Going to Australia Sept 13-30th

[TraumaRN]

So I'm thinking of traveling to Australia in September of this year. And being a young person that I am I need something fairly cheap and unfortunately Australia isn't necessarily cheap.

But with a little help from LolaWiz we found Contiki (www.contiki.com) And it seems to be exactly what I want. 2 weeks in Australia was quoted to me for about $3500 US dollars not counting personal expenses...So I just wanted to see if anyone else has traveled with Contiki and how your experience was?

It seems pretty genuine and from other things I've read seems like a great trip especially at the price....

So opinions please! If good I'm booking today

Update: It's booked, my contiki agent is very very friendly and has helped me SO much. Great experience so far! Cost is $3463 for everything.
The flight times aren't so hot though! Combined time in the air down to Australia is 19 hours and 35 minutes. Combined time in the air back to the States is 20 hours and 35 minutes...OUCH

 

[imported_Mike]

A buddy of mine had a GF that used Contiki twice through Europe. She loved them.

 

[MisterJackson]

B1tch smack Dug777 for us when you get there ....I kid....you should give him a dirty sanchez instead

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: MisterJackson
B1tch smack Dug777 for us when you get there ....I kid....you should give him a dirty sanchez instead

Unfortunately I wouldn't be in Western Australia or I might...but I'd b!tchslap for all of ATOT! And then not provide any pictures for proof

If you are curious here are all the places I'd be staying at least overnight at....It's a 15 day trip with 9 stops(google maps link below)

Link

 

[imported_Mike]

Only thing about Contiki is that it can be rushed. When you're traveling all the way around the world for the first time, sometimes it's better if it is a little more structured though.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
So I'm thinking of traveling to Australia in September of this year. And being a young person that I am I need something fairly cheap and unfortunately Australia isn't necessarily cheap.

But with a little help from LolaWiz we found Contiki (www.contiki.com) And it seems to be exactly what I want. 2 weeks in Australia was quoted to me for about $3500 US dollars not counting personal expenses...So I just wanted to see if anyone else has traveled with Contiki and how your experience was?

It seems pretty genuine and from other things I've read seems like a great trip especially at the price....

So opinions please! If good I'm booking today

They love it when tourists inject either "G'day" or "Shrimp on the barbie" into every sentence. Trust me.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
So I'm thinking of traveling to Australia in September of this year. And being a young person that I am I need something fairly cheap and unfortunately Australia isn't necessarily cheap.

But with a little help from LolaWiz we found Contiki (www.contiki.com) And it seems to be exactly what I want. 2 weeks in Australia was quoted to me for about $3500 US dollars not counting personal expenses...So I just wanted to see if anyone else has traveled with Contiki and how your experience was?

It seems pretty genuine and from other things I've read seems like a great trip especially at the price....

So opinions please! If good I'm booking today

They love it when tourists inject either "G'day" or "Shrimp on the barbie" into every sentence. Trust me.

Pshhh...I've been to Australia once before but I was a bit younger at the time but I realized they HATED that...they liked when you just acted like an American and said how much you loved their country



And to Mike I know it might be rushed but it is structured and I like that and at the least I get to see a whole bunch of places in Aussie and next time I go back I can just pick my favorite place

 

[TraumaRN]

So little bump for anyone else??

 

[Farang]

If you need something fairly cheap I'd recommend Thailand. Cheaper to fly to, a really nice room is about $10-$20, and 3 course meals are about $4.

 

[NanoStuff]

Australians try to get the ****** away from Australia and you want to GO to Australia? I would rather vacation in Afghanistan. They're gonna rape you for all the cash you've got and then you're gonna come back home disappointed and with an empty wallet. Whatever makes you happy, have fun.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Australians try to get the ****** away from Australia and you want to GO to Australia? I would rather vacation in Afghanistan. They're gonna rape you for all the cash you've got and then you're gonna come back home disappointed and with an empty wallet. Whatever makes you happy, have fun.

*raises eyebrow*

Anger issues??

What is your reasoning behind all this if I can ask?

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Australians try to get the ****** away from Australia and you want to GO to Australia? I would rather vacation in Afghanistan. They're gonna rape you for all the cash you've got and then you're gonna come back home disappointed and with an empty wallet. Whatever makes you happy, have fun.

Wait... what you just said about Aussies wanting to get away from Australia... the same can be said for anyone and their home country... i mean come on... how many americans leave the country every year to visit/live in new places... does that mean folks from Europe, Asia, etc should not come here?

 

[tw1164]

You need to tip all of the staff at least 20%, its a custom in Australia.

 

[jackbristow]

Australia is an amazing country that has a lot to offer. It's really one of the few developed nations that still a relative bargain for Americans holding dollars that have less value than toilet paper. I spent a semester there abroad and traveled around extensively. It all depends on what you want to do and how much time you have. The most expensive part will be the ticket there (the flight on coach is a terrible). If you don't want the stress of figuring out your own itinerary then do the Contiki tour. I've heard good things. Although you can easily navigate Australia on your own with a car.

Most travelers enter through Sydney and you can see the sites there and the harbor. I reccommend going parasailing at the Harbor. The beaches are amazing, I liked Bondi beach. Then you should go up to the Barrier reef. Go wine tasting if you get to Adelaide. Make sure that you're going to the outback and do some hiking. PM me and I can tell you more. You can't go wrong with Australia.

 

[jackbristow]

Originally posted by: tw1164
You need to tip all of the staff at least 20%, its a custom in Australia.

If you're talking about the tour staff then I don't know. But tipping is actually considered offensive there. I never tipped and anybody at restaurants or bars when I was there 5 years ago. It's a very egalitarian society 'mate.

 

[LS20]

thread saved

going november

 

[TraumaRN]

So...booked it, going to Australia Sept 16th-29th

Cost which includes room, travel visa, traveler's insurance, an extra night's stay, and airfare comes to $3463...not too shabby

Australia here I come

 

[TraumaRN]

Update: It's booked, my contiki agent is very very friendly and has helped me SO much. Great experience so far! Cost is $3463 for everything.
The flight times aren't so hot though! Combined time in the air down to Australia is 19 hours and 35 minutes. Combined time in the air back to the States is 20 hours and 35 minutes...OUCH

 

[iamwiz82]

Remember your compression stockings

 

[illusion88]

travel agents are dumb. The only thing they might be able to do is hook you up with a cheap flight.

When you get to Austrillia, buy a car and start hostel hopping along the coast. Meet cool people, experience the country, not the just the hotels and resorts.

 

[Pantoot]

What airline? I just got back from Cairns and had a great experience (well as great as 15 hours in the air can be) with Qantas. My brother came back later with United and had a miserable time. AVOD is a big help when you will be on a plane that long, and the airline staff makes a difference.

 

[purbeast0]

one of the places i'm going to go before I die (and while i'm younger so I can snorkel and stuff) is the great barrier reef.

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
one of the places i'm going to go before I die (and while i'm younger so I can snorkel and stuff) is the great barrier reef.

That is one of the things I'm doing on this trip

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: Pantoot
What airline? I just got back from Cairns and had a great experience (well as great as 15 hours in the air can be) with Qantas. My brother came back later with United and had a miserable time. AVOD is a big help when you will be on a plane that long, and the airline staff makes a difference.

No, I asked for Qantas and received. I have heard and experienced nothing but outstanding service from them when I went to Australia when I was younger.

 

[KMFJD]

It took me about 40 hours from the time i left my house till i got to Perth last fall, 20 hour's is nothing

/Flew Singapore Airlines FTW though!