Kimkim Trip Reviews for Australia

4.9
Based on 129 ratings
Read 129 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip to Australia on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Quick trip to Cairns and Brisbane
Australia | Aug 16 - Aug 22, 2023

M
Monica M.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Aug 29, 2023
Vickie was incredibly responsive and planned our short trip in record time. She was patient with me as it took me time to review and consider and then commit to the trip. I loved the tours she set up for us in Cairns and Birsbane; they were remarkable! It would have been helpful to know what we needed to bring on the tours, such as a towel for the Great Barrier Reef, and it would have been good to know that some activities/opportunities sell out in advance, such as photos of us holding a... Read more

Vickie was incredibly responsive and planned our short trip in record time. She was patient with me as it took me time to review and consider and then commit to the trip. I loved the tours she set up for us in Cairns and Birsbane; they were remarkable! It would have been helpful to know what we needed to bring on the tours, such as a towel for the Great Barrier Reef, and it would have been good to know that some activities/opportunities sell out in advance, such as photos of us holding a koala.

The drivers who picked us up were prompt, kind and excellent drivers.

I wasn't thrilled with one of the hotel selections, but a family with young kids would have loved it more than me and a teenager who were there just to sleep.

The travel service, specifically Louise, was wonderful when we had to make last minute changes to our itinerary. She was terrific and efficient!

I would use Vickie, Louise and Kimkim again!

Hotel Reviews
Cairns Colonial Club Resort
Cairns

Very nice staff and lovely pools. Great for families with young children. Room was a bit dated and the Wifi was so bad that we couldn't watch tv. The safe was locked when we arrived and the remote to work the air conditioning was missing, but staff came very quickly to help us. We only ate breakfast at the hotel, but the food was good. The resort is a bit farther from the Cairns hub than I would have liked; we had to taxi or Uber to dinner and to the tours. Overall, a good place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Closer to Cairns "downtown"
Staff
Helpful, patient and kind.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Park Regis North Quay
Brisbane

Convenient location for us to go to Suncorp stadium. Not too far a walk from South Bank, which had more restaurants and one of our tours (to Lone Pine Sanctuary). Wonderful to have a kitchenette! Lots of light and great views from our room. Reception staff were very nice. A knowledgeable concierge would have been very helpful.

Local specialist: Vickie Parrack
Vickie
Vickie Parrack
Local specialist in Wanaka | Replied on Aug 30, 2023

Hey Monica,

That is wonderful feedback. Thank you for choosing to book your tour with me.
I hope you both enjoyed the football and the amazing scenery.

Take care

Connie is a STAR!
Australia | Jul 25 - Aug 15, 2023

S
Sharon M.
Israel | Reviewed on Aug 19, 2023
We have spent 4 fabulous weeks in New Zealand and Australia.
Such a long holiday cannot go without few issues but Connie was amazing. She has been in contact with us every single day and she has helped us above and beyond. Connie is a star!!!!
Read more

We have spent 4 fabulous weeks in New Zealand and Australia.
Such a long holiday cannot go without few issues but Connie was amazing. She has been in contact with us every single day and she has helped us above and beyond. Connie is a star!!!!

Hotel Reviews
QT Auckland
Auckland
Sofitel Queenstown
Queenstown
Four Seasons Sydney
Sydney
Taronga Zoo Wildlife Retreat
Sydney
Hyatt Regency Brisbane
Brisbane

Great location but the hotel is in desperate need of reconstruction

Treetops Lodge and Estate
Rotorua

The hotel is nice but way too far from any inhabited place.

Oaks Port Douglas Resort
Port Douglas

We ended up not staying there

Crown Towers
Melbourne
Activity Reviews
Ecozip Adventure Tour Waiheke Island (Shared Tour)
Ecozip Adventure Tour Waiheke Island (Shared Tour)
Australia
Auckland to Roturua, Full Day Waitomo & Hobbiton Tour
Auckland to Roturua, Full Day Waitomo & Hobbiton Tour
Auckland
Waimangu Valley Nature Walk & Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise
Waimangu Valley Nature Walk & Lake Rotomahana Boat Cruise
Rotorua

We did not have a lake cruise

Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner
Mitai Cultural Experience & Dinner
Rotorua
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Kiwi Birdlife Park
Queenstown (NZ)
Morning Panoramic Sydney Sights
Morning Panoramic Sydney Sights
Sydney

A bit too much time in the car

Sydney Harbour Long Lunch Cruise (Private)
Sydney Harbour Long Lunch Cruise (Private)
Sydney

The staff on the boat was amazing.

Climb the Harbor Bridge
Climb the Harbor Bridge
Sydney
Australia Zoo Guided Tour - Full day
Australia Zoo Guided Tour - Full day
Brisbane

Best zoo ever!!!!

Full-Day Aussie Outback Private Tour
Full-Day Aussie Outback Private Tour
Brisbane

We ended up going to the waterfalls in Springbrook and it was great

Hartleys Crocodile Adventures Admission and Breakfast with Koalas
Hartleys Crocodile Adventures Admission and Breakfast with Koalas
Port Douglas
Afternoon/Evening Rainforest and Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Afternoon/Evening Rainforest and Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Port Douglas

The rafts were great

Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Port Douglas
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Australia

Totally worth it!

Local specialist: Connie Campos
Connie
Connie Campos
Local specialist in Washington and New Zealand | Replied on Aug 19, 2023
Dear Sharon! We appreciate very much you have taken the time to write this spectacular review. I am so thrilled you enjoyed the trip! Yeah, there were a few snags here and there, but nothing that we could not fixed and or taken care of.. You are a rock star, traveling with two young kids, it takes a lot of energy and I am so happy I was able to assist anytime you needed help. I am so happy you captured many wonderful memories and all your 'must dos' of Australia and New Zealand,... Read more

Dear Sharon!

We appreciate very much you have taken the time to write this spectacular review.

