Austraia or New Zealand? Anyone have contacts there?

meanwhile · #1 12/26/09, 07:13 PM

Austraia or New Zealand? Anyone have contacts there?

My son and a friend arrived in Sydney, Australia on December 17th. They were to meet up with two "friends" from school (all four are recently graduated) who had made all the hotel and transportation arrangements. The two "friends" have just canceled which means no hotel/trans for my son and his travel buddy. They canceled EVERYTHING leaving my son with no reservations and no car.

My son and travel buddy have found safe Youth Hostel in Bryon Bay area till Thursday. (this was last week) Can you suggest a safe and reputable travel agency or any other safe booking agency? They already tried Tourist Information in both Sydney and Bryon Bay and were told they do not book hotels nor help with tours.

Is there any way for them to rent a car if I were to co-sign? They are only age 21 and age 22 and have been told they cannot rent a car/truck till age 26? Is there a way to rent at the younger ages?

They have air flights booked on Jan. 12th to New Zealand. If anyone has suggestions for there too we will be grateful.

Thank you for any suggestions (yes yes - we already know that the "friends" are not really "friends") and referrals.
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UPDATED: December 26th. My son did find a bus trip and is in the Noosa area now. Any contacts would be appreciated. They are on an island in the Everglades Park until Dec. 29th. They booked this with a place called Wicked Travel.

Our concern is that the U.S. Consulate told us that they should not be going North due to Crocodiles and "stingers" and that they should go South??
But - the Wicked Travel Agency told them to book North and keep it cheaper,.

Any tips and advice appreciated. Thank you.

PS They do not need a ride nor money. My husband and I and the Parents of the travel buddy have offered to help them with costs. They just need advice about where to rent a car OR if they can rent a car and then, where is SAFE to travel. Is it SAFE to go North to Hervey Bay, or Fraser Island and to Magnetic Island or Mission Beach and on the Tully River????? These are the places that the Wicked Travel Agency told them to go but the Consulate now tell me that people do NOT go there this time of year???

Thank you.
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**Ross** · #2 12/27/09, 07:01 AM

Can I suggest you try this question on the main HT board? I can move it for you if you want.

Valmai · #3 12/27/09, 07:33 AM

I live in NZ. First of all yes there are crocodiles and other nasties in Qld. BUT people still live there all year round. As long as they take sensible precautions when moving around where the indigenous wildlife can be dangerous they will be okay. (Don't swim where there are signs warning of crocodiles etc.) The consulate person is overreacting. Dont let this silly consulate person allow your son to ruin what should and hopefully will be a wonderful holiday. I'm not sure about car hire, but if they contact the Automobile Assn. (AA ) they will be able to set them straight. It sounds strange that Tourist Info wouldn't help them. Any travel agency, hotel and even the youth hostel staff should be able to help them get things sorted. I'll do some googling and see if I can help any more. Do you have any more questions?

Valmai · #4 12/27/09, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valmai

I live in NZ. First of all yes there are crocodiles and other nasties in Qld. BUT people still live there all year round. As long as they take sensible precautions when moving around where the indigenous wildlife can be dangerous they will be okay. (Don't swim where there are signs warning of crocodiles etc.) The consulate person is overreacting. Dont let this silly consulate person allow your son to ruin what should and hopefully will be a wonderful holiday. I'm not sure about car hire, but if they contact the Automobile Assn. (AA ) they will be able to set them straight. It sounds strange that Tourist Info wouldn't help them. Any travel agency, hotel and even the youth hostel staff should be able to help them get things sorted. I'll do some googling and see if I can help any more. Do you have any more questions?

http://www.travel-lists.co.uk/lk1auzloc.html

http://www.travel-lists.co.uk/lk1nzloc.html
Here is a car rental co. in NZ which hires to 18 year olds. http://www.touring-newzealand.com/re...w_zealand.html

meanwhile · #5 12/27/09, 09:00 AM

Hello -
Ross: I did post it there and someone suggested I try here too since they knew people are here from Australia and New Zealand. I am sorry to post something off topic but we are getting good help and I thank you for the patience in allowing it.

Valmai: Thank you - another person told me the same. That the consulate people over=react. They did book some tours with Wicked Travels in Australia. The consulate in New Zealand has been much more helpful than the Australian one. We now have several names and phone number in both Australia and New Zealand and are not as worried. Thank you for the links about cars and we will pass them along.

Thank you very much!

**Ross** · #6 12/27/09, 09:11 AM

I don't often go after OT threads unless admin wants a bit of a crack down on them or they're causing problems. Besides this one seemed to be a bit more important than most.