I am in my early forties and am interested in<BR>a tour to Austrlia. Is there anyone who has<BR>a "young" tour group to recommend? It could<BR>be out of the United States or Australia, bor<BR>I can book my own air. A pre thank you for<BR>your help!!

Don't do an organized tour, spend a little time on this site and we can give you all the information you need to "DIY" tour and make it one that fits all the things you like into it and in the time frame you want. <BR>Just kick us off with some insight into the things you like best and enjoy. The places that you think you may like to see and the type of hotels/B&Bs/hostels/guest houses you would like to stay in. Also tell us where you are from which gives us an idea of what to suggest which may be culturally and geographically different.<BR>Get the most out of your trip to Australia by asking those who know -us.<BR>Or if you still want to take a tour hone in on where in Australia you want to tour - it is impossible to do it all.

Hi, Judy Ryan!<BR><BR>LizF is "spot on" when she advises you to come out here without an organised tour itinerary, as Australia is so easy to get to and get around -- no language problem, and the culture is very similar to your own -- then why would you need somebody to make a few half-baked arrangements for you and then charge you the earth to do it? There are a lot of pitfalls in pre-booked tours, which, I think, are only justifiable if you happened to be going somewhere where nobody understood a word you said and you couldn't read a single sign. I have spoken to tour bus operators in Sydney who were ferrying a busload of people to Echo Point at Katoomba in the pouring rain, knowing full well the place was totally fogged-in and you couldn't see your hand in front of you , simply because it was pre-booked, so what did the operators care? They seemd to think it was a bit of a joke that their non-English speaking (and therefore, unlikely to complain)passengers were destined to waste an entire day which could otherwise have been used very constructively in an art gallery or museum. I, on the other hand, thought it was outrageous that visitors' time and money was treated with such contempt. So, be brave.. do it alone. Use public transport wherever possible... it's cheap and reliable, and will take you just about everywhere. If you DO go on a tour, make it a day tour which you decide on spontaneously while you're out here, with due regard to the weather and your schedule. People like LizF are really experts on how to make the best use of your time and get value for your money... I read all her posts, just to learn, as I don't need to take her advice myself, since I live here too. But I say "amen" to just about everything she advises, and I have lived here for nearly sixty years, so I know when I am reading good advice. In her hands (or mine, or the other regular posters to this site) you will see places other tourists never learn about, stay in hotels which are "different" and real value for money, eat at restaurants the locals flock to but visitors never hear of, and go home with money still in your pocket. Tell us what you want, and turn us loose!

I have another opinion on this. If some one wants to take a tour why tell them not to? There are many perfectly valid reasons to use a tour such as convenience, knowledgeable guides, camaraderie with others on the tour, not wanting the bother of driving (on the other side) or using public transport. I myself do much travel using both tours and DIY. Each has it's own merits.

Chris: You and I will have to disagree here, particularly when the subject is Australia. This is a vast country and there is no way that you can take "a tour" of it and do any justice to Australia or your hip pocket. <BR>You say " people may not want to use public transport" well what then is a tour bus other than it may be owned privately? <BR>I, for one, believe that we on this board can give a person the knowledge and the information to have a self written tour of Australia for one tenth of the cost and 100 times the interest. I have spent my life living and travelling around the world and Australia, I am Australian and know the psyche of the Australian, I have lived and worked in North America and in the UK and understand what people from those areas want out of a trip to Australia and lastly I am interested enough in Australia and the tourist to impart some of this knowledge to them so that they can enjoy this country to the upmost and unlike the tour companies I am not asking just for money, I am just asking for the reward of another happy tourist. That is the reason I have suggested a "do it yourself tour" <BR>Lastly give me 3 "valid" reason for using a tour company. Just for the record though what makes you jump to the conclusion that in amongst this home made tour I have suggested would I not suggest some small tours that are at least interesting and worth the money?

PS to my last post<BR>Chris, are you not in Canada? If so what have you to offer this person who brought up the question. Instead of being critical of what others have to say why did you not make some wonderful suggestions for this person and then by doing so we can all see the merit in what you say.

As Judy requested info on tours, here is my two bobs worth. I guess it depends on how much trouble and effort you want to go to. If you want everything done for you and would like to sit back and relax then a tour can be the best way to go, especially if all you want to see is the main attractions. Tours can also be cost effective and good if you have limited time. As for tour groups catering for the young, the only one I can think of is the Contiki group(they have an age limit of 18-35)

Sorry Judy for the rude welcome to the Australia Forum. I see you asked for a recommendation of a young tour group. Instead of answering your question, they just flat out say "don't do an organized tour (...and can't you just hear them adding, "you idiot"?). I just hate it when people won't listen.<BR> It is different if they'd said "here is a recommend, but by the way, its easy to DIY". Judy doesn't have to pour our her reasons for not wanting to travel alone; she can book her own air, so she isn't unaware that you can travel on her own. Although I prefer to script my own adventures, my parents and several of my friends just love going on tours...They love the friendships that develop, having a dining partner, the security of being with a crowd,the ease of visiting the highlights of an area, and many other aspects. The key is finding the right match. <BR>Judy, a friend recently came back from a tour to Mexico with a group she found on www.iexplore.com. She loved everything about it. If no one can give you any other recommendations, you might go check that site.

