Australia Vacation FAQ

Australia Vacation FAQ's
So, who is 'Mr-Travl' ?		Mr-Travl began as Sailing-Whitsundays in Airlie Beach, Queensland. After working for many years aboard the sailing and diving vessels working the Whitsundays, we found there was a need for an un-biased, honest and very well informed travel information service on the internet. Sailing-Whitsundays was born and continues as the number 1 un-biased travel information service in the Whitsundays. As we did more travelling, we found the need also extended into other regions and so we began researching. The results are here in this web site, 'Mr-Travl'.
Why is a Travel Agents Licence important ?		All travel agents in Australia, need to be licensed by the government. This protects you from the little 'booking agent' that seem to be attached to every backpackers hangout on the entire east coast and all over the internet. When you give your money to a non-licensed 'booking agent', your money may not go to where it is intended. Here's a true story..... Some travellers had paid the entire cost of their sailing trip to a 'booking agent' in southern Queensland and turned up to the vessel on the departure date, only to be turned away by the owner, as the owner had not received payments by the booking agent for a number of months. The travellers were told to take it up with the booking agent. The booking agent, closed up and the travellers were left without their trip and without their money. Licensed travel agents must submit detailed financial records and undertake character checks to be licensed. Our license number is #3020361. If the 'booking agent' isn't licensed, then they are operating illegaly, and you're risking any money you give to them.
How recent is Mr-Travl's information ?		Travel information is added on a daily basis and we are always looking for new and exciting way's to make travelling easier, such as Mr-Travl Mobile so you can make better use of your mobile phone while travelling Australia. If you've got a good idea,let us know here.
What about 'package' deals I've been offered ?		Often package deals sold to backpackers are bargain basement prices, and often the price reflects the product. If the price sounds incredibly cheap, think twice and seek a second opinion. You may be suprised by what you find out ! Also, many of the cheaper packages will not let you travel independantly. Your locked into everything you do during your trip. That's not a very interesting way to see Australia ! Good packages are cheaper than you would expect to pay for each tour/accommodation separately, but check each item carefully. You may be getting a great sailing trip, but a very bad camping trip, or vice versa, or both! Make sure the package leaves you with the ability to explore what you find as you travel. There are some good ones and some bad ones. Think carefully.
The lady behind the counter said she'd been on the trip ? twice ?		Yeah, I'd like a dollar for every traveller who's been told that one ! Often, the agents are located a very long way from the tour or accommodation and have never set foot in the town, let alone met the owner or been on the cruise or stayed at the hotel ! But they will say it anyway to get your booking. Sometimes it is true though, but far less often than it's said!
So how do you know your products ?		We have personal knowledge of every product listed by Mr-Travl. Our managing director is a commercial skipper and dive master and has worked and dived on many of the vessels sailing the Whitsundays over the last 6 years. For products outside of the Whitsundays, these have been painstaikingly researched, visited and qualified by us before adding to our product list. Who would you prefer recommend your tour or accommodation ? Ask the agent what qualifies them to recommend the product they're trying to sell you, when your miles from where the tour or accommodation is located. (Beware when you get the previous quesion as an answer)
Who would you prefer to recommend your tours and accommodation ?		Mr-Travl has personal knowledge of every product listed here, because we also do regular road trips, and travel just like you do ! We can also compare tours from many different operators, this gives you a wider choice and your more likely to get a recomendation that suits you, rather than one that suits the tour company! Don't be suprised if you bump into 'Mr-Travl' on the Queensland Coast. This is his favourite destination !
How safe is booking on-line ?		Well that depends on which web site your talking about. Mr-Travl and our web sites, use secure socket layers to transfer details in a secure manner from you, to us. Don't e-mail your credit cards to any one on the internet. If they don't have a specific secure payment procedure, shop somewhere else.
Can I surf on-line and then book over the phone ?		No Problem, choose the product that suits you best, or ring us for advice, and then call to book within Australia (0411) 888 191 or international +61 411 888 191.
What about Reef Tax ?		Reef tax is a charge imposed on the tour operator for every person who enters the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, GBRMPA, a government authority. The tour operators pass this on to you.
How much is it ?		You will see that 'reef tax' varies from vessel to vessel and company to company. All companies add an administration fee to the charge and the collective amount is called 'reef tax'. The administration charges vary from company to company. I would suggest that $20-$25 per trip, is a fair maximum. I have heard that one company, (who we will not sell), charges $35. I personally think this is simply profiteering and using the GBRMPA as an excuse to make some extra dough. My advice is, don't buy a trip with a company that charges $35 'reef tax'. It is an indicator of what they think of you !
Can I e-mail you a general question about travelling in Australia, without booking something ?		Of course you can, we love to hear from travellers like us from all around the world. If we can help you, we will. Contact us here.
What about all the spelling mistakes in this site ?		Ooops, Sorrry ! Nobody's perfect !