Frequently Asked Questions
This is general information about our tours, you should refer to the itinerary for your specific tour for more information.
Do I need to reconfirm my tour?
YES! FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF YOUR BOOKING. You must call us on 1300 654 604 (within Australia) and 09 5262149 (within New Zealand) at least 48 hours before departure with the name of your accommodation and room number (except Road Trips, where reconfirmation is not required).
What to bring
Most tours require: sturdy walking shoes (preferably ankle high), hat, sunscreen, towel, toiletries, swimming gear, warm clothing, waterproof jacket, water bottle, torch, insect repellant, fly net to cover your head if you are bothered by flies (outback tours particularly), camera, motion sickness tablets (NZ and boat tours, especially) pillow, sleeping bag (can be hired for AU$20 for Northern Territory Tours and AU$30 for tours in Western Australia or purchased for $50 for Western Australia Tours; not necessary for fully accommodated tours ie Tasmania), money for optional snacks and activities.
How much luggage can I bring?
Our vehicles have limited space so please keep your luggage to a MAXIMUM OF 15 KGS (except KAKADU tours which are MAXIMUM 10KGS & ROAD TRIPS which are a maximum of 20KGS) in a backpack or soft overnight bag with a small day pack for easy access to camera, sun block etc. It is recommended to plan ahead and arrange to store bulky items at pre-tour accommodation. This is relevant also, when travelling on packages which include Kakadu, as all tours start from and return to Darwin. Any package touring totally within the Northern Territory which includes the Red Centre will start from and return to Alice Springs. It may be necessary to freight excess luggage at passenger’s expense.
Where do I meet the tour?
Please refer to the itinerary for your specific tour or speak to our Reservations Team for more information.
What are local payments?
A local payment is an amount of money paid in local currency (eg, Australian or New Zealand dollars) on the first day of your tour. It is used to pay for activities and fees that need to be paid directly to a service provider on the day of services. These include national park entry fees, equipment hire and environmental management fees. All the prices on our website include local payments, where relevant.
Do I have to participate?
Part of the enjoyment of our tours is bonding with a group of likeminded adventurers, so we make them active and hands on. With the exception of our Safari in Style tour, passengers are expected to help prepare food, wash dishes and generally assist the guide as directed. Road Trips use a rotating roster system.
How fit do I have to be?
Our tours are active and require a reasonable level of fitness. Please refer to our fitness guide. If you enjoy hiking through gorges, swimming in waterfalls and directly experiencing the environment, then our tours are perfect for you. If you have any doubts about your suitability for our tours, please check with our Reservations Department before making a booking. We reserve the right to assess your ability to participate at check-in.
What do I eat?
Our emphasis is on fresh food wherever possible and our meals are nutritious and varied. If you are vegetarian or gluten intolerant we can cater for you, but if you have very specific dietary needs you may need to provide your own food, so please discuss this at time of booking. For breakfast we supply cereals, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a self-serve sandwich and salads; in the evening we have a cooked dinner. Some tours, such as Safari in Style, have a focus on ‘bush tucker’, giving you the chance to experience this uniquely Australian cuisine (refer to your itinerary for details). We always carry water in the vehicle and you will often have the chance to buy your own drinks, ice-creams etc at stops.
How much water do I need to drink?
Doctors advise that 2-3 litres (10-12 glasses) of water per day is essential when travelling in Australia. All our vehicles carry adequate water supplies. Weather conditions in summer can be very warm - hiking requires an intake of 1.5 litres of water per hour. Our guides are trained professionals and it is very important that their advice is adhered to.
What type of accommodation will I get?
Depending on the tour/s you’ve booked, you could use a range of accommodation styles from basic bush camping, dorm, hostel and shared backpacker facilities to farmstays, hotels, b&bs and even sailboats. We also have our own campsites, with great facilities, which we use whenever possible. For specific information relating to your tour, visit our accommodation page.
What vehicles do you have?
Our fleet is designed for comfort and ranges from 9-20 seat 4WDs with forward-facing seats, 24-seat mini buses with front-facing seats and 45-seat coaches, all with air conditioning. For specific information relating to your tour, visit the vehicle page.
What’s the climate like?
Australia is a large country with weather conditions varying considerably from one region to another. Generally, you can expect high temperatures in the summer (Dec-Feb), often extending into autumn, with lower temperatures at night and during winter (Jun-Aug), particularly in southern Australia where conditions can change quickly. The top half of Australia, particularly the Northern Territory, is known for its ‘wet’ (Oct-Mar) and ‘dry’ (Apr-Sept) seasons.New Zealand has a sub-tropical to temperate climate but be prepared for lower temperatures during winter (Jun-Aug) and we recommend you bring a good wind and/or waterproof jacket, as well as warm clothing, year-round.Further weather information can be found at: www.bom.gov.au (AUS), www.metservice.co.nz (NZ).
Can I smoke and drink on the vehicle?
No. Australian government regulations prohibit smoking and the drinking of alcohol inside tourist vehicles in Australia (smoking and drinking should be limited to stops along the route).