You can’t possibly go to Australia for a fortnight. Everybody knows that. You’d spend half the time getting there, it would be too expensive and it’s too big – isn’t it?
Get ready to dispel those myths, and sell your clients a two-week holiday in Australia.
“The key to an amazing fortnight in Australia is to plan it well,” says Tourism Australia general manager UK and Europe Rodney Harrex.
“Help clients pick two or three key locations to use as bases – they can enjoy experiences in and around them at a leisurely pace, or link them with a fantastic Aussie road trip, train journey or internal flight.
“And remember, 54% of people who travel to Australia go back, so there is an opportunity for additional revenue from future sales.”
A client who takes 10 days off work gets 14 full days in Australia. They can leave work on a Friday afternoon and take a night flight, getting them to Australia early on the Sunday morning.
After 14 full days in Oz they can catch a flight departing Saturday evening, and because of the time difference, they will touch down in the UK on a Sunday afternoon with plenty of time to prepare for the dreaded return to work on Monday.
Emirates has flights to Sydney leaving on Friday nights from London at 10.15pm, Manchester at 8.50pm and Birmingham at 9.20pm, all flying via Dubai and arriving in Sydney at 7.05am on the Sunday morning.
On the return, the 9.45pm flight on a Saturday night gets clients back to London on the Sunday at 12.15pm, to Manchester at 12.25pm and to Birmingham at 12.35pm.
Flights are never going to be cheap, but increased capacity on the UK-Australia route has resulted in the best value fares for years.
Emirates has already added flights, and further increases from Qatar Airways and Etihad are due at the star of next year. With the relatively favourable dollar-pound exchange rate, prices will seem pretty reasonable.
Sydney, rock and reef
Days 1-4: Sydney
With supermodel looks and a sunny climate, it’s little surprise Sydney is so popular. Suggest a bridge climb, a harbour cruise or a performance at the iconic Opera House, before hitting one of the city’s beaches. If clients like a respite from the hustle and bustle, suggest a trip to the Blue Mountains for bush walking and wildlife spotting.
Days 5-8: Rock
Book them on a flight to Alice Springs where they can join a tour exploring the Red Centre – suggest one that goes to Ayers Rock (Uluru), Kata Tjuta and King’s Canyon. Here they can learn about Aboriginal culture and marvel at the scale and stark beautiful quality of the outback.
Days 9-14: Reef
A flight up to Cairns will give clients access to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Check them into an island paradise off the coast and they can spend the last few days relaxing on the beach, taking a scenic cruise, snorkelling or diving, and going on nature walks.
Sample product: Qantas Holidays offers a 15-day Sydney, Rock and Reef itinerary from £1,455 per person twin-share, including international and domestic flights, five nights in the Travelodge Wynyard, Sydney, three nights in Voyages The Lost Camel, and seven nights in Discovery Resort Cairns. Prices are valid for departures between November 16 and December 12. Book by September 30. qantasholidays.co.uk, 020 8222 9125
Coast to coast
Days 1-3: Perth
Australia’s sunniest city is also its most westerly, so it’s even nearer the UK – just four hours from Singapore. Clients can explore the city, dine al fresco, and then watch the surfers – or have a go – on one of the area’s outstanding beaches.
Inland, the Swan Valley is famed for its wines; off shore, a short ferry ride will take them to the deserted and car-free Rottnest Island.
Days 4-9: Broome
Marooned in Australia’s far northwest, chill-out town Broome is a great place to relax. The famous Cable Beach stretches 14 miles, so customers needn’t be towel-to-towel with anyone – or they can take a camel ride along it.
Organise a swift trip into The Kimberley wilderness region, which has dramatic mountain ranges and strange rock formations.
Days 10-14: Sydney
The original beach-bum city is just a flight away – Bondi is the most famous and very central, but recommend Bronte for families, and Clovelly for diving.
Manly is a short ferry ride away but is the local’s favourite, so it has to be worth the hop. When customers tire of the beach, the whole city awaits.
