There have been a plethora of travel deals to Australia, owing in part to the dollar gaining on Australia's and New Zealand's currencies over last summer's rates. You may have noticed that Delta started flying to this part of the world, too, from the U.S. west coast. Down Under Travel (tel. 800/889-1464; www.duatravel.com) seeks to send people to both Australia and New Zealand for over half off its regular price, starting from $1,061 per person, based on double occupancy. It's valid for departures July 25-September 21, 2009 and tickets must be issued within 72 hours after you reserve, but no later than June 30.
The trip includes airfare from Los Angeles on Air New Zealand with a free stopover in New Zealand, along with round-trip airport transfers throughout the itinerary. Other departure gates are available for additional fees starting from an additional $130. Travelers will spend four days at the Hotel Cairns, which is located a block from the Esplanade, great for recreation -- and people watching. Breakfast vouchers are given as part of your stay. Cairns is the most logical home base for those looking to explore beaches and all manner of outdoor water-related activities and attractions. You'll have the option, for example, to take a full day cruise to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the two World Heritage sites in Cairns. Daintree Rain Forest, which is part of the Wet Tropics, is the other, so you can select a day tour of that instead if you are interested, along with Cape Tribulation, which is revered for its beaches. For one day, you can also rent a smart car to explore the area. The stopover situates you at the Skycity Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city, with its culture, nightlife, and dining options at your disposal.
Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers in our Australia and South Pacific Forum today.
