Blog entries

Yulara Resort at Uluru

Jason Webb — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:17:43 +0100

|Yulara is the name of the Ayers Rock Resort Area where people mostly stay when they visit Uluru (Ayers Rock). It is located about 20kms from Uluru and is only a 20 minute drive away. There are four hotels ranging from 2 Star through to 5 Star and all are within a 20 minute walk of each other. There is a shuttle bus that continuously travels between the hotels and the airport. This is operated by AAT Kings Tours and is a free service.

There is also a campground in the Yulara town...

What's in a Tour?

Jason Webb — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:13:20 +0100

What’s in a Tour?

After over 15 years of selling tours and packages to the Red Centre of Australia, I finally made the pilgrimage for myself to see it personally. Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and the Kings Canyon Areas are the last on my check list of all places in Australia to explore. Obviously, Australia is such a large continent that it takes time to tour around all these places especially while you are trying to raise a young family in a land far away from Australia.

...

To Climb or Not to Climb???

Jason Webb — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:05:19 +0100

As a Dedicated Destination Specialist for Australia, it is almost a question that is asked daily. Should I climb the Rock or not? Or Can I climb the Rock?

It seems to be human nature to want to climb things of any significance…..a part of our chemical engineering which gives us a sense of achievement and self esteem. Add to this a world that challenges and beckons us to climb everything from a bridge to a mountain and everything in between,….is it any wonder that so m...

Sunset vs Sunrise at Ayers Rock

Jason Webb — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:58:41 +0100

Being my first time to Ayers Rock, I was really not sure whether to do the Sunrise or the Sunset tour of the Rock….so I conducted some research before departing which lead me to doing both.

Time of year being mid April, and the weather being a little cooler than normal with just a few light clouds on the horizon. Not a breathe of wind.

I am told that it is hard to judge as you never know what tricks the sun will play on this mystical phenomenon….however, on my vi...

Contiki Sustainability Partner..Celine Cousteau

Jason Webb — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:08:05 +0100

Contiki Holidays, providers of quality escorted tours for young people around the world have partnered with legendary Adventurer & Explorer Jacques Cousteau's grand daughter Celine Cousteau to help nurture our precious environment.

Check out Celine's Video message at this link:

http://www.contiki.com/contikicares/celine-cousteau

Contiki Holidays are serious about sustaining the environment...hats off to Contiki for such initia...

Wanaka to Christchurch Detour

Jason Webb — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:38:58 +0100

Let the detours begin!
We were supposed to fly from Wanaka to Christchurch, pick up a rental car and drive to Blenheim but the Wanaka airport closed because of a snowstorm. Being the intrepid travellers that we are we jumped on a bus to Christchurch only to arrive late at night in the midst of their snowstorm! Most hotels were full but we managed to find a room at the Addington City Motel. The owner was kind enough to come pick us up from the...

Penguins, Seals & a Power Station

Jason Webb — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:27:02 +0100

It was an early start to the day with a coach ride to Lake Manapouri with Real Journeys. The scenery was incredible and our driver/guide was entertaining and informative. We were also able to stop for several photo opportunities. We were fortunate to have the best weather possible with blue skies and brilliant sunshine. My favourite moment was when we were on the sound and they shut off the engines so that we could enjoy complete silence. Just the sound of birds and the dripping of waterfal...

Dart River Safari

Jason Webb — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:17:56 +0100

If you are doing the Dart River Safari you will start the day by hopping on their bus early in the morning. I wasn't really sure what to expect other than a fast boat ride on a river but it was so much more than that! After about a 45 minute scenic drive along Lake Wakatipu we arrived at the tiny town of Glenorchy. At the Dart River office we were fitted out with life jackets and waterproof jackets. We then made our way over some rather bumpy "roads" to the Dart River where our boats and dri...

Candis & Paula's Big Adventure Downunder Part 1

Jason Webb — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 01:02:50 +0100

All packed and ready to go! Just have to hop on the new Canada Line and it will take me right to the airport.
I'm really excited about flying on the Qantas Airbus 380 as it is the largest and most technically advanced aircraft ever built. It is more fuel efficient and has less carbon emmissions that other aircraft.
There are 14 suites in First Class, 72 skybed seats in Business Class, 32 Premium Economy seats and 332 seats in Economy.
Qantas ...

