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I’m in the VERY early stages of thinking about this. The timing is probably late 2024 very early 2025. I have a 2-4-1 with a Feb 25 expiry date.
The loose idea i have at the moment is to use 2-4-1 LHR-SYD return. I’m prepared for the T355 bunfight if necessary, or might even try from the regions later if that fails.
The whole trip could last something like 6-8 weeks. I thought I might base myself in Aus and then do side trips around Australia, side trip to NZ (maybe 2 weeks including travelling time) and side trip to South Pacific (maybe 1 week including travelling time).Considerations that I would appreciate any input with are:
-Probable timing late 2024 or early 2025 (may impact point on South Pacific below)
-Should I base myself (say Sydney for example) and then do everything as separate excursions from there. Or should I keep moving venue to venue with all luggage etc.
-If I based myself in Sydney is there anything smarter than just having an AirBnb (or similar) for the whole trip duration as a base and leaving everything there and travelling – bit of an expensive way of tackling the problem.
-Side trips will most likely be cash flight purchases
-Any recommendations on South Pacific, the options as I see it are: Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa/American Samoa and New Caledonia. Any pro’s and con’s on these much appreciated
-Any general advice for a trip like this also appreciated.If your plans are travelling around Aus/ NZ, the good news is it’s easy to get hotel rooms with washing machines for laundry. That may diminish the need for the Airbnb base.
Flights around Australia and out of Australia are VERY expensive now. Booked a 2-hour flight from Sydney to Hamilton in business last month and it was just over 1100 pounds. Fiji in October was 1200. Depending on your destinations it may be cheaper to base out of Bali and fly into Australia from there.
Fiji is best if you go to the islands; the main island is fine, but the islands are more beautiful. If you want time on the main island the Intercon has the best beach and (to me) is less depressing than the Denarau resorts – but it’s a way away. The Shangri la may be open again after a refurb is a close second to the IC for me. Both get you into places to explore the interior of Fiji which is interesting.
Last October I did Sofitel and Six Senses; I have never felt more relief than when I got to my room at the six senses. The Sofitel reminded me of all the worst things about Hawaii; nasty 70s concrete hotel – my room was a concrete tomb and not in an easter island way – far too many children, queues and needing to reserve tables for dinner – worst of all they wouldn’t let me late check out. There is a channel on you tube flip flop traveller who is about to go to Fiji in his travels which may help. He does high end hotel reviews very well.
I adore New Caledonia and would recommend to everyone a visit to the Isle of pines: for me it is heaven multi-hued water, pine trees, coral sailing and a jungle interior big enough to be able to go somewhere outside the hotel. The main island has an enormous barrier reef, there is a new intercontinental opening in NC – I’m going in May as likely not finished for this October My first national geographic published photo was taken on Isle of Pines so that helps my memories.
For other islands you may want to look at Vanuatu where you have lots of choice in islands and hotels and it can be good value; the Cook Islands are similar to French Polynesia both are much cheaper than Fiji and New Caledonia. You could do (some of) NZ + Cook Islands on one ticket from Sydney as you must connect in Auckland. Flights to NC from Sydney are the cheapest of the lot though.
There is a Sydney v Melbourne thing too; depending on your plans and your outlook you may prefer one more than the other. Melbourne, I feel there is more around it, great ocean road, the peninsulas, vineyards etc. It can be cheaper to fly out of Melbourne than Sydney; but public transport to the airport is WAY better in Sydney if you are planning lots of trips.
Doing an Aus trip next year, 3 bases in Airbnb over 6 weeks with a couple of hotels thrown in for good measure and side trips from Perth, Bris & Sydney. I need to move around for family visits.
If you need a car Hertz were a sweet spot when booking over 2wks, the extended trip reduced the daily price quite a bit.
If you miss the BA flights then Qatar from SYD and AKL were available at much reduced taxes, https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/10/14/how-to-get-to-australia-new-zealand-with-avios-points/
I’d move around as you see fit; why keep backtracking or hiring two places at once – laundry and storage are not hard to solve in far more efficient ways than hiring a house to sit empty.
I’d also play around with what your Avios can do and don’t get hung up feeling that 2-for-1 voucher is the centre of the universe. Internationally QANTAS are pretty hopeless but all sorts of options on Qatar (they fly to and from a lot of places in the UK and Aus so your chances of getting reward seats are pretty hood if you are flexible with itinerary and don’t mind some searching legwork.