G'day Judy, <BR>Look what you started <BR>and all you wanted was some advice on a tour. <BR>You got plenty of 'advice', but did it answer your question? <BR><BR>There are tours, other tours and others still. <BR>One where everything is organized for you, others where you ( as you said you could) arrange for your own flight, <BR>that then leaves the land component and the options there are Coach tours with 40 + other travellers, <BR>backpacker tours with about 15 - 20 others, mostly in the 18 - 28 age range, <BR>and here in OZ outback tours, some for groups of about 12 participants and some for very small groups with just 4 to 6 participants and quite flexible itineraries. <BR>Often those outback tours are camping tours and also take you Off The Beaten Track and to spectacular areas away from the tourist trail. <BR><BR>So Judy, please tell us in your words what type of tour you are looking for and maybe we can start again from there. <BR><BR>I hope that you will reply because we really are not all that 'excitable' as you may think. <BR>We do love to show people our country and Boy, do I have a big "backyard"<BR><BR>Cheers, <BR>Mike. <BR><BR>

Well aren't we prissy LizF? <BR>I quote you...<BR>Author: LizF` <BR> PS to my last post<BR>Chris, are you not in Canada? If so what have you to offer this person who brought up the question.<BR>I would think someone from outside of Australia would likely be the best source of information on tours, for the obvious reason that people woh live in the country DON'T USUALLY join a tour to see the highlights of that country. In addition, there are cultural differences, and what the local think is a fun day trip can be completely at odds with the desires of a first time visitor.

I have sat back and watched this post going from bad to worse and I hope that Judy2 brushes her mouth out with soap in that she has made a nasty comment about LizF who incidently has been of the greatest help to me in having the most wonderful holiday ( both in terms of tours and do-it-yourself guidance) that I could ever have dreamed of. If I remember correctly Lifz said " spend a little time on this site and we can help you" I did not read anything like "you idiot" into that one little bit and to say something like that does not show Judy2 in anything but a snide and spiteful, bitchy light. <BR>I believe that if you all read the first replies again you will see that both LizF and Alan are offering to help ( which is more that I see most any other 2 people do at any time on this site and instead of making nasty comments to them you should be grateful that at least someone does take the time and effort to reply to most of these questions) but have asked the original poster for more information so that they can give her the best help there is.<BR>While I am at it may I take this opportunity to apologise to Alan and Liz for the behaviour of some people who are trying to make this site into the nasty, sniping contests that other sites are instead of the most helpful and interesting site on Fodors and also may I add that I am eternally grateful to people like Liz and Alan for their off this site and on help and guidance and hopefully these other people with just go away and shut up - or take over with help and guidance for others like L & A have and put their money where their all to big mouths are.

I agree with Richard. I am an American and I would expect to know much more about my country that someone from Australia who may have done a tour of Yosemite National Park when another person may be thinking of taking a tour of the New England area. What could the person who went to YNP say? <BR>I didn't see the others making a contribution, all I saw was Judy2 and TERRY making assumptions and making attacks on people who have previously given wonderful and informative help to others free gratis . When these two other load-mouths ( Judy2 and TERRY etc) get off their respective fannies and contribute something tangible then we may take what they say into account.

It is admirable that you stand up for LizF so strongly, Richard. She is certainly an active participant here. The more well meaning participants, the better. Did you read what she said to Chris though??? LizF offers lots of information, but whenever anyone disagrees with her, she often takes a personal swipe ("What have you to offer this person", "There is no way you can take a tour of it and do any justice to Australia...") at the one who has the different opinion. having been on the receiving end of one such insult, I can tell you it made me a lot less interested in researching here. There are often differring opinions (LizF loves the Russell hotel...I hated it)so Lizf could use a reminder to not attack the messengers. The only crime Chris committed was saying that some folks like to take tours, and since Judy asked about them, why make her feel stupid?<BR>I have a feeling Judy is long gone, but to be useful..My coworker used Scenic tours (www.scenictours.com.au, I would guess)for a trip in 2001. Sydney/GBR/Brisbane and a side trip to the Red Centre for about 21 days total. He's planning another trip for next Christmas with them.

All having a bad Sunday are we? You can all jump on me...but I am the only one so far to actually have given Judy an answer to the question she asked...

Sorry Hiho. You and I must have posted at the same time. I see you offered a suggestion as well. <BR>You out there Judy?

Judy2: Please point out to me what exactly you have suggested, I am a tad confused with your recommendations. Where is it you have said this person could go, what is it they are going to see and do, how much is it going to cost, what interesting sites will they see and, not forgetting this, which State is all you have suggested in?<BR>All you have said is that someone you know went on a tour in Mexico - what you also said was a lot of blather about others and what you said had absolutely no substance at all. <BR>Perhaps you should just grow up and in the meantime haunt the teen-age sites where you can behave in an outrageous manner.

Liz:<BR>You're way out of line.

Thanks for the compliment Richard...It's been 30 years since I could claim teenager status! <BR>I'm sorry to have confused you, but<BR>Judy Ryan asked one simple question: <BR><BR>"Is there anyone who has<BR>a "young" tour group to recommend?" <BR><BR>My answer was that there is a tour company -iexplore - with a tour to mexico that impressed my young, hip, 36 year old friend, Lisa. They offer Australia tours as well. <BR>And your answer to the question was...?<BR>

It seems to me that the rude and out of line people are those who have offered nothing at all "read Judy2, Chris and Jo" and who hide behind a non-address for whatever reason, probably because they think that they can be as rude as they like.<BR>Have you lot got nothing better to do than make nasty remarks to others? <BR>You all make me sick and for what its worth I could care less about what you say now more than ever before, you are unhelpful and borish and hopefully Fodors will delete this complete thread and let people who do help others get on with doing that. I for one wish to say please don't leave this site LizF as I always am interested in the ideas that you have and the views you put across. Don't listen to those others as they obviously have a dose of the "tall poppy syndrome" and wish to cut anyone who may know more than they off at the knees. They have never done anything for anyone and probably never will

We should congratulate ourselves. We have managed to reduce this thread to the same self serving crap that you can read on the Europe board.<BR><BR>Well done Guys....I suppose you will jump all over me now.<BR><BR>Cheers<BR>David