AUSTRALIA SOUTH PACIFIC NEW ZEALAND OPEN UP DIVE IN DEEP FIGURE IT OUT FEEL THE MUSIC RIDE YOUR OWN WAVE SAVOUR THE STILLNESS

Transcription

1 AUSTRALIA SOUTH PACIFIC NEW ZEALAND 2014 FEEL THE MUSIC SAVOUR THE STILLNESS DIVE IN DEEP RIDE YOUR OWN WAVE FIGURE IT OUT OPEN UP

2 Adventure... It s in our DNA. Whether we re haggling with the locals, trying weird and wonderful food or trekking new territory, we like to keep things interesting. It s the whole reason we set up STA Travel in We love nothing more than getting to know a new language, culture or environment and, 35 years later, we re still exploring. We re convinced that experiencing the wonders of our planet opens your mind and stretches your horizons. We listen to our travellers, our expert staff visit faraway places and use this knowledge to create your very own life-changing experience. Inside, you ll find no end of incredible adventures to inspire your ultimate trip Down Under, whether you re looking for a journey through the Outback or something that ticks all the boxes on New Zealand s North and South Islands. From shoestring hostels to luxurious lodges, and from great value camping adventures to comfortable hotel-based tours, we ve also got every budget covered. Our expert advice, unique experiences and amazing special offers will make sure you never look at the world in quite the same way again. So buckle up, you re about to uncover a whole new way to travel. Start the adventure

3 Picture courtesy of Tourism New Zealand CONTENTS 04 We Know Because We Go! 05 Save With STA Travel 06 Flying High 08 Start The Adventure 10 Sleep With Us 12 Go Smart or Go Home 13 Feeling Social? 14 Responsible Travel 16 Discover Australasia 18 AUSTRALIA 20 Working Holidays 24 Bus & Rail Travel 29 Car Hire, Campervan Hire & Self-Drives 38 Epic Australian Journeys 49 East Coast Touring 57 New South Wales 58 Sydney, Blue Mountains & Byron Bay 66 Queensland 67 Brisbane & Gold Coast 70 Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay & Fraser Island 74 Airlie Beach & The Whitsundays 82 Cairns, Port Douglas & Tropical North 92 Outback Touring 97 Northern Territory 101 Red Centre - Alice Springs & Uluru 104 Top End - Darwin & Kakadu National Park 106 Western Australia 110 Perth, Margaret River & Broome 113 Victoria 114 Melbourne & The Great Ocean Road 119 South Australia 120 Adelaide, Kangaroo Island & Beyond 122 Tasmania 125 Hobart & Launceston 127 NEW ZEALAND 131 Working Holidays & Bus Travel 138 Car Hire, Campervan Hire & Self-Drives 145 New Zealand Touring 155 North Island 158 Auckland & Bay of Islands 162 Rotorua, Taupo & Wellington 165 South Island 169 Christchurch, Kaikoura & Abel Tasman 171 West Coast, Queenstown & Dunedin 176 SOUTH PACIFIC 176 Fiji 192 Cook Islands & French Polynesia 193 Travel insurance 194 Terms & Conditions facebook.com/statravel.uk twitter.com/statravel_uk statravel.co.uk/travel-blog CONTENTS 3

4 We know because we go! WE Know BECAuse We Go! Top 10 REASONS to travel with STA Travel Global travel help Wherever you are, we re there for you 24/7 World-class travel partners We work with only the most reputable tour operators and accomodation providers across the globe Exclusive low Flexible airfares Our unique airline partnerships mean you always get the lowest fares around and you can also change your plans at the last minute without breaking the bank HAND-PICKED Experiences, trips and accommodation options - all hand-picked and vetted by us 100s of STOres WOrlDWIDE With stores all over the world, you re never far from one of our Travel Experts One-stop shop Book everything with us and spend less time worrying and more time having fun We are the experts Our Travel Experts are the go-to people for tips and advice, whatever your question Over 30 years experience We know our stuff when it comes to travel adventures, we ve been there, done that and bought the T-shirt! Price beat guarantee We ll beat any price that you find lower elsewhere* Adventures FOr all No matter what your age or budget, we ll inspire you to create your ultimate trip *For full terms and conditions on our price beat guarantee please visit

