WE are thinking about a trip Sept or Oct. I need some help re how to find a good priced airfaire. I am interested in some stops en route. Any and all suggestions would be very much appreciated. THANKS!

I would check Qantas and Air Canada site regularly. Qantas has some good deals from Canada right now but they expire at the end of May.

Qantas also has Aussie Airpass from Canada. The prices start from $1399 and include 3 flights within Australia. You could get all the details here:

<b>http://www.qantasusa.com/webDeals/249</b>

Also, don't forget Air New Zealand, which also flies to Oz (www.ca.airnewzealand.com). They too have passes and specials that involve stopping at an island or two along the way. We purchased a 'Coral Pass', which allowed up to 6 stops between Vancouver and Melbourne (and we used them all - Papeete, Rarotonga, Auckland (2x), Nadi, Honolulu.

Not sure about the cost but you could look at CATHAY and have a stopover in Hong Kong.Cheers!

Thanks for your suggestions so far. Hope you don't mind me asking a lot of questions.

This may be my one and only trip to Australia. I am wondering what stops I should make en route.......ie. Fiji, NZ, Hawaii, Tahiti or other???

In addition how far in advance should I be booking a flight.

Thanks so much

At the very least, if you don't make any stops between Canada and AU, ask for an aisle seat so you can stretch and bathroom at your will.

We set beside a very nice gentleman who took a sleeping pill and slept for 12 hours straight... Sometime after the 9th hour, I resorted to standing on my seat and jumping over him to get out.

If we'd been thinking, when he told us he was taking a sleeping pill, we'd asked to trade him a window seat for his aisle.

I am keeping a big notebook of suggestions. I jotted this one down.
Thanks

I'd suggest a stop in either French Polynesia (Papeete) or the Cook Islands (Rarotonga). From Papeete (in Tahiti), it is a short ferry ride to Moorea, which is a small island with many choices for accommodations and activities. Rarotonga is also a wonderful small island every bit as nice as the better-known French Poly islands.

My suggestion would be the Cook Islands enroute to Australia, and if at all possible visit the island of Aitutaki. Arguably the most beautiful lagoon in the world, oh well that's my opinion.

tropo - I agree, I agree. Aitutaki is just wonderful.

OP - my second choice would be New Zealand. But you must have time to get out of whatever gateway city you fly into.

Thanks so much for your continued help.

I don't even know what would be considered a &quot;good&quot; air price to AUSTRALIA? That is how green I am.

I need a Beginners 101 Course.

Ck www.Mobissimo.com they showed the lowest fares, it refers you to other consolidator etc websites.

Took my first trip from Nova Scotia to Aus Jan 2005 and loved it. Air Canada Halifax to Sydney Return $1395.00 plus taxes and flight insurance for a total of $1597.00 Canadian. As for flights around Australia I couldn't see the value in the Aus Pass at $1399.00.for 3 flights. If you check Quantis, Virgin Air etc. For example Quantas shows Sydney to Cairns in Sept 2005 for $135.00 each way. We flew Sydney to Melbourne which is a short flight but it was $69.00 each one way.Anyway do lots of searching and this Fodors is one of the best for info.We loved Australia and will go again but for longer. This trip was for 2 weeks and that is no where near enough time. We just did Sydney to Melbourne and The Great Ocean Road which is Great. Also check out www.australia.com and all it's links also the Australia Government site for rules and regulations. Enjoy.
Warren

We got a flt on Virgin Blue from Sydney to Cairns for about 181 AU and from Cairns to Melbourne for 211 au which of course is less in US, just booked on their website. www.virginblue.com/au