Travel Downunder

During April ’05 my husband and I traveled in Australia. I worked with Wendy Schatz, an Australian, of Travel Downunder to plan the trip, initially giving her a wish list of places we wanted to see and the types of activities we liked. In addition to being able to e-mail Wendy, I was able to speak with her on her toll-free 800 number because she has an office in the States. This made it easy to discuss options and choices.

Wendy provided a day-by-day itinerary, which was modified as we designed the trip. I chose to book all our airlines on the Qantas website myself, but she could have provided that service if desired. She works with a firm in Australia that reserves tours and hotels, and vouchers are issued for each reservation.

We laid out a 2-week trip that included Philip Island (to see the fairy penguins), Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, the Outback of the Flinders Range, Silky Oaks in the Daintree Rain Forest, and Palm Cove, with trips to the Barrier Reef, the Kuranda Railroad and the Skyrail over the rainforest. For some outings, we had the choice of taking a coach tour (less expensive) or a 4-wheel-drive excursion (maximum four people and more expensive). We liked having this option.

When we arrived in Australia, we were met by a representative of the Australian company. We were given a copy of the final itinerary, travel brochures, a book of vouchers for each hotel and tour plus contact information should we need to be in touch with the agency.

Our trip was totally smooth. All vouchers were in perfect order, and each tour leader showed up at the correct time and place to pick us up for our excursion. When meals were not included, we had the freedom to choose when and where we wanted to eat.

We had chosen to arrange our own transfers between airports and hotels, as it is very easy to take a taxi in Australia. However, if transfers had been desired, Wendy could have arranged them. She also could have arranged for us to drive.

The two of us paid Aus$8,632, or about US$6,720, for our 13-night/14-day trip with mostly 4-star accommodations plus two luxury resorts (four nights). Included were all activities listed above, some group tours and two overnight trips with 4-wheel-drive vehicles and private guides. Approximately half of all meals were included. Air travel, transfers to and from airports and some meals were not included.

Contact Wendy Schatz, Travel Downunder (10020 Main St., A, Box 142, Bellevue, WA 98004; phone [toll-free] 866/258-1629 or 425/454-0631, e-mail info@travel-downunder.com or visit www.travel-downunder.com)

SUSANNA DAVILA
San Rafael, CA