1/ How do we get to Australia?
There are many airline routings which you can take to Melbourne Australia from North America, the most direct route being from LA to Melbourne with Qantas. If you are departing from Hawaii we will fly you into Sydney then onwards to Melbourne, and if you are departing from Canada you have the option of flying with Air Canada on their new direct route from Vancouver to Sydney and then on to Melbourne, or via LA or San Francisco. The direct airlines which travel from North America are, Air New Zealand via Auckland, Air Canada, United Airlines and Qantas. If you wish to travel via Asia there are many airlines which will take you to Australia as well.
2/ Are there any special airfares for this event?
GoWalkabout Travel can assist delegates from Canada and the USA with airfares to Australia, please contact us to find out more.
3/ What if I would like a stopover in another country?
No problems, we can assist you with this, if you let us know where you are considering and when, we can advise you of the best airline to use, if you would like options then please ask us, we can also look after the accommodation and any other travel arrangements.
4/ What type of accommodation will be available during the conference?
We have access to many different styles of accommodation from dorm rooms, to apartments to all different star ratings, let us know what you are after and we will be happy to assist you.
5/ Can I stay longer in Australia and Travel Around?
Sure you can, we Aussies would love to have you! There are many pre and post options being made available for delegates let us know what you are thinking of, and if you have no ideas let us help you through with many suggestions on our home country.
6/ Do I need a passport to go to Australia?
You sure do, you need a valid passport which must have a minimum of 6 months validity left on it from the date you arrive back into your home country. If you have a passport which is not from Canada or the USA, you may also require another special visa. All airline tickets and Visas ( see below) must be issued in your official name as exactly on your passport.
7/ Do I need a Visa to Travel to Australia?
Yes, All North Americans do need a visa ( please see below if you are an entertainer), as this is a conference there is a special visa, called a Business ETA we can assist you with getting this Business Visa for delegates, this will allow you to also vacation in Australia before or after the conference. In order to receive a visa you need a valid passport from either Canada or the USA ( if you have one from another country there will be a different visa) you need to apply for your passport early, in order that we can issue the visa's early incase of any problems. Please be advised that even if a Visa is approved there is no guarantee that you will be allowed into the country upon arrival, all immigration and customs departments in the world have the right to deny entry.
**** Please take note that you must have the correct Visa, there is another visa called the Visitors ETA which is for people who are only planning to holiday in Australia ( this is not the one for you!!) , please make sure you do not have this Visa or you could have problems when arriving into Australia****
7A/ How much does this Visa cost?
The visa which is required for delegates only is called a Business (ETA), GoWalkabout Travel will issue this for a fee of CAD 15.00 per person for its North America Passport Owner clients. This will allow you to also stay and travel through Australia for a period of time. We need a copy of your valid passport ( picture page) in order to issue this visa, and it should be issued ASAP before your airline ticket has been issued, to make sure it is approved. Please be advised that having a Visa does not always guarantee entry into a country, they can still deny you at immigration if they so choose. ( If you are a non North American Passport holder, please contact us for information on where you apply for your special visa.)
7B/ I am planning to be an entertainer at the conference, do I still need a Visa?
Yes you may need a special visa, this is even if you are not going to be paid at this event, you may still need this Visa if you are planning to perform.
This is called an Entertainers Visa and the cost is CAD 180.00 for Canadian entertainers and USD 180.00 for US Entertainers, please be advised this is a way more indepth Visa to be approved, this means you need to apply for this a minimum of 4 months in advance of the conference ( the earlier the better incase of any problems), the Australian Immigration departments in North America can become quite backlogged with enquries for Visas so please do not leave this until the last minute, because even with a letter advising that you need it urgently it does not mean it will be rushed. Please contact WIPC:E direct to discuss whether you need an Entertainers Visa, as they will need to assist you with some extra documentation.
Please read this website, it is very indepth.
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/special-activity/420/eligibility-supporting.htm
7C/ What if I am bringing family etc with me who will not be attending the conference, do they need a Visa?
Yes they do, this is called an ETA and we can issue this for clients who have a valid US or Canadian Passport, cost is 15.00 per person for both US and Canadian Citizens.
