Private Tour Archives - Australia 2000 Travel

August 30, 2019

The Face of Australia 2000 Travel ~ Karen Hardy Hodgson. Featured this month as Hour Detroit Magazine?s Faces of Detroit 2019

Australia 2000 Travel weaves a touch of Aussie magic into every Bespoke Luxury Journey, handcrafted for the discerning traveler seeking to explore Australia, New Zealand, and remote South Pacific islands from a unique perspective.

Australia 2000 Travel was established in 1992 by fifth-generation Australian Karen Hardy Hodgson, whose mission is to help travelers discover the South Pacific through a local’s eyes; experience the vibrancy of immersive travel during stress-free journeys tailored to include each person’s specific interests and desires; and take travelers beyond the beaten path, where lifelong memories of wonder are created.

Australia 2000 Travel stands alone with recognition by Tourism Australia as Michigan’s only Premier Aussie Specialist, by Tourism New Zealand as one of Fewer Than Ten North American 100% Pure New Zealand Life-Time Gold Specialists, by elite Luxperience as one of the Top Two-Hundred-Fifty Travel Designers in the World, and by Hour Detroit as Detroit’s Best Travel Agency.

https://www.hourdetroit.com/faces-of-detroit/australia-2000-travel-karen-hardy-hodgson/

August 2, 2019

What is the Meaning of Luxury Travel?

Luxury travel commences when the discerning traveler meets a passionate, knowledgeable travel designer who specializes in handcrafting bespoke, luxury journeys to a specific part of the world, based upon each traveler’s interests and desires.

At Australia 2000 Travel we focus on luxury travel to Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific Islands, notably Fiji.

In visiting those countries annually I meet the locals, select boutique accommodations, choose the quintessential vibrant, private tour guide, move beyond the cities, seek the usual from a unique perspective.

As a travel designer I ask travelers, ‘”what” makes your eyes sparkle and your heart sing? And so begins the magic of creating individual, one-of-a-kind, stress-free, immersive travel experiences. Experiences that could include waking in a luxury tent at sunrise to see water buffalo walking by glistening in the sun after an early morning swim, dining in a local’s home, private wine tastings with the local vintner, visiting sacred indigenous sites, helicopter flights over Lord of The Rings country, firework displays at New Year, private garden, gallery and museum tours, diving on a glorious Fijian island.

I’m considered one of the top 250 travel designers in the world and recognized by Tourism Australia and Tourism New Zealand for my expertise. We take care of every single detail. All travelers need do is show up and be prepared for a good time. Past clients often say I helped them create the best trip of their lives. Now that’s luxury travel.

Vinaka vinaka, Nga Mihi, Cheers

Karen Hardy Hodgson

President

Australia 2000 Travel

Creating Bespoke Luxury Journeys to Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific Islands

March 22, 2019

Thank you from Susan Gibbs

Dear Karen,

Our trip was wonderful. We saw beautiful countries, had knowledgeable and energetic guides, and experienced the friendly people of New Zealand and Australia.

Overall the trip was stress free and I attribute that to your detailed planning. The drivers were always there to meet us; the hotels were always ready for us; the guides were always there to pick us up. We had local contacts to address any questions and concerns.

Because we could trust the plan, all we had to do was follow the itinerary and show up. It would be hard to go away for a month and not have any glitches. However, ours were minimal and were resolved quickly.

Thank you for helping to make this a positive, pleasant memory. I would recommend your services without hesitation.

Fondly,

Susan Gibbs

March 8, 2019

Thank you from Tim Heyden

Dear Karen & Hillary,

Thank you so much for putting together such a great trip for us. We really appreciate all the bottles of wine, chocolates, nice cards and notes you sent.

Our birthday celebration was a terrific day all around, we loved our cruise and lunch, thanks for making it all so perfect for us (I’m telling everyone about the sparkling Shiraz)!

All our accommodations, guides and hosts were top notch. Of course, the most exciting parts were probably petting the kangaroos and seeing koalas up close on Kangaroo Island. Jackie and I also just loved the Lord of the Rings tour it was just what we were hoping for.

Thanks for an adventure we’ll never forget!

Tim Heyden

July 26, 2018

Thank you from Natalie Robinson

Karen planned the perfect trip of a lifetime for our family of 5 (kids are age 22, 19 and 16) for our 30th wedding anniversary. It had been a dream of mine to visit Australia and although I usually plan and book all our trips I wanted to make sure that I sought expert opinion for this one. I had a couple of initial meetings with Karen where we discussed preferences and options and budget and Karen then put together an initial plan. I would say our final trip consisted of 95% of Karen’s suggestions.

We stayed in 5 different locations in Australia and New Zealand and they were all superb from the flights, accommodation to the airport pick ups and drop offs to the excursions. The majority of our excursions were private with an expert driver/guide who looked after us extremely well. Our highlights of the trip were Orpheus, just paradise! Sydney harbour tour with lunch, Queenstown is a beautiful city and our accommodation at Millbrook was fantastic. Doubtful Sound is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited and the tour was very well planned. The least interesting city we stayed in was Auckland but it was worth it for our day trip to Waiheke (an island 35 minutes ferry ride from Auckland) with another expert guide where we visited wineries and olive groves.

