Australia 2000 Travel

G'day, At Australia 2000 Travel and Australia/New Zealand Down Under Travel we customize luxury tours to The South Pacific exclusively. A touch of Aussie magic is weaved into every Bespoke Luxury Journey, hand-crafted and pre-booked for the discerning traveler wishing to explore Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands from a unique perspective. Established in 1992, by fifth generation Australian, Karen Hardy Hodgson whose mission is to help travelers discover the South Pacific through a local’s eyes, to replace the passive environment of large tour buses with the vibrancy of experiential, immersive travel, to create individual itineraries based upon each traveler’s interests and desires, to take the traveler off the beaten track on stress-free journeys crafted to create life-long memories of wonder. Our lofty ideals have been achieved by making yearly visits to the countries we so love. There to develop cherished, personal relationships with the locals, stay in quirky city hotels, remote bed-and -breakfast inns, luxury lodges and bush camps. To handpick the specialist guide whose local artisan friends open galleries for private inspection, the indigenous person privileged to lead individuals to sacred Aboriginal sites, Fijian villages, Maori meeting-houses, the general manager who upgrades rooms based on availability. Multi-cultural cuisines, gourmet and obscure restaurants, intimate wine tastings at award-winning wineries, the wares at local markets, Sydney New Year’s Eve firework spectacular, camel-rides at sunset, the optical illusion of the Golden Staircase to the Moon, seaplane and mustering helicopter flights, quad bike rides, tandem parachute jumps, Fijian cava ceremonies, weddings in vineyards, romantic honeymoons, swims with whale sharks and humpback whales, rides on Harley Davidsons, one-on-one surfing lessons, cooking lessons, escorted multi-day walks, glamping, spa treatments, chauffeur-driven limousine transfers, behind the scene

Bula Karen & Hillary, To say that Faith and I loved Savasi Island is an understatement. Words can’t describe how wonderful it was. The entire staff were so friendly they felt like family and it was very hard to say goodbye. We were enormously lucky to have the yoga instructor all to ourselves the first week. Very quickly she became one of our favorite people and we looked forward to spending time with her everyday. The Cora Villa was awesome. Although very close to the main building and another villa it was very private. The infinity pool was beyond words. When we weren’t in the pool, we were swimming at one of beaches. We enjoyed every minute and wouldn’t hesitate to return. Vinaka vakalevu for finding Savasi. It exceeded our expectations and we left happy, relaxed and a little sad for having to leave. Christine

Dear Karen, Thank you so much for putting together such a great trip for us. We really appreciate all the bottles of wine, chocolates, nice cards and notes you sent. Our birthday celebration was a terrific day all around, we loved our cruise and lunch, thanks for making it all so perfect for us (I’m telling everyone about the sparkling Shiraz)! All our accommodations, guides and hosts were top notch. Of course, the most exciting parts were probably petting the kangaroos and seeing koalas up close on Kangaroo Island. Jackie and I also just loved the Lord of the Rings tour – it was just what we were hoping for. Thanks for an adventure we’ll never forget! Tim Heyden

Hi Karen, Lily and I had such a great time. Not one moment went anything other than great. And I’m not a light critic of our travels. We met so many nice people, our hosts and guides were very accommodating and friendly. I can’t thank you enough for setting this up for us. Sorry we have been intending on reaching out to thank you, we’ve been busy since arriving back home. New Zealand is going to have a hard time getting rid of us. We will be speaking with you again soon about another trip back, I’m sure of that! Keep in Touch! John and Sue Chase, Lily as well-

We met with Karen about a year and a half before our Honeymoon trip to Australia and New Zealand. The entire process with her has been fantastic and very fun. We met a couple of times in person during the planning phase and then once more in person right before the trip. During the planning phase most of the correspondence was through email, which she did great at keeping us informed of what our itinerary looked like and what the plan was. She has been very supportive, accommodating, and had great communication (let us know when she would be travelling, how long to expect updates, etc.). She gave us recommendations of the best time to go, things to do/see, and what to expect. The activities and excursions she had us signed up for were incredibly fun and once in a lifetime experiences. All of the travelling went very smoothly and even though we were busy and did a lot of things, Karen still managed to build into the itinerary plenty of time to relax. The scenery and everything we experienced had the perfect amount of romance attached to it as it was our honeymoon. Our trip started in Sydney (Botanical Gardens, Private Harbour Tour, Bridge Climb, Opera House tour and show), then up to Cairns/Port Douglas (Dive Great Barrier Reef, Rain Forest Resort, Aboriginal Tour), then to Brisbane (Night in the city), then over to Auckland (Hobbitton/Shire tour, Waiheke Island winery tour). Every stop had breath-taking views and awesome guides (majority of time was all private, which helped make everything more romantic). All of the flights, airport pickups, and excursion drop-offs were right on time and went perfectly. The 2 and a half weeks spent in the land down under will be remembered and cherished forever. We’re planning on going back every 5 years to celebrate our anniversaries and as long as Karen is still doing travel arrangements we will absolutely go through her. Thank you again. Dan & Erica Nye

