Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
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Yes - unless you’re an Australian or New Zealand citizen, you’ll need a visa to visit Australia. Most U.S. and Canadian passport holders apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the official government site. Once your trip planning retainer is paid, we’ll send over clear guidance on how to apply and what to watch for.
Do I need a visa to visit New Zealand?
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Most travelers from the U.S. and Canada will need to apply for an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) before arriving in New Zealand. This requirement has been in place since October 1, 2019. Once your trip planning retainer is paid, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions so you can apply with confidence — no stress or guesswork.
How long does my passport need to be valid for?
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We recommend that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after your return home and that it’s in good condition - not damaged, stained, or heavily worn - to avoid any issues with immigration or airline check-in.
When Is the Best Time to Book Flights to Australia or New Zealand?
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Unlike destinations like Mexico or the Caribbean, the South Pacific doesn’t offer last-minute deals. Airlines rarely run true “seat sales” for Australia or New Zealand - and if they do, they’re limited and sell out fast. For the best pricing and availability, especially during peak travel seasons, booking early is strongly recommended.
What if a Seat Sale Comes Out Later?
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Seat sales aren’t what most people think. Airlines only release a limited number of discounted seats per flight, and they go fast - often within hours. Waiting for a sale can backfire: by the time it appears, the cheap seats are gone, and so are the better-value regular fares. In the end, you could pay more and get less.
What are the choices for airlines to fly to the South Pacific?
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There are several airlines from Air New Zealand, Air Canada and Qantas. Plus if you wish to go via Asia there are a swack more as well. We work with you to see which airline may work best for where and when you wish to go. Just because one may be cheaper you may find yourselves with 2 extra flights and going the opposite direction that you should be.
Is Business Class worth the extra money?
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Ask that question to anyone who has flown in Business Class and then had to go back to Economy Class… the answer is an absolute yes! That being said if you are tight on budget then go normal economy class and save your money or the middle ground is Premium Economy.
I have heard there is a middle class between Business and Economy Class?
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That is right… on some airlines, there is a class called Premium Economy. This is a good option for those who need a tad extra legroom. Not all airlines have this and not all of your flights to the South Pacific with the airline may offer Premium Economy.. but if you book it for the longest flight then that is a bonus.
How do I get a free upgrade?
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These really are reserved for the top frequent flyers these days on airlines. You can ask upon check-in but honestly there is a very high chance you will get a no. Airlines every day hear every story in the book about how it is someone’s honeymoon, or their pet died or why their left limb will fall off if they do not get an aisle seat. Your best option is to dress very well like you look like you belong in Business Class and then politely ask.
When is the best time to visit Australia?
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This one is a tough one as it depends on where and what you would like to do. When we have our first conversation on designing your itinerary we will work through all of this.
When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
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We like Oct/Nov and Feb-April. But once again it depends on what you wish to do and of course, if you plan to do a combination with Australia then we need to be mindful of picking the month that works the best for both of them together.
I have allergy issues and other health issues which may impact what I can do on my holiday can you assist me?
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We sure can- we work with many different suppliers and we pick and choose which ones will work the best for our client's health and budget. Make sure you let us know ahead of time.
There are a lot of creepy crawly creatures in Australia right?
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Yep that is true… but having been born and raised in Australia I am still alive to write this article so I can assure you it is not as bad as people make out.
I hate big groups of people. Can you help us?
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We sure can- we actually prefer to work with smaller group touring where you have a real experience.
What if something goes wrong on our trip?
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We are here to assist you. For any designed itinerary we create you will also have 24 hours 7-day week support by our emergency offices in both Australia and New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. Do not worry we are watching out for you.
I am a single traveler and want to feel safe but also not pay double the price...
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For single travelers we suggest that we book you on a big group tour that is fully guided. We can request that you share a room with another single traveler of the same gender and you just pay the normal price. If there is not another single person of the same gender on your tour then you will get the whole room to yourself on tour for the same price as a twin. Of course you can always just opt to pay the single supplement from the start as well.
We would like to self-drive can you organize this for us?
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New Zealand is the prime location to self-drive and it is actually better this way as you get into areas where there is not much of a choice for any other transport. We design you a full self-drive and you collect your car and off you go. Your accommodation is booked and any day touring is booked as well- this is best since New Zealand is small and you could arrive and have nowhere to stay! We also let you know the distances between places and we are mindful of not having you drive a thousand km’s/miles in a day. You have plenty of free time to go off the beaten track as well.
How about self-driving in Australia?
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This is OK in some areas- but in the big cities no way! Parking is a nightmare and so is the traffic. Australia has reasonably priced domestic flights so sometimes just flying between cities is your best option by far. We will direct you on the best options when designing your vacation.
How about good old Covid?
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All of the suppliers we work with are doing their best to keep our clients and their guests safe it is a virus, so we request that you be mindful of protecting yourself and others and keeping your hygiene standards up.