2025 Australia, Tasmania and Sydney Mardi Gras – Trip Guide

Thank you for booking our 2025 Australia, Tasmania, and Sydney Mardi Gras tour! Your adventure is just around the corner!

About 30 days before your trip , you will receive personalized travel documents via email, detailing all your trip inclusions and airport transfer information. In the meantime, we’ve included additional information below to help you prepare for the exciting journey ahead.

PERSONAL TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

All documentation required for this itinerary is the sole responsibility of the guest. Brand g Vacations will not be responsible for advising and/or obtaining required travel documentation for any passenger, or for any delays, damages, and/or losses, including missed portions of your trip, related to improper or absent travel documentation. It is suggested that copies of important documents, including your passport and visas, be kept in a separate place, in case the originals are lost or stolen.

Passport: A passport that is valid for at least six (6) months after your return date is required for this program. Citizens of other countries should verify passport validity requirements with your home country government.

Visa Information:
You must have a visa or an approved Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia. Most U.S. passport holders traveling to Australia for tourism purposes for less than 90 days can obtain an ETA. The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), allows multiple entries within 12 months, with each stay lasting up to 3 months. The ETA application can be completed online through the Australian ETA app, available on both iOS and Android. Processing is typically fast but can take up to 72 hours, so it’s recommended to apply well in advance.

If your home country is not eligible for the ETA, you should apply for a different visa through the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Be sure to check your flight itinerary if transiting through other countries, as additional visas may be required.
For more information and to apply, visit: Australian ETA application page.

HEALTH AND MOBILITY
Vaccinations: No specific vaccines are required, but consult your physician for recommendations.
Physical Limitations: Australia’s excursions may involve walking or uneven terrain. Please assess your ability to participate. Contact us if you have any concerns.
Medical: Ensure you carry all medications. Travel insurance with medical coverage is highly recommended.

DIETARY AND MEDICAL INFORMATION
Please inform us of dietary restrictions at least 45 days prior (Tuesday, January 2, 2025.). While we’ll do our best to accommodate, not all requests can be guaranteed.

LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS
Most airlines allow checked bags up to 23kg (50 lbs) and carry-ons up to 7kg (15 lbs). Carry-on dimensions: max 118 cm (46.5 inches). Checked bags should not exceed 158 cm (62 inches). Always verify with your airline for the latest baggage policies.

AIRPORT SECURITY AND CHECK-IN
Please be sure to contact your airline prior to departure and verify there have been no changes to the flight number or schedule. If you have an airport transfer confirmed with Brand g, please advise of any schedule change affecting your airport pick up time.
Familiarize yourself with current airport security procedures and arrive at the airport at least two and a half (2.5) hours prior to your scheduled departure. During peak travel times, you may want to arrive three (3) hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
CUSTOMS
Entry documents will be required at all border crossings, so please carry proper identification with you all times, and never place it in checked luggage.
When arriving by airplane, it is not unusual for a border guard to ask you questions such as “where are you from,” “where are you going,” “how long will you be there,” or “what is the purpose of your trip.” Always answer honestly and politely.
If you are bringing laptops, cameras, or other electrical equipment with you on your trip, you may be required to register these items with the local customs authority in order to ensure you are not charged duty on these items when you return home.
Most items you purchase internationally can be brought back into the US and Canada. We do recommend, however, that you check with both your home country’s customs office for current restrictions, as well as with the embassies of the countries you are visiting for any restrictions on items that may be unlawful to take outside their borders.
When you return to your home country, you should be prepared to declare everything you purchased or acquired while traveling. Many countries will ask you to complete a customs form, which will require descriptions and values of the items. These forms are easier to complete if you keep your sales receipts easily accessible. Most countries have set customs duty exemptions for both quantity and value of certain items. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with these allowances and limits prior to your travel.

