October 20, 2003 -- It's spring right now Down Under where prices are still low, but we expect them to start rising very, very soon as peak season travel comes into play. We've compiled the best package deals currently available.
If you get your tickets before availability runs out, Air New Zealand will fly you to Australia and put you up for 12 nights starting from $1,599 good for travel through December 12, 2003. That includes economy class airfare roundtrip from Los Angeles, and six nights at a three-star hotel in Sydney and then six more nights in either Brisbane or Melbourne (you decide). Another package, offers four nights each in Sydney and Cairns and then four more nights in your choice of Brisbane, Melbourne or Hobart for 12 nights all together. This stunner starts at $1,999 out of Los Angeles.
The prices are per person based on double occupancy for Monday through Wednesday departures out of Los Angeles, and do not include airport taxes and security fees of about $97 per passenger. Details and booking at www.goaustralianow.com or by phoning 800/327-8249.
Qantas, Australia's most famous airline, has a similar package from $1,899, giving you roundtrip economy class air from Los Angeles, domestic air in Australia, and again, 12 nights' lodging, this time four in Sydney, four in Cairns and four in Melbourne. They also have a $1,899 tour from Los Angeles that includes Kangaroo Island and the Great Barrier Reef. Your 12 nights are split up between Sydney (4), Cairns (4), Kangaroo Island (2) and Adelaide (2).
These tours are for the low season, which ends on November 8, but recommences in 2004 from April 28 through June 19, and again from July 21 through August 28. You can save $50 a person if you pick travel beginning from now through October 31, effectively making the price $1,849. In any case, you must book by October 31, 2003, to get the prices mentioned.
There's a nice Sydney, Outback and Great Barrier Reef package starting at $2,399 that lets you see Ayers Rock -- now known as Uluru -- as well as the more familiar sights.
Contact the Qantas people (and other travel partners) at www.australia.com or phone them at 888/505-6252.
Have you been to Australia recently? We'd love to read your trip report. Just head over to our Australia Message Boards to post. Who knows? Your tale might be featured in an upcoming Frommers.com Newsletter.