Frommer's Australia from $50 a Day 13th Edition - To Parent Directory

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CHAPTER 2 . PLANNING AN AFFORDABLE TRIP TO AUSTRALIA
When do you pay in full? Note: If you
choose an escorted tour, think
strongly about purchasing trip-cancellation
insurance, especially if the tour
operator asks you to pay up front. See
the section on “Travel Insurance” earlier
in this chapter.
You’ll also want to get a complete
schedule of the trip to find out how
much sightseeing is planned each day
and whether enough time has been
allotted for relaxing or wandering solo.
The size of the group is also important
to know up front. Generally, the
smaller the group, the more flexible the
itinerary, and the less time you’ll spend
waiting for people to get on and off the
bus. Find out the demographics of the
group as well. What is the age range?
What is the gender breakdown? Is this
mostly a trip for couples or singles?
16 The Active Traveler
Australia’s wide open spaces and great
weather cry out to even the most dedicated
lazy-bones. Most operators and
outfitters listed below specialize in
adventure vacations for small groups.
Meals, accommodations, equipment
rental, and guides are usually in their
packages, though international airfares
are not. Where you end up spending
the night varies depending on the
package you select—on a sea-kayaking
trip you almost always camp on the
beach; on a hiking expedition you
may stay at a wilderness lodge; and on
a biking trip you often stop over at
B&B-style lodgings. More information
on the outdoor activities discussed
below is contained in the
relevant regional chapters. Before you
hit the outdoors, review the safety tips
in the “Health & Safety” section earlier
in this chapter.
SCUBA DIVING
Diving Down Under is one of the best
travel experiences in the world. There
are good dive sites all around the coastline,
not just on the Great Barrier Reef.
Discuss what is included in the
price. You may have to pay for transportation
to and from the airport. A
box lunch may be included in an
excursion, but drinks might cost extra.
Tips may not be included. Find out if
you will be charged if you decide to
opt out of certain activities or meals.
Ask about the accommodations
choices and prices, look up the hotels’
reviews in a Frommer’s guide, and
check their rates for your specific dates
of travel online. If you need a certain
type of room, ask for it—request a
nonsmoking room, a quiet room, a
room with a view, or whatever you
fancy. If you plan to travel alone, find
out if a single supplement will be
charged or if the company can match
you up with a roommate.
A second barrier reef in Ningaloo Reef
Marine Park stretches 260km (161
miles) off the coast of Western Australia.
(See chapter 9 or Exmouth Diving
Centre’s website at www.exmouth
diving.com.au for a description of dive
sites there.) Not all the good sites are on
coral. In Tasmania, for instance, you
can dive kelp beds popular with seals,
and in South Australia you can cagedive
with great white sharks. For a rundown
on outstanding dive areas, see
“The Best Affordable Diving & Snorkeling
Sites” in chapter 1.
Wherever you find coral in Australia,
you’ll find dive companies offering
learn-to-dive courses, day trips,
and, in some cases, extended journeys
on live-aboard vessels. Most international
dive certificates, including
PADI, NAUI, SSI, and BSAC, are recognized.
It’s easy to rent gear and wet
suits wherever you go, or you can
bring your own.
Beginners’ courses are known as
“open-water certification” and usually
require 2 days of theory in a pool at the