Aussie Explorer

21 May 2008 Explorer1088664 said

Hey guys,

I've been day dreaming bout doing a Contiki tour for a while now... The Aussie Explorer loos awesome, can anyone tell me about it??? Is it worth it? Spending money? etc...Also I'm a bit concerned that everyone on Contiki is just about getting pissed and making out?? Is this the case? Cause I'm totally opposite that ! What type of people go? So many questions...thank u

• About
• australia
• contiki
• south pacific
• trip reviews

• 0 people like this
• Add to discussion 10 comments so far

• 1 Jul 2008 drew1637 said

  

  Hey
  
  I did the aussie explorer reverse back in march/april and it was the greatest time of my life. It may seem like a lot of money but when you think about all the things you do, its wayyy cheaper then doing it on your own. On my tour we had every different kind of person. There were of course the ones that went out every night and got hammered but there were also people who didn’t drink at all and in between too haha. No matter what type of person you are you will fit in and age doesn’t isn’t an issue at all, trust me. I 100% recommend this tour and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.
  
  Drew

  Hey<BR><BR>I did the aussie explorer reverse back in march/april and it was the greatest time of my life. It may seem like a lot of money but when you think about all the things you do, its wayyy cheaper then doing it on your own. On my tour we had every different kind of person. There were of course the ones that went out every night and got hammered but there were also people who didn't drink at all and in between too haha. No matter what type of person you are you will fit in and age doesn't isn't an issue at all, trust me. I 100% recommend this tour and if you have any more questions feel free to ask.<BR><BR>Drew or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 15 Sep 2008 Ed G said

  

  hey, I did the beaches and reefs, i’ll give my input on some of the questions. I thought the tour I did was long enough, but it’s a more relaxed pace tour, so more could have been spent without wearing you down.
  Did you get alot of time in each location? What were your travel days like as in length of day?
  I thought the time in each location was sufficient. Plan on spending 6-8 hours traveling on travel days, with a stop every 2 hours. The time goes by fast but sucks when you arrive at night
  
  How was the food. What nationality were your tourmates mainly?
  I was disapointed with all the food overall in Australia, it was nothing special. Tourmates were mainly american and european
  
  
  Were all the optionals good? what ones u recommend?
  Do the intro dives at the greater barrier reef. Ask your guide ahead of time which optionals you’ll be waiting on the bus if you don’t go (the kuranda skyrail is one of them). If you are into sailing do the 3 day. If you haven’t gone sailing before just do the one. You’ll visit the same locations, just wont sleep on the boat.
  
  
  Did you get alot of time to do stuff on your own without the tour?
  Absolutely. Bring a lonely planet guide book. You’ll have 1 free day in Cairns, Fraser Island, and Surfers paradise. There are also more optionals to do then contiki recommends
  ex) go to one of the local beaches in cairns (take the bus)
  walk to lake mackenzie in fraser island, then come back along the beach (takes about 5 hours)
  go to a water park or sea world in surfers paradise.
  
  All these are recommended in lonely planet that is not mentioned by the tour.
  
  Do you have any places for your photos. I like to see your photos?
  http://picasaweb.google.com/edg126/Australia
  
  Where are you from?
  US
  
  How many people on your trip?
  about 30
  
  What were the accomodations like?
  Cairns, Whitsundays, Surfers were standard hotels/resorts
  Fraser Island and Rockhampton were very basic. Like cinderblock walls and floors with 2 bunk beds and nothing else. Walking a bit to get to the bathroom. There’s enough stuff to do in both places that you aren’t in your room at all so it’s no big deal.
  
  What was it like at Ayers Rock? u recommend that area as well.
  I didn’t go, I’ve seen enough scenery around the world that I didn’t need to see a giant rock.
  
  What was your favourite part of OZ?
  Scuba diving at the reef
  Seeing a beethoven symphony at the sydney opera house
  catching up with friends from other tours.

  hey, I did the beaches and reefs, i'll give my input on some of the questions. I thought the tour I did was long enough, but it's a more relaxed pace tour, so more could have been spent without wearing you down.<BR>Did you get alot of time in each location? What were your travel days like as in length of day?<BR>I thought the time in each location was sufficient. Plan on spending 6-8 hours traveling on travel days, with a stop every 2 hours. The time goes by fast but sucks when you arrive at night<BR><BR>How was the food. What nationality were your tourmates mainly?<BR>I was disapointed with all the food overall in Australia, it was nothing special. Tourmates were mainly american and european<BR><BR><BR>Were all the optionals good? what ones u recommend?<BR>Do the intro dives at the greater barrier reef. Ask your guide ahead of time which optionals you'll be waiting on the bus if you don't go (the kuranda skyrail is one of them). If you are into sailing do the 3 day. If you haven't gone sailing before just do the one. You'll visit the same locations, just wont sleep on the boat.<BR><BR><BR>Did you get alot of time to do stuff on your own without the tour?<BR>Absolutely. Bring a lonely planet guide book. You'll have 1 free day in Cairns, Fraser Island, and Surfers paradise. There are also more optionals to do then contiki recommends<BR>ex) go to one of the local beaches in cairns (take the bus)<BR>walk to lake mackenzie in fraser island, then come back along the beach (takes about 5 hours)<BR>go to a water park or sea world in surfers paradise.<BR><BR>All these are recommended in lonely planet that is not mentioned by the tour.<BR><BR>Do you have any places for your photos. I like to see your photos?<BR><A HREF="http://picasaweb.google.com/edg126/Australia" TARGET=_blank>http://picasaweb.google.com/edg126/Australia</A><BR><BR>Where are you from?<BR>US<BR><BR>How many people on your trip?<BR>about 30<BR><BR>What were the accomodations like?<BR>Cairns, Whitsundays, Surfers were standard hotels/resorts<BR>Fraser Island and Rockhampton were very basic. Like cinderblock walls and floors with 2 bunk beds and nothing else. Walking a bit to get to the bathroom. There's enough stuff to do in both places that you aren't in your room at all so it's no big deal.<BR><BR>What was it like at Ayers Rock? u recommend that area as well.<BR>I didn't go, I've seen enough scenery around the world that I didn't need to see a giant rock.<BR><BR>What was your favourite part of OZ?<BR>Scuba diving at the reef<BR>Seeing a beethoven symphony at the sydney opera house<BR>catching up with friends from other tours. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 16 Jun 2009 Explorer1139346 said

