We traveled in New Zealand 10 years ago and Karen planned an amazing 2 weeks in the South Island. She planned an equally amazing three weeks on Australia’s east coast this summer; we booked the trip and left 6 weeks later. She knew we were taking our 9 and 6 year old boys and created an awesome family adventure for us.
BRISBANE: We arrived August 15 to sunshine, palm trees, and found friendly people at every stop. The kids enjoyed the Australia Zoo with our private caddie, feeding the kangaroos and hearing about the animals of Australia. Canungra, at the base of the mountain going to Lamington, is the home of the Funky Dory restaurant. We recommend it for fish-n-chips (Baramundi and Red Emperor were our favorites), squid lips, and an owner who loves what she does. We drove to O’Reilly’s guest house in Lamington National Park and loved the birds, hikes, views and incredible food. The boys were up every morning for a 6:45 a.m. guided bird walk. When our son left his glasses in a restroom, Karen’s assistant in Sydney was able to help us track them down and send them to our next hotel.
The helicopter ride was great, good time to go at twilight. The surfing lessons at Bondi were so fun. In the down time before the bridge climb we ventured around Sydney. The Taronga Zoo was spectacular. The Sydney Pass was handy for the ferry and the trains to travel all over the city. The Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb is hard to describe. The views are great and the climb was exhilarating.
Our family had a wonderful time in Australia and would highly recommend Australia 2000 Travel. Everything was so organized and well planned and all the guides and staff were extremely friendly. Though we thoroughly enjoyed everything, some of the highlights were: the Private Tour of Taronga Park Zoo where we got an up-close and hands-on experience with unique animals such as an echidna; seeing the wildlife in the Blue Mountains (kangaroos, platypus, wombats, water lizard, parrots and kookaburras) and fly fishing for carp; sailing on a private chartered boat with Collin in Sydney Harbor for the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race (each of us picked our favorite sail boat to win); and,snorkeling around Hayman Island. Thanks again for an once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will cherish.
We can’t tell you enough how very much we enjoyed the wonderful trip that you planned for us! Every detail was fantastic and carefully planned! Following the itinerary and using the voucher system was extremely easy and “comforting”. That itinerary was our security blanket; but we were never nervous or worried about anything while on the trip. We thoroughly enjoyed every day, even our “Days at Leisure”.
Although I have never used a travel agent in my travels around the world, at the advice of a friend I consulted Australia 2000 for a trip to Australia to celebrate my niece’s college graduation. The result was nothing short of amazing. While I regularly try to take the road less traveled, with your assistance we were able to experience adventures I am quite sure I would not have been able to find on my own. Particularly amazing was our time in the Daintree Rainforest. Not only were the accomodations at the Eco Lodge amazing but our hunting and gathering tour with Juan, our aborignial guide, was a lesson in history, sustainability and family that cannot be learned until you’ve tromped through the mangroves looking for mudcrabs and mussels, followed up by spearing a mudcrab on the shore.
Several months ago my 8th grade son received a special award which included a trip to Australia.
Last year I decided to keep my longtime promise to an Aussie friend to visit her and her country. Thank goodness I listened when a friend mentioned a travel agency that her friends had raved about, Australia 2000 Travel.