5 Save with STA travel Save with STA Travel and make that hard-earned cash stretch a little further, by taking advantage of some of our amazing offers. We ve come up with some great, exclusive discounts to make sure you get the best deals going. No single supplements Travelling alone but happy to share a room with a same-sex traveller? If so, you ll save the single supplement on many of our tours. Multi-trip deals Buy two or more tours with the same operator and get up to 5% off your total price. Cardholder discounts Great discounts on airfares and a load of free stuff too, just for being a student, teacher or young person. Check out our range of discount cards on page 12. Mates rates Save cash if you travel as a group, or maybe earn a free place if there are enough of you. Repeat traveller Travel with the same tour operator more than once and you ll often find your loyalty is rewarded with a discount. Free Nights +BONUS Stay longer at many of our hotels and hostels and we ll often throw in a free night, or two... Flex STA Travel s unique range of flexible products aim to make travelling easier and cheaper. Check out our Multiflex pass on page 6 to reduce the cost of changing your travel plans. EARLY BOOKING Book your trip well in advance of your travel date and you may qualify for reduced rates. save with STA TRAVEL Make it Happen Its pretty easy really - you ve done the most important bit by picking up this brochure. Next step go in and see one of our Travel Experts and start planning your route. There are all sorts of things we can help you with from here. checklist Pick up my STA Travel Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific brochure Book an appointment with a Travel Expert and get planning! Get my flights booked Buy my ISIC or IYTC card for amazing discounts all over the world Get my Cashcard so I can manage my money easily while I m away Get a phone card so I can phone home cheaply Book somewhere to stay for at least my first few nights Check and arrange any visas required Speak to my GP or STA Travel Clinic about my jabs Get packed, it s time to hit the road 5

6 FlIGHTS & OUR PREFERRED AIRLINES FLYING HIGH Aside from our unbeatable prices, many of our airfares are unique and exclusive, meaning we can book just about anything you desire, from one-ways or simple return tickets, to complex and exciting round the world itineraries. Below is just a snippet of what we can do for you. The absolute lowest fares with the world s leading airlines including exclusive discounts and flexible booking conditions for students holding an ISIC card and for youths under 30 holding an IYTC card. We even throw in discounts for teachers holding an ITIC card for good measure! The flexibility to change your travel dates and route before and after departure. Build your very own itinerary using our exclusive one-way fares. 100s of STA Travel stores worldwide giving you personal support as you travel the globe. GET THE BEST PRICE We ve been helping our customers get the best airfares for over 30 years so our Travel Experts know exactly where to look and what to check to give you the deal of a lifetime! Buy an ISIC, IYTC or ITIC card to be eligible for our exclusive student, under 30 and teacher fares. We ll beat any competitor on price and that s a promise see statravel.co.uk or ask in store for details. Sign up to our weekly newsletter by visiting statravel.co.uk to receive our best offers and the chance to win amazing prizes! ROUND THE WORLD We practically invented the concept of flying round the world, so we ve got a huge range of exclusive choices and plenty of suggestions for you. Our fares are totally flexible and some even last up to 18 months; so you can work for a year and travel the other six. STOPOVERS The vast majority of our fares allow discounted, or even free, stopovers en route to your final destination. You don t need to limit it to a night or two as some of our fares allow stopovers of weeks or even months! So, in effect you could be getting two or more countries for the price of one. These aren t bookable online so be sure to ask your Travel Expert what s available for you. MULTIFLEX PASS On average, an STA traveller on a round the world trip will change their flight dates five times. By buying your date changes up front you could save over 100 and change your mind during your trip, without having to worry about the cost. You can get three date changes for 69 or unlimited date changes for 99, saving you heaps of cash!