CHECK-IN/HOTEL CHECK-OUT
Please be advised that most hotels do not allow check-in earlier than 3:00pm. If you arrive at the hotel before 3:00pm, there may be a wait until the room becomes available. Check-out at most host hotel properties is 12:00pm. If your arrival or departure schedule does not coincide with these times, you may ask the hotel(s) to store your baggage while you explore independently. Please note that every effort is made to ensure that your hotel room is available and ready for occupancy upon your arrival, however a short wait for your room to become available may be unavoidable. Depending on your arrival or departure times, you may wish to purchase an early check-in, late check-out, or additional hotel night in order to guarantee availability of your room. Feel free to contact Brand g Vacations or your travel agent to book additional services.
TRANSFERS
Guests who provide their flight details to Brand g Vacations no later than 45 days prior to departure (by December 20, 2024) will automatically have airport arrival and departure transfers arranged. Flight arrangements must align with Brand g Vacations’ recommendations. Guests are responsible for checking with airlines and updating their flight details. For any questions regarding flight arrangements, please contact your travel agent or Brand g Vacations.

Arrival Transfers: For guests arriving in Australia, flights should be scheduled to land at Melbourne Airport (MEL) by February 16, 2025, as the first activity is set for approximately 5:30 PM. Arrival transfers will be provided from Melbourne Airport to the Crown Towers Melbourne, with the transfer taking around 20–30 minutes. Please check your travel documents, which will be emailed approximately 30 days before your trip, for details on where to meet your transfer at the airport.

For those participating in both New Zealand and Australia trips, your flight from Queenstown, New Zealand to Melbourne will be arranged for an additional fee.

Departure Transfers: Transfers will be provided from Capella Sydney to the airport for your independently arranged flight. A departure confirmation will be provided during the trip with details on the meeting time and place for your transfer.

Travel Delays: If you experience a travel delay while still in your home country, after working with your air carrier to revise your flight schedule, please contact Brand g’s Minneapolis-based Operations Office at 952-405-9309 to advise us of your revised arrival date and time. If the line is busy or you are calling outside of general business hours, please leave a message.

If you have already departed your home country, please contact our local staff at the numbers provided below in the Important Contact Information section. Please note, this section may not be added until we email your personalized travel documents to you about 30 days prior to the trip start date.
If you purchased travel insurance that covers flight delay and cancellation expenses, you will also want to contact your travel insurance company to start a claim for expenses incurred during your delay. If the delay is serious enough that you will miss the starting point of your cruise, any additional hotel, and/or flight arrangements necessary to meet your group will be at your expense.

Baggage Delays: Baggage delays unfortunately occur from time to time, especially during peak travel periods. If you discover any bag did not make it to your destination, do not leave the airport baggage area without completing a Lost Baggage Report with your air carrier. This report is essential to the tracking of your claim. If you have an airport transfer scheduled, and are traveling with a companion, we recommend that one person exit the baggage claim area and locate the representative to inform him or her of the situation. This will allow the representative to ensure that the transfer is properly provided. Give the air carrier a copy of your travel itinerary, along with the hotel and ship contact information. Report your lost baggage to your Brand g Vacations host and provide them with a copy of your Lost Baggage Report. Brand g Vacations is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and/or personal belongings. Selecting a travel insurance plan that will cover lost or stolen luggage and/or personal items is highly recommended.

PROGRAM STAFF
A Brand g Vacations Tour Leader will be with you during your travel program to handle all the details, leaving you to relax and enjoy your vacation.

CONTACTING HOME
The ability to stay in touch with friends and family is an important part of travel, and many guests choose to bring cell phones on the trip. International roaming charges can be expensive, and it is advisable to contact your local carrier to determine the charges and plans available for each country you are visiting, then select the best available plan for your expected usage. In some countries, SIM cards are available for purchase that can be used in an unlocked phone (call your carrier to determine if your phone is, or can be, unlocked), providing a local number that can be used both locally and internationally, usually at a significantly lower rate.

Making international calls from the hotels is possible, but costly. Connection fees are usually applied, in addition to other call charges.
While cell phone service is typically available in the larger cities of Australia may be limited, and at times may not be available at all. Should you choose to bring your cell phone on your vacation, please refrain from conducting conversations during the guides’ excursion commentary.

INTERNET ACCESS
All hotels used in Australia provide complimentary Internet access.

CURRENCY AND MONEY MATTERS
The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Currency exchanges are available at airports and major hotels, or you can withdraw local currency from ATMs. In cities such as Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart (Tasmania), and Sydney, you can pay for purchases using cash, debit, or credit cards. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted, but it’s a good idea to carry small denominations of cash for smaller vendors. Be sure to notify your bank of your travel plans to avoid card issues abroad.

