Australia 2000 Travel
Wild Koala Day recognizes declining koalas in the wild in Australia due to climate change. Koala conservation groups all over Australia have united to declare May 3, 2019 Wild Koala Day, to fight for protection of healthy eucalyptus forest, and to plant new forest.
Learn more about our gentle friend the Koala here.
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.
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.
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:
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
Dear Karen,
My trip was wonderful!? A big THANK YOU to you and your associates for your help in planning it.
I never really thought I would take this trip until I found out about your agency from the write up in the Sunday Detroit Free Press.? I had to keep pinching myself that I was really there after wanting to go for 60 years!
I am very glad you advised me to spend the extra money to upgrade my seat on the Air New Zealand flight to Auckland.? I cannot say enough good things about Air New Zealand and the flight attendant you alerted ahead of time to watch over me.? She was incredibly kind to help me through immigration and customs.
Auckland was lovely, the personal tour guides, Pete and Christine, were so helpful and went out of their way to welcome and show me their part of New Zealand.? City Life Hotel upgraded me to a suite and it was very comfortable. I only wish that I had more time there.? My last day in Auckland Pete showed up at 7 a.m. all spiffed up in suit and tie to transfer me to to the airport for my flight to Australia.
A friend was waiting for me in Adelaide and I really think that was my favorite part of the trip. Adelaide is a beautifully laid out city and the surrounding country is gorgeous. I loved Kangaroo Island.? It was perfect weather wise and it was there that I first saw kangaroos and koalas. Other places I enjoyed were the wineries at McLaren Vale and Granite Island where we hopped aboard a horse drawn carriage tour.
On to Melbourne on Virgin Australia, where I was upgraded to business class for the short flight and yet another reunion with friends.? After resting for a couple of days at their lovely home, their mother, who is my lifelong friend, arrived.? We visited the wonderful botanical gardens and enjoyed viewing the wild life.? Joanne made a Kangaroo supper one night and it was surprisingly good. The next day we set off to Canberra where we toured the new Parliament building and the War Memorial.? They were both amazing.
On to Sydney… The Sydney waterfront was all that I expected and that is where we met my sister and husband. I parted with my Melbourne friends and spent the rest of the day with my sister and family over in Manly Beach. I walked to the Quay to explore the Rocks and took a tea time harbor cruise.
I enjoyed the food but found Australia very expensive both in restaurants and grocery stores. Lamb was cheaper than here and I brought back Vegemite which I love (like British Marmite).
The Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles that you arranged for me was just fine.? I took advantage of both the lovely accommodation and the limo transfers you arranged for me.
Thank you again, Karen, I could not have done it without you.
Regards,
June Fasang
P.S. I will not hesitate to recommend your agency.
Often referred to as koala ?bears? they are not bears at all but rather marsupials.? These cuddly, gentle creatures live in Eastern Australia rarely leaving their beloved eucalyptus trees.? When not nuzzled up in the crook of a gumtree sleeping for up to 18 hours a day, these adorable creatures get their nutrition and moisture from the two and a half pounds of gum leaves eaten each day.? Younger females give birth to one offspring per year while older females only reproduce every two or three years.? After giving birth, Joeys (baby koalas) while blind and furless, measuring only 2 inches long, make the extraordinary journey to the mother?s pouch.? From the safety of its mother?s pouch a Joey drinks milk for 6-7 months until it can tolerate the delicacy of koalas? favorite food, gum leaves.
When you think of Australia you may naturally think of our iconic kangaroo.? Belonging to the Macropus family that literally means ?big foot? these nocturnal, timid creatures make their homes in Eastern Australia. Possessing very powerful hind legs and large feet kangaroos can leap 30 feet in a single bound and run more than 30 miles per hour.? If threatened kangaroos pound their feet as a warning to predators. They use their tail as a means of balance giving them the ability to station themselves while boxing with their front legs and to raise up their hind legs delivering powerful thrusts.? While most people know that baby kangaroos (Joeys) are cradled safely in their mother?s pouch many don?t know that if the mother feels in danger she will throw her joey out of the pouch to provide a chance to for it to survive.? Did you know that kangaroo mothers produce two types of milk, one for a newborn and one for the baby as it grows?? Females also have the remarkable ability to shut down their reproductive system completely in times of drought.? When the joey is about 4 months old it will leave its mother?s pouch making short outings to graze on grass and shrubs.? Around 10 months the joey is mature enough to leave its mother?s pouch to head out into the world.? Kangaroos have few natural threats other than dingos (wild dogs) and humans.
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