TRAVEL INFORMATION
A few important details to help you prepare for your journey with Active Downunder.
Because every itinerary we create is fully customized, the information below provides a general overview of how we work.
Your own journey may vary depending on your interests, destinations and travel style.
Before you Travel
Passport Validity
US Citizens passports must have at least 6 months validity (past the date you intend to leave New Zealand, Australia, Fiji or Tahiti)
NZeTA
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New Zealand: Most visitors require an NZeTA before travel. The official fee is NZD $17 when using the government app (or NZD $23 online), plus the mandatory NZD $100 International Visitor Levy (IVL). Valid for two years. Obtain your NZeTA here
Australian ETA
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Australia: Eligible passport holders (including U.S. citizens) require an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), which is obtained through the official Australian ETA app and currently costs AUD $20. Valid for 12 months. Apply for your Australia ETA here
GETTING AROUND
One of the greatest advantages of a customized journey is that there isn't just one way to experience New Zealand or Australia. Every itinerary we design is tailored to your travel style, comfort level and interests, and we'll recommend the best way to explore based on the experience you're looking for. Many of our clients enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a self-drive holiday, allowing them to travel at their own pace and discover hidden gems along the way. While New Zealand and Australia drive on the left-hand side of the road, most North American visitors adapt surprisingly quickly and enjoy the freedom a self-drive journey provides. For those who prefer to sit back and simply enjoy the scenery, we can arrange private drivers and expert local guides for part or all of your journey. We can also incorporate scenic rail journeys, allowing you to relax while taking in some of the country's most spectacular landscapes. If you prefer a slower pace, we can create an itinerary based around one or more regions, using carefully chosen accommodations as a base for guided day tours. While this style of travel reduces the amount of time spent changing hotels, New Zealand's landscapes change dramatically every few hours, so travelers who move between regions are rewarded with an extraordinary variety of scenery and experiences. For travelers wishing to combine land and sea, we can seamlessly incorporate an Australia or New Zealand cruise into a personalized land itinerary, creating a journey that offers the very best of both experiences. Having designed custom journeys throughout New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific for more than 23 years, we've created everything from classic self-drive adventures to fully guided luxury vacations, rail journeys, regional escapes and cruise extensions. We'll help you choose the style of travel that's the perfect fit for you.
Self Drive
Perfect for travelers who enjoy the freedom to explore at their own pace. We'll design an easy-to-follow route, recommend scenic stops, and provide detailed driving directions. While New Zealand and Australia drive on the left-hand side of the road, most visitors adapt quickly and appreciate the flexibility a self-drive journey offers.
CHOOSE YOUR STYLE
Scenic Flights & Private Charters
Looking for something extraordinary?
Many of our clients choose to enhance their journey with scenic helicopter flights, fixed-wing scenic flights or private air charters. Whether it's landing on a glacier, flying over Milford Sound or reaching remote luxury lodges, we'll recommend experiences that complement your itinerary.
AIR TRAVEL
Whether you're flying internationally from the United States or connecting between destinations within New Zealand and Australia, we're happy to arrange your flights as part of your customized itinerary. We partner with Global Travel Collection to offer competitive airfares and carefully coordinate your flights with your land arrangements, ensuring every part of your journey connects seamlessly. Our air ticketing service includes researching the most suitable flight options, coordinating schedules with your itinerary, submitting seat requests, special meal requests and frequent flyer details where applicable, and monitoring your flights for airline schedule changes. If changes occur, we'll work directly with the airline on your behalf, helping you navigate their policies and minimize disruption to your travel plans. Air Ticketing Fees * Flights booked as part of a land package: $75 pp * Air-only bookings: $100 pp * Rebooking: $50pp These fees cover the research, booking, coordination and ongoing management of your flights before departure. Should your itinerary change after your tickets have been issued, a **$50 per person** service fee will apply for flight rebooking or refund processing (where permitted under the airline's fare rules). Please note that Active Downunder acts as an agent for the airlines. Airline schedules, fare rules, credits and refund policies are determined solely by the airline. While we have no control over these policies, we'll always advocate on your behalf and use our experience and industry relationships to help achieve the best possible outcome. If you wish to use frequent flyer miles or airline credits, we ask that your flights are booked and confirmed before we begin designing your land itinerary so we can seamlessly coordinate all travel arrangements. Airfares and Taxes are often non-refundable. We highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance at time of booking.
By booking your flights and land arrangements together, we can better coordinate arrival times, transfers, scenic flights and regional connections, helping your journey run as smoothly as possible.
OUR TRAVEL STYLE
We believe where you stay is just as important as where you go. We carefully curate accommodations that reflect the character and spirit of each destination, from luxury lodges and boutique hotels to distinctive resorts and a select collection of exceptional bed & breakfasts. Every property is chosen for its quality, location, service and authentic sense of place, ensuring your accommodation enhances your journey rather than simply providing a place to sleep. Whenever possible, we personally visit the properties we recommend, giving you the confidence that every stay has been carefully selected based on firsthand experience.