Spicers Potts Point ~ A Luxury Sydney Hotel. An Urban Oasis in the Heart of One of Sydney’s Most Iconic Suburbs. Welcome to Spicers Potts Point where history meets modern luxury… Nestled in the midst of Potts Point on the edge of the Sydney CBD, surrounded by fashionable shops, cafes and restaurants Spicers Potts Point is a luxury boutique hotel with a distinct urban feel. Comprised of three meticulously restored Victorian terrace houses that, with a neutral, peaceful and restrained palette reflect a fresh contemporary style. The blend of old and new has created a private club feel that envelopes each guest once inside and away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. On my recent stay at Spicers Potts Point I was delighted to experience the same unparalleled service synonymous with the Spicers brand as I had encountered on past occasions. From the warm welcome on my late-night arrival to the luxury of a warm bath and exquisitely comfortable bed I knew a marvelous sleep awaited me. The following morning a scrumptious breakfast created from a selection of fresh cheese, smoked salmon, fruits, croissant and vegan delights sent me on my way for my return trip to the United States. I’m happily looking forward to the next warm welcome I will receive at Spicers Potts Point this December. Whether you seek romance or adventure, food or wine, Spicers offers a broad range of experiences for you to enjoy. Do give Australia 2000 Travel the opportunity to include Spicers Potts Point in your Bespoke Aussie Adventure. Cheers! Karen Hardy Hodgson President Australia 2000 Travel

My family of 3 has spent one week in Port Douglas and one week in Fiji last month. My son has never been to Great Barrier Reef. We went out to different reefs at two separate tours. We saw many different kinds of reefs, fish and a few giant clams, so colorful! It's remarkable and breathtaking. Karen has arranged a private cultural tour to Daintree for us. The guide Aaron was a native there. He was very familiar with all the plants and where to spot crocodiles. He showed us different plants to heal sinus and mosquito bites, very fascinating as we are all big city people. He took us to the beach spearfishing, which my son had so much fun playing with the spear. We didn't catch anything but again, it's something that we don't get to do in the big cities. We've stayed at Savasi Island in Fiji. The resort was beautiful and private. They have a very good activity center there. We kayaked in the channel and did line fishing by the shore. We also snorkeled at Split Rock and Turtle Alley. Our guide Thomas brought food to feed the fish and we were surrounded by tons of stripped sergeant, it's amazing. We didn't see any turtles at Turtle Alley but we saw couple sharks there. The weather was perfect that day, the sea was calm, the giant rocks with coral reefs and fish was spectacular. Maybe because we were the only people there, it's so peaceful and relaxed. We love the ocean!!! Vivian, Danny & Eric Chan

Say G'day to our BRILLIANT travelers Vivian, Danny & Eric Chan

My family of 3 has spent one week in Port Douglas and one week in Fiji last month. My son has never been to Great Barrier Reef. We went out to different reefs at two separate tours. We saw many different kinds of reefs, fish and a few giant clams, so colorful! It's remarkable and breathtaking. Karen has arranged a private cultural tour to Daintree for us. The guide Aaron was a native there. He was very familiar with all the plants and where to spot crocodiles. He showed us different plants to heal sinus and mosquito bites, very fascinating as we are all big city people. He took us to the beach spearfishing, which my son had so much fun playing with the spear. We didn't catch anything but again, it's something that we don't get to do in the big cities. We've stayed at Savasi Island in Fiji. The resort was beautiful and private. They have a very good activity center there. We kayaked in the channel and did line fishing by the shore. We also snorkeled at Split Rock and Turtle Alley. Our guide Thomas brought food to feed the fish and we were surrounded by tons of stripped sergeant, it's amazing. We didn't see any turtles at Turtle Alley but we saw couple sharks there. The weather was perfect that day, the sea was calm, the giant rocks with coral reefs and fish was spectacular. Maybe because we were the only people there, it's so peaceful and relaxed. We love the ocean!!! Vivian, Danny & Eric Chan