Transport in Bali

Jason Webb — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:37:56 +0100

Transport in Bali

It is easy to arrange transport in Bali and it seems almost
everyone needs transport to get somewhere.
No matter which area you stay in, you will want to go see the other
side. Transport can be done in a few
different ways.

Rent a Car – not recommended at all...

Benoa Harbour 4 Star Luxury Aston Hotel

Jason Webb — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:12:45 +0100

The Aston Nusa Dua is located more on the outskirts of Nusa Dua, not in the pristine gated area of Nusa Dua. Rooms are a very generous style and decorated in the typical Balinese Style using dark wood and light coloured walls. The bathrooms are lovely with a corner tub and separate rain shower stall. Bathrooms are a very good size. The rooms could do with a little renovating as some of the pai...

Best Airline in the World?

Jason Webb — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:49:05 +0100

Singapore Airlines are one of the major routes between Canada and Bali (via Singapore), the other being Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong.

Singapore Airlines in Economy Class were really not their usual standard that we have experienced in the past. The seats were fine and comfortable and the leg room was fine for me (5 foot 7 inches)….I don’t imagine it will be as comfortable for people over 6 foot tall.&nbs...

Aussie Specialist

Jason Webb — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:13:07 +0100

If you have ever considered yourself somewhat of an Aussie Specialist and you live in either Vancouver/Calgary or Toronto, then you need to chat to us to see if we can help make it happen for you.

We are always on the look out for people with top notch destination knowledge of the South Pacific. We pride ourselves on knowing the destinations we sell inside out and back to front. So contact us today if you are interested in learning about what it takes to be an Aus...

Christmas Downunder

Jason Webb — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:38:21 +0100

It is about this time of year...year in...year out, that airlines start to pull back on some pretty fantastic deals on flights to Australia & New Zealand for Christmas time.

The deals usually start coming out in March/April and they sell enough to meet the advanced booking quotas....then by this time of year (June) the fares are starting to be retracted.

The passengers who book in this period of Mar through to June for travel in December are the ones who get the bes...

How about a little Chubby?

Jason Webb — Mon, 23 May 2011 11:09:14 +0100

We have had manyclients enjoying a little Chubby when traveling around Australia. The Chubby is not really as it sounds, it is a small economical campervan. Traveller's Autobarn rent out Chubby Campervans to anyone from age 18 through to 75 years.

The vans are a few years old and decorated with some lively colours. The vans are great for two people to share as they travel around the big country.

The Chubby comes complete with a stove, sink, kitchen utensils and...

Tahiti Discounts

Jason Webb — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:03:23 +0100

For many years Tahiti has been considered a once in a life time trip....perhaps the dream honeymoon or special anniversary trip. Tahiti will most definitely deliver all of this and more....however, dream vacations also come at a cost, and it is fair to say that Tahiti is on the higher end of the scale.

Moving to Australia

Jason Webb — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:46:35 +0100

We hear of people every day moving to Australia or New Zealand.....and we hear from even more people wanting to move to Australia or New Zealand.

It may seem like a great opportunity to better your life style, but it is important to remember that every country has it's share of problems, they are just different from your current situation. For example, you may want to consider the following issues before moving to Australia:-

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Touring Tasmania

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:15:27 +0100

Tasmania is extremely popular for tourism...offering convict history, wild life, breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, wineries, markets and the freshest air in the world!

But with all this, it is quite surprising to know that touring options in this incredible part of the world are quite limited.

There are two major tour companies that offer fully escorted coach touring, AAT Kings & Australian Pacific Touring. These two tour companies always fill up their ...

Hostel Cards

Jason Webb — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 08:39:45 +0100

When traveling to Australia as a Backpacker, it is important to be armed with a hostel / backpackers membership card of some sort.

We are always asked what is the best one to have....like any hotel chain loyalty membership program, you will get the most out of your membership when you stay...

There's Nothing Like Australia Day in Canada!

Jason Webb — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 12:35:41 +0100

For the last 10 Days n ow, I have been recieving notifications and e-mails about various different events going on in Calgary for Australia Day.

One person I met on the weekend was telling me about how she was holding a surprise party for her Aussie Hubby with a bunch of friends on Australia Day at their house after work.

Another girl sent us an e-mail asking for some Aussie promotional material as they have some Aussies in the office and wanted to throw an office party ...