Credit cards can be used in all department stores and in some smaller stores also. The most widely accepted cards are Visa and MasterCard first and foremost, but also American Express and Diners Club.

Please contact your bank and/or credit card companies to let them know that you will be leaving the country to avoid any problems using your debit/ATM and credit card(s) overseas.

GRATUITIES
Optional Gratuities for the included components of this program have been pre-paid. You are welcome to provide additional tips at your discretion.

SMOKING
Smoking is allowed only in designated areas throughout the program. All hotel rooms are non-smoking.
We ask everyone to refrain from smoking while on excursions.

ELECTRICAL CURRENT
In Australia, the power plugs and sockets are of type I. The standard voltage is 230V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. If your devices are not compatible with this voltage or plug type, you will need a power adapter and possibly a voltage converter. Be sure to check your electronic devices for compatibility before your trip.

EXCURSIONS
Your tour program includes comprehensive excursions led by a local English-speaking guide; these excursions have been designed to provide you with the best possible experience. Your Brand g Vacations host will provide details on each day’s excursion(s) and timing. Should guests be concerned about any aspect of an excursion, please inform your local guide or Brand g Vacations host.

ETIQUETTE
Customs in Australia may differ from your home country. The itinerary takes you through areas where locals are living their daily lives. If you’d like to take photos of people, please request their permission (pointing to your camera and waiting for a nod is sufficient). Your guides will inform you when photography is prohibited in certain locations. Always be respectful of local customs and cultural sensitivities, particularly in indigenous communities or sacred sites.

FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Many of the places we visit on the itinerary are not handicapped accessible. Many excursions involve walking over uneven ground. Additionally, some excursions are walking tours only. For your safety and enjoyment, we recommend that all guests be in good physical condition.

At its sole discretion, Brand g reserves the right to refuse participation, or to require a passenger to end his or her trip if the passenger’s state of health or physical condition may affect his or her own health, safety, and enjoyment, or that of other passengers.

SECURITY
In the countries in which we operate, pickpockets are not uncommon, and caution is encouraged. Brand g cannot be held liable for loss of money, jewelry, or other valuable items from a hotel, or while on an excursion. A travel insurance policy will typically cover most incidents of loss or theft.

WEATHER
Weather forecasts are widely available on the Internet, and you can check sites like weather.com or CNN Weather for current conditions.

Average High/Low (°F) for February:

• Melbourne: 79°F / 58°F
• Adelaide: 83°F / 61°F
• Hobart (Tasmania): 71°F / 55°F
• Sydney: 80°F / 66°F

Prepare for a range of temperatures across the different locations on your trip.

WHAT TO BRING
Travel Essentials: The following items are essential for any destination: sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, rain jacket and umbrella. It is recommended that you bring duplicates of prescription eyewear, copies of prescriptions for any medications (generic equivalents are usually easier to obtain), copies of credit card information, and copies of your passport information pages and visas.

Clothing: Comfortable, sporty, casual clothing is appropriate throughout the trip. We suggest natural and/or moisture-wicking fabrics in light colors which may be layered, such as a mix of lightweight shirts, everyday khakis, slacks, skirts/dresses, and walking shorts, along with a lightweight jacket or pullover for early mornings, late evenings, and air-conditioned spaces. It is also recommended to bring a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella.

Shorts, or lightweight pants, good walking shoes, and sun hats during the day are highly recommended.

Sport jackets and cocktail dresses are not needed at any time during this program. However, we do recommend a few dressier outfits for dinners and evenings out.

Footwear: You will engage in a significant amount of walking over uneven terrain. We recommend comfortable walking shoes, with good ankle support.
Laundry: Laundry service is available for an extra fee at the hotels. Instructions and fees are listed in your Guest Service Directory book or within the closet in your hotel room. Self-service laundry facilities are not available in the hotels.

Important Contact Information
Please take a copy of this with you and provide a copy to your family members or friends in case they need to reach you in the event of an emergency.

Australia operates in GMT+10 (AEDT), meaning when it is noon on Thursday in New York, it’s Friday 4:00 AM in Sydney. For international calls, dial +61, followed by the number.