I am so thrilled you enjoyed the trip! Yeah, there were a few snags here and there, but nothing that we could not fixed and or taken care of.. You are a rock star, traveling with two young kids, it takes a lot of energy and I am so happy I was able to assist anytime you needed help.

I am so happy you captured many wonderful memories and all your 'must dos' of Australia and New Zealand, particularly the wildlife.

We remain at your service and hope to see you in one of our many other trips and destinations we service in the near future.

Thank you again !

What a perfect family vacation! Liz planned ...
Australia | Jul 3 - Jul 30, 2023

Jodi
Jodi H.
Lawrenceville, GA | Reviewed on Aug 06, 2023

What a perfect family vacation! Liz planned a wonderful trip that enabled us to experience the best of Australia and New Zealand. She was very responsive and worked well with us to put together a memorable trip for all!

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Aug 06, 2023

Jodi,
Thank you for your review !
It was very very nice to work with you and I hope we can help again in the future !
It was really a pleasure.
Liz

Rely on Gary to create a memorable trip
Australia | Jul 13 - Jul 31, 2023

Carole
Carole R.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Aug 04, 2023
Gary had some great advice on where to go to make the best use of our time. Our guide in Kangaroo Island was engaging, informative and pleasant to spend the whole day with. The snorkeling tour on the great barrier reef was memorable and our last days in Sydney a delight. The astro tour at Uluru was certainly one of the highlights. Truly a wonderful experience in all and the ease of travel with the car service helped. Jim and Carole Read more

Gary had some great advice on where to go to make the best use of our time. Our guide in Kangaroo Island was engaging, informative and pleasant to spend the whole day with. The snorkeling tour on the great barrier reef was memorable and our last days in Sydney a delight. The astro tour at Uluru was certainly one of the highlights. Truly a wonderful experience in all and the ease of travel with the car service helped. Jim and Carole

Hotel Review
The Reef Retreat
Palm Cove, QLD

Nice and quiet location, hotel management was very helpful and accommodating. Easy walk to restaurants etc.

Authenticity & Character
Location
easy walk to everything but off the main area so very quite
Staff
very accommodating and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
When we needed an extra towel or blanket it was there
Activity Review
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia

It was so informative and the staff was so accommodating with all of our needs that it made it special.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
One of our party has some medical conditions and they were able to create a great experience for them
Transport
boat was very open but the seas were rough so some of the areas became crowded
Local specialist: Gary Topic

An Excellent Itinerary for a Two Week Trip
Australia | Jul 6 - Jul 22, 2023

D
Debra G.
Charlotte, NC | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2023
We couldn't have been happier with the itinerary that Gary prepared for us. As someone who had never been to Australia before, he successfully translated our requests and lack of knowledge into a schedule that was easy to follow--and thoroughly enjoyable. The places he recommended and organized for our trip were mind-blowingly spectacular. The Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu, Litchfield, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru---our only complaint was that we didn't have enough time at any of... Read more

We couldn't have been happier with the itinerary that Gary prepared for us. As someone who had never been to Australia before, he successfully translated our requests and lack of knowledge into a schedule that was easy to follow--and thoroughly enjoyable. The places he recommended and organized for our trip were mind-blowingly spectacular. The Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu, Litchfield, Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru---our only complaint was that we didn't have enough time at any of these locations! Even more impressive is that he was able to pull together an itinerary with not much time to spare. We connected with him only 8 weeks before our trip (during peak travel season), so we were quite impressed that he managed to pack as much into our two week trip as he did. Thank you!

Activity Reviews
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia

Seeing the GBR was an amazing experience, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so. The crew was high energy the entire time, and made the journey there and back a pleasant one. What I was expecting, but didn't get, was any information about the GBR. I had assumed there'd be some type of presentation about the plants and animals we'd be seeing during our 2 hour journey there, and how to maximize our snorkeling/diving experience. Even better would have been a discussion about the issues that the GBR is facing as the oceans warm. All we got was a disjointed, generalized slideshow AFTER we had done the snorkeling. In addition, I was given a wetsuit that was too large (never having worn a wetsuit before, I had no idea). Thus, for me, the snorkeling was uncomfortably cold, and I ended up with non-stop shivering even after back on the boat. Thankfully, a crew member noticed on the second round of snorkeling, so that dive was much more enjoyable. Lastly, I wasn't blown over by the food provided. Since I stayed out snorkeling until called in for lunch, most of the food was already gone, since others had come in early. What I had was fine, but cold (all the hot food was gone), and not particularly memorable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Classic Kuranda Tour
Classic Kuranda Tour
Australia

Another amazing experience. Thoroughly enjoyed visiting this area, and getting to see the tropical rainforest and learn a bit more about the original inhabitants, plants, and animals. The cable car up and train down were a fun way to get to the town. And I was thrilled the buffet lunch had food choices there was both healthy and tasty. My major critique is that the entire day was so tightly programmed, it did feel a bit rushed. I understand that this can be an occupational hazard of having a tight schedule, but in our case, we were dropped off at the cable car entrance and had to wait for an extended time (maybe 45 minutes?) for our guide to show up with our tickets. It wasn't exactly clear what was going on at the time. If it could be arranged, it would have been a better use of that time for us to have our tickets when we arrived at the cable car entrance, so we could have just immediately gone up. Even better, I'd recommend that the train be used to go up, and the cable car to go down. That would provide a bit more flexibility in heading back down, rather than having to be at a precise location at a precise time in order to leave.

Transport
As I mentioned above, there was a lot of waiting around on this trip. Also, it was very confusing finding our transport van at the end of the train trip. We were not picked up where all the other buses where loading, but had to walk over to a separate area. If someone had not directed to this location, I don't think we would have found it on our own.
Darwin City Sights
Darwin City Sights
Darwin

This tour was probably the least favorite of the activities we did on this trip (of course, it's competing with some heavy hitters!). That being said, this overview of Darwin was pretty disjointed, and didn't give us much information about Darwin at all. Basically, it was a bus ride pointing out various buildings (and even that not done clearly), then trips to several locations. To be fair, the guide was also the driver (I don't know if this is normal), and she mentioned she hadn't done this tour in quite a while. Since I don't have much interest in aviation history, that museum wasn't a highlight for me, but I definitely enjoyed the trip to the Botanic Garden and the Museum and Art Gallery.

