Destination: Australia Down Under
by John Hawks

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For many U.S. and Canadian travelers, those three stops top their wish lists for an Australian itinerary. With a quick visit to the official Tourism Australia Web site, you’ll find lots of other options to recommend – from city tours in Brisbane or Cairns to a trek through the famous Outback, from a scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road in the south to an escorted adventure along the rugged northern coast, walking among the wildflowers in western Australia or riding the rails aboard the Indian Pacific Train . . .

While you can easily plan Australia trips for your clients from scratch, you should check the packages offered by many leading tour operators to this continent. The U.S. Tour Operators Association (www.ustoa.com) says these OSSN supplier members feature Australia itineraries in their current brochures: Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Celtic Tours, Classic Vacations, Collette Vacations, Contiki Holidays, Globus, Isram World, Mayflower Tours, Newmans South Pacific Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, SITA World Tours, Swain Tours, Trafalgar, Travel Bound, and United Vacations.

Best Travel Times: In elementary school, you probably learned how the seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere. Right now, it’s the middle of winter in Australia. The hottest season is November through March. (Don’t get mixed up looking at the map, either – it gets colder the farther south you go in Australia, remember!) The peak travel season is April through August (winter for the Aussies), though many agents say the summer months (our winter) is the best time to visit Australia’s southern regions. Most Australians take their annual vacations between Boxing Day (Dec. 26) and the end of January, so be prepared for crowded hotels during that period.

Entry Requirements: Along with valid U.S. passports, your clients will need visas. The good news is that Australia uses an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system that allows your clients to apply for short-term visitor visas over the Internet (for leisure trips up to three months each during a one-year period). Check www.eta.immi.gov.au for the details.

Airlines: Australia is a long way away from everywhere: 15 hours nonstop between Los Angeles and Sydney (plus another four to six hours from the U.S. East Coast). The major airlines currently operating between North America and Australia include Air Canada, Air Pacific, Air New Zealand, Qantas, and United Airlines.

Cruises: More cruise lines have continued adding Australia to their schedules, especially as part of a South Pacific segment on their world cruises. The Cruise Lines International Association (www.cruising.org) says these OSSN supplier members currently offer calls in Australia: Crystal Cruises and Silversea Cruises.

Along with the Australian Tourist Commission’s Web site (where you’ll find maps, suggested itineraries, and other sales aids), you should investigate the Aussie Specialist Program for travel agents.

(Credit: Tourism Australia)