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travel guidancePERCEPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS Nature-Bound Australia is committed to your holiday enjoyment in Australia. Experiencing some uncertainty when planning your journey is natural and can be part of the adventure. Here, we consider questions you may have about Australia and volunteer some local "Aussie" responses.
1) How long does it take to fly to Australia and which are the best ports of entry? Indicative flying times to Australia from the northern hemisphere range from 16 to 27 hours depending on the airline, routes and stop-overs. Australia's national airline is Qantas. State capital cities on all sides of Australia have international airports. The major tourist entry ports are: Sydney in the state of New South Wales (NSW) Melbourne in the state of Victoria (VIC) Brisbane and Cairns in the state of Queensland (QLD) Perth in the state of Western Australia (WA) Darwin in the Northern Territory (NT) The higher visitation levels generally occur through Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.
2) What are the flying times between major cities and features in the country and the start of the Nature-Bound Australia journeys? You should enquire further for specific flight scheduling when advancing your travel plans within Australia. Refer also to our journey highlights for their departure points and suggested flying times, connecting to cities and regions.
3) What is the cost of living like in Australia and how inclusive are Nature-Bound Australia's prices? We strive to ensure our journey prices are as inclusive as possible - see inclusions, exclusions and optional expenditure items in each of the journey highlights. Here are some indicative common living costs:- 600 ml bottle of milk AUD $2.00 (US $1.30) Loaf of bread AUD $2.00 TO AUD $3.00 (US $1.30 to US $1.95) Vehicle unleaded fuel AUD $1.00 /litre (US $0.65c/litre) Average quality restaurant, main meal only AUD $25.00 / person (US $16.32) Reasonable quality bottle of wine AUD $20.00 (US $13.10) A movie ticket AUD $12.00 (US $7.85) Cup of coffee AUD $3.00 (US $1.95) Glass of Beer AUD $2.70 (US $1.76)
4) Apart from a coastline of beaches and a vast arid centre, how diverse is Australia's landscape? Australia's beaches, islands and seascapes are rated as exceptional and our journeys include some of the best. A review of our journey highlights should indicate just how diverse the landscapes are beyond the beaches and arid centre. Refer to the "About Australia-Nature Overview" for more detail. Our journeys are designed with variety and balance in mind. Life in the arid heart is a fascinating study in adaptability and survival, not confined to nature alone. Life flourishes with intensity around the watercourses and picturesque gorges. Some international visitors spend very limited time in a single region feeling they have a big country to cover. As a result their experiences can only be fleeting. Our journeys are designed to satisfy discerning travellers who wish to take a little extra time to connect with the diversity and character of regional Australia.
5) Does Australia have distinct climates and seasons? From the temperate colder climates of Tasmania in the south to the warm wet tropical north; from rain and wind swept coastal fringes to the drier outback, our island continent certainly has climatic variation. You may experience a late spring snow storm in southern Tasmania at the same time as high temperatures in the north are enticing Queenslanders to their beaches. Rain can also cause the arid centre to burst into stunning bloom. Remember seasons in the southern hemisphere are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. Our journeys are scheduled with the best travel and walking conditions in mind and to coincide with nature's optimum offering. In the far top end of the country you can expect two seasons only, pleasant warm and dry in the April - October period followed by a hot/humid wet season (Nov -Mar). We travel in the Top End, Central Australia and north west of the country during our late autumn to spring months. Our spring to summer months are ideal for heading south. Every season has its fascination and you will have your own preference for both experiences and conditions. For official weather interpretation.
6) The size of the country suggests we should try and break our visit into manageable portions, but how can this be achieved effectively? We believe a fleeting coverage of too much of Australia in a single visit is an unwise investment. Immersing oneself in the country and its people is far more memorable and rewarding. Airlines are offering attractive competitive deals which can make it economically possible to return down-under again after your initial experience. Many people do. We suggest you select the regional area or journey of most appeal to you, taking the time to experience Australia in greater detail, as you might another country. Balance this with a few short visits to highly promoted icons and city features, if you wish, before you depart. We can assist you with a balanced selection and pre and post travel arrangements if you care to enquire.
7) What are the "must see" iconic features of Australia and where are they? Selecting and suggesting these can be a very subjective exercise. Indications are the top most visited regions in Australia for mainstream tourism and excluding the cities, are in order:- The Gold Coast (Qld), Tropical North Queensland (Qld), Petermann (NT), Whitsundays (Qld), Sunshine Coast (Qld), Hervey Bay (Qld), Northern Rivers (NSW), Alice Springs (NT), Western Victoria (Vic), North Coast (NSW). It appears that visitor decisions to holiday in Australia are primarily influenced by our landscapes and wildlife, our coastline and beaches and our nature based activities. The Australian wildlife, Sydney as the main gateway, with its picturesque harbour and unique attractions, Uluru (Ayres Rock) and Kakadu NP in the Northern Territory , Tropical North Queensland with its rainforests and Great Barrier Reef are prominent on the icon list and heavily marketed to mainstream markets. However, every state can boast wonderful attractions natural, cultural and man created. Our journeys focus on the best of natural features in key regions, places beyond the reach of crowds and the delight of walking in the wild to see them. See our Best of Australia choices.
8) What are the essential elements of a classic Aussie experience? The "wow" factors? Again this is a subjective consideration. Our company is not focused on crowded, unnatural and enterprising mainstream tourist attractions, entertaining as they might be, so our response is somewhat biased. There is integrity in the variety and expanse of our land forms, the wildlife including the nocturnal species, the uniqueness and variety of our flora. Our wildlife is considered by many to be a legacy to the world. You will warm to the approachable and fun loving character of our people, their informality, sense of spirit and determination, adaptability and survival in harsher environments. There is Australia's obsession with sport, our support for "the Aussie battler" who against the odds is "having a go". Some say we have an appealing ability to not take ourselves too seriously. There exists a diversity of cultures and features across villages and cities, an emerging fusion of Australian and international cuisine apart from the legendary Aussie barbeque. The richness of the Aboriginal culture, their dreamtime lessons and apparent ability to have lived with nature in seemingly trying conditions is humbling. Doubtless you will add to this list during your journey.
