always been intrigued by the Virgin brand, and had opportunity to experience them in their early days. The thing that impresses most is they have come so far and incorporated total sophistication into their products, yet still they remain competitive and to experience Virgin service is to be embraced by the camaraderie and sense of fun that is the Virgin trademark. (Speaking of product sophistication, camaraderie, competitive pricing, and lots of fun�we just want to say how thrilled we are to be partnering with DUA Travel! This is an innovative team of empowered staff, a credit to their visionary leader Kirk Demeter.)
The week in Sydney went too fast, �we were flat out like a cane toad on a country road� but packed in some great memories..Sydney was at its finest as we strolled around Darling Harbour, called in on one of Nick�s great Restaurants to grab some �tucker� and then picnicked the following day in the gorgeous Royal Botanic Gardens. Can you imagine this: we found a great picnic possie in the shade of a coolabah tree overlooking the harbour, Sydney Opera House and �the bridge�, and I�m not pulling your leg. Spent some time also walking the historic South Head via the Gap and then later tucked into some good ole� fish n chips at Watsons Bay as we watched the sun setting across the Harbour. Our last evening in Sydney, we dined al fresco in China Town, another �must do� experience. We also had great meetings with CEOs of some new Sydney products, and look forward to keeping DUA busy with more bookings. Thanks to DUA�s flexibility, we were also able to fit in a couple of days with Phil�s Mum in Bellingen (northern coast of NSW). She is now a life-time member of the DUA Fan Club!
Thank you! to DUA & Vaustralia for this wonderful experience! NOW, let our partnerships help you experience Australia both on and off the beaten track.
About the Authors:
Phil is Aussie born & bred and Golden is a Missouri girl. We share a great passion for people and travel, and pretty much spend our days exploring new opportunities to build into those passions. We love helping people achieve their potential & (re)discover their dreams and purpose in life. We also love travelling the world, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures. We especially love it when we can combine the two, helping people experience the world (especially the S Pacific) as they turn their dreams into reality.
Phil & Golden Kennedy
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February 27, 2009
Not Your “Grandmother’s” Uptown
As a travel agent who specializes in selling trips to the South Pacific, I was invited to attend the Australia Trade Exchange in Perth. To stay current on travel to Australia, I make it a point to visit yearly, so I thought I had already experienced much of what Australia has to offer. When asked by Tourism Western Australia if I would like to discover more of that region, I quickly said “yes.” I had wanted to go on the Margaret River tour for something fun and exciting, but that tour was full before I could sign up. As an alternative, I was offered a tour of the “uptowns” of Western Australia. There were four of us scheduled for that tour: a travel writer from Thailand, a writer from Canada, another travel agent and me. Because we were visiting “uptowns” and the tour included time for shopping, we nicknamed it “the old lady shopping tour.” It was in this frame of mind that I set about to explore an area new to me.
I pictured the uptowns I have known in the states, Chicago, New York, San Francisco…. Little did I know that the “uptowns” of Western Australia are actually located down from Perth, not up, and that they consist of villages in magnificent forestland, lush pastures, pristine beaches and rolling green hills.
The villages are called uptowns because their names all end in “up” an Aboriginal word meaning “place of” as in Myalup, place of the paper bark tree or Wagerup, place of Emus or even Cookernup, place of the swamp hen. They are places where you can breathe the fresh air and relax with the knowledge that you are surrounded with the best nature has to offer. The Southwest region of Western Australia is diverse, beautiful and certainly not crowded with visitors.
Tourism Western Australia hosted the tour, and they provided the itinerary which was jam packed with activities. I visited Kelly Caves, Wild Bull Brewery (situated on a hilltop with a 180 degree view of the valley below), Harvey Cheese with their large variety of handmade unique products, Stirling Cottage & Garden where I had a fantastic cup of hot chocolate topped with real whipped cream and a marshmallow. I floated down the Donnelly River in a boat captained by Peter and Shawn. It’s the only boat that has water rights on this small inland river and it takes passengers through a lush eco-system of Jarrah and Kerri forests, through the paperbark and wetlands to the limestone cliffs and sandy beach of the Southern Ocean. Along the way I was treated to the view of unique fishing huts set among the towering Marri trees and coastal dunes.
Graeme Dearle, the owner of Pemberton Discover Tours, took us on an adventure where the real fun happens. Wow! Imagine taking a 4WD trek that transverses the Yeagarup Sand Dunes—one of the largest inland sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere, if not the largest—that is slowly creeping in on the forest. This is one of the Southwest’s special secrets. Traveling another 8km, you reach the Warren River mouth, around 3km short of the Southern Ocean—a great fishing beach located in a lagoon that is fairly safe most times of the year. I was also able to fly a kite on the dunes….What an experience for someone who has not flow a kite in more years than I care to remember.
Besides the fascinating landscape of sand-covered forests, awesome Kerri trees and beaches where you may not see anyone else, the people are so hospitable and friendly. I remember the night I tried to get on the Internet, but could not get my laptop to connect. I was given the key to the management area of the hotel so I could use their Internet at 5:30 the following morning. It certainly was a lesson in trust for me. That was only one of the many acts of kindness I witnessed from the managers, owners or workers at the many attractions I visited.
How surprised I was to find something so unexpected in a country I had visited a dozen times. What a wonderful gem I discovered on this “second choice” tour. I now invite you to indulge yourself while tasting the wonderful wines and fresh produce, exploring the isolated beaches and hidden caves in this beautiful countryside. Would I return to this region again? In a heartbeat!
