Welcome to Australia, a land of stunning beauty, diverse landscapes, and unique experiences. At Aspire Down Under we specialize in custom travel experiences that let you discover Australia in all its glory. Our expert team is dedicated to making sure that your journey Down Under is nothing short of unforgettable.
Choosing Australia as your vacation destination opens up a world of experiences. Here's why Australia should be on your travel bucket list:
Beautiful Scenery: Australia is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It is home to stunning beaches that are perfect for sunbathing and surfing, while the rugged mountains offer breathtaking views and are a haven for hikers and nature lovers. And let's not forget the iconic Outback - a beautiful wilderness that is quintessentially Australian.
Friendly People: Australians are known for their friendly and welcoming nature. The laid-back lifestyle and the "no worries" attitude of the locals will make you feel right at home. Whether you're in a busy city or a small Outback town you'll be greeted with a warm Aussie welcome.
Variety of Activities: Whether you're an adventurer, a nature lover, a foodie, or a history buff, Australia definitely has something for you. You can explore ancient rainforests, relax on the gorgeous beaches, go on an adventure in the Outback, scuba dive or snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, or enjoy the vibrant city life. The possibilities are endless.
Unique Wildlife: Australia is renowned for its unique wildlife. It's the only place on Earth where you can see kangaroos, koalas, platypus, echidnas, dingos, wombats, and Tasmanian devils in their natural habitat. Whether you're cuddling a koala or watching a kangaroo hop by, encountering these unique creatures is a truly memorable experience.
Great Food: Australia's food scene is as diverse as the landscape. From fresh seafood to traditional Aboriginal dishes, Australia offers a culinary journey that is guaranteed to delight even the most well-traveled foodies. And don't forget to try the local wines and craft beers!
Safe and Secure: Australia is a safe and secure country to visit. The locals are friendly and helpful, the cities are well-known for being clean and well-maintained, and the healthcare system is excellent. Whether you're traveling alone or with your family, you can relax and enjoy your vacation with peace of mind.
In 15 Days, experience the sunshine city of Brisbane, the World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef and Hamilton Island, the Daintree Rainforest, and the stunning harbor city of Sydney on this independent trip
13 days/10 nights: Commences in the South Australia capital of Adelaide and takes you into the Outback for a wildlife safari of Australia's native animals to see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, emus up close. Swim with the Sealions and see dolphins before continuing to the stunning harbor city of Sydney.
12 Days/9 Nights: Visit the stunning city of Sydney with its spectacular Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Then, journey to the Red Centre to Uluru, see the stunning sunrise and take in the Field of Light art installation, and visit the breathtaking Kings Canyon. Finish in tropical north Queensland in the town of Port Douglas.
At Aspire Down Under we solely specialize in vacations to Australia and the South Pacific. We have curated an amazing collection of packages showcasing the best of Australia - including reduced airfares, free nights, and value touring. If you’ve been dreaming about snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, boating on Sydney Harbour past the iconic Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, experiencing modern Australia and Aboriginal culture, getting "Outback" or interacting with Australia’s unique wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, the time to travel is now!
We offer a variety of Australia Vacation Packages that let you explore the best of Australia.
For those seeking a romantic getaway, our Australia Honeymoon and Romance packages offer unforgettable experiences for couples.
If you're interested in our top picks, visit Aspire Recommends to see our recommended travel experiences and destinations in Australia.
13 Days/10 Nights: See Australia's diverse yet equally breathtaking cities and natural wonders with cosmopolitan Sydney, the Red Centre at Uluru, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs & then onto Melbourne.
16 Days/13 nights: Starting your Australian journey in multicultural Melbourne, enjoy a few days in this marvelous city before setting out on the open road for a multi-day self-drive along the country's breathtaking southeast coastline. Spend two days on Kangaroo Island, Australia's zoo without fences.
13 Days/10 Nights: This two-week itinerary commences in the South Australia capital of Adelaide and takes you to the stunning Eyre Peninsula to experience kangaroos, wallabies & koalas up close. Continue to Uluru and the awe-inspiring Ayers Rock before ending in the harbor city of Sydney. Enjoy free hotel nights and special touring offers as we transport you around Australia.
