FAQs

Which style of trip is right for me?

We offer five styles of accommodation. These include swag camping, unpowered tents, powered tents, powered bunkhouse and hostels (dorm share). 

Are trips physically demanding?

To determine what type of trip suits you best, each of our trips comes with a Physical Rating to let you know how physically demanding it is… or isn’t.  Find out more about ratings.

Can we travel as a family?

The minimum age for travellers depends on the type and location of the trip you’re thinking about doing. This information can be found at the top of each trip page. 

I’m travelling alone – is that OK?

This is the beauty of our style of travel: many of our travellers join because they are travelling solo and want to meet and share experiences with like-minded people. When you’re not sleeping out under the stars you’ll be buddied up with another passenger of the same gender to share a room. Want some extra space to stretch out by yourself? There is also the option of paying a single supplement (available on many trips). 

If you’re not comfortable sharing a room with someone of the same gender, or you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please tell us at the time of booking and we’ll make an adjustment to the rooming configurations accordingly.

Your tour includes meal as indicated in our brochure and online. You will be provided with delicious, healthy meals featuring fresh ingredients, gourmet salads and local flavours. Please make sure you advise us of any special dietary requirements well prior to travelling and we will endeavour to do our best to cater to them. Our tours are activity and participation based. During your travels with us you will have the opportunity to assist with daily activities such as setting up camp, collecting firewood, helping prepare meals and clearing dishes. None of this is difficult however many hands make light work and any assistance provided to crew is always much appreciated. Most people agree that this type of activity helps you feel like less of a tourist and more of an explorer.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS:

Passengers with special meal requirements or food allergies MUST ensure they or their travel agent inform us of this at the time of booking. Food for the trip is purchased prior to commencement and special requirements cannot be catered for after departing. If you have not notified us prior to departure, you may be asked to pay for any additional food yourself. Due to the nature of our trips food is basic but plentiful. We provide the below substitutes, please bring your own staples if you require specific foods not listed below:

• No Pork (Alternative to Ham provided)
• No Dairy (soy milk provided)
• Vegetarian (additional veg and vegie burgers provided)
• Vegan (supply of additional fruit and veg provided)
• Gluten Free (cereal, bread, wraps, pasta, snack bars, sweet and savoury biscuits provided)
• *Religious dietary requirements and specifically prepared/sourced produce is not able to be catered for

Here at Adventure Tours Australia we want to make every traveller feel safe and comfortable. We know that many of our travellers are part of the LGBTQI community and Australia is a popular destination for LGBTQI travellers. If you’ve ever seen the colour and glory of Mardi Gras in Sydney then you’ll know exactly why this is. 

Generally speaking, Australians are an open-minded bunch and same-sex acts are legal in all states. If you’d like to know more about LGBTQI-related laws in Australia, we recommend visiting websites such as Equaldex, who compile up-to-date advice and information about LGBTQI-related laws from around the world. Other websites such as Gay & Lesbian Tourism Australia can also provide you with more detailed information on gay-friendly businesses, nightlife and community news.

Please note, if you are a solo traveller booking on a twin share basis you will be paired with another passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you have concerns with this arrangement, or do not identify with the gender described on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking.

We’re committed to making travel in Australia as widely accessible as possible, no matter your level of ability or disability. As our tours involve a lot of time in the outdoors, such as camping and trekking, we recommend you review the itinerary and physical rating of your chosen trip and carefully consider whether you are physically and mentally able to complete the itinerary. Please bear in mind that on some of our trips you may be required to carry your own bags and use public transport. When travelling in the Outback we use our own vehicles. You can learn more about our accommodation and transport here.

Where we can we will make reasonable adjustments to our operations to meet the needs of our disabled travellers. For instance, booking ground floor accommodation in cities or having leaders communicate important directions in writing as well as verbally. Many of our travellers have also been able to enjoy our trips while travelling with a friend or companion who can assist with their specific needs. If you have any specific travel requirements, please tell us at the time of booking and we will do our best to meet them where practicable. 

If joining an existing group trip is not practical for you, there is also the option of arranging a private departure instead. If this sounds ideal for you, please get in touch with our sales team for more information.

How do I obtain Essential Trip Information for full details of my trip?

Make sure you bring this with you. Every trip has Essential Trip Information, accessible on our website, that gives you in-depth information about all aspects of your trip. To access your the Essential Trip Information, please visit your trip’s specific facts page on our website. The Essential Trip Information is accessible at the base of this page.

Packing list

Each tour requires all the basics you would typically bring on any trip e.g. toiletries, towels, camera and extra money for optional snacks and activities. Due to the nature of our tours we recommend bringing sturdy walking shoes (preferably ankle high), swimming gear, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, torch, insect repellent and fly net to cover your head if you are bothered by flies (outback tours particularly). Of course every trip is different, so be sure to check your Essential Trip Information found at the bottom of the trip page you booked on our website. 