Yellow Water Cruise - Sunrise
Yellow Water Cruise - Sunrise
Australia

This cruise was amazing! It shows what difference a good guide can make on a trip like this. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, entertaining, and open to questions and discussions. If we had had the time, I would have booked the afternoon cruise with him. I felt like I learned so much about the area, and the plants and animals that inhabit it. And he was so good at spotting things!

Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Uluru

For a large bus tour, it was pretty well organized. Clearly the tour operators have a clear system for their trips. It was a bit wild, how many people were lining up before dawn for multiple bus tours. We had an awesome guide, Glennon--very high energy, and very knowledgeable. I very much appreciated that he gave us commentary while we drove to the sites. I think we might have gotten off to a late start, however--there really wasn't enough time to do the breakfast, see Uluru, then get back on the bus. I think all of that had to occur within a 1/2 hour, which meant that we had to leave Uluru just 10 minutes after the sun rose. The walk in Kata Tjuta was amazing. I've never seen that type of unconsolidated amalgamation of rock before. I very much enjoyed the experience of being in that place, and I appreciated that Glennon had us all gather at the end and engage in a minute of silence so that we could fully be present in this space. The only critique--and I know this is so common with large groups--is that he stopped several times to make a presentation, but didn't wait for the entire group to catch up, so only a small percentage of the overall group got to hear it.

Sounds of Silence Dinner
Sounds of Silence Dinner
Australia

Yet another event that I found tremendously moving. For a large group event (two buses worth of people), they did a fantastic job of making it feel special and more intimate. The setting is spectacular, the food was delicious, the didgeridoo player was phenomenal, and the star gazing was out of this world. And the time of silence was sublime. As a city dweller, I think that might be the first time I've ever seen the Milky Way! My suggestions for improvements are minor: I would have liked the star storytelling to be twice as long (at least). I so enjoyed it, but it seemed much too brief. A side note: the laser pointer he used was awesome! And they did something odd with the food service: we happened to be the first table that got served. (They ask each table to go up to the buffet line separately.) But then they reverse it for the desert, so we were the last to go up for desert. Thus we had a huge gap in our meal, and then only had 5 minutes to eat the desert before we had to depart. Not sure why the swap--it doesn't really make sense for the meal flow. And they need to provide a bit more time between when the last desert is served and the guests are asked to leave.

Local specialist: Gary Topic
Gary
Gary Topic
Local specialist in Newcastle, Australia | Replied on Jul 31, 2023

Hi Debra,
Thank you for your amazing feedback and also for the details regarding every item on your trip plan. This is rare insight that we rarely receive, so I will be sure to pass on your comments to each and every supplier.
Warm regards,
Gary

Gary put together an amazing trip for us with...
Australia | Jul 6 - Jul 22, 2023

L
Laura N.
Bayonne, NJ | Reviewed on Jul 29, 2023
Gary put together an amazing trip for us with very little notice and during Australian school holidays, which I am sure made the puzzle of finding flights and hotel rooms to all the places we went even more challenging. He was incredibly patient with all our questions and steered us to some fantastic places that it turns out many Australians never get too. This I discovered during my week work at the end of the trip in talking to Australian colleagues. He was incredibly responsive as... Read more

Gary put together an amazing trip for us with very little notice and during Australian school holidays, which I am sure made the puzzle of finding flights and hotel rooms to all the places we went even more challenging. He was incredibly patient with all our questions and steered us to some fantastic places that it turns out many Australians never get too. This I discovered during my week work at the end of the trip in talking to Australian colleagues. He was incredibly responsive as well during the trip to questions we had as we moved through our trip. A heartfelt thank you for an incredible trip!
Laura

Activity Review
Darwin City Sights
Darwin City Sights
Darwin

This city tour was a bit of disappointment. We were expecting that we'd learn something about the history of Darwin etc. Essentially the driver (there was no separate guide on board) pointed out buildings and told us what they were.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Gary Topic
Gary
Gary Topic
Local specialist in Newcastle, Australia | Replied on Jul 31, 2023

Hi Laura,
Thank you for your wonderful and detailed feedback. I was especially glad to hear you loved Kakadu. I will be sure to pass on your comments to each and every supplier.
Warm regards,
Gary

We had such a fabulous time and Liz made it s...
Australia | Jul 10 - Jul 23, 2023

Jing
Jing c.
Crystal Bay, NV | Reviewed on Jul 25, 2023
We had such a fabulous time and Liz made it so easy by planning things perfectly down to all the important details. Our 2 week trip went extremely smoothly and we really loved our itinerary. Liz was super knowledgeable about Australia and very supportive of our family's long wish list She struck a good balance between giving us advice and listening to our priorities. Scheduled flights, transportation, and accommodations all went smoothly without a hitch. We (including kids) all loved the... Read more

We had such a fabulous time and Liz made it so easy by planning things perfectly down to all the important details. Our 2 week trip went extremely smoothly and we really loved our itinerary. Liz was super knowledgeable about Australia and very supportive of our family's long wish list She struck a good balance between giving us advice and listening to our priorities. Scheduled flights, transportation, and accommodations all went smoothly without a hitch. We (including kids) all loved the variety of places we visited (Melbourne, Darwin, Port Douglas, Sydney).
We loved the tours she scheduled for us and she went out of her way to make last-minute tour adjustments when needed. All our tour guides were wonderful and gave us unique experiences.