Sample product: Austravel offers an itinerary that includes international and domestic flights, three nights at the Mount Bay Waters Apartments in Perth, six nights’ bed and breakfast at the Cable Beach Club in Broome, and four nights at the Travelodge Wynyard, Sydney, from £1,586 per person, based on travel between April and June 2010. 8austravel.com, 0800 988 4676
Southern delights
Days 1-6: Melbourne
Victoria’s state capital is a great place for foodies and cultural tourists to begin their Australian experience.
It’s the country’s first city for theatre, comedy, art and fashion, has more museums than you can shake a stick at, and a thriving restaurant scene. Outside the city are the wineries of the Yarra Valley and a stunning scenic drive along the Great Ocean Road.
Days 7-9: Brisbane
Book them a flight to Queensland and give them the chance to explore Brisbane – they can climb the Story Bridge, take a cruise on the river, cuddle a koala at the sanctuary and wander round the South Bank, a hub of entertainment and culture.
Days 10-14: Gold and Sunshine Coasts
Recommend clients hire a car and explore the stunning coasts in the Brisbane area. South of the city the pristine beaches of the Gold Coast stretch for 44 miles. It is fringed by rainforest and there are 20 championship golf courses and a range of theme parks.
To the north, the Sunshine Coast is relaxed and casual. There are more great beaches, plus clients can kayak through the Noosa Everglades, hand-feed wild dolphins in Tin Can Bay, or explore the stunning scenery of the area’s many National Parks.
Sample product: Thomas Cook Signature offers a similar itinerary from £1,659 per person including international and domestic flights, four nights at the Mercure Welcome Hotel in Melbourne, four nights in the Ibis Brisbane Hotel, and five nights at the Australis Noosa Lakes Hotel. 8tcs4agents.com, 0844 871 0674
Onwards and upwards
Days 1-6: Adelaide
Start their exploration on South Australia’s coast. Adelaide is a compact city, so it’s easy for clients to take in the cultural quarter, the bustling Central Market and the Oval cricket ground on foot.
For a big hit of Aussie wildlife send them to Kangaroo Island for two or three days. It’s a 20-minute flight from Adelaide, and home to kangaroos, koalas, dolphins, seals beautiful birds and some very cute penguins.
Days 7-9: The Ghan
Clients can spend two nights on board this comfortable tourist train watching the spectacular landscapes of Australia gliding past. The route runs right through the Red Centre up to Darwin and the tropical Top End.
Days 10-14: The Top End
Using Darwin as a base, visitors can explore the lush Kakadu and Arnhem Land National Parks. Exploring on foot or by four-wheel drive, visitors will see mountains, waterfalls and numerous Aboriginal rock art sites, plus plenty of bird life and the odd crocodile.
Wild about wildlife
Days 1-4: Melbourne
This eclectic city has a whole host of activities and sights for visitors, from cultural exhibitions to individual boutiques.
It’s also a great gateway to some of Australia’s most amazing spots including Phillip Island, famous for its colony of penguins, and the Twelve Apostles rock formation on the Great Ocean Road. Book them a helicopter ride to spot whales, or a kayak tour with the seals.
Days 5-9: Tasmania
They can spot platypus, wombat and the signature Tasmanian Devil on this island off the Melbourne coast. There’s also the historic capital Hobart, the vineyards of the Tamar Valley and the long white beaches of the east coast to explore – recommend a hire car.
Days 10-14: Relaxation
The area around Melbourne has so much to offer. Wine-lovers can head for the Yarra Valley and combine vineyard visits with wildlife-spotting in the Healesville Sanctuary conservation park.
Daylesford is the spa capital of Australia, so is perfect for pampering. Along the Great Ocean Road, towns such as Lorne offer quiet beaches and coastal splendour.
The good life
Days 1-6: The Whitsundays
From Brisbane, send clients on to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. They can dive, snorkel and sail on the Great Barrier Reef, which is teeming with sea life. On land, there are beautiful beaches and lush rainforest.
Days 7-10: Adelaide
Let them sample the finer things in life and fly them down to Adelaide for a cooking school or wine tour. They can sample the delicious local produce and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Days 11-14: Perth
It’s all about the outdoors here – they can relax on the beach, dine al fresco, take a river cruise or head to Rottnest island for car-free peace and quiet before heading back to the UK, totally relaxed and rejuvenated.