7 Stockholm St. Petersburg Seattle San Francisco Los Angeles Toronto Boston New York Washington, DC Dallas/Fort Worth Houston Buenos Aires São Paulo Glasgow Copenhagen Newcastle Moscow Dublin Manchester Hamburg Amsterdam Warsaw London Dusseldorf Kiev Paris Prague Frankfurt Zurich Vienna Geneva Munich Lyon Milan Venice Madrid Nice Rome Barcelona Istanbul Lisbon Tunis Athens Algiers Malta Casablanca Tripoli Larnaca Cairo Rio de Janeiro Birmingham Dakar Conakry Abidjan Lagos Accra Luanda Johannesburg Cape Town Khartoum Addis Ababa Entebbe Dar es Salaam Lusaka Harare Durban Nairobi Beijing Seoul Kabul Peshawar Islamabad Sialkot Lahore Shanghai Delhi Karachi Dhaka Taipei Ahmedabad Guangzhou Kolkata Hong Kong Mumbai Hyderabad Clark Bengaluru Chennai Bangkok Manila Kozhikode Ho Chi Minh City Kochi Thiruvananthapuram Colombo Phuket Malé Kuala Lumpur Singapore Seychelles Mauritius Jakarta Perth Tokyo Osaka Adelaide Melbourne Brisbane Sydney Auckland Christchurch FLIGHTS & OUR PREFERRED AIRLINES Snorkelling with whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef, camping under the stars in the Australian wilderness, a heart pumping bungee from the Kawarau Bridge or mixing Mojitos on your working holiday. Whatever s on your bucket list, Start your adventure down under with Emirates. FLY OM YOUR LOCAL AIRPORT No need to spend hours driving to the airport. Emirates flies to Dubai from seven airports across the UK and Ireland - Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dublin. With onward connections to Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Auckland and Christchurch, you re well connected wherever your destination. FLY EMIRATES ECONOMY CLASS Expect world-class service and a superior onboard experience. Enjoy up to 1,600 channels of award-winning entertainment on personal seat-back screens, dine on regionally inspired gourmet cuisine served with complimentary drinks including beer, wine and spirits. On five daily flights from Heathrow and on a daily service from Manchester, you can also experience the revolutionary Emirates A380 featuring onboard Wi-Fi. EXCLUSIVE FARES Book with STA Travel and you ll have access to specially negotiated, discounted, student and youth fares tailored for travellers who need flexibility to change itineraries and amend dates one-way or return fare, they re great value and you won t find them anywhere else! STOPOVERS If, like us, you re just a little bit greedy why not soak up the souks of Dubai, sail the islands of Thailand and slurp your first, second and third Singapore Slings on your way Down Under. The extensive Emirates network means you have a multitude of stopover options en-route to Australia and New Zealand. Ask your travel expert for more combinations. Start your adventure and discover why Emirates is one of our favourites.

8 TOURING australasia There s no more convenient way to travel than on a tour, it takes all the hassle out of travelling, opens your mind to local cultures, gets you trying out a whole bunch of exciting new activities and is a great way to make new friends from all over the world. You ll visit all the mustsee highlights, of course, but expert guides will also take you to authentic, out-of-the-way places that only those with insider knowledge would know. You d probably never find them on your own! Taking a tour can usually be cheaper than trying to put it together yourself, so whatever your budget, we re confident you ll find your perfect trip. We also guarantee that you will not find the same tour cheaper anywhere else. To help you choose the trip style that s right for you, see the box on each of the tour pages and look out for the following logos throughout the brochure: Start The adventure These tours encourage you to step off the beaten path and immerse yourself in your destination. You ll usually share your trip with no more than like-minded travellers, though the average group size is often lower. As above, but aimed at younger travellers looking to experience the best of Australasia with a bunch of fun and friendly travel mates. Please note that some of our touring partners set as an official age limit, while for others is suggested as a guideline. On these trips, which typically have a larger group size, you ll travel only with year olds who share your passion for travel. These trips are super sociable, ideal for making new friends through shared experiences. For the ultimate flexibility, consider one of our self-drive tours which include your accommodation and a handy self-drive kit packed with maps and directions. Car rental is bought separately so you can choose your own vehicle. Independent travel is easy with Greyhound Australia, Oz Experience, Kiwi Experience and Feejee Experience, whose hop-on, hop-off bus networks allow you to explore at your own pace and to your own itinerary. Many of the pass options conveniently come with the top sightseeing activities and adventures thrown in; so you can travel safe in the knowledge that you re not going to miss out on anything you came to see. Exactly what it says on the tin. These exciting short tours can be booked on their own, added on to a longer tour or mixed and matched to create your own itinerary. You are likely to be travelling with other like-minded people but each tour is different, run by our local operators and designed for maximum enjoyment. Picture courtesy of Contiki Holidays 8