Before your Australian adventure, it's crucial to understand the entry requirements. US travelers need an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia, and your passport should have at least six months validity from your planned return date to the USA.
An ETA, valid for 12 months, allows multiple entries into Australia with a maximum stay of 3 months per visit. Valid US passport holders can apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app. For full details, view the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs click here.
We advise processing your Australian ETA when purchasing your airline tickets to secure your entry. Also, be aware of Australia's strict customs and quarantine regulations to protect its unique environment. Declare any food, plant material, and animal products upon arrival to avoid fines.
Lastly, we recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip to cover unexpected incidents, and familiarize yourself with local driving laws if you plan to drive in Australia.
Want to experience Australia and one of our destinations? No problem! Whether you're time poor or time is no issue, an Aspire expert will provide honest advice on what you can realistically experience. View our itinerary suggestions - but there's more, contact us, or if you'd prefer, arrange a virtual appointment with one of our team. Together we can customize an itinerary to fit your time, budget and interests.
24 Days/21 nights - Covering Mountains, Fjords, Glaciers, thermal geysers, harbors, wildlife, Reef and much more! If you have been waiting to find the perfect bucket list trip for New Zealand & Australia this one covers it all! This exciting itinerary is crafted to flow seamlessly traveling by plane, tour bus and train with amazing experiences and outstanding value.
23 Days/20 nights - Experience the best of Australia & New Zealand in this three weeks package. Experience the multicultural city of Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef resort area of Port Douglas before flying directly from Cairns to Auckland for 3 days exploring the harbour city of Auckland and Rotorua's thermal activity & Maori culture; Flying directly from Rotorua to Queenstown you will continue
15 Days/12 nights: Experience cosmopolitan Melbourne, the stunning harbor city of Sydney and then journey to the Fijian island of Taveuni and the Matangi Island Resort. Inclusive of flights and premium 4.5-5 star accommodations. Itinerary customization available as well as recommended Australian touring and air upgrade options
At Aspire Down Under, our international team of travel professionals is here to provide you with the best possible Australian travel experience with vacation packages customized to fit your schedule, interests, and budget. An Australian vacation is an adventure from start to finish - a flight halfway around the world to the Land Down Under, an island continent nearly as large as the continental 48 states. So if you want to get the full Australia experience, there will be plenty to do, plenty to see, and plenty of travel - even after your arrival Down Under. That's why we always recommend a vacation package to all our mates who come to us for help with their Australian vacation.
Personalized Journeys: At Aspire Down Under we believe in the power of personalized travel. We take the time to understand your unique travel requirements, and we use this to design a customized journey that will create lasting memories. We know that planning a trip can be a daunting task - but with our expertise and guidance, you can look forward to an Australian travel experience that truly reflects your spirit.
The Aspire Advantage: As destination specialists we pride ourselves on our deep understanding of Australia. We've spent years discovering the best destinations, transfers, tours, and accommodations that Australia has to offer. But we don't just rely on our own experiences. We listen to our clients and use their feedback to continuously refine our offerings. Our goal is to ensure that your Australian vacation exceeds your expectations in every way.
Journey Planning: From your first inquiry to your return home you'll work with a dedicated travel expert who will answer your questions, provide advice, and help plan your itinerary. We believe in building strong relationships with our clients, making the entire journey a seamless and personalized planning process. Whether you're interested in our Australia vacation packages, honeymoon and romance packages, or our top recommended experiences, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
We always appreciate our client reviews, your experiences enhance our knowledge.
Our best vacation ever - we didn't want to get on the plane in Sydney. We can't pick one favorite place - they all had something special!
Highly recommend! Great suggestions and reworked our itinerary multiple times to help us include the activities we wanted within our budget!
Please find answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions please contact us.
Australia’s seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere * Spring is September - November * Summer is December - February * Fall is March - May * Winter is June – August.
Australia's climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperature. Broadly, there are two climatic zones in Australia. About 40% of Australia is in the Tropical Zone - that is north, above the Tropic of Capricorn. The cities of Cairns and Darwin lie in this zone. The remaining areas of Australia lie in the Temperate Zone, including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth.
