Travel Review: Luxury South Pacific Anniversary Vacation, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Sydney, Queesntown, Doubtful Sound

Review by traveler

Russ and Beth A.

5.19.2017

General Info

Traveler Review

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

Australia

New Zealand

Fiji

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

My wife and I are SO HAPPY with our vacation to the South Pacific. Thank you for identifying this travel company as a candidate to plan our trip. Our travel company sent us to this agent who did a magnificent job putting together a “vacation of a lifetime” for us. We loved how our agent listened to what we did and didn't want to do and made planning the trip a very smooth, gently guiding us through the consideration of options in an entirely collaborative and friendly process. A native Aussie and resident, her knowledge and experience of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji ensured we got it right with every place we visited during our 5-weeks "down under". Our agent guided us through the development of our trip and then through the execution flawlessly. Every place we visited exceeded our expectations. She personally made sure everyone knew it was our 50th wedding anniversary. We never drank so much complimentary champagne in our lives. Just one example of the personal touch our agent applied to our trip for which we were and are very grateful.

We encountered two challenges during our planning and travel. First, a couple of months before our departure qualia on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays cancelled our booking when a guest requested to book the entire resort. We were out with no place to go. Second, while we were in Australia and just weeks before our scheduled arrival, the resort in Fiji cancelled our reservation when a film company booked the entire resort. Again, we were out with no place to go. Our agent missed not a beat in finding and recommending alternative experiences for my wife and I. I doubt this happens often to clients but it happened twice to us and our agent was absolutely amazing under pressure. She knew these experiences were an important part of our trip and did not rest until we were happy with the alternatives and booking complete.

When planning to travel to the South Pacific this agent and her company have earned our absolute confidence and are highly recommend to help organize and book your trip.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

Wow, what wasn't... Here are some thoughts:

Melbourne. Great city where we wished we could have spent more time. If you go to Melbourne insist on a personal tour with this tour company. You'll not be disappointed.

Kangaroo Island. Stay at this unique B&B and working sheep farm run by a wonderful couple and a great location from which to launch to the many remarkable sights on this special island.

Wilderness Safari. We're not experts but can't imagine a better way to spend time in the outback. The number of koala's, kangaroo's, birds we saw 4-wheeling through the outback was incredible and seeing the birds, Emu and Kangaroo hanging around the camp only a few feet away was so special. Amazing.

Lodge in the rain forest near Mossman. A room in the forest, literally. While there take the private helicopter tour to the Stewart Creek Waterfall. Incredible.

Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. One of the only places in Australia where you can hold a koala. Koti is so cute.

Lizard Island Resort. Like being on your own private island in the South Pacific. Beautiful, uncommercial, remote resort on the Reef with a great chef and lots of fun activities.

Sydney Opera House Backstage Tour. Seeing the inner workings of this World Heritage Sight proved as impressive to us on the inside as it is on the outside.

Sydney Seaplane Lunch. If you've never been on a seaplane and might enjoy a fantastic lunch outside of Sydney, you should try this.

Handa Opera. We were very fortunate that our time in Sydney corresponded with the production of "Carmen". The venue and the performance were striking.

Queenstown. Another location we wished we could have spent more time in. A wonderful setting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Don't miss Ferberger's on Shotover Street -- killer hamburgers.

Doubtful Sound. Huge, remote and uncommercial. We can't imagine a better place to experience nature's wonders of Fiordland. Even the journey from Queenstown was educational and enjoyable. Red Deer and Elk farms in and amongst the sheep and dairies.

Fiji. A small island with a remarkably warm and welcoming (all-native) staff, excellent meals and crab races 2 nights per week.

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

We wouldn't change a thing and this agent and her company is the one aspect of our trip we absolutely would do again.

Photos

Travel Review: Luxury South Pacific Anniversary Vacation, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Sydney, Queesntown, Doubtful Sound

General Info

Which Country (Countries) did you visit on this trip?

Your overall comments on the trip and the travel company:

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip?

If you could take your trip again, what would you do differently?

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