9 STA Travel is proud to partner with G Adventures to deliver an amazing range of small group adventures worldwide. G Adventures has been redefining small group travel for over 20 years and their trips feature active exploration, cultural immersion and the creation of true, lifelong connections with the people and places they visit. All trip styles / service levels have a few things in common: 100% Guaranteed Departures once you book, you re going! Lifetime Deposits if you need to cancel or postpone, your money s protected for use against a future trip. No Single Supplements you can be paired up with a same-sex roommate at no extra cost or, if you prefer your own space, look for the My Own Room prices. Trip Styles Yolo popular with year olds, Yolo trips are for those who want to take on the planet in a fun and affordable way. Classic geared towards travellers of all ages searching for active exploration, extraordinary landscapes, wildlife and interaction with local cultures. Comfort authentic and unforgettable, but with upgraded accommodation, more meals and included activities, comfortable transport and a few extra little treats! Active geared towards adventurers with a love of the great outdoors who are hungry to walk, hike, trek, bike, raft and kayak their way across the world. Service Levels Camping great value trips with the odd hotel stay; public and private transport. Basic simple and clean hostels, hotels, and guesthouses chosen for location and character, affordable public and private transport, plus great optional activities. Standard comfortable and well-located mid-range accommodations, a mix of public and private transport, all the top highlights included and loads of free time. Upgraded hand-picked characterful accommodations with enhanced facilities, private and upgraded transport, more included meals, activities and transfers. Physical Grading 1. Easy you can walk unaided, climb a few stairs and carry your own bag. 2. Light some gentle walks or hikes, but still suitable for all fitness levels. 3. Average includes moderate activities such as hiking, biking, rafting or kayaking. 4. Demanding some hikes at higher altitudes or other strenuous activities. 5. Challenging serious high-altitude treks, climbing, cycling & heavy exercise. TOURING australasia As a world leader in youth travel for 18-35s, Contiki s experiences are designed with young travellers in mind. Their journeys are packed with culture, inspiring places, lifelong friendships and making every moment count. A trip with no regrets, no compromises and definitely no travelling with other people s kids or grandparents. They offer WiFi on board their coaches and amazing places to stay with comfortable, centrally located hotels, beach resorts, eco-lodges and Special Stays, and lots of free time to get even more from your trip. And with a dedicated Contiki team on-hand, you ll have constant access to valuable insider knowledge. Best of all, on every date listed for Contiki tours in this brochure, you ll benefit from: Guaranteed Departures once you book, you re going! Service LevelS Superior experience the best of Australia and New Zealand travelling by plane, boat and convenient private coach. Stay near the sights in a mix of comfortable hotels and unique local stopover options. Add to this a raft of meals, local knowledge and amazing experiences and you have an epic trip! Contiki includes access to blockbuster sights and experiences like surfing at Coffs Harbour, 4WD touring on Fraser Island, scaling Auckland s Sky Tower and riding the Shotover Jet in Queenstown. No Single Supplements we don t charge any extra if you re travelling solo - we ll match you up with a same-sex room-mate. Or you can opt for a A room to myself for a small supplement. Greyhound is Australia s only national coach network and their fleet of modern vehicles can take you easily from A to B. Choose between an unlimited Kilometre Pass to roam at will or a Mini Traveller pass for hop-on, hop-off travel between fixed start/end points. To add in some amazing tours and adventures on your journey along the East Coast, opt for a great value Oz Experience pass. Kiwi Experience is New Zealand s original adventure company, whose fantastic hop-on, hop-off bus network is run by travellers for travellers. Their awesome driver guides can get you to pretty much anywhere worth going to in this beautiful country, and can fix you up with your accommodation and exciting optional activities along the way. You have 12 months to finish your trip once started. Awesome Adventures, as the name suggests, is our preferred partner for awesome island-hopping holidays in Fiji s idyllic Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. You can be as chilled or as active as you like on Awesome s island escapes, twincentre and multi-centre holidays. Over in Australia, the same concept is applied to an exciting new programme of islandhopping holidays in the Whitsundays.

