Jenny

Hi<BR><BR>Has anyone who has traveled to Australia ever done all of the plan by themselves? I mean get the tickets through the airline or online, make all of the arrangements for renting a car, all of the stuff needed for getting to your destination.<BR><BR>The last time I used an agent I felt that I could have easily done the work she did, but that was only from where I live, San Luis Obispo, in California to Albuquerque New Mexico, this is a much longer flight.<BR><BR>I would love your input and opinions on this.<BR><BR>Thanks

Rachel

Hi. I've been doing it all by myself (with help from my husband . We're going in a little over a week!<BR><BR>We did talk with one travel agent who was based in Australia, but ended up deciding everything for ourselves. I personally don't like the idea of group tours and we prefer to determine what we're doing, where we're going, and when, etc. Also, we wanted to go for 3 weeks, and all the packages we saw were for 2. Plus, I felt like the information I was able to find was better than that she had.<BR><BR>Anyway, it's a lot of work, but enjoyable and I think well worth it if you have the time. There are many, many internet sites from which you can cobble together an itinerary. Plus, I've found that many hotels and local operators have web sites; many you can even book online, although I ended up calling most of them just to make sure things got done right away.<BR><BR>On the other hand, if you don't have the time/don't like to deal with little details, then an agent could be really useful. Also, if you're planning on going to destinations that a lot of people go to (ie, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Hobart/Tasmania), the packages that agents have can be a good deal. I think that they are mentioned on:<BR>www.australia.com<BR><BR>If you decide to do it yourself, just make sure that you keep track of all of your different arrangements in one place. <BR><BR>Have fun!

Jenny

Thanks Rachel<BR><BR>I agree I prefer doing everything on my own so I do get to go to the places I want without trying to fit it into a package deal.<BR><BR>Would you by chance be able to send me those sites that you used for your trip. I have found quite a few but I seem to not be able to find the information I am looking for.<BR><BR>I love putting itineraries together and actually do it all of the time. This trip to Australia has been in the making for almost a year now. I just need to get everything figured out, and then go.<BR><BR>I am planning on visiting Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Great Barrier Reef, Sydney and if I have time Ayer's Rock.<BR><BR>Again thanks for your input and information.

Martha

Jenny -<BR><BR>I planned my 2-week trip to Australia last August on my own and had a great trip. If you do it yourself you have total control over where you go, how long you stay there, and the type of accommodation you have. It's very easy to do these days with the help of the internet. It does take some time, but I think the time is well spent.<BR><BR>Martha<BR>

Alan

Hi, Jenny!<BR>I have nothing at all to add to the above, except a hearty endorsement. Australia is easy! Do-it-yourself is usually cheaper and uses your time better..... and you won't be committed to the wrong tour on the wrong-weather day.

Rachel

Hi, Jenny. Here are some of the sites that I've used. I'm not sure exactly what you're interested in, but some of them are more general and can give you leads for more specific interests. You're going to have so much fun planning . We've also used a couple of books that have been helpful: Fodors Australia guide book and (sorry, Fodors) Frommers from $50 a day. (I probably would substitute the National Geographic Australia guide for the Fodors if I were to do it again).<BR><BR>Anyway, the sites:<BR><BR>www.visitnsw.com.au (NSW)<BR>www.gsr.com.au (Trains)<BR>www.ozsail.com.au (Sailing in Whitsundays)<BR>www.travel.com.au (General Site)<BR>www.virginblue.com.au (Qantas' competition--generally better rates)<BR>www.queenslandholidays.com.au (General Site)<BR>www.discovertasmania.com.au (Tasmania--I know you're not going there, but there are some pretty photos <BR>www.greatoceanrd.org.au (Great Ocean Road, Victoria--same explanation as before)<BR>www.greatbarrierreef.aus.net (The Reef)<BR>www.jasons.com.au (General Site)<BR>www.mccaffertys.com.au (Coach Bus Service)<BR>www.kayaksydney.com (Sea Kayaking in Sydney)<BR>www.sydney.com.au (General Site)<BR>www.visitqueensland.com (General Site)<BR>www.ausseakayak.com.au (Sea Kayaking on Sunshine Coast)<BR>www.travelmate.com.au (General Site--has a good road map function)<BR>www.visitvictoria.com (Victoria)<BR><BR>In terms of car rentals, Budget, Avis, and Hertz seem to have locations pretty much everywhere and you can check from their sites.<BR><BR>If you're coming from California (I think that your 1st post mentioned that), there are not infrequently good deals on airfare, usually out of LAX. Also, if the fares are really high and you're looking to save, we managed to get tickets through Priceline (coming from NYC, so it's more expensive) and saved $600. After we got them, we just called up the airline (United) to confirm that everything was good and it was (hopefully the trip will go smoothly). Either way, whether you book directly or through a priceline-like company, make sure that you call the airline and have the agent apply for your EFTs (I think that's the name)--anyway, it's your electronic visa to enter Australia (if you're coming from the US, you need it). You'll just need to have your passport and those of your travelling companions and they'll do it right on the phone--should only take a few minutes and it should be free. There are companies that offer to do it for a "small fee", but the airline will do it for you for free .<BR><BR>Also, unless you'll be there for a really long time, flying seems to be the best way to get around due to the distances involved. There are 2 domestic airlines--Qantas and Virgin Blue. Qantas will try to sell you a "boomerang pass"; I did not find it to be a good deal. They have webfares on their site which they will tell you you cannot buy unless you're an Australian citizen. Some people on this site have said that they were able to buy them. We decided to just go with Virgin Blue; they will let you buy the tickets (at the same price as Australians) off of their website--all of their tickets are e-tickets, so you have to be sure to print out the receipts/invoices and bring them with you.<BR><BR>Anyway, I hope that this helps. Have fun. I'm sure that you'll plan a great trip. <BR><BR>-Rachel

