This page features ways you can prepare for our trip to New Zealand & Australia.
1. FAQ - frequently asked questions
2. LInk to Things to Do on Your Free Days
3. Links to Travel Hacks -- videos with good info for airline travel
4. Detailed packing list with links to some items you may want to purchase
1. FAQ - frequently asked questions
2. LInk to Things to Do on Your Free Days
3. Links to Travel Hacks -- videos with good info for airline travel
4. Detailed packing list with links to some items you may want to purchase
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS1. Are visas required for New Zealand and Australia?
Both countries have a type of visa called an ETA--Electronic Travel Authority . It is exactly what it says-- an electronic authority attached to your passport that allows you to enter the country. These must be applied for online and the necessary links are provided on this site. You can find that information in the drop-down link, or CLICK HERE 2. Should I have a paper copy of my NZ and Aussie visa to show when I travel? NO. Your ETA is electronically attached to your passport so you'll never see any paperwork. When you show your passport, the ETA automatically shows up on their computer. But - keep a copy on your phone in case you need it. 3. What costs are not included in the tour package? MEALS We include breakfasts, except four breakfasts in apartment hotels where it is easier to eat in the suite kitchen. We'll compensate with a spectacular dinner cruise. A number of special event meals are included in this tour, but all other lunches and dinners are on your own. Trying out the small cafe's in areas we are visiting costs less and provides an opportunity to enjoy the company of other tour members. This keeps your overall tour cost lower with you in control. Optional Days - these days are provided as a time for you to explore on your own, taking time to rest and relax or try out some optional tours we help you discover. Most can be booked on your own by visiting the internet and searching the city we will be in, but several need to be booked ahead and we assist in those: 1. Helicopter Ride up the Fox Glacier & if weather permits, around Mt. Cook 2. Zip LIning in Rotorua 3. White Water Rafting in Rotorua 4. Hop-On Bus in Auckland for those who arrive a day or two early. Another favorite you should book ahead of time on your own: Sydney Opera Performance. 4. Do I need to decide which tours I want to take on the free days now? Many tours can be booked when we get there, but a few tours that are likely to be filled before we arrive. You can check the availability on the websites of the tour operators. Most tours allow you to cancel within 24 hours of the event, so by booking now you are securing your space. We will be booking the Helicopter, Zipline, etc. in January. 5. 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. 6. Can I take the same carry-on suitcase on the internal airline flights as the international flights? You can take the same bags, but they can only weigh 15 pounds, so be prepared to check your carry-on if it's heavier than 15 lb, or transfer some things to your checked luggage. If you are carrying more than 50 pounds checked, you may be charged extra luggage fees. 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 |
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Take a screen shot of this discount or save the image and take it in to the Spanish Fork Prime IV - tell them Mark & Liz sent you and get a free injection.
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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.
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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 - if you are planning to swim at the Great Barrier Reef, we suggest you bring a pair of swim gloves to enhance your swim stroke and protect your hands from coral and jelly fish. 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 when you're on the Dart River https://a.co/d/5kIStQU 2. Sandals, walking shoes & flip flops 3. Travel towel -- we'll stop by the beach and you may want to put your feet in or you may want to hang out at Bondo Beach in Sydney for an afternoon. We recommend Turkish towels that are lightweight and take little space. https://a.co/d/5okZI70 4. Bug repellant -- we didn't see a lot of bugs, but be prepared for sand fleas that can be a real problem. 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. Scarf for boat rides (Dart River and Milford Sound) where it's windy 8. Sun glasses 9. Umbrella - small folding one a.co/d/e3ixLMS a.co/d/iZTGsqG 10. Water bottle - especially for the airline so you can stay hydrated. Ask the attendant to fill your bottle.
11. Tide sticks -,we swear by these https://a.co/d/f6XCvDS 12. Laundry bags - you may want to share a load with a friend and keep your undies separate. https://a.co/d/cQVJBz 13. Clothes line -- for doing laundry in your room (underwear especially) a.co/d/6spXv0E 14. Laundry soap -- I use these all the time at home and on trips a.co/d/5jEcwOx 15. Wrinkle Release Spray (sorry it won't help our faces) a.co/d/2PAgeGO 16. Mini Portable Chargers for phone https://a.co/d/5xAHuZJ 17. Australian/NewZealand plug adaptor (this is different from European) a.co/d/fmIvuzd 18. Electric transformer -- needed for electrical appliances other than computers & phones ca.co/d/cVDO5ec 19. Flashlight -- this one is rechargable and can charge your phone a.co/d/2Ya68vO 20. Medicines & vitamin suppliments -- with pill bags to organize them compactly a.co/d/iWkVhss 21. 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 31. PASSPORT, tickets, credit card, etc. (NEVER pack these in luggage) |
phone chargers
Transformer for multiple outlets
Plug adaptors for Australia & New Zealand
Sleep aid we use all the time
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SUGGESTED CLOTHING PACKING LIST (this is just a suggestion-- not to be taken as the law)
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Liz's packing list
3 long pants - 1 jeans, 2 slacks 3 shorts 1 skirt 1 dress for church or temple 2 t-shirts (buy more there) 5 tops 1 pr. PJ's 2 sweaters 1 sweatshirt 1 jacket/coat 3 hats 1 swim suit & accessories 7 pair garments 2 pair sandals flip flops 1 pair walking shoes |
Mark's Packing List
1 slacks 1 jeans 3 shorts 4 casual shirts/polos 1 sweat shirts 1 jacket 1 sweater 1 dress shirt (white) & 1 white tie 1 swim suit & accessories 7 pair garments 2 hats (baseball & brim) 2 pair walking shoes socks flip flops |