10 sleep with us SLEEP WITH US Star ratings are often not the best way to categorise hotels. Depending on what country you re travelling through, perceptions of each standard can vary quite dramatically. To make things much easier for you, we re giving you our own, very educated opinion on each property that we feature. We ve horizontally tangoed with the cool, the interesting, the enviable and the luxe to the off the wall to bring you our curated offering of hostels, hotels, lodges and apartments, all chosen especially for you. Shoestring Our wallet-friendly digs are hand-picked by us. No frills and no nasty surprises but a sociable atmosphere and fantastic locations! Base Sydney, Sydney Y Hotel, Sydney Mercure Inn Continental, Broome Shantara Resort & Spa, Port Douglas Glampacker Stay in some of the most expressive and one-of-a-kind hostels and budget hotels around, without breaking the bank. They are cool and unique, just like you! Rock Solid You want a comfy bed, a hot shower and a good range of amenities. Ranging from low key 2* hotels to well known 4* brands, you know its a safe bet! A-LiST These flash and funky hotels are worth splashing out on. Great facilities, classy interiors and a bit of luxury thrown in. Get your bling on. APARTMENT Be like a local; live it up in an apartment. Wash your own socks, fix your own breakfast, share with your mates. It ll be like a home from home, wherever you are. Beach Haven, Gold Coast Accommodation Passes Accommodation passes are the perfect way to explore Australia, New Zealand and Fiji without the confines of planning your journey and booking in advance. Choose from five, seven, ten or 15 nights - see pages 37 and 144 for more details. reef view HOTEL, Hamilton Island 10

11 sleep with us WHY SLEEP with us There are loads of very good reasons to book your accommodation with us. Here are our favourite four. Hand-picked We ve searched every corner of the globe for the very best properties around, in every conceivable style. Vetted We ve slept in it and vetted it for safety. Best Price Guaranteed No hidden extras, no nasty surprises. 24 hour Concierge With our worldwide network of stores, backed by our 24/7 global service desk, we won t leave you stranded. +BONUS Look out for our STA Travel bonus offers. We ve sourced the very best deals that will ensure you save money and make the most of your stay. Please ask your STA Travel Expert for applicable dates, terms and conditions. Pricing and Photography The accommodation prices featured in this brochure are based on per person, twin share. The from pricing shown has been calculated using low season stays and is based on lead-in room types. We re sourcing great deals all year long so we recommend using the prices in this brochures only as a guide and to ask your STA Travel Expert for the best available deal for your travel period. The accommodation photos featured are representative of the the room types available at each property however this may not be the actual room type that you receive. If you have a preference for a particular room your Travel Expert will be happy to help. Just ask!