We specialize in complete, personalized journeys, carefully coordinating every element of your trip so each experience flows seamlessly from beginning to end.
No two travelers are alike, and neither are the journeys we create. Every itinerary is designed around your interests, pace and travel style, with accommodations chosen to complement the experiences you'll enjoy along the way. Whether you're seeking a luxury lodge overlooking dramatic landscapes, a boutique hotel in the heart of the city or a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature, our goal is always the same—to create a journey that feels uniquely yours.
travel insurance
Travel is an investment, and protecting that investment is one of the most important decisions you'll make before you depart. While we hope every journey goes exactly as planned, unexpected events can happen before or during your trip, from illness or injury to travel delays, lost luggage or unforeseen cancellations. For more than 23 years, Active Downunder has proudly partnered with Allianz Global Assistance, providing our clients with comprehensive travel protection and exceptional support when they need it most. We've recommended Allianz because we've seen firsthand how they have helped our travelers through unexpected situations, giving them peace of mind and allowing them to focus on enjoying their journey. Travel insurance can provide valuable protection by helping cover eligible expenses if you need to: Cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason. Manage unexpected travel delays and additional accommodation or meal costs. Receive emergency medical treatment while traveling or arrange a medical evacuation if necessary. Protect yourself against costly rental car damage. Access 24-hour emergency assistance and travel support from anywhere in the world. Because every journey is different, we'll provide an Allianz Global Assistance quote tailored to your itinerary as part of your travel proposal. We strongly recommend purchasing your policy as soon as you pay your trip deposit, as certain time-sensitive benefits, including coverage relating to pre-existing medical conditions, may only be available when insurance is purchased within the required timeframe. If you have any questions about coverage or selecting the right plan, we're always happy to help guide you through the options.
Why We Recommend Allianz
Over the past 24 years, we've had numerous clients successfully use their Allianz travel insurance following unexpected illness, weather disruptions, travel delays and medical emergencies. That real-world experience gives us confidence in recommending them to every traveler.
final payment & travel documents
planning fee, deposit,
Planning Fee
Designing a highly customized itinerary takes many hours of research, coordination and planning. To ensure every client receives the attention their journey deserves, we charge a non-refundable $300 Trip Design Fee for most itineraries for up to four travelers.
Fees for larger groups. longer and more complex itineraries and last minute trips will be quoted on a case by case basis
Local Support Throughout Your Journey
One of the advantages of booking with Active Downunder is that you're never travelling alone. Before departure you'll receive the contact details of your dedicated in-country support team, giving you the reassurance that local assistance is available should you need it during your travels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
While travel insurance isn't mandatory, we strongly recommend it to protect your investment against unexpected cancellations, medical emergencies, travel delays and other unforeseen events.
Can I use frequent flyer miles?
Yes. If you plan to redeem frequent flyer miles, we ask that your flights are booked and confirmed before we begin designing your land itinerary so we can coordinate everything seamlessly.
Do I have to drive in New Zealand or Australia?
Not at all. We can design your journey using a combination of self-drive, private drivers, rail journeys, day tours, cruises and domestic flights, depending on your preferences.
I'm nervous about driving on the left-hand side. What do you recommend?
Many visitors adapt surprisingly quickly and enjoy the flexibility of a self-drive holiday. If you'd rather not drive, we offer plenty of alternatives including private touring, scenic rail journeys and guided day tours.
Do you arrange domestic flights?
Yes. If Active Downunder is arranging your international flights, we're happy to book your domestic flights as part of your complete itinerary. If you've chosen to book your own international flights, we'll recommend the appropriate domestic flights, which you'll then book directly.
Can you arrange scenic helicopter flights or private air charters?
Absolutely. From glacier landings and Milford Sound scenic flights to private charters reaching remote luxury lodges, we can incorporate unforgettable aviation experiences into your itinerary.
Why don't you itemize itinerary pricing?
Our journeys are carefully designed as complete travel experiences rather than a collection of individual bookings. This allows us to focus on creating the best overall value and seamless travel experience for our clients.
Will I receive printed travel documents?
Before departure, you'll receive your final itinerary electronically, including your travel documents and the contact details for your dedicated in-country support team, giving you peace of mind that local assistance is always just a phone call away should you need it.
Upon arrival, you'll also receive a professionally printed and bound copy of your itinerary as part of your Welcome Packet, either from your private transfer driver or delivered to your first accommodation, depending on your itinerary. It's one of the many thoughtful touches that helps ensure your journey begins smoothly and you have everything you need at your fingertips throughout your travels.
From the moment you arrive until you return home, you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that both Active Downunder and our trusted local partners are available to assist should the unexpected arise.
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Dept of State
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