Home > Our Publications > Travel Australia and New Zealand > March 2006

AUSTRALIA is now well-established as a travel destination for all ages, for all reasons and for all seasons. A few years ago it was all the rage for backpackers and gap year travellers but all that has changed.
While these groups are still well catered for, and can now obtain a, second working holiday visa, in some circumstances, Australia is an ideal holiday destination for married couples and retirees.
Air fares have become cheaper in real terms over recent years but the standard of cabins and food on the major airlines has improved dramatically. While there is more comfort, flying times have been reduced on most flights - making the journey even more bearable for everyone, especially older people.
And everything is only going to get even better with the introduction of the giant Airbus A380, which might even have shops and a gym on board, plus Boeings 787 Dreamliner. Not only will these planes provide even greater space and comfort but they are more fuel-efficient, which means that air fares should remain low, so helping to keep Australia as a can-afford destination.
Qantas and Singapore Airlines should be flying the A380 out of Australia later this year or early 2007 but you'll have to wait slightly longer for the Dreamliner, which is not scheduled to fly in Qantas colours until 2008. But the wait should be worth it. It will be flown initially on international routes but Qantas also plans to fly the aircraft domestically.
Qantas was hoping to be able to fly London-Sydney and Sydney-London non-stop but this required too much fuel to be carried so there will still be a one city stop-over on the way. While this will add around an hour to the journey it gives you a much-needed chance to stretch the legs and also take a cheap holiday in an exotic city, especially in Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore or Bangkok.
And, once in Australia there is no need to sit on a bus for hours on end to save money. Leave that to the backpackers. Virgin Blue and Qantas off-shoot, Jetstar now provide affordable and frequent flights between Australia’s major cities and towns, making it easy and cost-effective to see more of this huge country. And Jetstar is due to start flying internationally in 2007 under the name Jetstar International, which will give cheaper flights out of Australia a to many Asia/Pacific holiday hot spots.
Add to all this cheaper hotel accommodation with web booking sites such as Wotif.com and getting around Australia is highly affordable. Beats sitting in the rain in Manchester.