A few things can beat a vacation with friends. Not only do you get to jet off to the exotic locales of Australia, but you get to do it with a group of your closest friends. Nevertheless, a vacation takes a lot of planning, especially if a large group is involved. Whether you’re looking to do some backpacking in Sydney, or you just want to lie around on the beach for days on end, there are some considerations when planning an Australian vacation.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Destination
The first step in planning a trip is figuring out where in Australia you want to go. Are you interested in the crystal blue waters and hot sand of the many miles of Australian coast? Do you want to have an adventure in the Outback? How about a dive around the Great Barrier Reef and a chance to swim with some marine wildlife? Or would you rather take in the sights and sounds of the big cities like Sydney, Perth and Melbourne? How about a little bit of everything? Once you pick a destination, you can begin working out the details.
2. Guest List
Part of what makes booking an adventure with friends difficult is that a guest list needs to be made. People have busy schedules and the chances of everyone finding the time to go Down Under is slim. Nevertheless, once you’ve begun to sort out a guest list – make sure you do this well in advance– you can get a sense of how many people are going to be involved and what sort of accommodation your party is going to need.
3. Excursions and Activities
Once you’ve worked out where you’re going and with who, start figuring out what you want to do once you arrive. Plan excursions, and look into exciting things that you need to see or do while you’re on holiday. Do you want to go diving? Maybe some parasailing, or something else suitably extreme and packed full of fun? An adventure isn’t complete without a little excitement to propel you along the way.
4. Rates
One of the great benefits of going on vacation with a group of friends is that you can take advantage of special rates via group accommodation. Hotels and tour groups like to book groups, because it guarantees them a nice chunk of business.
Booking a party of ten is more reassuring than booking ten separate reservations, because each individual reservation can be cancelled while a group reservation is often non-refundable. This trade-off comes with reduced price for the overall group. Savings can vary, but group rates can shave hundreds of dollars off a trip. Make sure you do your homework and look into any rates or packages you can take advantage of during bookings.
Planning a group trip to Australia can be taxing, but it’s well worth your time. The pay-off is there when you’re under the hot Australian sun, soaking up some rays, and having the time of your life with your closest friends.
