Australia 2000 Travel

Australia 2000 Travel

Thank you from Karen and Scott Lewis

Hi Karen and Hillary,

We want you to know about our wonderful adventure to New Zealand that you planned for us.

First and foremost our trip was flawless. Upon meeting Karen on our first encounter she listened to our requests regarding what we wanted to experience in New Zealand. She executed the most perfect trip for us, putting together an adventure (a lot of hiking, biking and kayaking) that met all our expectations, including eating with a family in New Zealand! The guides were top notch and very knowledgeable.

It was the most wonderfully planned and organized vacation. Kudos to Australia 2000!

Karen and Scott Lewis

 

Thank you from Dawn and Phil Minch

Photo Credit to Dawn & Phil Minch

Thank you, Australia 2000. Our trip and wedding that was orchestrated by your team was everything we could have dreamed and more. From the moment we landed in Sydney, every detail of our travel was exquisite. The escort company that Australia 2000 selected, met us at the airport, took us on our tour of Sydney and transported us to airports were professional, friendly and informative. The owner, Karen, made sure that our accommodations were top notch. Radisson Blue was within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, the Rocks and so much more in Sydney. She extended our trip in Australia to include Tasmania, where we stayed at a transformed cannery, The Henry Jones, located on the bay. The d?cor was old world charm with contemporary room accommodations. It was one of the many highlights of our visit to Australia.

Karen knew that we have a passion for wine and opera and incorporated this into our vacation. She arranged a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House and tickets to an outdoor stage performance of ?Turandot?. The evening included dinner at the Platinum Club, a moving performance and fireworks during the opera. They were many more delightful experiences in Sydney but I must move on to Tasmania and share that portion of our trip also. This is where Karen and Australia 2000 fused our love of wine and our wedding during our trip.

Photo Credit to Dawn & Phil Minch

My husband and I had a fleeting thought of the possibility of eloping during our trip to Australia and shared this with Karen. From that thought a beautiful wedding was created and performed at a winery in Tasmania, Frogmore Creek, by a celebrant that was handpicked from many interviewed, Bridget. This was all done by the expert minds at Australia 2000. The vineyard wedding was followed a 14-course luncheon at the winery.

Photo Credit to Dawn & Phil Minch

The next day we departed for our memorable rustic honeymoon on Maria Island, a beautiful National Park, for 4 days and 3 nights. I must explain that Maria Island has been reborn as a well-maintained haven for hikers and campers. Accessible only by boat, my husband and I comfortably experienced the wilds of Australia as we were chaperoned by guides that cooked, nursed and shared their knowledge of the island while we trekked.? If you have ever heard the term or dreamed of ?glamping? you must experience this part of our trip.? Everything was 5-star from the guides, meals, rugged huts and evenings with candelabras and wine. ??By the way, we did ?see the southern cross for the first time? while on the island!? The boat picked us up after our last breakfast on Maria and whisked us off to the Hobart airport for a quick flight back to Sydney.

We had one more night at the Radisson Blue and spent the evening relaxing and discussing how soon we could come back. ?We were saddened when our driver arrived at the hotel in the morning to take us to the airport and send us home. I will finish with, ?of all trips we?ve ever taken, this trip of two weeks in Australia is the only one that we still remember every single moment?. I could not include them all in this letter.

Thank you, Karen and Australia 2000 team, for all the efforts that went into the arrangements and ensuring that every detail of our trip was 5-star plus.

Thank you from Donna Mann

When my husband and I decided to go to New Zealand and Australia to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we turned to Karen and her team at Australia 2000 to help us plan it.

Photo Credit to Chris & Donna Mann

At our first meeting, we talked to Karen about the places that interested us, the types of things we liked to do, and discussed our budget.? Then Karen used her knowledge of the area and her extensive contacts to develop the itinerary and recommend hotels, tours and experiences for us.? After some discussion and advice from Karen, we decided to fly Premium Economy on Air New Zealand for our flights over the Pacific, and it was worth every penny.? We were so much more comfortable that we would have been in coach, and we arrived in New Zealand ready to begin our adventure.

Photo Credit to Chris & Donna Mann

Karen also arranged transportation for us when we needed it so we didn?t have to worry about driving in unfamiliar places on the opposite side of the road.? That worked flawlessly.??? We felt so spoiled!

Karen chose a nice mix of B&B-type lodgings as well as traditional hotels.? All were well located and offered excellent service and food.? She also arranged a number of excursions for us, including:

  • A guided hike on the Routeburn Track
  • A luxury overnight cruise on Milford Sound
  • My husband?s fly-fishing trip
  • Touring Kangaroo Island to see koalas, kangaroos, seals, sea lions and even an echidna in the wild
  • A day long tour of Sydney
  • Our farewell dinner at Cafe Sydney, where we were seated at one of the best tables in the restaurant

We really appreciated Karen?s suggestions and her expertise.? There is no way we could have put together this kind of trip on our own, and we would have missed some amazing experiences had we tried.? Plus we met so many wonderful and interesting people along the way who not only helped us out, but also were excited to share the places they lived with us.? Knowing there were local people we could call if we had any problems made us confident that we would enjoy our trip to the fullest.? If you want a customized and personal vacation, turn to Karen and her team at Australia 2000.? They won?t disappoint!