12 Go Smart or go home GO SMART OR GO HOME Travel insurance OK, travel insurance might not be the most exciting thing in the world, but it could be the most important purchase you make before you take off on your travels. You must take travel insurance before you leave, you won t be able to get it once you have left your home country. The chances are that you ll have the time of your life and you ll return home with a big smile on your sun-bronzed face but just in case things don t quite go according to plan it s wise to have a safety net in place for that extra peace of mind. So if you plan to cycle around colourful city streets, cross a few roads, eat weird and wonderful food, cart your expensive camera or ipod from hostel to hotel or get adventurous bungee jumping, skydiving or more, then make sure you ask us to organise the cover that s right for you. multiflex pass Change your mind? Change your ticket without fees. Save 100s on date changes with our totally unique STA Travel Multiflex pass. Ask your travel Expert if your flights are eligible. GLOBAL SIM CARD It s good to stay in touch whilst you re away. It s even better to keep your costs down and control your spending with it. What s the deal? No more running up uncontrollable roaming bills Call rates fr 30p per minute & SMS fr 10p Excellent data rates Great coverage in 190 countries Free incoming calls in over 80 countries Add call time from anywhere in the world One number all over the world Free Facebook notifications* Micro and Nano sims also available Includes 10 top up *capped at 20 per day Discount Cards Thousands of travel, online and lifestyle discounts in the UK and worldwide. Grab an STA ISIC Cashcard for student benefits and an easy way to manage your money all in one, just 12. Also available: under 30 and teacher discount cards. Same great discounts worldwide, also priced at 12. Visa SERVICE Whether you re touring the sights or planning on earning as you travel, it s important you have the correct entrance visa. Check out your visa requirements with an STA Travel Expert. Our visa service for working and tourist visas is hassle free, efficient and the safest way to process your visas for your travels. FOREIGN CurrenCY Land with cash in your hand! Order your foreign currency from us and enjoy 0% commission, great rates of exchange as well as quick and easy delivery to your home or nearest store. Only online at STA Travel Clinics For all your health needs. Ask your Travel Expert where your nearest clinic is, we have more opening all the time! The benefits of using our clinics include: Convenience Professional staff Easy consultation booking Competitive prices STA Travel Cashcards Don t travel anywhere without an STA Travel Prepaid MasterCard Cashcard! Our range of cards offer a safe way to carry money on your travels and you don t have to worry about exchanging currency. Why choose an STA Travel Cashcard Two card types; STA ISIC Cashcard for students or our Cashcard for all Free UK and overseas transactions* Safe - no need for cash and the card s not linked to a bank account Stay in control only spend the amount you ve loaded. Funds can be easily managed 24/7 Top up free at STA Travel UK stores or via bank transfer Use in over 35 million locations including 1.5 million ATMs No credit checks needed Parents or friends can top-up your card if you run out of money Our STA ISIC Cashcard Only 12 Available exclusively to students offering all the benefits of a prepaid cashcard for managing your money as well as being an internationally recognised student ID and discount card. Free UK transactions and up to 11% cashback as you spend allow you to go crazy in the UK as well! What s the deal For full time students 18 and over A Student ID, discount card & pre-paid currency card in one! Student discounts with STA Travel, cheap flights & more 1,000s of discounts as you travel with ISIC worldwide Use before you go, earn cashback at UK retailers Not a student Don t worry! We also have a great STA Cashcard available to everyone. What s the deal Only 22 Available to all UK residents over 18 Comes with 10 pre-loaded Easy and safe way to manage your money abroad Avoid the cost and hassle of exchanging currency *Free UK transactions only available on STA ISIC Cashcard The STA Travel ISIC Prepaid MasterCard Cashcard and the STA Travel Prepaid MasterCard Cashcard are issued by IDT Financial Services Limited pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and the MasterCard Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. IDT Financial Services Limited is a regulated bank, licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Gibraltar. Registered Office: Line Wall Road, Gibraltar. Registered No All communications should be sent to STA Travel, PO Box 3753, Chester, CH1 9UH. 12

