Got a question? Answers to frequently asked questions & things you need to know. What should I pack?
Seasonality & climate
Comfortable, casual clothing for day wear and ‘smart/casual’ for dining and those special evenings on the town. Remember that early or later in the season you will need warmer clothing as well as a raincoat/jacket. Note that casinos do not allow jeans or denim clothes. A pair of comfortable walking shoes is essential. For further details, please refer to your ‘Travellers Guide’ information book.
Being such a large landmass, Australia is prone to seasonal climate changes. This will mean that at certain times of the year some of our brochured itineraries may need to be slightly changed.
Explore More Optional Activities
What’s included? • Coach, train, air transfers, and ferry transport as specified. • Accommodation, breakfast and evening meals as detailed on page 12, 17 and 23 and under ‘What’s included’ on tour pages. • Sightseeing as detailed on pages 8-9 and in the itineraries on tour pages. Unless specified, entrance fees are not included. • Experienced crew as detailed on page 12 and on tour pages.
Your FREE Contiki document wallet and luggage tag* will be sent to you with your travel documents. The wallet is a safe place for your tickets and passports, something you’ll want to keep and use again. * Contiki reserves the right to substitute an alternative travel accessory for the Contiki document wallet.
How much luggage can I bring?
• Airport and ferry transfers to tour departure point. • Personal expense money. • Visas, personal insurance, medical fees. • Sightseeing, visits and entrance fees other than those specified on tour pages. • Optional excursions and activities such as whitewater rafting, helicopter flights, bungy jumping, hot air ballooning, etc. • Some meals as specified under “What’s included”.
Luggage is restricted to a maximum suitcase size of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29" x 20" x 10") and maximum weight of 20 kg (44lbs) plus one small hand/day bag that can go on the coach with you. On tours which include Flotilla Sailing, a small bag suitable for the extremely limited luggage space is required. Your regular luggage will be stored during this time. NO EXTERNAL METAL FRAME BACKPACKS PLEASE, their bulky shape makes coach packing difficult. Contiki reserves the right to refuse to accept larger suitcases on tour. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Remember, if your tour includes a flight you are also subject to airline baggage restrictions.
Will I get more information?
How much money do I need?
Upon receipt of final payment, you’ll receive a copy of Contiki’s ‘Travellers Guide’ – an information book about your holiday. You’ll also receive a comprehensive day-by-day itinerary including full details and costs of all optional excursions available on your tour.
You should be able to use debit and credit cards for most items. You’ll need to allow enough money to cover lunches, some dinners, souvenirs, shopping, drinks, optional excursions and activities, entrance fees to attractions and evening entertainment.
What’s not included?
For more detailed information online head to contiki.com/contikipedia
When do I choose? Optionals are arranged and paid for on tour. By leaving the final decisions until then you can choose at the same time as your new friends, you’ll get great value as we get you great rates and your Tour Manager can offer personal advice. Some activities are seasonal and weather dependent as well. How do I pay? You pay on tour with major credit cards or cash (A$).
Am I expected to tip on tour? Every country in the world has different tipping policies and in Australia, within service industries, tipping is common practice. Tipping is totally discretionary and only given if you feel the service has met or exceeded your expectations. Your Tour Manager will assist you with any questions about this while you’re on the road. The same idea applies to your Contiki Crew - if you think they have done a good job then they would be grateful for your recognition by way of a tip, however this is not mandatory – it’s completely up to you.
Brochure authenticity We have put a great deal of effort into producing this brochure. The information given and literature produced by Contiki has been compiled with care and is published in good faith. Sometimes, because of circumstances outside our control, we have to alter some excursions due to seasonal closing or repairs to buildings, etc. If this happens, alternatives will be arranged.
Do I need vaccinations? At the time this brochure went to press (February 2010), no vaccinations were necessary. However, it is wise to check up-to-date information with your travel agent prior to departure. Don’t forget to bring with you any medication that you may require en route, such as antihistamines or antibiotics.
For example: Northern Australia during the wet season (December to March).
Travel insurance Contiki Holidays strongly recommends you take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability before you travel. You may not be accepted on a Contiki holiday unless you have arranged satisfactory insurance. You also agree to indemnify us against all third-party claims, actions, damages and remedies against us arising from your participation in the holiday. For insurance details, please speak to your Travel Agent at the time of making your booking.
Security Contiki has been running tours for young people since 1962 and in all countries where Contiki operates we fully comply with local industry laws. In New Zealand, Contiki is an allied member of the Travel Agents Association of New Zealand (TAANZ) and a full member of the New Zealand Inbound Tour Operators Council (ITOC). Contiki is a Qualmark endorsed inbound tour operator.
Photography credits Photos Courtesy of Australia Tourism Page 2 Kangaroo - Warren Clarke. Gold Coast Queensland - Jamie MacFadyen. Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bridgeclimb - Hugh Hamilton. Page 6 Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park - Steve Strike. Page 9 Whitehaven Beach - Lincoln Fowler. Kakadu Yellow Waters Cruises - Nick Rains. Sydney Harbour Bridge - Robert Wallace. Page 10 Snorkelling - Tom Keating. Page 11 Glass Bottom Boat Adam Bruzzone. Page 19 Flinders Ranges Mike Newling. Page 21 Kings canyon - Steve Strike. Page 27 Snorkelling Great Barrier Reef - Adam Bruzzone. Page 38 Red Centre Way - Steve Strike. Page 45 Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks - City of Sydney. Photos Courtesy of Northern Territory Tourist Commission Page 11 Quad Bike. Page 17 Darwin. Page 19 Katherine Gorge. Page 20 Kakadu National Park. Photos Courtesy of Tourism Queensland Page 6 Learn to surf. Page 22 Mossman Gorge. Page 23 Tandem skydive. Page 25 Fraser Island. Page 34 Cape Tribulation. Photos Courtesy of Bridge Climb Sydney Page 23 Sydney Harbour Bridge - OTTO Holdings (Aust) Pty Limited. Photos Courtesy of Mojo Surf Page 31 Surfing. Photos Courtesy of Tourism New South Wales Page 31 Lighthouse. Photos Courtesy of Oz Jet Boating Page 42 Jet Boat in Sydney Harbour. Photos Courtesy of Julie Spedding Page 43 Sydney Opera House.