  

  Hiya I am doing the aussie explorer in july/auguest and just wondering if could advice me on wat clothing to take with me? I know its there winter but having bit trouble deciding what to take.
  
  Thanks

  Hiya I am doing the aussie explorer in july/auguest and just wondering if could advice me on wat clothing to take with me? I know its there winter but having bit trouble deciding what to take. <BR><BR>Thanks or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 2 Jul 2009 Hillary Ashley said

  

  Explorer1139346 – My name is Hillary and I too am going on Aussie Explorer next week! If you have a facebook account, I have started a facebook group for our trip. Just search for Contiki Aussie Explorer July-August, and we will show up! There are only 7 people in it so far, but the more the merrier! See you soon!!
  
  Hillary, Philadelphia, PA, USA

  Explorer1139346 - My name is Hillary and I too am going on Aussie Explorer next week! If you have a facebook account, I have started a facebook group for our trip. Just search for Contiki Aussie Explorer July-August, and we will show up! There are only 7 people in it so far, but the more the merrier! See you soon!!<BR><BR>Hillary, Philadelphia, PA, USA or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 4 Jan 2010 alyssa! said

  

  quote:

  Originally posted by world-travellers:
  For everyone who has done the Aussie Explorer.
  
  Was your tour group total party animals? or was it more of a trip of relaxation?
  
  Is doing Australia more relaxation vs culture.
  
  What was your opinion,

  
  
  Our group was pretty much half and half. There was around 10-15 who got wasted every night, and up til 4-5am. 10ish people who never did drink or go out at night, they prefered to sleep. Then the rest of us would go out at night, but be in bed around 12 to get some sleep so we could enjoy the culture in the morning.
  
  I had some nights were I wanted to party, and other nights I really enjoyed just the relaxation.

  <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by world-travellers:<BR>For everyone who has done the Aussie Explorer.<BR><BR>Was your tour group total party animals? or was it more of a trip of relaxation?<BR><BR>Is doing Australia more relaxation vs culture.<BR><BR>What was your opinion, </div></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><BR>Our group was pretty much half and half. There was around 10-15 who got wasted every night, and up til 4-5am. 10ish people who never did drink or go out at night, they prefered to sleep. Then the rest of us would go out at night, but be in bed around 12 to get some sleep so we could enjoy the culture in the morning. <BR><BR>I had some nights were I wanted to party, and other nights I really enjoyed just the relaxation. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 24 Mar 2010 Carlos Marrufo said

  

  Hi all,
  
  One quick question, besides the cost of the Aussie Explorer Tour and the airfare, how much more did u spend during ur time on the tour? Thanks a lot!!!

  Hi all,<BR><BR>One quick question, besides the cost of the Aussie Explorer Tour and the airfare, how much more did u spend during ur time on the tour? Thanks a lot!!! or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 28 Mar 2010 Chilindrina83 said

  

  Hows the night life on this tour?
  
  Thanks.

  Hows the night life on this tour?<BR><BR>Thanks. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 28 Mar 2010 Chilindrina83 said

  

  Ed:
  So you did your tour in August? Was it cold? I want to do the Aussie Explorer, but not sure if to do it in august or October because of the weather being cold in august.

  Ed:<BR> So you did your tour in August? Was it cold? I want to do the Aussie Explorer, but not sure if to do it in august or October because of the weather being cold in august. or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 30 Mar 2010 Carlos Marrufo said

  

  Hi All,
  
  Just booked the Aussie Explorer (Reverse) on Sept 5 – Oct 2. Anyone else going on it?

  Hi All,<BR><BR>Just booked the Aussie Explorer (Reverse) on Sept 5 - Oct 2. Anyone else going on it? or Cancel
  • 0 people like this

• 10 Sep 2010 Melissa said

  

  Hey,
  
  Is anyone doing the Aussie Explorer starting in Sydney Oct 31/10?! If so plz msg me <!--graemlin::)-->
  
  thanks
  
  I’m also in Sydney a week before the tour starts if anyone is around?!

  Hey,<BR><BR>Is anyone doing the Aussie Explorer starting in Sydney Oct 31/10?! If so plz msg me <img src="http://connect.contiki.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif" alt="Smiler" width="15" height="15"><!--graemlin::)--><BR><BR>thanks<BR><BR>I'm also in Sydney a week before the tour starts if anyone is around?! or Cancel
  • 0 people like this