Hotel Reviews
Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne
Melbourne
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Argus Hotel Darwin
Darwin
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Silkari Lagoons Port Douglas
Port Douglas
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The York, by Swiss-Belhotel
Sydney
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Australia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Indigenous Litchfield Spectacular
Full Day Indigenous Litchfield Spectacular
Darwin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Flood Country - Northern Kakadu Experience
Full Day Flood Country - Northern Kakadu Experience
Darwin
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Low Isles (from Hotel)
Full Day Low Isles (from Hotel)
Port Douglas
Quality of Experience
no one's fault but it was very windy so rough boat ride and water was cloudy.
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Afternoon Kuranda Rail & Skyrail
Afternoon Kuranda Rail & Skyrail
Port Douglas
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Climb the Harbor Bridge
Climb the Harbor Bridge
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Sydney

The farm stop was redundant for us as we had already been to many sanctuaries, so had great experiences already with the animals. If we didn't visit other wildlife habitats already then the farm would have been a more fun stop. Breakfast was less than expected. We loved the scenic drive and lookouts. The guide was awesome and very friendly and educational. My whole family unexpectedly all loved the hike. the views were beautiful, and the trail was challenging enough to have been fun for our 3 teens. I thought the Botanical garden was nice was didn't add to the experience of being in the Blue mountains, as the garden in Sydney was even bigger and nicer.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jul 25, 2023

Thank you Jing for the wonderful review and I am really happy your family enjoyed Australia as much as my family does!!! :)

It was a pleasure working with you and please reach out if we can help with another fabulous trip.

Liz

Amazing trip to Australia!
Australia | Jul 7 - Jul 20, 2023

D
Diane H.
Champaign, IL | Reviewed on Jul 22, 2023
We had an amazing trip to Australia! This is a great way to go if you are unfamiliar with the area you are visiting. Ruth was so knowledgeable and was able to book us on some great tours that were tailored to our interests. She also set us up in apartment-type accommodations in central locations, which was so convenient for our family. Our itinerary was printed out and waiting for us at our first apartment, and it was so much less stressful having all our rides and tour details arranged and... Read more

We had an amazing trip to Australia! This is a great way to go if you are unfamiliar with the area you are visiting. Ruth was so knowledgeable and was able to book us on some great tours that were tailored to our interests. She also set us up in apartment-type accommodations in central locations, which was so convenient for our family. Our itinerary was printed out and waiting for us at our first apartment, and it was so much less stressful having all our rides and tour details arranged and written out for us. We also appreciated the emergency numbers and local agents who could answer questions if needed. Thankfully everything went very smoothly. Would highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews
The York, by Swiss-Belhotel
Sydney

Great location. Tastefully decorated. Loved the large bathroom with laundry.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Easy walk to everything.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Desert Gardens Hotel
Yulara

Updated rooms. Nice patio.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Southern Cross Atrium Apartments
Cairns

Great location. Pools were a bonus. Spacious rooms with nice balconies.

Authenticity & Character
Location
close to central station
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clarion Suites Gateway
Melbourne
Authenticity & Character
Location
View of water. Close to everything.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spacious rooms and comfortable beds
Activity Reviews
Afternoon  Taste of Sydney Private Tour
Afternoon Taste of Sydney Private Tour
Sydney

Great history lessons and tour of significant areas of the city. Thought it could have included more ethnic foods and more of how the history related to the foods we were tasting.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour
Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour
Sydney

Great way to cover a lot of ground and learn about the city. A bit difficult in crowded areas with a large group, especially when some members were less skilled in biking than others.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney

Awesome to see the inner workings of the Opera House.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Sydney

Something for everyone on this tour. Animals at the farm, hiking in the mountains, and exploring the botanical garden - we enjoyed it all.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Night at Field of Light
A Night at Field of Light
Uluru

Amazing Amazing Amazing! Cannot say enough about this experience. From the sunset appetizers to the elaborate dinner to the stars and moonlit walk through the lights. It was truly one of the best highlights of our 2 week Australian vacation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning  Kata Tjuta Tour
Morning Kata Tjuta Tour
Uluru

Beautiful views of the sunrise. Sylvia was fantastic! Enjoyed the hike into the Gorge and breakfast.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sylvia was so knowledgeable and really made the experience exceptional.
Transport
Afternoon Uluru Sunset
Afternoon Uluru Sunset
Uluru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Silverswift Cruise - Snorkel Great Barrier Reef
Full Day Silverswift Cruise - Snorkel Great Barrier Reef
Australia

Rough waters getting to and from the reef but the snorkeling was amazing. Beautiful fish and knowledgeable staff all contributed to making this a highlight of our vacation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Cairns!
Welcome to Cairns!
Cairns
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Classic Kuranda
Full Day Classic Kuranda
Australia

Loved the cable car ride and seeing the markets and learning more about the native people. Did not like having to ride a bus for an hour and half before we got to start our day (we were the first ones picked up and it took a long time to pick up people at 10+ stops). I would have like a smaller group pick-up (or have everyone meet in a central location?)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Not a fan of the bus ride to start the day. Cable car and train were great though.
Afternoon/Evening  Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Afternoon/Evening Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Australia

Loved seeing rare animals - platypus and various kangaroos and opossums. Dinner was great too. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate but even in the rain, it was a fun adventure.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Best of Melbourne by Bike
Best of Melbourne by Bike
Melbourne

Paul was a great guide and he tailored the tour to what we wanted to see. Loved that we stopped for coffee and a snack!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tailored to us!
Transport
Afternoon Melbourne Foodie Discovery Tour
Afternoon Melbourne Foodie Discovery Tour
Melbourne

Great variety of food and loved that Monique related the history and architecture around us to the food we were tasting. Very fun and filling!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Monique did an exceptional job!
Transport
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Australia

Very cool to see the island and its inhabitants.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sarah was awesome! Knowledgeable and fun.
Transport
Long day with lots of driving but broken up with stops.
Depart Australia
Depart Australia
Australia

Left our hotel earlier than necessary. I understand you wanting to make sure we get to our flights on time but more than 2 hours on domestic and more than 3 hours international still left us with lots of downtime at the airports.

Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Jul 23, 2023

Thank you for your kind words Diane. I really enjoyed working with you to design your trip. I am so pleased that you enjoyed your time in Australia!