13 FEELING SOCIAL? Being social is at the very heart of what we do; from the moment you step into one of our stores, it s all about engaging with you at a level which suits you. This way, we learn to understand your needs as an individual, and we learn where to tweak things to ensure you have an unforgettable adventure. And guess what? We extend that philosophy right across the web! Come and join us feeling social? Visit the STA Travel BLOG Get your travel fix straight from the source, with the brilliant STA Travel Blog. Not only is it brimming with original travel ideas, it s fast becoming the most popular spot to lay down your opinion on the topics that matter the most to you! Get the inside track on adventure travel ideas, and stock up on knowledge from behind the scenes here at STA Travel. Visit Like us on Facebook Over 150,000 travel fanatics like us on Facebook are you one of them? If not, get in there right now! As well as giving away some of the world s best travel prizes, we also smother you with inspiration. Whether you re looking to connect with other travellers, share your best travel tips and ideas, or find the latest deals from STA Travel, hit the wall on our Facebook page and get involved today! Like us AT Follow us on Twitter Get your tweet on and join the world s biggest conversation! We re on hand to answer your questions, and fuel your curiosity about the world s most exciting destinations, as well as bringing our latest and greatest deals, straight to your Twitter stream. Wherever you are in the world, we re only a tweet away. FollOW twitter.com/statravel_uk Sign up to our Newsletter Be the first in line for our best deals and promotions, by signing up to our weekly newsletter. We ll slam it straight into your inbox, for when the urge to travel takes you. Sign up at

14 RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL MAKING IT COUNT Coming from a 11-year-old girl in one of our projects in Peru, this was, without question, the best job offer we ve ever had. Despite its beautiful surroundings and the buzz that comes with a thriving tourism industry, Cuzco is a tough place to grow up for many children. For those living in extreme poverty there s no room for big ambitions and many turn to begging, taking drugs and living on the streets. The Inti Runakunaq Wasin Centre (House of the People of the Sun) offers food, somewhere to safe to play, and educational support for children and young people. They learn valuable skills including jewellery making, leather working, sewing, cooking, music and English. Thanks to the amazing work of volunteers and supporters from around the world these guys can finally afford to dream big. We re proud to be building a new art workshop for the centre, which will open up even more opportunities for local children and young people. This US$32,000 facility is just one of the many projects we re involved in around the world. When I grow up you can work for me. THE STA TRAVEL FOUNDATION Responsible tourism is at the heart of what we do, and our Foundation is something we re hugely proud of. It allows us to use all our existing resources, expertise and experience and make sure every penny goes towards our chosen causes around the world. It s a registered charity, so you can be sure that everything you donate goes right to the people who need it most. We focus on a number of different projects throughout the year, including conservation, clean water, kids projects and medical centres. Follow us on Twitter for the latest news and check out our Facebook to find out what we re up to right now. To donate, ask one of our Travel Experts or visit 14

15 AT A GLANCE The number of volunteering projects we offer from one day to six months worldwide. Whether you re into working with children, communities, animals, conservation, building or sports, there s something for everyone. US$230, That s how much we ve invested so far in our projects. US$25, The amount our new water tank in Panama s Bocas del Toro cost us. It s been going strong for a year and it s a lifeline for the local community, who had no safe drinking water up until then. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL Kids and young people are currently studying for their futures in the drop in centre in Cuzco The number of countries we have projects in right now. VOLUNTEERING We offer more than 8 incredible volunteering adventures throughout Australasia that will give you the opportunity to do some good of your own. Some are featured within this brochure but here are some more of our favourites: Conservation in Australia or New Zealand 8-15 days from 241 Kiwi Encounter and Conservation in New Zealand 6 Days from 327 Volunteer with Turtles in Vanuatu 25 days from 1,295 Volunteer with Dolphins in Fiji 15 Days from 1,295 We also feature three additional volunteering projects n Fiji. Check out page 191 for more details Pick up a copy of our Volunteer, Work and Learn brochure or ask your Travel Expert for more details. THE RESPONSIBLE STA TRAVELLER We owe everything to the incredible communities who open their doors and allow us to experience their beautiful backyards. So it s up to us to be courteous and understanding. Visit to make sure you set off on the right foot.