About the Author
Sharon, based in sunny Scottsdale, AZ, has assisted travel planning to all corners of the world. Her love, however, is the South Pacific: Fiji, New Zealand and Australia! Specializing in gourmet wine tours, golfing getaways and recuperative medical treatments, Sharon is here to help you make your travel dream come true. http://www.travelbysharon.com 480-949-0637 email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Sharon
Scottsdale AZ
Travel by Sharon
January 14, 2009
Love Down Under Answers
Thanks Jane….I got the documents this morning Fed Ex. They are really nice…very good explanations for them, I’m sure they will feel very confident in making their own way. I love Down Under Answers!!! Jan
Janet La Valley
Marquette MI
Holiday Travel Vacations
October 22, 2008
The A380 - an amazing experience
Here’s a bit of good news for the industry. How about an aircraft that is quieter, more fuel efficient, carries more people, and allows more space per passenger than any aircraft flying? Well, it’s here, with the arrival of Qantas’s new Airbus A380 now flying the USA to Australia route. Qantas becomes the first airline to commercially fly this amazing new plane into the USA, and will steadily increase the number of flights in the upcoming months.
I had the opportunity to fly on this beauty on October 20, shortly after its maiden arrival on a flight from Melbourne. Beyond the Hollywood glitz (Honorary Captain John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John were on board), it was a great time to check out the next generation of aircraft, and I could not have been more impressed. Though many carriers that will be using the A380 have put in 500 seats or more, Qantas chose to configure with 450 seats in four classes, and the plane on both decks give a very open feeling and one of roominess. You never feel packed into any section on the airplane. I could also say that the economy seats are unquestionably the most comfortable I have ever experienced on an international carrier, so your customers flying economy will be very pleased. Each seat has an amazing entertainment system, but the real benefit is the comfort of the Recaro designed seats. When you are flying across the Pacific, best to be as comfortable as possible and this plane fills that bill.
The quietness of the flight is amazing as well - no high-pitched engine whine on take-off and landing, and even on steep descents the cabin remains quiet. (We all had the experience on our flight, as the pilot buzzed the Golden Gate Bridge during our ‘whirlwind’ tour and then proceeded into a steep climb; I felt like I was on a carnival ride, never knowing a massive plane could imitate a Cessna, and having a great time.) With some of the specials in the marketplace, and the continuing slide of the AUD$ versus the USD$, this is really a great time to encourage your clients to fly on a truly amazing aircraft and see their dollar go further than at any time in many years. Now is a great time to visit!
Kirk Demeter
President
Down Under Answers
October 12, 2008
Agents Famil
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to participate in the Travel Agents Famil sponsored by DUA.
Being my first time to Australia, the land of “No Worries,” I have learned so much and met a great group of experienced travel agents. Some of my most memorable experiences include seeing animals in their natural habitat (a dingo on the beach at Kingfisher Bay and kangaroos, seals, and sea lions on Kangaroo Island), the breathtaking scenery at the Remarkable Rocks, seeing the Southern Cross, the ride up to O’Reiley’s and their tree-top walk, the vineyard and wine-tasting in Adelaide, and the “experience” at the Southern Ocean Lodge! I also enjoyed experiencing all the forms of transportation available in Queensland and South Australia. The cuisine was great as well: the authentic Australian breakfast of beans, tomatoes, and mushrooms, good wine, the Adelaide central market, and of course barramundi (I’ll pass on the Vegemite).
I now have the passion, knowledge, commitment, and great network of industry contacts to promote travel to Australia with DUA and LTT to everyone I know. Margot did an awesome job of coordinating, itinerary planning, and organizing the Wild Sophistication Famil as a fun learning experience.
Thanks again for such an organized, informational and FUN adventure that I will never forget!
Rolana Harris
Aussie Specialist
CH2M
August 12, 2008
QStation Review
New on the Sydney accommodation and attraction scene is QStation, located on North Head in Manly. After a 10 year permitting and restoration process, the station operates under a special lease from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is classified as a cultural based tourism facility. The same company that restored Lilianfels Guest House in the Blue Mountains did the restoration.
QStation operated as a quarantine station from 1803’s to 1984. Passengers arriving in Sydney Harbour on any ship with disease onboard were quarantined here until cleared for immigration. Even passengers arriving by airplane without adequate vaccination documents were housed here. In addition, sick residents of Sydney were quarantined here during a smallpox epidemic of 1881, a plague epidemic of 1901 and the flu pandemic of 1989-19. The site is reportedly the most haunted place in Australia.
Haunted or not, QStation offers clients a wonderful retreat 30 minutes from the CBD. They can take the Manly ferry, walk off and onto a #135 bus and quickly arrive at the entrance to QStation. (Or take a taxi.) The buildings from the original station are now converted to beautiful accommodations, a restaurant, museum/visitor center, two theaters and a soon to be opened day spa in the hospital. You can arrange to kayak or sail in the waters surrounding the station or hike or jog the many trails. No matter where you are on the property, the views either back toward Sydney or to the parkland are breathtaking. There is one drawback. The property is quite hilly and would not be suitable for clients who have difficulty walking.
Clients also have the opportunity to take a schedule tour of the property or see Defiance, an immersion theatre held in the very places where the real stories about real people who stayed at QStation are told. For those who believe in the paranormal or just want to learn more about it, there are tours for that, too.
QStation comes with several bonuses. It has its own colony of little penguins and is home to the endangered Long Nosed Bandicoots. For clients interested in flora, the grounds feature a wide range of native vegetation. And, there is a collection of carvings on the rocks throughout the property by people who were quarantined here.
Mary Hickman
Aussie Specialist Premier
Bellingham Travel and Cruise
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