Travel agents Ken Garrity of Ken Garrity Travel and Westoe Travel are on a month-long self-funded fam trip to Australia to gain up-to-date knowledge for the UK trade.
At the end of the day, Sidney had fish and chips.
From Thalla Beach, we took a transfer limousine to the Shangri La Hotel which is located by the harbour and is close to the Great Barrier Reef.
There are a lot of things to do in the town. There are a lot of local outings.
It's a good idea to book ahead as they get full up.
Families and couples can find solace at the Shangri La Hotel. It's ideal for relaxing and there are lots of things to do. This is what we did after all the travel.
The last internal flight we took was from Cairns to Australia with Qantas. Business seats were in the 1-2-1 configuration and the economy seats were in the 2-4-2 configuration.
The iPad had to be put in the seat back at head height to be used as an entertainment device. The latest movies were installed. It is easy to use.
We spied the train signs on the way to the domestic terminal. We took the service from the airport to Wynyard station for 14 Australian dollars. If your luggage is light, it's easy to do.
An older type of building with a history of newspapers and banking was where we stayed. The rooms are up to date and have a balcony. A great central location, a few minutes from Circular Quay, George Street and lots of eateries and bars.
We met with Nadine from Tourism Australia who wanted to hear about our adventures in Australia.
Sealinks Captain Cook cruises leave from Circular Quay for 90 minutes to go around the harbour. You can listen to the commentary on your phone or iPad in a language of your choice.
After we split, I took the ferry to Taronga Zoo so that I could catch a glimpse of the animals. It was becoming quieter as I walked around the large site.
One of our first excursions was to Manly. We wanted to finish with fish and chips and overlook the beach. The whole of Sydney was lit up in the dark like a Manhattan skyline with the addition of the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.
We will both remember this trip for a long time.
We will return to Australia.
You can take a journey from Alice Springs to the other side of the world.
A guest put the kettle on without adding water and set the alarm off in the early hours of the morning.
When the fire brigade arrives, the hotel will be charged $968, which will be passed onto the guest.
Our AAT Kings coach will pick us up at 6:30am.
Our driver highlights a number of points of interest as he drives us to our destination. The oldest river in the world is said to be the Finke. It is completely dry on the surface as it waits for the next rain to replenish it. Each June there is a two day race for bikes, cars and buggies through desert country from Alice Springs to the small Aputula community.
Ken andGraeme have tips on travelling to Australia.
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One of the biggest sporting events in the Northern Territory and one of the most difficult offroad courses in the world is called "Finke". The most fun you can have is with a helmet on.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is able to land at the cattle station because of an airfield on the station.
The Henbury meteorite craters are located next to us. The reserve is located south of Alice Springs and contains craters formed when the Henbury meteorite exploded.
We stopped to see a familiar sight after a number of stops at Australian roadhouses. Tourists often mistake the mountain for Australia's Uluru.
After a lot of excitement and photos, it becomes clear that this rock is not the same as the one in Uluru.
We check into our rooms after arriving at the hotel.
There are a lot of tours to choose from. We learn about the local Pitjantjatjara language and see men's weapons that were used for hunting when we visit the Bush Yarns.
Mick in Crocodile Dundee was revealed to be a member of the Pitjantjatjara tribe.
Cape Tribulation and Lizard Island are located in Australia.
The area hotels are called Yulara and include Desert Gardens and Sails in the Desert.
After a short break, we head out to see the sunset at the Rock and Sound of Silence Dinner.
A glass of champagne and photos being taken greet us at the Rock.
Take a photo of the rock every five minutes for half an hour.
We were treated to a star gazing session by an expert who brought the dark skies to life, as well as being escorted to our evening meal with the haunting sounds of didgeridoos.
A very early morning call woke us up so we could enjoy sunrise at the Rock and walk through the canyons of Kata Tjuta.
We were on our way to the airport to catch our flight to Cairns when we saw a view of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the sky.
The Flynn Hotel by Crystalbrook is located on the esplanade and is a great place to stay for a night.
We took a flight from the general aviation terminal to the island. We were able to see the Great Barrier Reef from our flight.
At the northern end of the reef, there is a paradise consisting of idyllic sandy beaches, warm clear blue seas and turtles in abundance.
The beachfront rooms were large and had a terrace overlooking the bay.
It is possible to do as much or as little as you want. A La Carte Food is available on the terrace and the staff are happy to serve it. People would smile in paradise.
Sarah gave us a tour of the resort with its many categories and facilities. The House cost more than 30 million Australian dollars. It costs 18 thousand a night and sleeps eight.
It's good news that Lizard Island accommodation will get a big upgrade in February.
The time in paradise was over.
I was able to sit in the co-pilot's seat on the private plane where I was able to see the tropics.
The Thalla Beach nature reserve is 45 minutes north of the coast and is where nature meets hospitality.