16 Discover AUSTRALIA, Discover AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC BROOME DARWIN KATHERINE NORTHERN TERRITORY CAPE TRIBULATION PORT DOUGLAS CAIRNS GREAT BARRIER REEF AUSTRALIA TOWNSVILLE AIRLIE BEACH WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS EXMOUTH MONKEY MIA WESTERN AUSTRALIA ULURU ALICE SPRINGS COOBER PEDY QUEENSLAND ASER ISLAND NOOSA BRISBANE GOLD COAST GERALDTON SOUTH AUSTRALIA BYRON BAY PERTH NEW SOUTH WALES MARGARET RIVER ESPERANCE ALBANY KANGAROO ISLAND ADELAIDE CANBERRA SYDNEY VICTORIA MELBOURNE LAUNCESTON HOBART 16

17 PORT PORT VILA VILA NADI NADI FIJI FIJI FIJI FIJI SUVA SUVA Been inspired thinking about spreading your wings a little farther Then pick up one of our other brochures Discover AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SOUTH PACIFIC PAPEETE PAPEETE 3,400 KM 3,400 KM STUFF NOT TO BE MISSED TAHITI TAHITI SOUTH PACIFIC TAHITI AVARUA AVARUA 2,400 KM 2,400 KM FLIGHTS RAROTONGA (COOK ISLANDS) ACCOMMODATION AUCKLAND AUCKLAND ADVENTURE TRIPS NEW ZEALAND NELSON NELSON QUEENSTOWN QUEENSTOWN DUNEDIN DUNEDIN STEWART STEWART ISLAND ISLAND WELLINGTON WELLINGTON CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH ESSENTIALS MY SUMS 17

18 AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA Average High Temperature (ºC / ºF) City JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Sydney Byron Bay Brisbane Hamilton Island Cairns Adelaide Alice Springs Darwin Broome Perth Melbourne Hobart

19 AUSTRALIA

20 WORK IN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA why work in australia The Australian lifestyle is often envied the world over, with its year-round sunshine, tropical climate, beach culture and vast and varied landscapes to explore. Here is your chance to get a little taste of life Down Under. Now s the perfect time to get working, help fund your travels as well as boosting your CV. There are some absolute essentials even the most die-hard, freestyling, independent traveller shouldn t leave home without. We ve stripped it down so you can build your own working holiday adventure to fit your own style of travel. Or, if you prefer to just get on with planning the fun stuff, choose one of our fully inclusive starter packages. Working Holiday visas 330 Our visa service is quick, competitive and efficient. You tell us what we need to know and we ll sort it out. Simple! Get planning your escape strategy now. Stress-free starter packs 176 Our starter packages are perfect for anyone wanting a head start getting settled in Oz. Going abroad and attempting to find work in a foreign environment can be a daunting task, so our starter packages offer support every step of the way. With everything you could possibly need to help you find your feet once in Oz, they offer excellent value for money. On arrival in Australia, your included transfer will get you to the hostel in no time. Staff will give you one-to-one help with job hunting, and you ll get help setting up a bank account, tax file number and Medicare account. You ll also get an Aussie mobile SIM card so you can be in touch with potential employers straight away. Help with CV building, 2nd year visa and migration help and discounted training courses can help set you up for the future too. At the hostel you ll be surrounded and supported by other travellers in the same position. Included daily activities will give you a break from job searching and a chance to get to know your new home, and new friends. See page 22. The essentials Just want to sort out the basics? We ve stripped it down so you can get your hands on the essentials needed by anyone looking for work in Oz. Tax pack fr 25 If you re travelling to Australia and intend to work, an Australian Tax File Number is essential or you could end up paying half your wages in tax. Emergency tax in Australia is 48%, ouch! By arranging a tax file number before you head to Oz saves hassle and stress on arrival and you ll avoid losing a chunk of your pay to the taxman. You ll also get help applying for your tax and superannuation refund at the end of your trip or tax year. The average refund is 1,500! Australian Bank ACCOUNT fr 25 Avoid banking bureaucracy by setting up your bank account before you arrive. Organised in just 4-5 days, you can even start paying money into it before you leave so you have money ready and waiting for your arrival. No need to delay working, your bank account will be ready to receive wages immediately. GLOBAL sim card fr including 10 call-time Our Prepaid Global SIM card can be used all over the world, offering up free incoming calls in 70 countries, and great call and data rates. One number wherever you travel makes it easy to keep in touch with friends and family, as well as potential employers. 20 VISIT