8/ Truly how long is the flight from LA to Melbourne?
15 hours and 15 minutes from terminal to terminal on a direct flight, majority of aircraft now have onboard entertainment in the way of personalized TV screens. If you are going via Sydney or Auckland then of course the time will be longer.
9/ What if I live outside of LA how do I get to these flights?
We have access to connector flights from almost all major US and Canadian Cities, please advise us where you would like to depart from and we will do our best to assist you.
10/ If I want to be in Melbourne for the start of the conference what day should I depart North America?
Since you always lose a day when traveling to Australia, if you left on the 04th Dec from North America, you would arrive on the 06th Dec into Australia, due to jetlag it is highly recommended that you allow yourself a few days prior to the conference to re-adjust and we would be happy to assist you with pre-accommodation.
11/ Do I need Travel Insurance?
Yes!! You should never travel without any sort of travel insurance including Trip Cancellation and Interruption and Medical Insurance, GoWalkabout Travel can assist you with both.
12/ What will the weather be like in Melbourne when I visit?
Unlike North America, Australia's season's start on the 01st of the Month, so the 01st of Dec will be the beginning of summer, we can assist you with advice on what to pack. Just like North America the weather in Australia can change hourly.
To keep track of the Australian Weather check out the Bureau of Meteorology website.
13/ What can I take into Australia with me?
Please read the following web links and take special note of Feathers.
http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/travel
http://www.daffa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/114242/QM_Brochure_Take_Single_page.pdf
14/ What can I bring back into the USA with me?
Please read the following website, and take note of the prohibited goods section.
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing_goods/restricted/
15/ What can I bring into Canada with me?
For Canadians even if you are just transferring planes in the US, you will be subject to US customs and Immigration regulations, so please also read the link above. Plus the one below.
http://www.beaware.gc.ca/english/prod/prode.html
16/ I could not find the item I am planning to bring into Australia or back to my home country in the list?
Please contact the appropriate countries customs people, by using the websites above. When in doubt always declare an item when traveling into a country, the penalty can be way harsher when getting caught for not declaring, be advised that Australia x-rays all your luggage on arrival and also has sniffer dogs walking through the airport.
17/ How do I get a passport?
Please make sure you apply for your passports way in advance, preferably prior to purchasing your airline ticket, once your airline ticket is purchased if you do not have your passport (which you need in order to get a visa for Australia) in time, or your Visa is declined then your airline ticket will have major non refundable penalties on it.
USA: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Canada: http://www.ppt.gc.ca/index.aspx
18/ Do we need any vaccinations to visit Australia?
Since we are not medical professionals it is always advised that you contact your local travelers medical clinic, make sure you do this as far in advance as possible prior to departure so they can keep you informed of what you may or may not need and still leave plenty of time to organize things.
19/ When can I start booking airfare and accommodation?
Right now and the sooner the better! if you are just after a guide on what to budget for please contact us now. http://www.gowalkabouttravel.com/quote.php
20/ We are a group, will we get group rates?
If you are a group of 10 people or more majority of airlines will give you a group rate, please contact us now and request prices. Group rate prices are still dependant on seat availability in the class of service needed on the flight, so the earlier you request your group rate and pay a deposit, the cheaper the group rate will be.
21/ We are under 10 people what rates will we get?
Sometimes if you contact us further enough ahead, we can join individuals and groups together if you are travelling on the same dates and make you into a group so that you benefit from group rates, this does not mean that you all even have to know each other. Do not be detered if you are under 10 people, we will do out best to assist you, contact us now to find out more.
22/ How do I register for WIPC:E and find out more about the program?
Please visit the official WIPC:E website at http://www.wipce2008.com/ and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter! Registration is NOW Open.
23/ I have more questions can you assist?
GoWalkabout Travel is happy to assist our clients who will be attending the event, we will guide you the best we can through the whole process of getting to Australia and home again, including what to pack, what currency to bring, and how to travel through different airports, remember you are dealing with Australians who are based in North America. Send us an email now via our quote form so we have all your details to reply.
http://www.gowalkabouttravel.com/quote.php
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