What essential documents do I need to take?

It’s important that you always travel with your current passport, visas, travel insurance and a copy of your Essential Trip Information for your chosen tour (available on the trip page).

Australians are not required to be covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation for trips within Australia. However we strongly recommend that you have a domestic travel insurance policy which covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all international travellers and should be taken out at the time of booking. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation with a recommended minimum coverage of US$200,000 for each of the categories of cover. We also strongly recommend it covers cancellation, curtailment, personal liability and loss of luggage and personal effects. You must provide proof of your travel insurance on the first day of your trip; you will not be able to join the trip without it. If you obtain travel insurance through us you acknowledge that you are satisfied with the level of insurance we have arranged.

Australia is an enormous country and the climate is incredibly diverse, so it’s best to refer to the Essential Trip Information for the relevant climate information. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology also has up to date weather information available. Visit https://www.bom.gov.au for more information on the region you’re travelling to. 

You will not need to reconfirm your tour directly with us, but please make sure you have provided all the information required we need well in advance – such as your pickup location and any dietary requirements.

All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. Failure to do so means you may not be allowed to board your flight to Australia. Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authority via the internet before arrival. Please check the following website or with your relevant Australian visa issuing office for your nationalities requirements. https://www.eta.homeaffairs.gov.au/

Depending on the tour style you’ve booked and the region you’re going, you could use a range of accommodation styles from staying in a swag somewhere across the Pilbara to a hotel near Uluru. We also have our own exclusive powered campsites, with great facilities, which we use whenever possible. 

What communication facilities will be available?
In remote places, you will not be able to communicate as readily. Your leader will usually give you the heads up before you leave a place so you can send a quick email or two. Make sure you’re aware of your home countries data roaming charges to avoid an expensive bill when you return home! 

How can friends and family contact you?
If family and friends are unable to contact you in an emergency through email or phone, they can contact Adventure Tours directly. Emergency contact details (for your destination) are listed in your Essential Trip Information, or they can contact one of our offices, who can pass on a message if required. We always carry a satellite phone on all of our remote/overland trips to be used by our leaders in the event of an emergency and for your safety. In addition, all of our leaders are First Aid trained and certified. 

Will my mobile work?
We can never guarantee your phone will work as desired, as many of our destinations are out of the way and you may have limited coverage. Chat to your phone provider before you leave about global roaming and the costs involved, and get their advice on the coverage you’ll receive in the places you’re travelling in. Alternatively, you can usually pick up a local sim card on the cheap (just make sure you phone is unlocked!).

Will I get internet coverage?
Some places have Wi-Fi hot spots everywhere and other places will have no coverage at all. If you stumble into the latter, take the rare chance to just sit back and get to know your fellow travellers the old-fashioned way.

The default pickup point can be found in your Essential Trip Information (at the base of each trip’s webpage), under the ‘Joining point instructions’ heading.

Where you get picked up from depends on the trip you’ve chosen. All trips have a default pickup point but many also offer the choice to be picked up from the hotel you’re staying at. So be sure to ask for a list of pickup points from your travel agent or by contacting us. Regardless, you’ll need to let us know in advance if you wish to be collected from one of the alternative pickup points.

Sleeping bags are required on Basix trips or if outlined in the ‘Important Information’ section of the trip’s webpage. It’s up to you whether you bring your own, or purchase one from us.

The majority of trip components – national park entrance fees, most meals, the defining experiences in a place – are included in your trip. We have a list of optional activities on some trips too, like boat cruises through crocodile-filled waterways or camel rides through the desert, to give travellers the opportunity to do something a little bit different. This approach keeps the trip price down and ensures you’ll only be paying for the activities that you actually want to do.

It’s not a service that we’re providing at the moment, but if you share the level of accommodation that you need at the time of booking, we can give you some local tips and point you in the right direction.

At the end of your trip, if you’re happy with the service you received, providing a tip for the leader – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry.

Outside of your tour, tipping isn’t generally a part of Australian culture, but is more common in expensive restaurants in larger cities.

Pack only your bare essentials. Due to limited space and strictly enforced road laws regarding weight limits, you can carry a maximum of 15 kg (10kg for any trips visiting Kakadu or the Kimberley). You are required to limit your luggage to one small to medium sized soft bag or backpack and a small daypack, which can be carried inside the vehicle. We cannot guarantee to carry overweight or oversized luggage. Please store bulky items at your pre-tour accommodation. It may be necessary to freight excess luggage at your own expense.

You’ll have to visit to find out!

To find out what it’s like to work at ATA, all the exciting perks and what’s available right now, visit our employment page.

Oh no! We really want to get you where you need to go. Please tell us what’s broken through our contact us page and someone can help you with your enquiry or let our resident techno-gurus know there’s an issue so they can fix it as quickly as possible. You legend!