Included here are our most frequently asked questions. They are being updated and added to all the time; if you cannot see your particular question here, please feel free to email us .

MONEY AND COSTS

HOW MUCH DO THE TRIPS COST?

For between 15-20 students on our 10/11 day biology/adventure tour/progamme, it will cost about Australian $3,000 each. This price includes most of the land based product but not the airfare to Cairns, Australia (see below for inclusions and exclusions.) This is for the year 2010.

WHAT CURRENCY IS THIS QUOTED IN?

Most quotes are given in Australian dollars. In the year 2010, the exchange rate for most overseas countries such as the U.S.A and the U.K was slightly favourable. We quote in Australian dollars, because costs changes less at our end than the exchange rates fluctuate. For the latest exchange rates, check out this website: http://www.x-rates.com/calculator.html

WHAT CAN AFFECT THE PRICE?

If there are less students, there will be higher cost, if there are more students (up to just over 20), then the price will be less. Generally; the less you do, the less it costs; thus if we allow more free days and include less meals, then the trip costs less, and we can certainly organize this. If you want more adventure based activities in the program, then it will cost more.

HOW MUCH DO TEACHERS PAY?

If you as a teacher can organize a group of students together, then the costing of the trip allows 1 to 2 teachers to travel on the program for free (however, this does not include the airfare).

WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?

We are well ware of the budget limitations of student trips and thus we try and include as much as we can. This program includes all accommodation, transport, most main meals, entry fees and permits, tours, guiding and all activities in the tour, as well as a copy of an 'Ecosystem Guide' book of your choice.

The major cost not included is the airfare from your destination to Cairns, Australia. There are some nights where you have time off to get your own meal; you can get an idea of this by looking at the itineraries elsewhere on this website. You are responsible for some drinks, souvenirs, and items of a personal nature.

DOES ETA ORGANIZE FLIGHTS?

At this stage, ETA does not arrange flights to or within Australia, and so this is not included in the quote. We have found it is easier and cheaper for the client to organize flights as a group from their point of origin. If you are booking this from outside of Australia, internal connections are usually cheaper when part of an international flight package, and you can also get away with the larger baggage limits of international hauls when on these domestic connections, than if they were separately booked. Most of tours and programmes tend to start and end in Cairns, Queensland Australia, but some do start or end in other places, such as Sydney. Cairns has an international airport.

CAN WE CHANGE THE ITINERARY?

Yes. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have about changing the set itinerary or even putting together your own custom itinerary. The people you will be emailing are those that book and run the trip. Be aware the changes will result in different prices, (either higher or lower depending on what u want.) Please be aware that enquiries, changing things, getting quotes etc, also takes some time. Generally, the program we have put together represents the most efficient way of seeing and experiencing the greatest variety of ecosystems and wildlife for the best value price.

CAN WE BRING DOWN THE PRICE?

Yes, the price of tours and programmes can be brought down by eliminating activities, increasing free days or shortening the itineraries. Email us if you would like to try and do this.

HOW LONG DO THE TRIPS GO FOR AND WHEN CAN I GO?

The standard program does for 10/11 days. We can also arrange similar programs for a week duration, or even three days. We do not usually do day trips

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS YOU CAN DEAL WITH?

Yes we can deal with larger groups. However, larger groups of more than 20-25 cannot go into some of the places that we conduct the ecology/biology programmes. We can either have several buses do the program at the same time (although this reduces the quality of some of the natural experiences and it also may not always be possible to book larger groups into the accommodations we use), or we can run one trip straight after another. For large groups we can also offer a programme where we are based in Cairns (eg; 25 to 100 students) and do day trips to the reef, rainforest and outback.

DO OTHER GROUPS COME ALONG?

Generally, our tours and programmes are arranged directly with an agent, tour company, teacher or educational facility. This means we are just dealing with your one group at a time. There are not other groups going along at the same time. This also means we also do not deal with individuals (see next question).