Most of the view from the terrace and bedroom will be provided by the informal arrangement of the accommodations set in amongst the trees. The area has a lot of animals and is also a dark place at night.
We went to the Daintree Rainforest the next day. Two crocodiles were seen on a boat trip down the Daintree River. A walk through the forest brought us face to face with a rare bird.
You can go for a walk on the beach at Cape Tribulation after lunch and then take a dip in the local river.
There is a balloon flight.
We spent a few hours at Port Douglas to celebrate.
There is a busy main street in Port Douglas. We went to Paddy's bar for a while. There is a shortage of rooms in the hotel industry. We went back to the hotel a bit later.
It was a sunny day and our transfer back to the city took 50 minutes.
The marina is where the boats sail out to the Great Barrier Reef for day trips. There are a lot of choices here.
We agreed to go on the hot air balloon trip. Pick up time is 3.45am. We were able to see the sun rise as we floated over the country looking for animals. The pilot gave a commentary that was quite funny and we had a smooth landing, champagne and a certificate to celebrate.
Tonight was supposed to be a rest, but travel agents keep going. I'm looking for a dinner cruise but it's hard to find.
It's a good idea to book early for any trips to Australia.
We're going to go to Australia for our last two nights and an interview.
After an early fight, we were met on arrival by the owner of Australian Coastal Safaris who was going to lead a two day tour of this part of the Eyre Peninsula.
We stopped for lunch at a cliff top overlook in Lincoln National Park with views of the ocean, golden beaches, and a moderate breeze.
His 44 was great for all his clients. While the sun was setting he set up a camp fire so we could watch the animals and take pictures.
A nice sunset and a couple of drinks ended the day. Not anyone else in sight!
Blue skies greeted us as we prepared for our oyster sailing. We sailed out to the oyster beds to try out the local gin.
Our host taught us how to make bush tucker and a didgeridoo and how to play a guitar.
Dave arranged for us to have a meeting with the tourism minister for South Australia to discuss our trip to promote tourism back to Australia and next year's World Cup.
The esplanade is small but great for weekends or short breaks. The Majestic M suites were used for the Australian Open tennis players and we stayed there.
Excellent standard in a huge 86sq m two bedroom appartments with own kitchen facilities and lounge. We were shown around by the director of sales leisure and five other properties, all of which were well placed for the city.
Our treat today was a check in for The Ghan train, which runs from Adelaide to Darwin three times a week.
A champagne reception and an introduction to some of the staff who work on the train.
It's great to meet them and get to know other people. Both gold and Platinum standards are offered by the train.
Two single cabins gold class, comfortable efficient use of space, a day room which converts into a bedroom, was allocated to us. After enjoying complimentary drinks in the lounge car, we had a sumptuous three course meal and some drinks.
You had to book early as Australians have taken to using The Indian Pacific and The Ghan more than once. It's important to book early. The Great Southern and The Overland are both operated by Journeys Beyond between Australia and Australia.
The sunrise call came. It was a great experience in the desert. Breakfast was served from 10 to 1 pm.
The Alice Springs hotel was where we were going to stay after we arrived in Alice Springs.
These trains are operated and offer off train experiences.
It's a good time for agents to learn more about Australia because of the increase in travel. There is an online self paced interactive learning module for the Aussie Specialist program. Potential clients with higher values will be attracted by this. There are additional courses that cover luxury holidays. Here, you can find out more.
We went to Alice Springs to visit the "flying doctor HQ" and the "school of the air".
Tonight is the "Sounds of Silence dinner" and there is an early start.
After an excellent trip together, we farewell Paul Cooper from Australia, who is in Australia for the Floriade flower festival. Spring is showing its head with flowers, blossom and leaves as we head back to the coast.
The Mogo Wildlife Park is where we were shown around by Sara, the director of sales, who told us about how the animals were saved by the dedication of the staff. There were no animals or humans injured. A great stop.
At the end of the day, we went to Central Tilda, an historic town which was a delight to behold.
Two-bedroom apartments located in acres of grounds overlooking a lake, just outside the town, were the destination for tonight.
At sunset, there were gancks and wombats. Drivers should be alert after dark.
We had a great meal at Wheelers Oyster Restaurant where we were served by the very attentive staff.
After looking at the port area, breakfast was taken. The huge white sand beach was almost completely empty. There is a feeling of bliss. The man decided to take a paddle. We went to look for whales and a seal.
A local man had a big catch at Quarantine Bay. pelicans were looking at us
We went to Karbathong Lodge at Malacoota with a film crew in tow and it took us five hours to get there. There is a possibility that a cooking programme will be aired in the future.
Lakes Entrance is a fishing port with long esplanade and is located in the furthest south east part of Australia. There are a lot of scenic views along the route. Most restaurants are closing at 8pm. When planning a fly drive, the Waverley House Cottages are a must have. We thanked our hosts, Jan and Barnie.
