MELBOURNE | ESSENTIALS

Your Trip Information

We’ve partnered with Tasmanian Walking Company to provide your trip of a lifetime! To help you prepare for this trip, we’ve gathered some useful information together. Some things, such as flights and insurance will be relevant sooner; and some things such as gear will be relevant closer to departure

Before your trip

Visas for New Zealanders You’ve booked! New Zealand citizens don’t need to apply for a visa before coming to Australia What’s next? however NZ permanent residents will need to apply for a visa. For more information please head here: newzealand.embassy.gov.au Within a week of booking: pay deposit, confirm your contract and Travel Insurance log into your booking As an Active Adventures Australia traveller, you’re required to have travel Sooner rather than later: check insurance for your trip – please be aware some insurance companies require passport, arrange travel insurance insurance to be purchased within 14 days of deposit payment (to be eligible for and book your flights, start your pre-exisitng medical cover). training regime and get fit! We highly recommend World Nomads as they offer competitive travel Three months before your trip: insurance policies that suit our type of travel with the minimum requirements for full payment is due, complete extra emergency repatriation, medical insurance as well as trip cancellation cover. items* Travel agencies Four weeks before your trip: check We recommend booking your flights through our preferred travel partner, for any missing details for your trip. Fuzion Travel. They’re our experienced hand-picked experts in travel, passionate Two weeks before your trip: about what they do, and will tailor-make your flight itinerary to match your reconfirm your flights, print your Active Adventures tour. Get in touch with them directly by email final trip information* [email protected] or on 1 800 TRAVEL. Let them know your preferred travel plans, including any stopovers or extra nights’ accommodation, and they *We’ll email you reminders about will put everything in place for you. They offer a total travel solution and five star these things! service that you’ll want to tell your friends about!

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Flights What if there’s an emergency?

International Flights Flight & luggage delays There are many airlines with regular services to Australia If your flight is delayed, or you can’t travel for any reason from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. and aren’t able to get to your pre-arranged meeting place Air New Zealand, Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia all on time, please let us know as soon as you can. You’ll need operate multiple daily flights. to cover any additional costs incurred by your flight delay, so keep all receipts in case you need them later to support Domestic Flights an insurance claim. If your luggage doesn’t arrive with you Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia operate flights to for any reason, you’ll be directed to the airport baggage Melbourne from Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Sydney, while claim service where your details will be taken so that your low-cost airline Tigerair operates flights too. baggage can be tracked down – feel free to give the airlines Airline luggage the emergency contact number below. You’ll be given a We recommend packing valuable and essential items in luggage tracking number and, in most cases, your bags will your carry-on luggage (change of clothing, medication etc.) be delivered to your hotel within 24 hours. in case your luggage is delayed. Domestic flights within Emergency contacts Australia don’t generally come with a luggage allowance If you have a genuine emergency in the few days before unless you have specifically included this in your tickets, your trip starts, or your family needs to get in touch with so if you booked your domestic airfares separately from you urgently during the trip, please call our Client Services your international ticket, please be aware you may have to Team, who’re based in New Zealand. request additional baggage. Phone +64 27 839 6538.

Non-emergency contacts Arriving & Departing Australia For non-emergencies, please contact our New Zealand Airport transfers office using the details below. If the office is unattended Transport is easy to arrange from each airport and you can (outside of New Zealand business hours), please leave either catch a taxi, uber or there are door-to-door airport a message so we can pick it up and respond as soon as shuttles. The shuttle takes a little bit longer, however it’s an we can. economical option for solo travellers. Free phone: 1 800 661 9073 (Australia) Tullamarine Airport: 22 kilometres to the city. Free phone: 0800 234 726 (NZ) • Taxi: 30 minutes, AU$35-40 per vehicle. The taxi ranks Worldwide: +64 3 450 0414, ext 2 are located directly out the front of terminal 1, 2 & 3 Email: [email protected] buildings. • SkyBus provides fast and low cost airport transfers departing every 15 minutes daily – 7 days a week, Time in New Zealand New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) is the time zone for all year round between 4.30am and midnight to the New Zealand, it’s 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Melbourne CBD. You can check out the fares here. Time (GMT). Carparking If you’re driving yourself to the start of your trip, you will be able to leave your car parked at an the Twelve Apostles Lodge.