Wow!!
Australia | Jun 21 - Jul 12, 2023

Carl
Carl V.
Middletown, DE | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
We really enjoyed our trip to Australia. I can not imagine the visit without the help of KimKim. First and foremost arranging drivers to meet at airports (we are Americans and really didn’t feel comfortable driving on the left). Organizing our itinerary so that we we had time to do an appropriate amount of exploring at each of our stops. Linking us up with appropriate guided tours and activities that picked us up right at our hotel or a short walk away. Inevitably, when someone... Read more

We really enjoyed our trip to Australia. I can not imagine the visit without the help of KimKim. First and foremost arranging drivers to meet at airports (we are Americans and really didn’t feel comfortable driving on the left).

Organizing our itinerary so that we we had time to do an appropriate amount of exploring at each of our stops.

Linking us up with appropriate guided tours and activities that picked us up right at our hotel or a short walk away.

Inevitably, when someone we met at a stop told us we MUST do X or see Y, it was something we had done the day before or were scheduled to do the next.

Definitely many of these activities were NOT something that would have occurred to us on our own.

Well Done, KimKim!!

Hotel Reviews
Mantra 2 Bond Street
Sydney

We loved staying at this hotel. 1. Perfect location near transportation, grocery, bottle shop. 2. Ability to fix our own meals. 3. Essential; washer and dryer in room. 4. Courteous knowledgeable staff that really worked hard to help.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Woolworth’s right across the (closed to traffic) street.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mantra Crown Towers Surfers Paradise
Surfers Paradise

In room laundry and kitchen. Close to ocean. Amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort
Cairns

FANTASTIC breakfast buffet. Reasonably priced dinners. HUGE pool. Didn’t go in myself, but loved to see the families enjoying it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sails In The Desert
Yulara

Three different restaurants in the hotel to choose from. Great Breakfast buffet!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Captain Cook Cruises - Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer 2-Day Pass
Captain Cook Cruises - Hop On Hop Off Harbour Explorer 2-Day Pass
Sydney

A nice introduction to Sydney Harbor. Shark Island was on the list of stops , but the ship never stopped there. The ferry service would have suited us equally, as it turned out

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arrive Sydney
Arrive Sydney
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hunter Valley Food and Wine Lovers Tour
Hunter Valley Food and Wine Lovers Tour
Sydney

The food and wine tour was pleasant. It was mostly about wine tasting, with some food involved. I enjoyed this tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Sunset Dinner Cruise
Sydney

The dinner cruise was ok. The view from inside was not particularly good and most of the staff seemed disinterested. However, the food was good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Down Under Cruise with Gold Class Lounge
Down Under Cruise with Gold Class Lounge
Cairns

The Down Under Cruise was a good experience. My wife enjoyed snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, but I got seasick. However, I still got to see the reef, which was cool!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Daintree, Cape Trib & Bloomfield Day Tour
Daintree, Cape Trib & Bloomfield Day Tour
Cairns

The Daintree day tour was fascinating. We got to see crocodiles during a pontoon boat ride on the Daintree River. The tour was way more extensive than just the boat ride.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Uluru Camel Tours - Sunset Camel Experience
Uluru Camel Tours - Sunset Camel Experience
Uluru

The camel ride was a unique and enjoyable experience. We rode atop the camel for an hour, with frequent pauses. The ride included some food and drinks, which was nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Vickie Parrack
Vickie
Vickie Parrack
Local specialist in Wanaka | Replied on Jul 21, 2023

Thank you so much Carl,

What a pleasure it was to be part of your Aussie adventure.

Vickie

Trip of a lifetime
Australia | Jun 21 - Jul 12, 2023

Jane
Jane V.
Middletown, DE | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
This was our first trip to Australia. Normally, we plan our own trips, but the distance was so great (from the US) and the country so large, that we were overwhelmed. We wanted more independence than a tour would offer, however. Kimkim was the perfect solution!
After asking what categories of things we wanted to explore, and how long our trip would be, Vickie began making suggestions of itineraries and activities. We considered those, made some changes, reconsidered, for several months....
Read more

This was our first trip to Australia. Normally, we plan our own trips, but the distance was so great (from the US) and the country so large, that we were overwhelmed. We wanted more independence than a tour would offer, however. Kimkim was the perfect solution!
After asking what categories of things we wanted to explore, and how long our trip would be, Vickie began making suggestions of itineraries and activities. We considered those, made some changes, reconsidered, for several months. Vickie made more suggestions, adjusted things, etc., until we had a plan. And it was an excellent plan.
We loved all the time we had to explore Sydney, and were happy with our combination of planned excursions and free time. The driver/guides for all of our excursions were very knowledgeable and friendly. They not only gave us lots of information about the areas we visited, but had stories about the areas we drove past. That was true of excursions from Sydney, in Gold Coast, in Cairns and at Uluru. Clearly, Kimkim made arrangements with reputable companies.
We did not want to drive in Australia, since we're not used to driving on the left, so we really appreciated the drivers that picked us up at airports and hotels.
We were really happy with our accommodations. Amazing breakfasts were included, and the hotels in Sydney and Gold Coast had laundry facilities in the room, which was so handy.
We downloaded the kimkim app so we could access details of each step of our trip. I did have some questions about excursions along the way, so it was handy to have phone numbers for the tour operators. I had no trouble finding answers. The kimkim team was also available through a chat feature on the app, and that came in handy.
We're not sure where we'll go next, but we're sure we'll ask Kimkim to help us plan the trip.

