Australia 2000 Travel

Australia 2000 Travel

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/

 

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

 

 

 

 

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

Thank you from Tim Heyden

Dear Karen & Hillary,

Photo Credit to Tim Heyden

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

Spicers Potts Point ~ A Luxury Sydney Hotel. An Urban Oasis in the Heart of One of Sydney’s Most Iconic Suburbs.

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

Welcome to Spicers Potts Point where history meets modern luxury

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

Nestled in the midst of Potts Point on the edge of the Sydney CBD, surrounded by fashionable shops, cafes and restaurants Spicers Potts Point is a luxury boutique hotel with a distinct urban feel. Comprised of three meticulously restored Victorian terrace houses that, with a neutral, peaceful and restrained palette reflect a fresh contemporary style. The blend of old and new has created a private club feel that envelopes each guest once inside and away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

On my recent stay at Spicers Potts Point I was delighted to experience the same unparalleled service synonymous with the Spicers brand as I had encountered on past occasions. From the warm welcome on my late-night arrival to the luxury of a warm bath and exquisitely comfortable bed I knew a marvelous sleep awaited me.

Photo Credit: Spicers Potts Point

The following morning a scrumptious breakfast created from a selection of fresh cheese, smoked salmon, fruits, croissant and vegan delights sent me on my way for my return trip to the United States. I’m happily looking forward to the next warm welcome I will receive at Spicers Potts Point this December.

Whether you seek romance or adventure, food or wine, Spicers Retreats offers a broad range of experiences for you to enjoy. Do give Australia 2000 Travel the opportunity to include Spicers Potts Point in your Bespoke Aussie Adventure.

Cheers!

Karen Hardy Hodgson
President
Australia 2000 Travel

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.

Photo Credit to Natalie Robinson

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.

Photo Credit to Natalie Robinson

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.

Thank you from Vivian, Danny & Eric Chan

My family of 3 has spent one week in Port Douglas and one week in Fiji last month. My son has never been to Great Barrier Reef. We went out to different reefs at two separate tours. We saw many different kinds of reefs, fish and a few giant clams, so colorful! It’s remarkable and breathtaking. Karen has arranged a private cultural tour to Daintree for us. The guide Aaron was a native there. He was very familiar with all the plants and where to spot crocodiles. He showed us different plants to heal sinus and mosquito bites, very fascinating as we are all big city people. He took us to the beach spearfishing, which my son had so much fun playing with the spear. We didn’t catch anything but again, it’s something that we don’t get to do in the big cities.

We’ve stayed at Savasi Island in Fiji. The resort was beautiful and private. They have a very good activity center there. We kayaked in the channel and did line fishing by the shore. We also snorkeled at Split Rock and Turtle Alley. Our guide Thomas brought food to feed the fish and we were surrounded by tons of stripped sergeant, it’s amazing. We didn’t see any turtles at Turtle Alley but we saw couple sharks there. The weather was perfect that day, the sea was calm, the giant rocks with coral reefs and fish was spectacular. Maybe because we were the only people there, it’s so peaceful and relaxed. We love the ocean!!!

Photo Credit to Vivian, Danny & Eric Chan

Orpheus Island ~ An Award Winning Luxury Private Island Accommodation in the Great Barrier Reef Hand Selected by the Owner of Australia 2000 Travel

Welcome to the kindness, the beauty and the innate healing power of Orpheus Island…

Orpheus Island Photo Credit to Tourism Australia

At Orpheus Island the accommodation is sophisticated, inviting and a stone’s throw from the water’s edge. During my recent travels to an invitation only Tourism Australia event I had the utmost privilege to off a stopover at tropical secluded Orpheus Island. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated being embraced by the bliss, the beauty, the magic, the comfort, the taste sensations of beautiful Orpheus. Every member of the team exuded a sense of joy through each welcoming smile. I was unobtrusively cared for in unpretentious comfort with minimal fuss and maximum care.

Orpheus Island South Suite Photo Credit to Simon Shiff

Oh how I savored the beauty of my suite, the chaise lounge by the beach, the garden, the exquisite cuisine. I snorkeled, read, drank champagne, luxuriated in the garden bath under the Milky Way at midnight and saluted the Southern Cross! For a passionate Aussie life could not have been better.

 

Orpheus Island Snorkeling Photo Credit to James Vodicka

Fringed by sheltered bays and seven unspoiled sandy beaches, wreathed in spectacular coral gardens and invigorated with native flora and fauna, Orpheus is a kaleidoscope of the senses. While snorkeling or diving in the underwater gardens surrounding the island guests glimpse giant clams in their natural environment, observe over a thousand species of tropical fish and more than three hundred varieties of multicolored reef coral that have been spared the bleaching that has occurred in other areas of the Great Barrier Reef.