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport offers three car parking options for their visitors and all car parks are conveniently located outside the terminal building. The price ranges between AU$80- 150 (4-6 days) depending on the length of your stay and which option you choose. You can find more information on the rates here, it’s recommended to book in advance.

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Your Active Adventures Australia

Trip Food All meals are included in your trip fare and we believe Your crew food and wine should be part of the experience, never an We work in partnership with a local operator in Australia - afterthought. We have our own in-house chef in the lodges Tasmanian Walking Company. Depending on the size of and camps, who design all meals and train guides in their your Active Adventures Australia group, you may joined by preparation to ensure they’re both healthy and delicious. other people who have booked with our partner. We work in remote locations which makes our menu Your group design more challenging, however, by focusing on using as Our group sizes range from a minimum of four people to a much fresh produce as possible and engaging a chef who maximum of ten people, depending on which trip understands what we have to work with we proudly serve you’ve booked, generally with a mix of singles, couples and outstanding meals each day. friends. Dietary requirements Your guides If you have any particular dietary requirements, please let Your trip will be operated by two experienced guides and us know. We’re accustomed to working with the following they’ll be there to make sure you’re well informed about diets, and if you have any other dietary needs or allergies, each day and you’re well-fed, well-rested and happy! let us know so we can plan in advance: • omnivore (I eat red and white meat, pork, chicken, fish, Rooming & bathrooms dairy, fruit and vegetables) Our trip fares are based on a twin share rate (two people per room), so if you’re travelling with a friend/partner you • no red meat (I eat chicken, fish, dairy, fruit and can share them, or if you’re a solo traveller, we can partition vegetables) the room so you have privacy, and each room has a private • no pork (I eat beef, lamb, chicken and fish) en-suite bathroom with flushing toilet and rainwater • fishatarian (I eat fish, dairy, fruit and vegetables) shower. Those travelling with a partner will have a choice • vegetarian (I eat dairy, fruit and vegetables) of either twin-share (one room, two single beds) or double- • vegan (I eat fruit and vegetables, no dairy or animal share (one room, one king bed). Triple sharing is not an products) option. • gluten intolerant (I can’t eat wheat, rye, barley or oats) Single room option • lactose intolerant (I can’t eat dairy products) If you’d prefer not to share a room, we have a single supplement option available trip for an additional fare. If Medical issues, allergies and other information you purchase a single supplement, we’ll arrange for you to If you have a medical issue, allergy or recent injury, please have your own room throughout the trip. let us know – we’ll be sure this information gets passed on to your guide discreetly. We’ll require a doctors certificate Water for any pre-existing conditions as well as for any person 69 All Australian tap water is safe to drink. We recommend years and older. If you have an allergy, please also let us carrying 1.5-2 litres and your guides will carry additional know whether your allergy is mild or severe (severe being water. In many places, you’ll be able to drink right from our an anaphylactic reaction) so we can be prepared. We love lakes and streams, except for those located near farmland. knowing about anniversaries, honeymoons and birthdays too!

Transport Your trip fare includes all ground transport, except for airport transfers when you arrive or depart a day or two either side of the trip. We prefer to travel in modern buses so you have plenty of room to spread out. Air conditioning, a good sound system, seat belts and comfy seats are all prerequisites! On the way, you’ll be enjoying spectacular scenery, reflecting on your adventures, and your guide will be sharing stories and knowledge about the area.

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Money

Forms of payment Time in Melbourne, Victoria We recommend you bring a variety of payment options Melbourne is in Eastern Daylight Time, 11 hours ahead of with you – an ATM card, and a credit card or two. Visa and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). MasterCard are accepted in most places. WiFi Spending money Limited WiFi will be available at the lodge and cell phone Your trip fare includes all transportation, guiding, meals and coverage will be limited. activities (except any optional activities - the Spa’s only Telstra is the best provider to opt for if you require cell accept credit cards). phone coverage on your trip though expect it to be very limited or non-existent.

