|
|
This page is designed to help you prepare for your trip to New Zealand & Australia --
if we don't answer your questions here, text or call and we'll add them to the list. 1. Forms we need you to fill out. 2. VISA Info 3. Frequently Asked Questions 4. Travel Hacks 5. Health & Well Being 6. Packing List 
1. When you've made your airline reservations for this tour, please fill out the AIRLINE BOOKING INFORMATION form. This information is necessary in order for us to secure your extra hotel nights and your meet & greet at the airport. Click on the following link to get the form: AIRLINE BOOKING INFORMATION
2. The "Getting to Know You" form must be completed by the first of January for everyone going on the February and March tours. The photos are necessary for the handbooks to be printed in time for your tours. We need to know about your special needs, bed preferences, etc. , and we have some fun questions to help you get to know everyone for our handbook, so please take ten minutes and give us some good answers to these significant questions. Here's the link to this important form: GETTING TO KNOW YOU FORM 
Neither New Zealand or Australia technically requires a "visa" but instead calls their required paperwork "Electronic Travel Authority." So we have provided links to the sites where you can access these from each country. It would be easier to call them visas, but we'll play their game ... and since these ETAs are easier to get than visas, we will be grateful. You can see these links on the drop-down page or click HERE.
1. What do I need to know about booking my airlines for this trip?
Click here to read some guidelines for booking airlines. 2. Is Trip Insurance a good deal? TRIP INSURANCE is always a good idea if you need to cancel for an emergency. We cannot refund what we have committed to vendors. (Please read our terms and conditions on our website.) You can shop for a policy that fits your particular needs at www.TRIPINSURANCE.COM and if you've booked your airline with a company that provides insurance, your trip insurance will not have to include that portion of your trip. Bottom line: buying trip insurance is great when not used -- you had a good trip -- but the premium can take your breath away. Give TripInsurance.Com a chance to help you find insurance that fits your needs. 3. Is there a luggage limit on our flights? It's always a good idea to pack as light as possible, and the airlines for our connecting flights are quite restrictive: the carry-on cannot be more than 15 pounds and there is only one checked bag per person unless you want to pay for a second bag and that is rather expensive. So plan to have a small carry-on or backpack and check a 50 pound bag each. There are laundry facilities along the way, so bring washable clothes and be sure to leave room for souvenirs. 4. What costs are not included in the tour package? International Flights -- these are your responsibility, but we are pleased to help you work through the booking process as noted on this website: Click here to read some guidelines for booking airlines. Getting to the airport for departure at the end of the tour. Everyone departs on different flights and times, so its a quick uber ride to the airport from our hotel that is a few blocks from the airport. Early arrivals -- we arrange your pick up, but there is a small charge since everyone comes at different times. Most meals: we provide all breakfasts except the last four days in Sydney when we will be in suites where it's easy to eat in your own kitchen with a grocery store around the corner-- we've found everyone enjoys eating on their own these mornings. There are 7 special meals provided as well that are wonderful group meals. The rest of the meals are on our own with lots of fun chances to try out the local cuisine in small restaurants along the route. Free Days Optional tours-- these days are meant to give you the freedom to choose your own pace: go faster or slower, take time to relax and enjoy the roses, or go that extra mile you always want to go. Everyone tells us these are their very favorite part of the trip. There are so many activities available in these locations that we can't possibly pack them all into one tour, so these free days provide the chance for each person to choose which direction to go. So plan ahead and decide what is your "cup of tea". (see #4 below) . Souvenirs: yes, I'm joking, because you don't expect that to be included, but this is one of the fun parts for many of us-- at least bring back a t-shirt to let your friends know you've been in the land DOWN UNDER and of course once you've learned to throw a boomerang, you'll need to take one home to show the kids, and then there's always the cute Koala poop... eatable of course... hahahaha.... anyway, you get the idea-- we're going to have some fun! 5. Do I need to bring cash with me or get cash there and how do I do this? Australia and New Zealand are nearly cashless societies-- you could go the entire trip without ever seeing any cash. Bring your credit cards and be sure to check the international fees before you go. We've taken four groups in the past two years and haven't needed cash yet. 6. Can I give my family a list of hotels where we will be staying? Yes, but because of cell phones, most hotels don't have phones in the rooms and your families should be able to reach you with WhatsApp. They should have our contact information as well, as we are the best ones to get in contact with you in case of emergency. In addition, you can give them a copy of the digital handbook we email you and the day-by-day itinerary we will give you before departure. 7. What cell phone service do you recommend? We use T-mobile because of their good international coverage and free texting around the world. This is an individual choice. We ask everyone to have WhatsApp on your phone. We use it extensively before, during and after the tour to keep in touch with you and let you know the daily and hourly schedule as it changes regularly. Please make sure you have phone service that works internationally. 8. What about free days? How do we book our activities for these days? Its a good idea to start looking now at the locations of our free days -- they are listed with many of the optional tours on the next page- click HERE to get started. Then you can go online and book directly, or there are several tours we will be helping you with in Rotorua, but they don't need to be booked until January. More Questions? Text us at 801.669.1777 or 801. 440.3272 & we'll be happy to answer as well as post your questions here . 
