July/Aug 2019 Australia dates ALREADY in waitlist status?

[JessLCH]

If these dates are not even open for sale yet how are of the July and August 2019 dates already on waitlist?

 

[Grifdog22]

Well...Australia really is that good.

In light of the postings that follow, I amend my comment. Australia really is that good - but some of this you may want to do on your own.

 

[acndis]

Well...Australia really is that good.

Did you see the kayaking is no longer at Byron Bay???!!!!

 

[DCPhotoGal]

If these dates are not even open for sale yet how are of the July and August 2019 dates already on waitlist?

I think that sometimes the waitlist trips are reserved for groups, and sometimes they are basically reserved dates that they will open up for a trip if they get enough on the waitlist. If you really want those dates it's worth inquiring.

 

[Grifdog22]

Did you see the kayaking is no longer at Byron Bay???!!!!

CRAP! In our opinion Byron Bay was the best part of the re-imagined Australia trip which they released in 2017. It was an amazing place and our favorite day. To us it was a huge part of the "story" of Australia. This immersive storyline is what we used to love about ABD. Byron Bay was part of Australia's European founding and current culture. Removing it from the story we were presented by ABD on our trip is like having Delores Umbridge rip out the first three and last three chapters of the original Harry Potter book and telling you that she is your best friend and you didn't really need to know anything.

What a shame - folks - a day at Byron Bay is something you should add on if you go.

So they replaced this amazing day with a kayak "experience" that you can do in a pool in your backyard. We almost walked to this location from the hotel - it is a popular and crowded beach spot and fun for on your own time. Your hotel is on the beachfront and just slightly up from the spit (see map) But this activity certainly is not what they say - it is really just a sand fill in on the Gold coast by the inlet, and appropriately named - Wave Break island.



ABD says "Head out to this undeveloped island which was created in 1985 to help protect the shores of the Broadwater and is recognized as a visual asset for the Gold Coast community and all those who visit. Kayak out to the island to see what makes it so special."

It's just a dredged sandbar dump in the middle of the inlet. Nice - as it has no development on it - but it is essentially another sandbar beach, with only calm water and minimal natural waves. I guess that is your kayaking - across the sound to a beach you can almost walk/wade to from the mainland

In Byron Bay you really did kayak in the ocean, at the easternmost point of Australia paddling toward a real island, in the ocean instead of a completely dull and controlled backwash environment. You could then climb the peak and tour the lighthouse and surrounding area; this was a place scouted out by Captain Cook. And of course the 1/2 day exploration of Byron Bay itself was terrific, as was the food.

In my opinion -- BOOO DISNEY for this very poor change.

 

[EllinK]

CRAP! In our opinion Byron Bay was the best part of the re-imagined Australia trip which they released in 2017. It was an amazing place and our favorite day.

This was the ABD that I planned to book. Argh! Now maybe Australia will be an "on our own" trip.

 

[tgeorge]

This was the ABD that I planned to book. Argh! Now maybe Australia will be an "on our own" trip.

I've looked into other options for Australia and I'm pretty happy with what I've found. I was all set on ABD, but then they changed it and I'm just not happy with the changes either. Plus, everyone I know says that Australia is SO easy to do on your own. You can create an itinerary around what you find most appealing. I'm just having a hard time getting my husband to commit to either Australia or Japan (with ABD). But, we won't go until 2020, so we have a little more time to decide. Good luck with your decision.

 

[EllinK]

I've looked into other options for Australia and I'm pretty happy with what I've found. I was all set on ABD, but then they changed it and I'm just not happy with the changes either. Plus, everyone I know says that Australia is SO easy to do on your own. You can create an itinerary around what you find most appealing. I'm just having a hard time getting my husband to commit to either Australia or Japan (with ABD). But, we won't go until 2020, so we have a little more time to decide. Good luck with your decision.

Thank you. I will attempt to PM you to find out more...

 

[acndis]

You can definitely do it on your own! I (like Grifdog) would HIGHLY recommend a few days in Byron Bay. It is one of my top 5 places EVER. Loved Australia! Also, if you do it on your own, think about adding New Zealand. We were only there for a few days and LOVED it. Info on Auckland is in my Aulani trip report in my signature. Also, always happy to answer questions.

 

[acndis]

The guides and I even said while we were in Byron Bay that we were sure they would remove this by next year. Only half of our group went because the kayaking was so strenuous. It just seemed doomed and that is so depressing. It was by far by favorite day of the trip and one of my best days on any trip. Just thinking about it makes me sigh! That's the one place in Oz that I am dying to get back to some day.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

CRAP! In our opinion Byron Bay was the best part of the re-imagined Australia trip which they released in 2017. It was an amazing place and our favorite day. ...

In Byron Bay you really did kayak in the ocean, at the easternmost point of Australia paddling toward a real island, in the ocean instead of a completely dull and controlled backwash environment. You could then climb the peak and tour the lighthouse and surrounding area; this was a place scouted out by Captain Cook. And of course the 1/2 day exploration of Byron Bay itself was terrific, as was the food.

In my opinion -- BOOO DISNEY for this very poor change.

Byron Bay ended up being Christmas Day for our trip, and I think we had a different experience than the other tours. We got a fancy Christmas lunch at the restaurant, but most of the shops were closed and we didn't have much time to explore the town. It was REALLY HOT when we walked up to the lighthouse so some folks didn't choose to go up. Our kayaking was not in the ocean, but on one of the feeder waterways (probably similar to the one they are using next year). I'm not sure if that was just for our tour, or if something had happened earlier in the season that had brought that change on. The guides did say that some people found the ocean kayaking difficult, and our experience was much more laid back. We did get some time to go see the beach, and probably the coolest part was spending a fun outdoorsy Christmas day with family, just like the locals.

I wonder why they made the change... I'm sure it saves on the transportation costs back and forth, but I agree, it doesn't sound like a positive change from an experience standpoint.