About Australia Electricity Altitude Australia operates on a 240V AC system with the Plug Type There are no real altitude issues to contend with here I shown here. though the tracks can still be quite challenging. Our tracks Weather are often quite steep and will have more switchbacks/ Victoria enjoys a temperate climate and reliable rainfall hairpin bends than other countries. The best way to prepare with four distinct seasons. for these tracks is to do hikes which involve hills and stairs. The average maximum temperature in south-west Victoria Flexibility across December to February is 25 C, though can on When it comes to adventure travel, it’s always worth occasion reach mid to high 30s. Sunscreen is required at expecting the unexpected! Occasionally we have to deal all times, even on cloudy days when the UV factor can be with things like the weather or the environment throwing higher. Wind can also burn, even when the temperature something in the path of our best laid plans. Our priority appears mild. Overnight temperatures vary from 8-15 C. is always to run a safe and enjoyable trip, and we always As with all coastal walking, the weather can be have a plan B in mind. All we ask is you be open to things unpredictable at all times of the year. Being cooler makes changing and know our top priority is your safety, best the walking no less enjoyable. Even the wildest days lend interests and enjoyment! themselves to walking this rugged coastline, giving the opportunity to appreciate how a stretch became known Drones as the ‘Shipwreck Coast.’ Access to a weatherproof jacket Very occassionally we get requests to bring drone’s along is essential, and we recommend walkers bring thermal on our trips though as they’re aerial machines. All of our clothing along (see gear list), just in case. To monitor the hiking activities are on conservation land so this means weather please head to: www.bom.gov.au/tas/ you wouldn’t be able to use it on any activity during your trip. It’s perfectly OK to use hand-held cameras and video equipment at any time throughout your travels, so we suggest bringing a good camera along and leaving your drone at home.

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Trip Notes – Great Ocean Walk

Starting and ending your trip General Information

Trip start details Fitness Your ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip starts in Johanna and we’ll As an Activity Level 3 trip, you’ll need a good level of fitness meet you on the day your trip starts at: for the ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip though you’ll be hiking on • Twelve Apostles Lodge, located at 70 Stafford Road, gentle to moderate trails and can still enjoy the scenery and Johanna, 10.30am. relaxation. You’ll be hiking s up to 8 hours a day, pacing about 3km/hour, with plenty of time to complete the days We can also arrange a pick-up from the below location to hike(s). Please head to our Fitness Guide for great tips on drop you at the Twelve Apostles Lodge: how to prepare along with a workout plan! • Travelodge Southbank, located at 9 Riverside Quay, Southbank, 7.45am. Accommodation We have selected the accommodation on your ‘Great Flight arrival details Ocean Walk’ trip for it’s environmental sustainable and We recommend arriving into Melbourne the night before stunning setting with a self sufficient water supply, on the trip starts as there aren’t early enough flights for you site waste water treatment, low consumption electric and to arrive the day the trip starts. For more information on water fittings and hydronic heating. The Twelve Apostles booking flights, please refer above on Page 2. Lodge offers twin or double share rooms, with ensuites and First day activity king size mattresses, along with a guest lounge space with You’ll start your 4-day trip with a gear check though please great reading material and footbaths available too! make sure you’re fairly packed and ready to go! NOTE: You can book any pre or post accommodation at locations close to the Travellodge Southbank: Trip end details • The Langham Hotel Your ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip ends in Melbourne and we have two drop off locations for you to choose from: • The Mantra Southbank

• Tullamarine Airport, at about 5.30pm - in time for the Laundry flights listed below. We recommend bringing enough clothing for the full 4 • Travelodge Southbank, 6pm days of your ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip however there is washing machine & drying room available at the lodge. One Flight departure details communal wash (including soap) is included in your walk If you’re flying out of Tullamarine Airport on the last package and additional loads are charged. afternoon, your flight should depart after 6.30pm for domestic and 7.30pm for international.

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General Equipment & Gear

Rental Gear - Free of charge Rain jacket We can provide a 32-litre canvas pack, with a pack You’ll need to carry a waterproof, windproof and breathable cover and liner, a 3-layer membrane; weatherproof and rain jacket for your ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip. You need a breathable rain jacket as well as ankle gaiters, walking jacket that’s not too light (it won’t keep you dry properly poles and stainless water bottles if you’d prefer not to bring and you’ll get cold), not too heavy (or you’ll get too hot your own. Please let us know prior to the trip whether you’d while hiking) and with a decent hood. If you don’t already require these rentals, they’ll be available on the morning of own a waterproof jacket and want to purchase one, we departure. recommend chatting to your local outdoor retailer and If you’d prefer to bring your own, you’ll require the below. getting equipped.