This trip slightly exceeded our initial budget but it was well worth it to have the expert planning and attention from Karen and her team in Australia and New Zealand and to have so many exceptional experiences. I would recommend Australia 2000 to anyone looking to travel to Australia and New Zealand.

June 21, 2018

Thank you from Bill & Pam Day

Using the services of Australia 2000 Travel made what we had expected to a memorable trip into something so much more than that. We spent a month touring Australia and New Zealand and the entire month was completely stress-free.? Before the trip we spoke at length with Karen about our interest and types of activities we like to participate in while traveling.? Karen was able to put together a trip which was completely tailored to our interests.

All the arrangements made for airport transfers, small and private guided tours and other activities went off without a hitch.? The guides we had were all excellent.? The accommodations selected for us were well-located and perfect for our needs.? We had all the convenience of a “group” tour without the frustration of having to deal with group scheduling and an itinerary designed for a group of diverse interests and physicality instead of for us personally.? We have and will continue to recommend Australia 2000 Travel to anyone we know considering an Australia/New Zealand adventure.

June 3, 2015

Luxury Tours Customized to Your Dreams, Desires, Taste and Budget

Credit to Tourism Australia (22) — Photo Credit to Tourism Australia

Our customized tours are designed so that every aspect of your wonderful trip has been arranged to suit your personal needs and interests, time constraints and budget. Your tour will always include airline bookings, luxury accommodation, private or small group touring, private transfers between airports and hotels via chauffeur drive cars, early and late hotel checkouts, the full services of our local specialist offices in each country you visit in the South Pacific and assistance with entry visas. Restaurant recommendations and reservations, bookings for theatre and spa treatments are all part of your luxury tour. Your sightseeing leisure time activities will be selected according to your personal interests, tastes and desires. Your luxury tour will exceed your expectations.

May 14, 2015

A Trip of a Lifetime to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti or Fiji is Waiting for You!

We have been honored to create A Trip of a Lifetime for hundreds of travelers.? Don’t put off planning your very own Bespoke Adventure to the Lands Down Under for someday…Someday is TODAY.? Your personal adventure commences immediately!? One where every aspect of your breathtaking journey is designed to suit your personal dreams, desires and interests.? We Will Exceed Your Expectations.

Thank you Karen and the Australia 2000 crew, your meticulous planning and adherence to each and every detail made our family trip both exceptional and stress-free.? Thank you again for helping us plan the trip of a lifetime. We will never forget the experiences and adventures we had in New Zealand. ~Carollo Family

We wanted the vacation of a lifetime and we certainly had just that.? Thank you for your expertise in helping us select momentous excursions.? Everything went like clockwork.? Sincerely, Cheryl Racklin

Robinet Sounds of Silence Dinner AYQ (resized) — Photo Credit to The Robinet Family

Our trip to Australia and New Zealand was the trip of a lifetime and one that none of us will forget. Thank you for exceeding our expectations. Australia and New Zealand truly were spectacular places to visit. Sincerely, The Robinet Family

We truly loved every tour and the tour operators were amazingly the best. I would recommend this exact trip to anyone I know! Thanks for making this trip a dream of a lifetime for us!? Denise Socia

Kraemer #3 NZ Trip 2014 — Photo Credit to Helmut & Marlies Kraemer

We spent 5 incredible weeks in New Zealand! The experience was once in a lifetime!? Fondly?..Marlies and Helmut Kraemer

Karen, Great job on all of your planning! ??You exceeded my expectations.? You made our trip a lifetime?memory!? Melissa Lange-Kaufman

Whether we had a private tour or joined with others, all the selected tour guides were personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with. Australia 2000 made this the adventure of a lifetime.? Thanks, Adrea and David Benkoff

Susan Redelfs - fishing — Photo Credit to The Redelfs Family

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. Thanks again for a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will cherish.? Rich, Susan and Rachel Redelfs

January 28, 2014

Thank you from David & Adrea Benkoff

Dear Karen,

We traveled to Australia and New Zealand for 3 ? weeks on a spectacular tour tailored to our tastes. We hopscotched around Australia from Sydney to Cairns, Ayers Rock to Kangaroo Island. Every stop included personalized tours, wonderful people and terrific wildlife experiences. We even spent a day in Barossa wine country sampling from four wineries.

The scenery in New Zealand was picture postcard perfect. The experiences that Karen provided in Arthur?s Pass, Queenstown and Doubtful Sound highlighted the natural beauty and provided exciting activities such as a Jet Boat Ride, overnight cruise and sheep shearing. We toured with an Aboriginal and Maori guide and experienced their lifestyle first hand.

Whether we had a private tour or joined with others, all the selected tour guides were personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely enjoyable to spend time with.

Australia 2000 made this the adventure of a lifetime.

Thanks, Adrea and David Benkoff