DO YOU DEAL WITH INDIVIDUALS? CAN I BOOK JUST MYSELF, CHILDREN OR FAMILY WITH AN ETA TRIP?

We do not normally deal with individuals, families or small groups. This is mainly an issue of tours and programes being much cheaper when spread over a large group. We do have some preffered agents who put together progarmmes that collect students from a range of areas and organize them into groups that we then run trips for. We also have some tour companies that we can recommend for individuals. Email us if you would like further details.

CAN YOU DO OTHER TOURS OR CAN WE ADD ON OTHER AREAS OF AUSTRALIA TO THE PROGAMME?

Yes. You can either get us to add our components or you can arrange components yourself. We have previously had requests to add extensions to our trips; for example, it is common for many groups to want to add a few days in Sydney. For another biology programme, we have added on time in Tasmania for wildlife viewing and to compare temperate ecosystems to tropical ecosystems.

AND WHAT ABOUT BOOKING INTERNAL FLIGHTS FOR THESE EXTENSIONS?

Although we can book internal flights, it is generally better value to get your internal flights as part of a package when you organize your international flights. We would liaise with you about these details as we went through the process of booking the trip.

THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRIP

WHO LEADS THE PROGRAMMES AND TOURS?

Most of the tours and programs are personally led or at least escorted by the directors and founders of the company; Damon Ramsey, Jane Moores or Mathew Fenn. All three are university qualified, as well as trained guides with the appropriate large vehicle licenses and first aid tickets. The main guide, Damon, gained his biology degree in tropical Australia and has recently published a book about the rainforest. Jane Moores studied Ecotourism at Flinders University. We also utilize the services of other local guides in certain areas, such as on the Daintree River.

WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT LIKE?

This can vary depending on what you want. The biology/ecology programme has much education and interpretation, while the ‘adventure/activity' usually has minimal commentary (although the driver and/or guide is available for any questions). The biology trip usually includes general nature and geography commentary while driving, ecological interpretation on walks, and plant and animal identification when wildlife spotting. The main guide, Damon Ramsey, is writing a series of ‘ecosystem guides', of which the first one in the series (on Tropical Rainforest) has been published. The interpretation and activities varies in intensity depending on the groups interests. The trip can also include formal lectures (for example, on fish identification the night before we visit a coral reef), if required.

CAN WE HAVE OUR OWN LECTURERS GIVE TALKS AND DO COMMENTARY?

Yes. Given notice, teachers or lecturers can give as much or as little interpretation as you require. We can also modify the itinerary to allow time for formal talks by your own experts. We can provide a laptop, digital projector and screen if notified in advance. (Please note: such talks can be given at some accommodations in central areas for no charge, but in some hotels they may require an extra fee, or it may not be possible at all.) In fact, your own experts can give all the interpretation, and we can just act as drivers/assistants; it is up to you.

TRAVEL PRACTICALITIES

HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING AIRFARES?

At this stage ETA does not deal in airfares nor have preferred agents for this. However, this may change in the next year or so.

DO I NEED A VISA?

The requirements vary for different countries. For example, citizens of the USA need to apply for a visa to visit Australia, whereas residents for New Zealand do not.

SHOULD I GET INSURANCE?

We recommend purchasing insurance before you travel. This covers you just in case someone gets sick or injured before or during the trip, and misses out on something. This does happen! At this stage, ETA does not have a preferred insurance agent.

HOW LONG ARE THE FLIGHTS?

One of the disadvantages about being such a large country and so far away from everything is the length and expense of the flights. (Flight times from Asia./USA/Europe/Sydney/Melbourne to be inserted).

WILL I BE MET AT THE AIRPORT?

Yes. If you have booked for one of our standard programmes, then you will be met by a representative/s of Educational Tours Australia at the airport. Usually this is the main guide. There is often a driver and/or company director to also greet you and help co-ordinate the pick up vehicle and the luggage.

HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

There is a tricky balance between taking too much and not taking enough! On international flights, you are usually allowed two check-in bags as well as a carry-on. The weights vary with the airline and if you are over this amount you may get charged excess. Internal flights in Australia usually have even more luggage restrictions, with one check in bag and less weight. Keep in mind that there are many things that you can buy in Australia if you forget, such as toiletries, extra clothes, etc.

WHAT CURRENCY DOES AUSTRALIA USE?

Australia uses dollars; these are dived into 100 cents each. The different notes of denomination are plastic, waterproof and coloured differently for easy recognition.

HOW EXPENSIVE IS AUSTRALIA?

Many overseas visitors remark that they find Australia is expensive. Of course, this varies with the exchange rate. If you are from Europe or North America, you will find manufactured goods such as clothes and books are expensive. However, service and quality of products is much as it is in similarly priced western-style countries.

SAFETY AND HEALTH

HOW SAFE IS AUSTRALIA?

One of the primary advantages of Australia is its safety. Generally, members of the public do not carry firearms. The military is low key and not a presence on the street.

ARE THERE DANGEROUS ANIMALS IN AUSTRALIA?

Yes there are some dangerous animals, but they can easily be avoided, and their danger is vastly overrated. You may see sharks on the coral reefs, however, they are for the most part fish-eaters and do not eat humans. Australia has many venomous species of snakes (see elsewhere on this website for information on this), but they are only occasionally glimpsed on nature walks; most of them seen in North Queensland are harmless pythons and tree snakes, and the venomous snakes will generally not bite unless cornered or handled. Spiders are common in Australia, but again bites are can be avoided by not handling. Crocodiles can be avoided by simply not swimming in tropical wetlands and estuarine systems; there are usually interpretative signs in these areas warning visitors about this. Jellyfish are probably the main animal we have to be concerned about; while most species are harmless or merely annoying, there are some species that are potentially fatal. To reduce being stung we do not swim along the coast in the southern summer/wet season. The further out to sea from the mainland, the safer we are. As an added precaution whenever we snorkel or swim in the ocean, especially in the wet season, we recommend wearing a shirt, as this lowers the incidence and intensity of stings and also slows the effect of sunburn as well. There are other annoying animals, such as leeches, ants and mosquitoes, but these are not life threatening.

CAN I DRINK THE WATER?

Yes. Water quality varies, from high quality in rainforest areas of Cairns, to good in Sydney, where it is treated, to drinkable (but not very nice) in Adelaide. If it comes from a tap and there is no sign, it is generally drinkable. As with anywhere else in the world, you may ingest ‘bugs' that you are not used to and this may result in mild upset stomachs or temporary toilet irregularities.

PRACTICALITIES

DO YOU HAVE THE REGULAR FACILITIES IN AUSTRALIA THAT WE HAVE AT HOME?

Yes. Australia has all the things most western countries have, including; electricity, internet, mail, water and shops.

DOES AUSTRALIA HAVE ELECTRICITY? AND DO I NEED DIFFERENT PLUGS?

Yes, Australia does have electricity. However, Australian plugs are different from American or mainland European plugs, so you will need another adapter plug. Additionally, some areas, such as America, have different voltage and need a converter. In most places we visit on the itinerary there are plugs for electrical devices.

CAN I EMAIL AND USE THE INTERNET AND COMPUTER FACILITIES?

Yes, there are numerous email cafes in most cities and towns. During our main itineraries we are in or near a place with internet facilities every couple of days. You do need to make sure you know how to access your email provider through the worldwide web, and you will also need the codes to access your email account. Most email centres also allow regular computer use, and you will find they use the same Word and other programmes you would use at home.

DOES AUSTRALIA HAVE TELEPHONES AND WILL I BE ABLE TO RING HOME?

Yes, Australia does have phones. With the advent of mobile phones, regular public phones are less common than they used to be, and in the bigger cities may not work due to vandalism; however most post offices have functioning phone boxes. You can also purchase mobile phones once in Australia, or your own mobile/cellular phone may work in Australia if you arrange this with your carrier at home before you leave.