Rhonda

Jenny<BR><BR>I'm an Australian living in the UK and I've always found it cheaper to book my Australian internal/domestic flights in Australia rather than with my UK travel agent. I first check what airfares I can get online (both for the long haul flight from the UK and also my internal flights) and then phone or email my agent in the UK and my agent in Australia to compare prices. My agents always seem to come up with better prices.<BR><BR>To give you an example...I'm flying home in three weeks (mid August) and the best I could do on a one way Brisbane/Melbourne flight with Virgin Blue was $219 AUD. My agent in Australia got me a flight for $152 AUD with Qantas. It is only a saving of $67 but I guess if you add this up over numerous flights. My car rental was also a big saving. I checked all Australian websites for deals on an 8 seater Tarago (large car to move all my relatives in Melbourne around at once)and the best I could do was $100 per day for eight days plus all the usual extras. My Australian agent came up with $65 per day plus all the extras and that was with Avis. I had checked the Avis website myself but still couldn't do it as cheaply as he could. <BR><BR>So after all this....I guess I think if you use both the internet as a resource and a good agent to help find some good deals you'll have the best of both worlds. My experience has been to always book the Australian stuff with the Australian agents. My UK agent now tells his clients to do the same as he can't possibly beat the deals. Another tip, find an agent you trust and build a good relationship with them...be loyal if you travel quite a bit like we do and I've always found they work extremely hard for me. I find myself buying them small gifts to thank them for their efforts.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR>Rhonda

Rhonda

Jenny<BR><BR>Sorry I forgot to mention that the Australian flights/car deals I mentioned were for this September and fell on the first day of the School holidays and therefore may be more expensive than what you could get at other times. Prices always rise over the school holiday period...I guess that happens the world over though. Not sure when you're planning to take your trip but the next school holidays after the September break are the summer holidays which usually being mid December and finish end of January.

John

Don't worry Jenny.....most of the time in oz you will have to pinch yourself to realise you are not in southern california.<BR>For some down market,realistic info try the australian new zealand branch of the thorn tree at www.lonelyplanet.com

Dick

Jenny,<BR><BR>I planned a 3 week trip to Australia and New Zealand on my own. I booked everything except the plane tickets to and from the states( I used frequent flyer rewards for the tix).<BR><BR>Had no problems at all. It was cheaper than through agent and by deaing with the hotel/condo on my own I think I did much better. <BR><BR>As and added bonus, I didn't have to pay anythingnin advance for accomodations. Everything was guaranteed by credit card...so there would have been no penalty for cancellation a day in advance. I even booked Opera House tickets online.<BR><BR>

ozzer

If you have the time do it yourself. you will be much better prepared for your trip when you get there which will save you a lot of time trying to figure out little things like where you are and what are the things to do and how to get there. Booking Aussie hotels through their own websites is probably the most cost saving strategy. Book your domestic flights while you are in Australia over the internetto get the most flexibility and low prices. They have internet cafes everywhere for really low prices like (US $2-$5 an hour depending on your lokcation). Kinos' in Downtown Syndey charged $4.50 US for high speed connections.

Dawn

I am leaving for Australia in a week and I booked the international travel on my own through priceline.com and got a very good deal.<BR><BR>I then spent a few weeks going through travel books on Australia and posting questions here. After I knew where I wanted to go and specifically where I wanted to stay, I contacted a travel agency that specializes in Australia (the agent was Australian) and they booked the trip. It was helpful to bounce a few questions off her and get some guidance, but I really had the trip planned by the time that I contacted them. I did not utilize any of their "formatted" trip ideas and when they would not book a certain camping trip because of the lack of commission, I just booked it on my own. I also booked a few rainforest tours on my own as well. <BR><BR>So while I used an agent, I devised my own schedule and told them everything that I wanted. It was just an easy convenience to have them actually book the hotels, cars and internal flights.

Leslie

Hi Rhonda,<BR>Could you please post information on the agency you use in Australia, name, email information. I will be traveling to Australia and would like to save some money too! I appreciate your help. If it is not acceptable to post it on this board, please email me the information. Thanks!

Jenny

I think I will use my local Aussie Specialist travel agent. Thank you for all of your opinions and help. I look forward to more.<BR><BR>To Leslie - you might try going to Australia.com and you will be able to find your Aussie Specialist. I don't know about an agent in Australia, if that would be much help I would use an agent in your area. Hope this helps.

Jenny

Thanks again Rachel.<BR><BR>I will look up these sites and see what I can find.<BR><BR>I actually have most of these under Favorites so I will check them out again. As for interests I want to visit some of the animal parks in both Sydney and throughout Queensland. Visit the Great Barrier Reef, and of course shopping. <BR><BR>I am planning on going to my local bookstore today to see what books I can get to find more info on places to stay and how to get there.<BR><BR>Again Thanks!