 |
|
|
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND TRIP REPORTS
Australia - June 2009
Our trip to Australia through the DownUnder Adventure Company was an extraordinary experience. We had the opportunity to visit some very special places. The photos were numerous with an abundance of wildlife and landscape opportunities. . The places we stayed and the quality of the food also added to the uniqueness of the trip.
We then ventured further west into the Kimberleys. We have traveled a great deal and stayed in many camps, but never have experienced anything like it. It is like a Rustic Camp for Adults. The camaraderie among the owners, staff and guests was magical. There was much to do between climbing to see rock paintings dating back 20,000-40,000 years, or nature hikes to Billabongs (no crocs in these water holes), or going out on the ocean to fish or sightsee. It was a great place to end our trip although it was not a place you wanted to leave.
We were very impressed by the DownUnder Adventure Company. Their effort to make certain that all the little details were taken care of made our lives easy. The hosts knew of any of our dietary needs. The guides knew of our interests. All the connections were made smoothly and there was really nothing for us to be concerned about. We would definitely recommend their services to anyone interested in having a great vacation.
Australia - May 2009
Our Safari DownUnder to Australia was fantastic. Everything went exactly according to schedule – the taxi and guide pickups were always on time, the accommodations were interesting, and the guides were well informed. We were able to completely enjoy ourselves knowing that all the logistics were handled for us by Ian’s advanced planning and coordination.
The native birdlife at the Feather’s Sanctuary in Darwin was delightful. We were able to follow our host Peter around the grounds while he introduced us to all his birds as he fed them. A parrot roosted on Andy’s shoulder during most of the walk.
Hamish, our guide through Kakadu and Arnhem Land was excellent. He catered to our interests and was a wealth of information about the area. I have dreamed of visiting Arnhem Land since living in Queensland 30 years ago so it was a big thrill to hike on Injalak Hill and hear our aboriginal guide, Wilfred, tell us the stories behind the rock paintings.
Our 2 ∏ day trip on the Ghan was a great way to see the Australian outback – the scenery really did change mile by mile but it was always the red center. An added benefit was the opportunity to visit with the many Australians who were also riding the Ghan for the first time.
On Kangaroo Island Andy had the opportunity to photograph the unique Australian wildlife: koala bears, wallabies, kangaroos, sea lions, seals, and a variety of colorful birds.
Our thanks go to Ian and all of you at DownUnder Adventure Company who made our trip memorable.
New Zealand – North & South Island – March 2009
“This is probably the best vacation that we have taken. The people we met were informative and most helpful. We were constantly surprised at how great the food was. Peter in the Bay of Islands, in particular, is a great chef and we’re glad we ate there both nights.
The golfing in New Zealand is truly world class and lives up to its reputation. Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs and Jack’s Point were all excellent!
The most scenic part of the trip was definitely the overnight cruise to the Doubtful Sound and we highly recommend it to everyone. There are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of it. We would also recommend the TranzAlpine train as another very beautiful and intrinsic part of any trip to the South Island.
In all the places we stayed, the owners were kind, gracious, informative and always made us feel very welcome. On a scale of 1 to 10 this was definitely a 15 and Janice and I appreciate your fine work.”
New Zealand – South Island – November 2008
Borling
We all wanted to thank you for helping us put together an absolutely wonderful trip to New Zealand. It rates as one of the best trips we have had, even if it was an abbreviated one for such a far away destination.
In looking back at the trip, all three of us thoroughly enjoyed each event we did. Probably the best was the 5 hour helicopter trip. It was a perfect day and we just couldn't believe how lucky we were doing that trip. The lunch on the glacier was a very special memory and we are so glad we spent the extra to do it.
Everyone we came in contact with was so friendly and helpful. After coming from Russia, where the opposite is true, it just made us smile the whole time we were there! I can't wait until we plan another trip - hopefully in the not too distant future!
New Zealand – North & South Island – October 2008
“No words of mine (and I'm a retired English teacher!) can adequately describe the beauty of New Zealand, the land and its people, and the quality of the experience planned by Down Under Adventure Company.