Due to Australia's vast size, there are variations within these two zones. The Temperate Zone has all four seasons, while those in the Tropical Zone have two - summer is 'wet' and winter is 'dry'
At the time of your balance payment, we will request your cell phone details so that we may contact whilst traveling if necessary. We recommend you contact your cell plan provider prior to departure to discuss international calling/texts/data plans. Once in Australia for any data usage check for wifi connections at your accommdation. We highly recommend you switch off your data roaming option at all times except when you deem it necessary to download data when not connected to wifi.
Food, plant material and animal products from overseas could introduce some of the world’s most serious pests and diseases into Australia, devastating the valuable agriculture and tourism industries and unique environment. You must declare for inspection all food, plant material and animal products on arrival in Australia to ensure they are free of pests and diseases
The east coast of Australia is 15 hours ahead of the east coast of the US, and 18 hours ahead of the west coast of the US.
Both countries operate daylight savings time during their summer months, from April to October eastern Australia is 14 hours ahead of the east coast of the US, and 17 hours ahead of the west cost of the US.
From October to March, Australia is 16 hours ahead of the east coast of the US, and 19 hours ahead of the west coast of the US.
Not all Australian states observe daylight saving, so times in the country can vary by one hour.
The Australian currency ($A) is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = A$1). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations.
All major credit cards and touchless methods of payment are widely accepted.
Tipping is optional. However, the recommended amounts are:
Restaurants: 10% for good service is standard
Porters: $A1-2 per bag
Tour Guides: optional
230/240 volts, 50 Hz, 3 pin plugs. The power supply is 220/240 volts AC. Sockets accept three-flat-pin plugs so an adaptor is needed. 110v appliances will need a voltage converter.
Before your visit you should arrange sufficient medical and travel insurance. Ensure the policy is adequate to cover costs for ambulance or helicopter rescue, emergency surgery, or transportation home. We offer travel insurance policies – ask your Aspire Down Under consultant for more details.
It is safe to drink tap water anywhere in Australia. Bottled mineral water is available throughout the country.
The sun in Australia is extremely strong, especially in summer (December – February). Wear a hat to protect your face and sunglasses to protect your eyes and a minimum SPF30+ to prevent sunburn.
From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish, also known as ‘stingers’, appear in the coastal waters of Northern Australia. These jellyfish do not exist in the waters surrounding most of the Islands in Queensland and are very rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef, allowing visitors to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef year-round.
In the Northern Territory, stingers are present at all beaches, whilst in Western Australia, they affect the Kimberley coastline. Where beaches are affected by stingers there are clearly marked warning signs for visitors
Many beaches affected by stingers have protective enclosures, and visitors should restrict their swimming to these areas during Stinger season.
Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60 km/h (35 mph) and on country roads and highways, 100 km/h (62mph) to 110km/h (68 mph) unless signs indicate otherwise. Strict drink-driving laws apply. Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
Visitors may drive in Australia on a valid overseas driver’s license for the same class of vehicle. Licenses must be carried when driving.
If the driver's license is not in the English language, the visitor must carry a translation with the permit. An International Drivers Permit is not sufficient by itself and must be accompanied by a valid drivers permit.
Petrol (Gasoline) in Australia comes in super leaded, unleaded regular and premium unleaded grades and is sold by the liter. Prices are usually higher in country areas. Petrol stations are plentiful. Trading hours vary although many service stations operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Don't bring medicines or medical devices into Australia for anyone other than yourself or an immediate family member.
For prescription medicines, bring the prescription with you or have a letter from your doctor that outlines what you are taking and how much you are bringing with you.
Keep the original packaging for your medicines and medical devices intact so they can be easily identified.
Do not bring more than a 3 month supply with you.
Check what medicines need to be declared at the border at the Department of Home Affairs website. You must declare any medicines which may be subject to abuse or misuse. This includes steroids, strong pain medicines, cannabis and other restricted medicines.
We will provide a listing with your departure documents.
We will provide a checklist with your departure documents.