Hotel Review
Mantra 2 Bond Street
Sydney

Great location for exploring Sydney. Helpful staff. Comfy, spacious suites and amazing breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to places of interest AND close to light rail and trains.
Staff
Very accomodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway + Kuranda Scenic Railway
Skyrail Rainforest Cableway + Kuranda Scenic Railway
Cairns

The vintage train ride is amazing. The train itself is fun and the scenery is spectacular.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Uluru Camel Tours - Sunset Camel Experience
Uluru Camel Tours - Sunset Camel Experience
Uluru

This was so much fun - definitely a highlight of our trip! The staff is so helpful and they make the ride so enjoyable.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Down Under Cruise with Gold Class Lounge
Down Under Cruise with Gold Class Lounge
Cairns

Unfortunately, my husband got seasick, but I had a great time and am proud to say I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hunter Valley Food and Wine Lovers Tour
Hunter Valley Food and Wine Lovers Tour
Sydney

Enjoyed not only the wines, but the countryside as we travelled to the wineries. Driver/Guide provided lots of information about the area.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rocks Walking Tour
Rocks Walking Tour
Sydney

Very interesting historical area of Sydney. Lots of good stories.

Quality of Experience
Unchartered Blue Mountains Tour
Unchartered Blue Mountains Tour
Sydney

Beautiful scenery and good information about the First Nations people.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Southern Cross Tours - Natural Bridge & Springbrook Waterfalls Tour
Australia

Our guide actually lives in the area that we toured, so she had lots of inside information and good stories.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Free Day in Sydney
Free Day in Sydney
Sydney

We toured the Opera House - definitely worth doing. We did the Hop On-Hop Off Big Bus tour, which is informative and interesting - more so than the Hop On Hop Off Ferry. There's narration with the bus - not so for the ferry. And ferry rides are cheap and available individually.

Kings Canyon & Outback Panoramas
Kings Canyon & Outback Panoramas
Uluru

This is a LONG day, but interesting to see a bit more of the Outback. We took a helicopter tour over the canyon, which was really good.

Sounds of Silence Dinner
Sounds of Silence Dinner
Uluru

We actually did the Wintjiri Wiru gourmet dinner and light show instead of this. Vickie found out about this experience kind of late in our planning, and suggested that we substitute it for the Sounds of Silence - and it was PHENOMENAL!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Vickie Parrack
Vickie
Vickie Parrack
Local specialist in Wanaka | Replied on Jul 20, 2023

Hi Jane,

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. I cant tell you how happy I am that you had such an amazing experience.

Sounds like the hotels were a great fit and you enjoyed so many bucket list activities. Riding camels in Uluru!!! How incredible.

And you loved Wintiji Wiru, I am so happy I upgraded you last minute. I will be sure to use this in future itineraries.

I cant thank you enough for letting me a part of this experience. If you ever come to New Zealand let me know :).

Take care

Vickie

We had a fantastic trip around Australia. Li...
Australia | Jun 10 - Jul 5, 2023

Kevin
Kevin F.
San Antonio, TX | Reviewed on Jul 12, 2023

We had a fantastic trip around Australia. Liz listened to our needs, scheduled fun and memorable activities for us, worked around other events we had scheduled, and did it quickly and efficiently. Liz, as well as the rest of the KimKim team, is an excellent, relaxed communicator who kept us updated with any changes. It was a pleasure working with KimKim yet again. We have used KimKim twice now and both of the trips rank at the top of all the trips we have ever taken (and we travel A LOT). Great Job!

Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jul 12, 2023

Well... right back at you Kevin, you were a wonderful client to work with and I would love to be able to help plan a memoreable trip again.. there is a lot of Australia left to see, and don't forget New Zealand.

Plus, you were my first client to complete the Iron Man (anywhere..) so hat's off to you !! Talking about New zealand... you know there is one there also right?

Thanks again for selecting us to work with and I hope our paths cross again in the near future.

Cheers
Liz

Such trip is very complicated to organize, bu...
Australia | Jun 11 - Jun 24, 2023

I
Israel B.
Germany | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2023
Such trip is very complicated to organize, but all worked very good.
All the hotels were good and all the tours were on time and well organized.
No "bad surprices" during the trip.
All re reservations where going perfect.
Read more

Such trip is very complicated to organize, but all worked very good.
All the hotels were good and all the tours were on time and well organized.
No "bad surprices" during the trip.
All re reservations where going perfect.

Hotel Reviews
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
Sydney

Freindly staff, good location, just a litle dark. Good value for the money.

Authenticity & Character
Location
near Darling habour
Staff
very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside, an IHG Hotel
Cairns North

nice area, quite and beatifull garden. Small pool

Authenticity & Character
standart hotel
Location
a little outside of the city, but still good location
Staff
VERY friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
very good air condition!
Desert Gardens Hotel
Yulara

it takes some time to get into the constrains of been in Uluru Restaurant too expenscie for a very poor service.

Authenticity & Character
standard hotel
Location
we got interior rooms with no view to the rock
Staff
very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
baths were not very clean.
The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins
Melbourne

very central located. Old fashion hotel, nice ambiente.

Authenticity & Character
niche Art Deco ambiente
Location
very close to train station and Skybus terminal
Staff
very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
rooms were not made one night
Activity Reviews
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Full Day Blue Mountains Hike the World Heritage
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Food
AMANZING. Over the expectations!!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
very friendly, educated and nice guide.
Transport
Welcome to Cairns!
Welcome to Cairns!
Cairns

UNFORGETABLE

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
great crew!
Transport
Full-Day Marine World Outer Great Barrier Reef
Full-Day Marine World Outer Great Barrier Reef
Cairns

From begging to the end a perfect adventure

Quality of Experience
swiming with Jarks
Food
very good ... and abundant
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Extremlly friendy staff!
Transport
 Full-Day Daintree Rainforest Tour & 4WD Adventure
Full-Day Daintree Rainforest Tour & 4WD Adventure
Cairns

big buss, very bussi

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Morning Uluru Sunrise & Kata Tjuta
Uluru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
guides was not so friendly
Transport
Local specialist: Connie Campos
Connie
Connie Campos
Local specialist in Washington and New Zealand | Replied on Jul 04, 2023

Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. It is always so great to hear our clients have a fantastic time.

I would to follow up with a phone call, there are a few comments that got my attention in regards the hotel in Ayers Rock and other comments in general . We apologize should you have had any inconvenience.

