Where should I go?
Think about the destinations you’d like to visit, what you want to see and experience and how long you’re leaving home for. If you’re travelling all the way to the other side of the world, it makes good sense to stop off somewhere on the way. Once you’ve put together a plan, pop into your nearest STA Travel branch and chat to one of their friendly consultants. All STA staff are seasoned travellers, so they’re full of helpful advice, tips and tales about the places that you’re planning to visit.
When should I go?
A gap year to Australasia can be taken at any stage during your life. Most people take them as a school leaver in-between school and University or between school and getting a job, apprenticeship or whatever it is you’re looking to do next. Heck, you could even go years after you’ve finished your apprenticeship, A-Level training scheme or whatever it is you’re doing!
Getting around
Once you’ve decided where you’re off to, there are lots of ways that you can get around. If you’re keen to get yourself on one of STA Travel’s fantastic adventure trips, then please don’t be put off if it starts in one place and finishes up in another. STA sell ‘open jaw’ tickets – which quite simply allow you to fly in and out of different locations. Don’t forget that there are many ways to travel… you can go by plane, train, boat, coach, car – or even camel for part of the journey! STA offer all of this and more – so you can explore this amazing part of the world on your own terms.
Money
If travelling to Australia or New Zealand, don’t think you’ll be able to escape our worthy royal protector, because you’ll immediately recognise her ‘handsome’ face staring back at you from the back of each note and coin. Don’t let this put you off withdrawing money – every major town and city in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji will have ATMs, so you’ll have quick and easy access to your funds with your credit, debit or STA Cash Card.
STA Travel help you to work out a budget when you book your trip, but think about where you’ll be going, how long you’ll be away for and what you’ll be doing whilst you are there. Many of STA’s adventure trips include nearly everything you to need survive, so you’ll only need a small amount of money per day to get by. This amount is normally calculated by establishing how many additional activities you want to enjoy and how much shopping and drinking you intend to do whilst you’re away.
Travel Insurance
OK, travel insurance ain’t 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 will not be able to get travel insurance once you have left the UK.
Health
You don’t require any specific vaccinations for a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, but its your responsibility to obtain proper and detailed medical advice in good time before departure. We suggest that you visit the Department of Health website for up to date information. Your local GP can also give advice on which vaccinations you’ll need for particular countries. If you’re down in London, you can also pop into STA Travel Victoria which has a travel clinic attached, for a one-stop medical service before you travel.
Visas
Your trip of a lifetime will quickly grind to a screeching halt if you forget to sort out your entrance visas. If you hold a UK passport, you will need to organise an electronic visa with one of STA Travel’s friendly consultants if you plan on visiting Australia for any duration up to 90 days. If you plan on travelling to New Zealand or Fiji – double check with one of STA’s team that’s it ok to travel without a visa. Alternatively – if you want to spend a year working your way around Australia or New Zealand then apply for a working holiday visa.
Australia
We gave them our most dangerous convicts and criminals, and they sent over Rolph Harris, Danni Minogue and Peter Andre in return. Methinks they got the better deal. Anyway, let STA fly you over to Australia for the trip of a lifetime. Australia is so big you could fit the UK into it 31 times and still have a wee bit left over – which means there’s loads and loads to explore! So push aside all your stereotypical images of Down Under and prepare to have them replaced with something so much better. Australia boasts a plethora of ultra sexy cities and stunningly beautiful beaches. Prepare for wild lonely outback terrain, animal infested rainforest, amazing marine environments and a deep and very spiritual aboriginal culture.
New Zealand
New Zealand is split into two different islands, imaginatively entitled the North and the South, both are as good as each other, but each have their particular strengths. The North Island is rich, green and undulating, the South Island is dramatic and spectacular. New Zealand is the land of “Lord of the Rings”, lots of woolly sheep and miles and miles of the most outrageously beautiful scenery you’ll have ever set you awestruck eyes upon. It ticks just about every experience box you can think of – and a few more that you probably never even thought possible. Hike along enormous glaciers, bungy jump from towering bridges, skydive over snow-capped mountains and bathe in hot, volcanic pools.
Fiji
This little dot in the South Pacific is home to an abundance of amazing natural treasures – turn every corner and encounter nothing but beauty and wonder. The diaphanous blue seas, ivory white sands and star speckled balmy nights fuse to create something mightily close to orgasmic. And when you include the virtually impeccable climate, warm friendly people and amazing marine life – you have a combination that is guaranteed to quench the desire of even the most demanding traveller. You’ll fly into Nadi on the big Island of Viti Levu, and from there you can choose to further explore this culturally rich retreat, or head out to the Mamanuca or the Yasawa Island groups – this is where you’ll experience heaven on Earth.
