Hello,

I have booked the Aussie Explorer ( Sydney - Darwin ), I am leaving the Netherlands on the 23th of February.
I thought it would be fun to know some people before the tour starts, so who is going to do the Aussie Explorer in February / March?

Hug from
Sabine

Hello Sabine,

I just booked my place for the Aussie Explorer tour a few days ago. I am leaving from Canada most likely on the 25th. It should be a lot of fun. I just have to save money for some of those excursions like skydiving and surfing and all that. Did you book your flight with Contiki or by yourself? The flights are really expensive from Canada.

Jamie

I just booked the Aussie Explorer Darwin to Sydney. I will be flying out of Toronto on the 25th as well so Jamie I may see you there. I cant wait to go, will continue to check in here.

Wojtek [29 Male, Toronto]

Hey all!

I booked this trip (SYD-DAR) and I'm also doing the New Zealand Grand Explorer before it. From Darwin, I leave for Melbourne for a week to conclude my nearly two months of bliss! The flight there is long and expensive, but if you're flying around AUS and NZ, Virgin Blue and Jetstar have good low fares. Can't wait for the trip and to meet you guys there!

Cheers,
Aaron

Heya

I am doing the Aussie explorer in late Jan and then doing taz, but will be in Melbourne in Late feb / March. Anyone up for doing the Neigbours tour?! lol

K

those who haven't booked their air yet i would recommend doing it with contiki. although it is normally a bit more there are a few benefits. for one with contiki decides to cancel the tour do to lack of customers or something you will get a refund on the tour and air. but if you book the air on your own you will be stuck with the plane tickets and no tour. also i know when i booked my tour which is jan-feb i got three free nights accomedations in sydney which i will using before returning to canada.

quote:

Originally posted by queenerin:
those who haven't booked their air yet i would recommend doing it with contiki. although it is normally a bit more there are a few benefits. for one with contiki decides to cancel the tour do to lack of customers or something you will get a refund on the tour and air. but if you book the air on your own you will be stuck with the plane tickets and no tour. also i know when i booked my tour which is jan-feb i got three free nights accomedations in sydney which i will using before returning to canada.

Contiki wanted $3300 for airfare, my travel agent charged me $2500. For $800, I could stay almost a week in Sydney. Second, with regards to airfare, that is what insurance is for, it will cover the airfare if the trip is cancelled.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wojtek_TO,

for a $800 difference i would have not booked with contiki either. the difference of my air with contiki and with what i found on the internet was only a small amount.

I also went with separate air arrangements. It cost me about $2500 as well. I'm flying out on the 25th with United Airlines. I get into Darwin around 11 pm the night before and am staying at a hotel. Who are you flying out with Wojtek? Hope everyone's New Year is starting off well.

Jamie (26 year old male, Toronto, Canada)

quote:

Originally posted by jamiet3:
I also went with separate air arrangements. It cost me about $2500 as well. I'm flying out on the 25th with United Airlines. I get into Darwin around 11 pm the night before and am staying at a hotel. Who are you flying out with Wojtek? Hope everyone's New Year is starting off well.

Jamie (26 year old male, Toronto, Canada)

I am flying through the US as well. I assume that you are flying from TO to LA and the LA Sydney, then a great 9 hour layover and then on to Darwin [layover time may be off a bit]. If I look at the United flight, you have a 12 hour layover, even better.

I will likely be waiting for the same flight from Sydney to Darwin [that layover in Sydney is killer]. As per my travel agent, there is no way to get from Sydney to Darwin any earlier [first flight is around 7 AM , just before my flight or any other arrives and the next flight is at 7:40 PM].

Feel free to email me at contiki@wojtek.ca . We can exchange some info if you like. Having someone to talk to in Sydney will help pass the time.

Hi Sabine,

Im Irish and will be doing this tour also.
Ive been in Oz 6 months.

Are you staying in the Travel Lodge, Sydney. The travel agents mentioned thats were everyone was meeting?

Helen

quote:

Originally posted by HelenMac:
Hi Sabine,

Im Irish and will be doing this tour also.
Ive been in Oz 6 months.

Are you staying in the Travel Lodge, Sydney. The travel agents mentioned thats were everyone was meeting?

Helen

Hello Helen,

Thank you very much for your reply ( and also everybody else )! I am really happy to find somebody who is doing the same tour as I am going to do.
I haven't received more details about the tour yet, but I will be asking my travelagent tomorrow. If you like, we can stay in contact by sending each other e-mails. My address:

sabinethabest@hotmail.com

Hope to hear from you soon!

Hug from
Sabine

quote:

Originally posted by jamiet3:
Hello Sabine,

I just booked my place for the Aussie Explorer tour a few days ago. I am leaving from Canada most likely on the 25th. It should be a lot of fun. I just have to save money for some of those excursions like skydiving and surfing and all that. Did you book your flight with Contiki or by yourself? The flights are really expensive from Canada.

Jamie

Hi Jamie,

I have booked my flight with the tour, for a cheap price ( I think ). My flight is expensive too, but on the other hand....I will be in the air for about 18 hours to go to Australia.

Hiya All

I am going on the Darwin to Sydney Aussie Explorer tour starting late in January so we may see you in Sydney ... We should meet up to exchange notes!

K

Kookyspacecadet@hotmail.com

quote:

Originally posted by HelenMac:


Are you staying in the Travel Lodge, Sydney. The travel agents mentioned thats were everyone was meeting?

Helen

Hi Helen,

Does your travelagent mean this hotel:

http://www.travelodge.com.au/locations/features.aspx?hid=703

If so, it sure looks good!
I haven't found time to ask my travelagent, but have you got some information about your flights yet?

Hug from
Sabine