Main piece of luggage Hiking boots We recommend bringing a small suitcase or wheeled soft You’ll need a good, comfortable, well worn-in pair of hiking bag of no more than 20kg. You will only carry a day pack boots for your ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip as you’ll use them each day and the rest of your luggage stays safely in your every day. We recommend boots with good ankle support room, therefore we have limited hanging and storage space and a solid tread/sole. We’ll be hiking over rooty, rocky, in the bedrooms, as well as limited luggage space in our uneven terrain so we want you to be prepared with suitable vehicles. equipment. Here’s a wee youtube video we’ve put together on what Trekking pack boots you’ll need to bring along. You’ll need one trekking daypack on your ‘Great Ocean Walk’ trip - it should be good quality with well-fitting Hiking poles shoulder and waist straps. A volume of 32 litres is We strongly suggest bringing one or two telescopic hiking recommended, large enough to fit all your day gear in for poles on your trip. Poles help protect your knees on the the days on the trail. ascents and descents you’ll encounter, assist over uneven terrain and give greater support if carrying a backpack. We all use them and we think they’re great!

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Gear List - Great Ocean Walk Essential Clothing Waterproof rain jacket: a breathable, rainproof and windproof unpadded Gear Note shell jacket with a hood. (or use of supplied Mont Odyssey) If you’re not sure what any of Waterproof/windproof rain pants: for keeping dry and warm while hiking. these things are, please ask at Wearing thermal underwear underneath these is best. your nearest outdoor store, or ask us. We want you to be as well Shirts/T-shirts: two or three, quick-dry is preferred. prepared as possible for your trip. Long-sleeve shirts: one or two, cotton or quick-dry for insect protection. Lightweight trousers: a pair for cooler nights, higher elevations and insect protection. Shorts: one or two pairs, some cotton, some quick-dry. Fabric Note Thermal underwear: one set of top and bottom thermal/polypropylene We recommend quick-drying, underwear for cold mornings. wicking fabrics such as Patagonia 3 pairs of Socks: good quality hiking socks, warm and casual. capilene, Icebreaker merino, or Swim suit/shorts: for any swimming opportunities. other specially designed fabrics for this trip. If you’re not sure what Travel towel: You might like to bring a travel towel for swimming. a quick-dry fabric is, ask at your Casual clothing: to wear in the accommodation at night. nearest outdoor store. While you can bring some cotton, denim and Essential Luggage other non-wicking fabrics on this Main piece of luggage (small suitcase or wheeled soft bag) trip, be aware that they won’t be easy to wash or dry. Trekking daypack: including a pack liner and rain cover (or use of supplied Osprey Kestrel 32 litre).

Essential Footwear Hiking boots Jandals/light sandals: or similar for use in the lodge at night.

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Essential Accessories Essential documents and items Warm hat: wool/fleece ski hat or similar. Money: Cash for the purchase of extra laundry if Sun hat: wide brimmed to protect you from the sun. required. Sunglasses: with polarizing lenses to prevent glare. Trip Summary Step 6 page: print this out and bring it with you. It includes where to meet your group, any Water/Hydration bladder: 2 x 1 litre volume (or use our extra hotel information and emergency numbers. supplied Stainless steel ones)

Personal Items Recommended Items Hiking poles: we highly recommend bringing one or two Toiletries: tooth brush & paste, soap, facecloth, poles with you to support your knees during the hikes prescription medications, glasses/lenses, feminine (or use our supplied Black Diamont Trai) hygiene products, wet wipes, ziplock bags. Hiking gaiters: great for this trip to keep sand out of Sun-block: SPF 15 UVA/UVB broad spectrum is the tops of your boots and socks and they add extra recommended. warmth (or use our supplied Sea to Summit Insect repellent: for midges in the hot weather Ear plugs: recommended for light sleepers. NOTE: We provide Myrtle & Moss shower products and also sunscreen and insect repellent Energy snacks/drinks: you may like to bring some along if you have special dietary needs. Personal medical aid kit: for any essential items you know you’ll need e.g. blister treatment. Reading material Camera: memory cards and batteries/charger.

The final word If there’s anything else please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at: [email protected]

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