Also, in particular Avios are exceptionally useful for Qantas internal flights (and sometimes NZ and other islands too). There’s a lot worse ways to fly short-haul than their full reclining seat A330 transcontinental business suite on flights for example, while with frequent services, reward-seat availability is not too much of an issue.
@u07ch @Hbommie @The Savage Squirrel thanks for all your comments it’s helping me to know where to focus.
As you are going for an extended trip, I hope you are including Tasmania in your travels. I went for eight days in May and despite keeping very busy, covered only a small part of the island which is spectacular for its scenery, wildlife, national parks as well as exceptional food, wine and friendly people.
I am doing Aus early next year, Feb to March. We are flying to Melbourne to see my daughter and take her on the trip with us. We booked MAN – MEL using Avios on Qatar (business) since that got us to Melbourne and was recommended in Rob’s article on using Qatar versus BA for Avios redemptions to Aus. We then do the Great Ocean road, Tasmania, Port Douglas (not ideal in Feb but can’t miss the GBR), then Sydney.
Lots of hotels / motels on GOR, in Port Douglas and in Tasmania that have 2 bedrooms and cooking and washing facilities so can travel light and not have to return to a base.
Return journey is Sydney to Singapore PE cash flight on Singapore Airways, a few days there before BA CW on Avios return to MAN using 241. Lots of availabilty using a new style 241 to a regional airport from SIN
@u07ch @Hbommie @The Savage Squirrel thanks for all your comments it’s helping me to know where to focus.
As you are going for an extended trip, I hope you are including Tasmania in your travels. I went for eight days in May and despite keeping very busy, covered only a small part of the island which is spectacular for its scenery, wildlife, national parks as well as exceptional food, wine and friendly people.
Interesting-I wasn’t really planning to include Tasmania, but it sounds like I might need to adjust my plan to include it thanks for the tip.
I am doing Aus early next year, Feb to March. We are flying to Melbourne to see my daughter and take her on the trip with us. We booked MAN – MEL using Avios on Qatar (business) since that got us to Melbourne and was recommended in Rob’s article on using Qatar versus BA for Avios redemptions to Aus. We then do the Great Ocean road, Tasmania, Port Douglas (not ideal in Feb but can’t miss the GBR), then Sydney.
Lots of hotels / motels on GOR, in Port Douglas and in Tasmania that have 2 bedrooms and cooking and washing facilities so can travel light and not have to return to a base.
Return journey is Sydney to Singapore PE cash flight on Singapore Airways, a few days there before BA CW on Avios return to MAN using 241. Lots of availabilty using a new style 241 to a regional airport from SIN
Thanks RCHammer, I will probably include Melbourne, GOR and Great Barrier reef too.
I’m a bit confused on your travelling, you say MAN-MEL on Qatar and returning BA 2-4-1 SIN-MAN does that mean you are using your 2-4-1 one direction only?
Seconding the recommendation of Tasmania. We loved it and didn’t spend long enough there (only stayed 6 days so travelled around the south).
RCHammer wrote:</divReturn journey is Sydney to Singapore PE cash flight on Singapore Airways, a few days there before BA CW on Avios return to MAN using 241. Lots of availabilty using a new style 241 to a regional airport from SIN
Thanks RCHammer, I will probably include Melbourne, GOR and Great Barrier reef too.
I’m a bit confused on your travelling, you say MAN-MEL on Qatar and returning BA 2-4-1 SIN-MAN does that mean you are using your 2-4-1 one direction only?
The 241 can be used one way, but not used on Qatar. It works to think outside of the 241 box if you are Avios rich.
My routing to Aus includes a stay in the far east MAN to BKK flying Finnair with cash and then we are travelling around on LCC’s, SIN to PER partly using the Amex travel credit. Then the Aus section on Qantas Avios, and back with Qatar. Probably could’ve saved a little but the route to BKK can be a challenge.
Thanks RCHammer, I will probably include Melbourne, GOR and Great Barrier reef too.
I’m a bit confused on your travelling, you say MAN-MEL on Qatar and returning BA 2-4-1 SIN-MAN does that mean you are using your 2-4-1 one direction only?
Yes, just using it for the return leg only. Avios booked on Qatar website without 241 for outbound leg MAN to MEL, then had to wait a few months to collect enough Avios and used one of our 241’s to reduce the Avios needed to book SIN to MAN on BA website
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