Donna Mann

 

Thank you from Rick Kaufman

Hi Karen,

As Camilla and I wait to board our plane from New Zealand for a long journey home, we write to thank you for putting together a most wonderful six week adventure?in Australia and New Zealand. It?s difficult to choose a favorite spot. I have been to a lot of spectacularly beautiful places in the world but none surpass Lord Howe Island off the coast of New South Wales.

When flying from Sydney to New Zealand we thought nothing could possibly top our initial three weeks in Australia.? We?left with such a love for your country and an appreciation for every single excellent accommodation you provided us.?? Now as we discuss it, we cannot choose between the two countries. Apples and oranges but equally sweet. We leave New Zealand with so much appreciation for this place . . . the beauty just never ends.

Rick Kaufman photo
Photo Credit to Rick Kaufman

Although we were initially worried about all the strenuous activities you had scheduled for us we are extremely glad we missed none of them.? ?Each hike turned out to be truly memorable?- especially the three days on the Routeburn Track that was simply spectacular. ?Every kayak experience was stunning.? We were apprehensive about the seven hour caving and rock climbing adventure in Waitomo but loved it.? We had never done anything like that before.? It was exhilarating, thrilling and we were captivated by the beautiful glow worms.? It was like looking at the Galaxy on a beautiful clear night.

BHE - Bay of Many Coves (from Rick Kaufman)
Bay of Many Coves ~ Photo Credit to Rick Kaufman

This photo is a view from our fabulous cottage at Bay of Many Coves. Another winner. I?ve traveled a lot and this adventure is up there with my best.

You did a great job!

Rick

Australia’s National Parks

Victoria

Port Campbell, Dreamtime 2013, Melbourne, Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road ~ Copyrighted Image Tourism Australia

Between 1918 and 1932 the spectacular Great Ocean Road was constructed using the labor of Australian soldiers newly returned from the First World War. While traveling along this dramatic winding road you will pass through Port Campbell National Park and discover The Twelve Apostles, rock structures soaring from the swirling waters of the Southern Ocean and one of Australias most recognized natural features. If you would rather not drive this demanding road we have the perfect guide for you who will show you the awesome sights, fill you with the local history, stand with you on cliffs that are over 200 feet tall while you gaze at rock stacks up to 130 feet tall. Along the way he will introduce you to the locals.

Northern Territory

NT, Aboriginal, Rock Art ~ Copyrighted Image Tourism Australia

Kakadu National Park, located 160 miles east of Darwin, in Australias Northern Territory is the largest National Park in Australia and has been awarded a World Heritage listing. Adjacent to Kakadu National Park lies a vast subtropical savannah that has been described as a national treasure trove depicting ancient human occupation and a pristine wilderness area hosting myriad ecosystems and wildlife inhabitants. The Aboriginal association with the land is constantly on display in Kakadu National Park where richly descriptive rock paintings from 50,000 years ago depict events of the distant past. Let us send you to this ancient area where your hosts, Max Davidson’s passionate devotion to the area and its people has developed into a relationship of trust and respect with the traditional owners. Their association has resulted in an unchallengeable, in-depth knowledge of the history and traditions of the area.

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Thank You from the Luginbills

Karen and Hillary,

Our second trip from Australia 2000 was as sensational as the first. In January, we visited Fiji and New Zealand; and as was the case for our trip to Australia in 2007, it was expertly planned and went off without a hitch. The diversity of the vacation was ideal. There were so many highlights that one cannot be singled out. Each day was an adventure.

On the island of Nukubati, the lap of luxury awaited us. We toasted sundown with campaign at sunset, viewed the undersea world snorkeling on the pristine reefs, ate gourmet food at every meal cooked from fresh island ingredients, and had every whim taken care of by an excellent staff.

After a totally relaxing week, New Zealand beckoned from top to bottom, north to south. We arrived to our own limo in Auckland and after a grand couple of day?s visit, we were off to Waitomo to do Black water rafting. Since hiking is our thing, Karen had us walk the Tongaririo Crossing, an amazing 7 hour trek across a volcano with some of the most amazing scenery to be seen.

The South island proved to be as dramatic and varied as the North island of New Zealand. A three day 28 mile hike along the Abel Tasman coastal trail was followed by sipping wine in Marlborough. Next we had a spectacular drive to Kaikoura where whale watching was no fluke. Christchurch was a bustling city between earthquakes (no big ones when we were there) and off to Queenstown, a must see vacation wonderland, where we just might have seen Gandalf and Frodo. Finally but definitely worth waiting for was a two day trip to Fiordland National Park where the scenery was so awe inspiring that it could have only been created by our Lord.

Every aspect of our trip was taken care of. All we had to do was follow the customized, fully complete itinerary and have FUN doing it.

Ron and Barb Luginbill

Traveled to Fiji and New Zealand January 2011

Contact Us

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