Welcome to the kindness, the beauty and the innate healing power of Orpheus Island… At Orpheus Island the accommodation is sophisticated, inviting and a stone’s throw from the water’s edge. During my recent travels to an invitation only Tourism Australia event I had the utmost privilege to off a stopover at tropical secluded Orpheus Island. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated being embraced by the bliss, the beauty, the magic, the comfort, the taste sensations of beautiful Orpheus. Every member of the team exuded a sense of joy through each welcoming smile. I was unobtrusively cared for in unpretentious comfort – with minimal fuss and maximum care. Oh how I savored the beauty of my suite, the chaise lounge by the beach, the garden, the exquisite cuisine. I snorkeled, read, drank champagne, luxuriated in the garden bath under the Milky Way at midnight and saluted the Southern Cross! For a passionate Aussie life could not have been better. Fringed by sheltered bays and seven unspoiled sandy beaches, wreathed in spectacular coral gardens and invigorated with native flora and fauna, Orpheus is a kaleidoscope of the senses. While snorkeling or diving in the underwater gardens surrounding the island guests glimpse giant clams in their natural environment, observe over a thousand species of tropical fish and more than three hundred varieties of multicolored reef coral that have been spared the bleaching that has occurred in other areas of the Great Barrier Reef. For over twenty years I have shared the wonder of this breathtaking destination with hundreds of travelers and now it’s time to introduce it to you. Contact us to include Orpheus Island awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence in your Bespoke Down Under Adventure. Cheers! Karen Hardy Hodgson President Australia 2000 Travel

Say G'day to our BRILLIANT travelers Geoff, Natalie and family who are wrapping up a 3 week Bespoke Kiwi & Aussie Adventure. Just wanted to say so far this trip has exceeded all my expectations. Sydney was fantastic, such a walkable, livable city and Orpheus Island is wonderful without being pretentious. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Thank you so much for all your thought and guidance. It has been marvelous so far! Geoff & Natalie

Davidson's Arnhemland Safaris ~ An Multi Award Winning Tour Operator Hand Selected by the Owner of Australia 2000 Travel

Welcome to Australian Legend Max Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris… Nestled on 270 square miles of pristine wilderness against the Arnhemland escarpment in a landscape of rugged ranges fringed by idyllic billabongs lies Mt. Borradaile in sacred, Arnhemland. There, travellers are immersed in unique ecosystems teeming with birdlife, crocodiles, barramundi along with a cornucopia of bush food and medicine plants. For more than 50,000 years valleys, overhangs and caves carved by an ancient sea, have preserved the local Aboriginal people’s age-old galleries of rock art and sacred burial sites. The Aboriginal people, the traditional owners, have bestowed Davidson’s Arnhemland Safaris with the honour of escorting select guests through the area, passing caves so sacred that travellers are not permitted to visit unless escorted by an entrusted guide. For myself while visiting Arnhemland my young guide explained that each rock painting records an element of the local people’s history, culture and spiritual beliefs. As we walked we’d stop to study paintings. On one occasion I learned the touching story of the dingo and the turtle and how those creatures, traditionally best of friends, became enemies. Occasionally we’d walk in silence when coming upon caves so sacred the stories could not be told, nor the caves visited. Spending time in Arnhemland is a privilege bestowed upon few. For myself it brought an increased understanding of the majesty, the wonder and the diversity of life. Do give Australia 2000 Travel the opportunity to help you experience this spiritual destination during your Bespoke Aussie Adventure. Cheers! Karen Hardy Hodgson President Australia 2000 Travel

It is exactly 15 years ago that I asked Karen to apply some of her magic and work out a trip to the Southern hemisphere for my wife’s and my 30th wedding anniversary. I thought it is about time to have the honeymoon trip we never had since, at that time, I was still attending university and we didn’t have the money. And what a trip Karen proposed! It started on Fiji’s Nukubati Island, a small private island off the Northern coast of Vanua Levu, an hour’s drive from Labasa. It is a paradise for those who like a quiet and peaceful time to relax and recharge batteries. Luxurious service, pristine waters, outstanding scuba diving, fishing and so many more things to do and last but not least, being pampered by the wonderful Fijian people. We spent Christmas on the island and then went on to Sydney for the New Year celebrations. Not surprisingly, Karen found –what we believe- is the best location to experience this event: The Quay Grand Sydney Harbour hotel at Circular Quay, with a direct look at the Harbour Bridge and in walking distance from the Opera House and the center of the city. Sydney is a great place to visit, a truly wonderful city. After a few days in Sydney we continued to the Whitsundays further North. Seaplane trips to Whitehaven Beach and out to the reef for some snorkeling are a must. After four weeks, which were filled with lasting impressions and just flew by, we returned home and for weeks, we couldn’t stop talking about this miraculous trip, praising Karen’s magical work. As a result, we got our kids all wound up so that we promised to take them also on the same trip, which we did a few years later. Since then Karen has organized 12, four to five-week trips to Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand. Every trip was top notch and even in the places where we returned to, like Sydney, Karen made sure that there was always something new to see or experience. Not one boring minute in now nearly one full and exciting year of accumulated tra