Becky and I truly had the proverbial "wonderful time." Thank you for all that you did to accommodate our wishes, to advise us in our choices, to select just what was right for us, and to execute the itinerary to perfection. There is no question in our minds that self-driving is the way to go. We thoroughly enjoyed the independence as well as the knowledge that we were traveling within the structure of our carefully planned itinerary, i.e. we knew where we were going and when we needed to be there.”
South Island, New Zealand – December
Everyone in New Zealand was so nice and very helpful! In Christchurch, we just loved Merilees who owns and runs Ballymoney Farmstay. We stayed in the converted cow shed and loved it. Merelees was just wonderful, and the dinner that DownUnder arranged for us as an anniversary gift was superb. Ballymoney was our favorite accommodation on this trip!
We also loved our stay in Kaikoura, another favorite. Unfortunately we had to cancel swimming with the dolphins due to bad weather.
Queenstown was great fun. Next time we would definitely spend our last night here - reminded us of towns like Vale or Aspen. The all day horse trek with Moonlight Stables was very good. The guide was wonderful, had a great personality and she was great with Sara (12yrs) and the horses. The Christmas day picnic lunch was good, but unfortunately the weather was not, so we did a hike from the ski base up to one of the mountain lakes which was fun but cold. Browns Boutique hotel was great, had lovely linens and an excellent breakfast. Alex the manager was delightful. All Restaurant reservations made on our behalf before we left were good.
In Te Anau the Radfords Lakeview Motel was fine, and we enjoyed the Milford Sound cruise.
The Queenstown and Te Anau jet boating were very different – in Te Anau it is more nature orientated, and we stopped in a lovely lake, saw three separate film sites for Lord of the Rings whereas in Queenstown there were more thrills and 360 spins.
Bill of Big Apple who did our airport transfers to and from Miami airport was fantastic!
New Zealand and Australia - June/July
We had a really good trip!
New Zealand: The people everywhere were great and so was the accommodation. Thank you to the Remarkables Lodge for a wonderful and relaxing first stop on our family vacation. Everything was just perfect. Great food and service. The Sounds/Glacier helicopter flight was also excellent.
Australia: Angorichina station was wonderful, as was Thorn Park and the Clare and Barossa Valley wine tours. The chef at Thorn Park was amazing. The Poseidon Outer Reef Cruise was fantastic and the food was also very good.
Australia and New Zealand - November
Australia: We fell in love with Melbourne – it reminded us of San Diego and wish we had planned more time here. The winery visit to Chateau Yerring was fantastic! It is an upscale and homey property with nice products in rooms. The guide who took us on a sightseeing tour was a delight!
We had fabulous dinners in Sydney – all restaurants along waterfront have great food. Next time we would stay out of Sydney in the Blue Mountains.
New Zealand: Incredible!!! Fell in love with the place. Queenstown was adorable and Eichardts was the best hotel, the five suites are phenomenal. The Helicopter Extravaganza over the Milford Sound was just unbelievable – highly recommend this! We landed in the snow and had a snowball fight followed by a delicious lunch set at a table in an old miners shack. We had a really good time!
Australia and New Zealand - November
Over all it was a very awesome adventure, very scenic and beautiful.
Australia: The staff at Silky Oaks Lodge although very friendly, and the tour to the Daintree Rainforest was a definite high point, hats off to the great guides T. J. and Nicholas. The trip to the Yarra Valley was very pleasant and our guide Andy, was a very charming and caring person, he actually made the trip worth it.
New Zealand: It seems we saved the best for last! When we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, "Uncle" was great. Although we were there only a few hours, it made me wish I had a real Uncle like him!
Our stay in Queenstown at the Eichardts Hotel was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and accommodating a great thank you to them all for an awesome stay. We loved our Helicopter Extravaganza tour of the Milford Sound, what beautiful scenery, and the pilots had a lot of local knowledge, that made for a very rewarding experience.
Australia – July
Loved Davidson’s safari as we are outdoor folk so wish we had included more of this type of property in our itinerary. The Park Hyatt in Sydney was great, overlooks rocks and bridge. Took a couple of State ferry rides – very good.
|
|
Email - info@safaridownunder.com