Amazing trip to Australia!
Australia | Jul 7 - Jul 20, 2023

D
Diane H.
Champaign, IL | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2023

We had an amazing trip to Australia! This is a great way to go if you are unfamiliar with the area you are visiting. Ruth was so knowledgeable and was able to book us on some great tours that were tailored to our interests. She also set us up in apartment-type accommodations in central locations, which was so convenient for our family. Our itinerary was printed out and waiting for us at our first apartment, and it was so much less stressful having all our rides and tour details arranged and written out for us. We also appreciated the emergency numbers and local agents who could answer questions if needed. Thankfully everything went very smoothly. Would highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
The York, by Swiss-Belhotel
Sydney

Great location. Tastefully decorated. Loved the large bathroom with laundry.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walk to everything.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Desert Gardens Hotel
Yulara

Updated rooms. Nice patio.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Cairns

Great location. Pools were a bonus. Spacious rooms with nice balconies.

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to central station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clarion Suites Gateway
Melbourne
Authenticity & Character
Location
View of water. Close to everything.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spacious rooms and comfortable beds
Activity Reviews
Afternoon  Taste of Sydney Private Tour
Afternoon Taste of Sydney Private Tour
Sydney

Great history lessons and tour of significant areas of the city. Thought it could have included more ethnic foods and more of how the history related to the foods we were tasting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour
Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour
Sydney

Great way to cover a lot of ground and learn about the city. A bit difficult in crowded areas with a large group, especially when some members were less skilled in biking than others.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney

Awesome to see the inner workings of the Opera House.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Sydney

Something for everyone on this tour. Animals at the farm, hiking in the mountains, and exploring the botanical garden - we enjoyed it all.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Night at Field of Light
A Night at Field of Light
Uluru

Amazing Amazing Amazing! Cannot say enough about this experience. From the sunset appetizers to the elaborate dinner to the stars and moonlit walk through the lights. It was truly one of the best highlights of our 2 week Australian vacation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning  Kata Tjuta Tour
Morning Kata Tjuta Tour
Uluru

Beautiful views of the sunrise. Sylvia was fantastic! Enjoyed the hike into the Gorge and breakfast.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sylvia was so knowledgeable and really made the experience exceptional.
Transport
Afternoon Uluru Sunset
Afternoon Uluru Sunset
Uluru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Cruise - Snorkel Great Barrier Reef
Full Day Cruise - Snorkel Great Barrier Reef
Australia

Rough waters getting to and from the reef but the snorkeling was amazing. Beautiful fish and knowledgeable staff all contributed to making this a highlight of our vacation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Cairns!
Welcome to Cairns!
Cairns
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Classic Kuranda
Full Day Classic Kuranda
Australia

Loved the cable car ride and seeing the markets and learning more about the native people. Did not like having to ride a bus for an hour and half before we got to start our day (we were the first ones picked up and it took a long time to pick up people at 10+ stops). I would have like a smaller group pick-up (or have everyone meet in a central location?)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not a fan of the bus ride to start the day. Cable car and train were great though.
Afternoon/Evening  Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Afternoon/Evening Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Australia

Loved seeing rare animals - platypus and various kangaroos and opossums. Dinner was great too. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate but even in the rain, it was a fun adventure.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Best of Melbourne by Bike
Best of Melbourne by Bike
Melbourne

Paul was a great guide and he tailored the tour to what we wanted to see. Loved that we stopped for coffee and a snack!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tailored to us!
Transport
Afternoon Melbourne Foodie Discovery Tour
Afternoon Melbourne Foodie Discovery Tour
Melbourne

Great variety of food and loved that Monique related the history and architecture around us to the food we were tasting. Very fun and filling!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Monique did an exceptional job!
Transport
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Australia

Very cool to see the island and its inhabitants.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sarah was awesome! Knowledgeable and fun.
Transport
Long day with lots of driving but broken up with stops.
Depart Australia
Depart Australia
Australia

Left our hotel earlier than necessary. I understand you wanting to make sure we get to our flights on time but more than 2 hours on domestic and more than 3 hours international still left us with lots of downtime at the airports.

Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Jul 23, 2023

Thank you for your kind words Diane. I really enjoyed working with you to design your trip. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your time in Australia!