We hope to see you soon...

Connie

Amazing Adventure
Australia | Jun 14 - Jun 27, 2023

Carrie
Carrie H.
Oak Park, IL | Reviewed on Jul 04, 2023
We had 13 days in Australia, Connnie did a wonderful job helping us plan. Did a Foodie tour in Melbourne with Janet. She told us about immigration in Melbourne. The highlight was the Mabu Mabu Cafe. The Penguin Parade on Phillips Island was fun. In Cairns we took the railway to the Kuranda Rainforest, which was a lot of fun. We also went snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. My daughter and I touch a sea cucumber. It was beautiful. In Brisbane, we toured the Gold Coast and the Lone... Read more

We had 13 days in Australia, Connnie did a wonderful job helping us plan. Did a Foodie tour in Melbourne with Janet. She told us about immigration in Melbourne. The highlight was the Mabu Mabu Cafe. The Penguin Parade on Phillips Island was fun. In Cairns we took the railway to the Kuranda Rainforest, which was a lot of fun. We also went snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. My daughter and I touch a sea cucumber. It was beautiful. In Brisbane, we toured the Gold Coast and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Not only did my daughter hold a koala, but we saw a spinning platypus. Eco Safaris was awesome. The Sydney Opera House was truly amazing. Let's Go Surfing provided a great tour of Bondi Beach and surf lessons. It was an excellent adventure.

Hotel Reviews
Clarion Suites Gateway
Melbourne

Convenient Location, but typical hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
In main downtown area
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside, an IHG Hotel
Cairns North

Great staff, nice rooms, but a little far from the center of town.

Authenticity & Character
The staff was great!
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Voco Brisbane City Centre, an IHG Hotel
Brisbane
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Morning Discover Bondi Tour
Morning Discover Bondi Tour
Sydney

Lars from Let's Go Surfing was so much fun. Bondi was beautiful and my daughter loved the surfing!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Connie Campos
Connie
Connie Campos
Local specialist in Washington and New Zealand | Replied on Jul 04, 2023

Oh Carrie, I am so happy you had such a wonderful time, working with us at Springboard via kimkim gives you peace of mind when traveling as we make all of your arrangements for you - all you need to do is pack! We are thrilled you had a wonderful time and memorable.
We look forward to seeing you in another one of our trips.
We appreciate this review very much...

Thank you very much
Connie

Stribling Road Trip 2023: Brisbane to Melbourne
Australia | Jun 7 - Jun 16, 2023

James
James S.
Columbia, MD | Reviewed on Jun 29, 2023
The trip was phenomenal. After about a week in BRISBANE at a conference (June 02-07), we headed south on a 10-day driving tour toward Melbourne. The first night we stayed in BYRON BAY; in driving the next day ( June 08) we visited Brunswick Bay, Minyon Falls, Byron Bay lighthouse, Bangalow, all beautiful landscapes and small pleasant towns. The next night (June 9), we stayed in PORT MACQUARIE, followed by visits on the 10th to Shelly Beach, Sea Acres Rainforest Trail, Burrawan State Forest,... Read more

The trip was phenomenal. After about a week in BRISBANE at a conference (June 02-07), we headed south on a 10-day driving tour toward Melbourne. The first night we stayed in BYRON BAY; in driving the next day ( June 08) we visited Brunswick Bay, Minyon Falls, Byron Bay lighthouse, Bangalow, all beautiful landscapes and small pleasant towns. The next night (June 9), we stayed in PORT MACQUARIE, followed by visits on the 10th to Shelly Beach, Sea Acres Rainforest Trail, Burrawan State Forest, and the Old Bottlebutt Red Bloodwood tree (state park). Other towns and cities we visited were SYDNEY, BATEMANS BAY, NAROOMA, GIPSY POINT, METUNG, RHYLL (on PHILLIP ISLAND), and finally into MELBOURNE. There are too many highlights to list, but rest assured there were plenty of stunning natural landscapes and pleasant city and town environs. We managed to see beautiful coastal areas, mountain rainforests, and kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, kookaburra, magpies, black swans, and a lot more. A couple of additional highlights to mention are the Penguin Parade (really) on Phillip Island and the Australian Rules Football game in Melbourne...by the way, it was the Richmond Tigers vs. St. Kilda Saints (and, Richmond won). It was a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and would recommend Australia to anybody.

Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Jun 29, 2023

I really enjoyed working with you on your trip and am so glad you got to pack so much into your trip! You made the most of your driving time and saw parts of Australia most do not get to see! Thanks for being so fun to work with!

Ruth

Amazing Australia Visit!
Australia | Jun 15 - Jun 27, 2023

Amy
Amy W.
West Chester, PA | Reviewed on Jun 28, 2023
Everything was amazing! Liz planned a perfect trip for us and answered all of my little and big questions along the way. She worked within our budget and we felt like we were treated so well throughout. The drivers were where they were supposed to be at the times they said they would, the tours were all so well done!
We started in Sydney. We had a change to our harbour tour but ended up getting to see the lights of Vivid with the evening tour. We hit all of the iconic expereinces- the Sydney...
Read more