The Metung Golf Course is where we met Rachel who is opening a hot springs spa centre. The five-star standard will be ready for occupation at the end of October and international bookings will begin in April. More will be added in this stage. There are walks around the area with great views over the lake. There will be more for the next few years. The spa has barrels with hot water around 40c.
Michael and Russell hosted us at Walhalla. There is a quaint village tucked away in a valley full of flora and fauna. The Star Hotel was built in the late 1800's and early 1900's to represent the style of gold mining that lasted for over 50 years.
The gold mine can be visited. Cemetery visits can be included in the village walk. There are lots of ghost stories to be heard here. A wonderful evening meal with lots of stories followed by an early start and a walk around the village, including the olde world post office.
Chadstone is a suburb ofMELBOURNE. The Chadstone hotel was the location of the biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere. Anne gave us a tour of the hotel. The Chadstone Shopping centre was huge with all designer names, and Ian was our host. More eateries and a bowling alley are in the works. It's a great stop for people. If you spend more than 300 dollars in a single shop, you should claim your tax back.
Drinks were served at the rooftop bar at the Chadstone Hotel.
It's a road trip.
It was cloudy for our road trip from Australia to Australia.
We took the main highway after picking up our hire car.
This portion of our itinerary was organised by Paul Cooper and it was a great place to find hidden gems.
We took pictures of deserted beaches and cliff top views.
Meeting locals on the way to our coffee or lunch stops was a lot of fun, learning that we all share the same moans and groans.
Each day consists of 3.5 hours of driving and our first night was at Paperbark, a glamping experience we had never heard of before.
Thetents are on platforms with a wooden verandah and open to the air. There are two small beds for children inside.
Australian birds use a mixture of high pitched calls to deep barks to wake you up. There are a lot of walking trails and flora that we don't normally see. It's a good place for a different stay.
There is a lot to see and do in the nation's capital, including museums and historic sites.
There were many places to eat and drink during the night.
We stood and watched the nightly Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial where every night at 5pm they commemorate a fallen hero from one of the many actions Australia was involved with.
The journey continues...
There is an Arrival in Oz.
It took us just 20 minutes to travel through the airport from the plane to the taxi.
It took the taxi 30 minutes to get to our hotel.
It took just over an hour to check in at the hotel.
The Crown Towers is a five star hotel. The receptionist was very helpful when we deposited our cases.
A harbour cruise is a great way to get started in Australia. We pre booked a cruise for under two hours. It provides a great view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The cruises leave from Circular Quay and are ideal for first-time visitors.
We followed this by taking the 20-minute ferry back to our hotel, where we had breakfast overlooking the white sands and watched surfers in the rolling waves.
There are so many attractions in Australia's largest city. Taronga Zoo overlooks the harbour and the city. We climbed the tallest building in the southern hemisphere on the second day.
Most of the activities are pre-bookable and can be used by agents to build itineraries.
The design of the Harbour Bridge is similar to that of the Tyne Bridge.
We walked from the hotel along the shore to Barangaroo Reserve and saw a flock of birds.
We went back to the hotel to speak with the general manager and the sales director about how the hotel is setting new standards and how it is suited for our customers.
After breakfast, we headed back to the Harbour Bridge to check in for our first tour in Australia, the BridgeClimb. Medical questions and a breathalyser are included in checking in.
Our guide got us linked up to the safety wires and we set off on the 1332 steps after training for health and safety.
We climb the bridge at a slow pace, so that we can take in the amazing views of the harbour, the opera house, and the navy base.
It was a cure for someone who used to be afraid of heights.
Our guide takes pictures of us as we reach the top of the bridge with the flags. We can't take any loose items up the bridge ourselves, so we'll use this as our proof.
Our guide tells us a lot about the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and how it took nearly a decade to get approval for BridgeClimb to open.
It is a must do tour for all ages.
When we return to the visitor centre, we get our BridgeClimb certificates and purchase our photographs.
Our good friend Jane Hardie is the sales director for BridgeClimb and she will be with us at the victory party.
We arrived in Australia just as the sun was setting with its reds, orange and purple colors, after two full but comfortable flights with attentive, friendly crew on our A380 Qantas aircraft.
There is a swing in Singapore.
We went to Singapore for a 24 hour stop and stayed at the Miramar Hotel. We took a hop on, hop off bus tour, which departs from directly outside this hotel and we stopped at the Marina Bay Sands hotel, a spectacular building, after a tour of Gardens by the Bay.
Ten minutes walk away from the Miramar hotel, you can take a boat ride on the water. We visited a warm-up for the Singapore F1 Grand Prix, where they had on display an F1 car, flashing lights, coloured smoke and a very good local band.
It's a good idea to check on entry requirements into Singapore.
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