9) What are the difficulties and disadvantages of trying to see Australia all in one visit? We have a large island continent and realistically few people can expect to see the whole continent effectively in one holiday. You need to consider this in terms of distances and time, the benefits of assimilating and connecting with real Australia as opposed to a fast track superficial approach. As you are presumably nature-bound, you will understand the importance of dedicating time to walking and noticing things.
10) What are the lodging standards and services? As our journeys cover a diverse range of places and environments, often in remote areas, you should not expect a 5 star international hotel around every corner. It is important we know you have a clean and comfortable lodging for each night and we are not subjecting you to incessant shifting and camping every day, long haul safari style. Preferably, we seek out local, family owned and operated accommodation houses which under the circumstances will vary considerably in type and location. You should expect to twin share on most occasions and we strive for 3 star standard within the realities of the regions we choose to visit. We draw on the locals for our catering as well, knowing this will achieve variety and local contact. Journey with confidence and an open mind, knowing every difference will surely linger long in your memories of Australia.
11) How relaxed will the journey be? Our travel days, between national parks, feature regular short stops to break the journey and to take in a variety of authentic experiences with local contact. Classic walks do require some physical effort enticing us out of the vehicles and into the natural environment. Our lobbies and lounges are ideally located on an inspiring summit, in the heart of a dramatic gorge, on a pristine sandy beach or by the spray of a waterfall. The furnishings and décor are therefore very naturally designed. We minimise the demands of camping and camp cooking, directly during the journey and provide many options for you to either relax or participate in walks as you wish. Natural exercise, fresh air, time out to connect, ample comfort and sleep, and the vital change of mental focus are the relaxing elements of each journey.
12) Why see Australia now? Is Australia a safe destination? Yes the world is changing seemingly at an ever-increasing pace and many of you will understand how a wilderness can massage the soul. Australia offers an ultimate retreat if you are seeking real quality of life, now. Many travellers perceive Australia to be a frontier land when compared to the hustle and bustle of other continents and that is an appealing consideration in itself. Recent world events require that we all consider so called "safe destinations" when we travel and we understand the Australian outback and wilderness rates highly in this regard.
13) How immersed can I become in the culture and emotional experience of Australia? As much as it is physically possible to do so during the journey! You will be touched by the Aboriginal dreamtime and cultural differences and the locals where ever we travel. You will not be cocooned in a packaged group tour without connection and you will be encouraged to share your experiences with fellow travellers in real time. We are a nature-bound group so local naturalist guides are important connections. You'll humour in the abundance of curious Aussie phrases and terms of endearment that seemingly have become part of our language. "Dead set, fair dinkum you will!!"
14) What are the truly romantic notions of Australia? Again this is a subjective challenge. Contemporary Australia is vital and progressive by world standards, though sometimes we are shy in acknowledging this. To many, romantic notions rest with our history and struggle to explore and settle up a vast and challenging continent against all odds, from the beginnings as a penal settlement. Traditional Aboriginal occupancy preceding white man's discovery offers even greater insight into our relationship with a vast island continent. Australia remains a theatre for adventure and challenge, viewed in modern and historic terms. Travelling around the bush you'll be reminded of our drovers, our stockmen (cowboys), wealthy family empires and the stoic determination of past and present day generations. Cities of course present another story and even today there is the ever-present challenge for city and bush dwellers to communicate and understand each other. You will wonder at a continent so old and a nation so young. Other romantic notions await your discovery. Over to you!
15) Is it better and safer to book on line or try and organise travel arrangements once we have arrived in Australia? Our web site is intended to inform both the independent traveller and tourism industry representatives seeking to assimilate this great nation down-under. To many international travellers Australia remains an enigma. We suggest it is safer to book on line and to have the confidence of knowing your core activities within Australia are confirmed before you travel. With a large offering of features, much to see and experience, you won't care to be wasting quality time when you arrive. For the discerning, independent traveller, through this web site we have endeavoured to enhance your information gathering. As our journeys are also offered to exclusive or special interest groups, an advanced collaboration between Nature-Bound Australia and your group leaders is advisable, for best outcomes.
FURTHER ASSISTANCE Do you have other specific concerns requiring a local Aussie response? We will be pleased to consider these. Contact us.
Passport Visas & ETA's Customs Passenger Movement Charge There may be other government, airport taxes and levies applicable which are usually included in your ticket. Vaccinations Taxes GST is payable on tourism services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, ground transport (including coach, rail and cruise), translators and meals. The tax applies to pre-booked and pre-paid goods and services in Australia, which are purchased before arrival in Australia, for example your tour (including accommodation). The prices quoted for your holiday in Australia will already include the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Tourist Refund Scheme Currency information Credit cards Banks and various locations have ATMs (Automated Teller Machines). Credit cards may need to be enabled for international access so contact your credit card provider. Currency exchange Hitchhiking Insurance Medicare HOME | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | TERMS & CONDITIONS | GALLERY | NEWSLETTER | BROCHURE | TRAVEL OPTIONS | SELECT A JOURNEY | WORLD HERITAGE TOUR | SHORT TOURS | FRONTIER EXPEDITIONS | SPECIAL PACKAGES | TRAVEL GUIDANCE | ABOUT AUSTRALIA | PREPARATION | DID YOU KNOW? | MEDIA | JOIN OUR TEAM | JOIN OUR CLUB | INDUSTRY | LINKS |