These are links to videos we've found that can be helpful in planning for international travel. There are many more online -- when you finish one you may find more by the same person that are good updates on travel. 1. Travel Tips for Bringing Medicine Through Airport Security
youtu.be/PBwmUX3PpGk?si=DMcERkVzas759rOV 2. 5 Airport Secrets They Don't Want Us to Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR1N4JLcp-4&t=313s 3. What to wear (and not) when flying https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwf2GAZWdgg&t=300s 4. 3-1-1 Rule -- Airline guides for carrying liquids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Ga-v5kCSc 5. Airline Rules https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz0oDYs1mNk&t=181s 6. Cell Phone Security https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heeaS7vgLvY 7. 5 Packing Tips for Your Next Trip youtu.be/GS5FFxl8e2I?si=3QI_o2r3OUB9YKpF 8. Travel updates for 2025 https://youtu.be/Dj-GASJCeaQ?si=JVWdbh3rr_jwnJG7 
|
|
|
From Liz: I've added some links to Amazon products because some have asked me for suggestions, but these are not required in any way and are just here to give you ideas. You should use your own judgement and experience.
|
1. Swim suit and accessories (the company we hire for the snorkel and dive at the reef will supply fins and masks for everyone, but you may want to bring your own if you are hard to fit). In addition, we recommend:
A. Swim gloves - you can bring a pair of swim gloves to enhance your swim stroke if you want to have some real swim time. Here's a link to some you can purchase: https://a.co/d/fkqubYA B. Head band/face mask for swimming and for wind protection https://a.co/d/5kIStQU We use these on the Dart River and on Milford Sound where it's windy. You can buy them there too. 2. Sandals, walking shoes & flip flops. Water shoes or sandals for the tubing outing in Cairns. 3. Travel towel -- It's good to take a towel on the tubing trip- we recommend Turkish towels that are lightweight and take little space. https://a.co/d/5okZI70 4. Optional - Snorkel vest for the tubing outing-- if you like to take your own vest, these are inexpensive and take hardly any space in your suitcase. They allow you to take control of your own life vest when snorkeling and tubing. https://a.co/d/hxCysYB 4. Bug repellant -- we didn't see a lot of bugs, but be prepared just in case. Here's a link to some bug repellant: https://a.co/d/dkmycdr (This is the stuff the church gives their employees who travel for them) https://a.co/d/dkmycdr 5. Sun screen -- you'll need protection on this trip 6. Hats (one needs to tie on for jet boat & Milford Sound) - Either a tie-on hat or a stocking hat that won't blow off. 7. Sun glasses 8. Umbrella - small folding one a.co/d/e3ixLMS a.co/d/iZTGsqG 9. Water bottle - especially for the airline so you can stay hydrated. Ask the attendant to fill your bottle.
10. Tide sticks -,we swear by these https://a.co/d/f6XCvDS 11. Laundry bags - you may want to share a load with a friend and keep your undies separate. https://a.co/d/cQVJBz 12. Clothes line -- for doing laundry in your room (underwear especially) a.co/d/6spXv0E 13. Laundry soap -- I use these all the time at home and on trips a.co/d/5jEcwOx 14. Wrinkle Release Spray (sorry it won't help our faces) a.co/d/2PAgeGO 15. Mini Portable Chargers for phone https://a.co/d/5LI89y4 16. Australian plug adaptor (Type I) https://a.co/d/cRGK1el 17. Electric transformer -- needed for electrical appliances other than computers & phones https://a.co/d/0qzc9Ky 18. Flashlight -- this one is rechargable and can charge your phone a.co/d/2Ya68vO 19. Medicines & vitamin suppliments -- with pill bags to organize them compactly a.co/d/iWkVhss 20. Nasal Spray or swabs for plane to avoid getting sick in crowded areas 21. Melatonin & sleep aids --we recommend Costco Sleep Aid -- to sleep on the plane and to sleep through the nights when jet lag wakes us at 3:00 AM (see photo on right)
22. Face masks -- in case of illness https://a.co/d/5xSidzxa.co/d/5xSidzx 23. Hand sanitizer https://a.co/d/5zSOLBua.co/d/5zSOLBu 24. Disinfectant wipes for plane (get at the supermarket travel section) 25. Eye mask & ear plugs for sleeping https://a.co/d/cKPdQRua.co/d/cKPdQRu 26. Ziplock bags -- you'll be surprised how much these are used 27. Snacks -- nuts, jerky, protein bars, etc. (don't declare in New Zealand) 28. Reading material 29. Book of Mormon to give away 30. Pictures of your family -- on your phone and/0r hard copy to show |
phone chargers
Transformer for multiple outlets
Sleep aid we use all the time
|
SUGGESTED CLOTHING PACKING LIST (this is just a suggestion-- not to be taken as the law)
|
Liz's packing list
4 long pants - 1 jeans, 3 slacks 3 shorts 1 dress or skirt for church 2 t-shirts (buy more there) 6 tops 1 pr. PJ's 1 sweatshirt or sweater 1 jacket for plane 2 hats 1 swim suit & accessories 10 pair garments 2 pair sandals flip flops 1 pr water shoes 1 pair walking shoes |
Mark's Packing List
1 slacks 1 jeans 3 shorts 4 casual shirts/polos 1 T-shirt (I'm going to buy at least 2 Aus/NZ t-shirts) 1 sweatshirt 1 jacket or 1 sweater 1 dress shirt (white) & 1 tie 1 swim suit 1 swim gloves, 1 blow-up life jacket, 1 do-rag (headband) 7 pair garments 2 hats (1 baseball & 1 brim with chin strap) 2 pair walking shoes 1 flip flops or water shoes (or both) 4 socks |