For over twenty years I have shared the wonder of this breathtaking destination with hundreds of travelers and now it’s time to introduce it to you. Contact us to include Orpheus Island awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in your Bespoke Down Under Adventure.

 

Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris ~ A Multi Award Winning Tour Operator Hand Selected by the Owner of Australia 2000 Travel

Welcome to Australian Legend Max Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris…

Photo Credit to Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris

Nestled on 270 square miles of pristine wilderness against the Arnhemland escarpment in a landscape of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs lies Mt. Borradaile in sacred, Arnhemland. There, travellers are immersed in unique ecosystems teeming with birdlife, crocodiles, barramundi along with a cornucopia of bush food and medicine plants.

For more than 50,000 years valleys, overhangs and caves carved by an ancient sea, have preserved the local Aboriginal people’s age-old galleries of rock art and sacred burial sites. The Aboriginal people, the traditional owners, have bestowed Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris with the honor of escorting select guests through the area, passing caves so sacred that travellers are not permitted to visit unless escorted by an entrusted guide.

For myself while visiting Arnhemland my young guide explained that each rock painting records an element of the local people’s history, culture and spiritual beliefs. As we walked we’d stop to study paintings. On one occasion I learned the touching story of the dingo and the turtle and how those creatures, traditionally best of friends, became enemies. Occasionally we’d walk in silence when coming upon caves so sacred the stories could not be told, nor the caves visited.

Spending time in Arnhemland is a privilege bestowed upon few. For myself it brought an increased understanding of the majesty, the wonder and the diversity of life. Do give Australia 2000 Travel the opportunity to help you experience this spiritual destination during your Bespoke Aussie Adventure.

 

Thank you from 2 Happy Germans, Peter and Meggie and Their Family

Welcome Back to Fiji – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

It is exactly 15 years ago that I asked Karen to apply some of her magic and work out a trip to the Southern hemisphere for my wife’s and my 30th wedding anniversary.

I thought it is about time to have the honeymoon trip we never had since, at that time, I was still attending university and we didn’t have the money.

And what a trip Karen proposed!

It started on Fiji’s Nukubati Island, a small private island off the Northern coast of Vanua Levu, an hours drive from Labasa. It is a paradise for those who like a quiet and peaceful time to relax and recharge batteries. Luxurious service, pristine waters, outstanding scuba diving, fishing and so many more things to do and last but not least, being pampered by the wonderful Fijian people.

We spent Christmas on the island and then went on to Sydney for the New Year celebrations.

Harley-Davidson Tour – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Not surprisingly, Karen found what we believe- is the best location to experience this event: The Quay Grand Sydney Harbour hotel at Circular Quay, with a direct look at the Harbour Bridge and in walking distance from the Opera House and the center of the city. Sydney is a great place to visit, a truly wonderful city.

After a few days in Sydney we continued to the Whitsundays further North. Seaplane trips to Whitehaven Beach and out to the reef for some snorkeling are a must.

After four weeks, which were filled with lasting impressions and just flew by, we returned home and for weeks, we couldn’t stop talking about this miraculous trip, praising Karen’s magical work. As a result, we got our kids all wound up so that we promised to take them also on the same trip, which we did a few years later.

New Zealand – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Since then Karen has organized 12, four to five-week trips to Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand.

Every trip was top notch and even in the places where we returned to, like Sydney, Karen made sure that there was always something new to see or experience. Not one boring minute in now nearly one full and exciting year of accumulated travelling time.

Australia, Fiji and New Zealand, their wonderful people, lifestyle and breathtaking nature are worth to sit 20+ hours on airplanes to get there and every dime spent, was worth spending thanks to Karen!

We have seen many wonderful places and met great people among them some very memorable:

Tasmania Australia – Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Cities: Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney.

Nature: The Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, Nukubati’s Great See Reef, Flinders Range and Tasmania, North and South Island of New Zealand.

Locations: Nukubati with wonderful Jenny and the Nukubati family and The Manse in Hawkes Bay with the equally wonderful hosts Dietske and Gary.

Karen will never cease to amaze me with the magic she does. We cannot thank her enough and I hope that she will continue with this wonderful work for at least as long as we are fit for travelling those distances so that we can continue to put our travel plans in her expert hands.

Photo Credit to Peter Schmitz

Contact Us

Phone: +1-248-647-4530
Email: cgoodman@downunderendeavours.com