Everything was amazing! Liz planned a perfect trip for us and answered all of my little and big questions along the way. She worked within our budget and we felt like we were treated so well throughout. The drivers were where they were supposed to be at the times they said they would, the tours were all so well done!
We started in Sydney. We had a change to our harbour tour but ended up getting to see the lights of Vivid with the evening tour. We hit all of the iconic expereinces- the Sydney Opera House tour and the Bridge Climb. Liz was able to change our reservation to twighlight and we were on the bridge as the lights came up. It was terrifying and spectacular, and I would definitely recommend. The tour guides there- Nick gave us the tour and Molly set us up- were so fun. It is such a well organized plan that, even if you are afraid of heights, or anxious about being 134 meters over the water, you couldn't help but feel at ease.
We did the bike tour with Bonzo bikes in the Rocks. Stu was a great guide and, after being totally ovewhelmed by Sydney on my first exhausted day, felt so comfortable and able to really enjoy the sights of the city. It is beautiful-even in winter, the trees are evergreen, so it felt like spring in the northeast/US.
We stopped at Calmsley Farm on the way to the blue mountains. This was a lovely site with helpful guides who know the animals. We learned about the koalas, kangaroos, wallabys and more.
Our trip to the Blue Mountains included a hike and a lovely picnic lunch. We got to see some beautiful views and a waterfall on our hike.
We traveled to Melbourne via Quantas. We stayed at the Batmans Hill on Collins. This was our best accommodation! It was a really interesting building. We had plenty of space for our crew of 3-me, my husband and my 20 yo daughter. They had laundry for a small fee. The staff were so friendly and helpful throughout our stay. It was convenient to the train as well as the light rail which is free within the city. We stopped at the moonlit sancturary where we got to feed the wallabys and kangaroos! We saw the Penguins at Phillip Island, the Yarrow Valley for a vinyard tour= Cam from Vinetrekkers was great. We had a fun, chatty group and really enjoyed the otherwise rainy day! We walked to the aquarium and checked out the Royal and Block arcades on our free days. It felt like being in Hogsmeade-if you are a Harry Potter fan! Definitely felt like a throwback for us!
Off to another flight to Cairnes for our stay in Port Douglas. I can't say enough about the crew at Sailaway who took us to the outer great barrier reef! So knowledgeable and fun. Safety was always at the forefront. We even witnessed their first whale sighting of the migration north just off the point of Snapper Island. We learned a ton about the reef and sustainability.
We headed to Kuranda via the skyrail and scenic rail tour. The little town had a lot to offer. The views were spectacular and we were able to have lunch with a view.
Our Billy Safari tour of the Daintree rainforest was our last official tour. We were exhuasted but still enjoyed Daniel's storie and the views. The river tour was great- we saw several crocodiles and some resident birds.
Our day was back in Sydney to get our flight home. We used the train system to get to the Wildlife museum where we finally found a playpus! The dollar was in our favor so we really were able to eat, visit and enjoy without much fuss.
Our daughter prompted this trip by doing a semester at The University of New Castle in New South Wales. She had an amazing experiece. We were all so impressed by the kindness of the people, the ease of navigating the cities and the amazing opportunities Australia had to offer! We are so thankful we stumbled upon Liz and Kimkim when trying to figure out how to plan a financially manageable trip! Thanks for everything! We all had different highlights but all agreed it was too hard to pick a favorite!

Hotel Reviews
Holiday Inn Darling Harbour, an IHG Hotel
Haymarket

Clean and close to the light rail. Breakfast was included and good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Located in China town. It was a cool location, just a tougher walk than we realized. Once we figured out the light rail it was easier!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Batman's Hill On Collins
Melbourne, VIC

The building was really unique. We had a lot of space, laundry was easily accessible, food was good and staff were all friendly! We had seen some reviews which did not reflect the same experience, so we were really pleasantly surprised and it was the best accommodation of our 14 day tour of Australia. The location was great. We walked to the aquarium and the local arcades. We took the free light rail to the night market pretty easily.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Villa San Michele
Port Douglas

The location was great- right in the middle of town, but in a quiet community! We really should have chosen a larger room for the 3 of us- it was a bit tight for 3 adults in the 1 br apt.

Activity Reviews
Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour
Sydney Guided Bike Tour - Shared Tour
Sydney

Stu was a great guide! It was a very relaxed outing and I felt like we saw Sydney in a way that I never would have on foot! We enjoyed the info and the chatter! We took our helmets off for the photo!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Australia

Kevin was a great tour guide! He got us where we needed to be and knew the best way to navigate the crowds. We had a cold, rainy night but still had an amazing time and saw around 800 penguins come ashore! It was amazing!

Climb the Harbor Bridge
Climb the Harbor Bridge
Sydney

Nick and Molly helped us through the process. So well organized and safety conscious. We had amazing time, seeing the lights come up for Vivid! Amazing experiece despite some mild terror! They are so good about putting you at ease and making you feel safe! Picture is our celebratory drink after the climb!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Full Day Yarra Valley Wine  and Food Tour
Full Day Yarra Valley Wine and Food Tour
Melbourne

We had a great day with Cam and Vinetrekker despite the dreary day! Lots of great people and chatter! The wine was good, too :)

Quality of Experience
Food
We had a lovely meal with some local fare!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Full-Day Barrier Reef & Coral Cays Boat Tour
Port Douglas

We loved our experience with Sailaway! The crew was fantastic-fun, knowledgeable and comfortable to be around! They were on top of everything from safety to motion sickness to reef knowlege and conservation. Can't say enough!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jun 30, 2023
My Goodness Amy !!!! What a wonderful and detailed review ! So wonderful for future travelers to see how they can enjoy this amazing destination ! Thank you , I really appreciate it. And I hadn't heard about the whale sighting, you mentioned platypus before but now a whale also!! Wonderful. I will pass your comments to our teams, it is important that they get this feedback to encourage all to continue to provide an excellent experience to our guests. Thank you again . I would love to... Read more

My Goodness Amy !!!! What a wonderful and detailed review ! So wonderful for future travelers to see how they can enjoy this amazing destination ! Thank you , I really appreciate it. And I hadn't heard about the whale sighting, you mentioned platypus before but now a whale also!! Wonderful.

I will pass your comments to our teams, it is important that they get this feedback to encourage all to continue to provide an excellent experience to our guests.

Thank you again . I would love to work with you in the future so please reach out if you would like to explore any of our other destinations like New Zealand, Fiji or Tahiti.

Cheers
Liz

Family trip to Australia
Australia | Jun 4 - Jun 16, 2023

M
Maria K.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 23, 2023
The whole process of planning the trip was great. Our planner Brooke took the time to understand our interests and needs and was always open to make changes and adjustments based on our requests. She was very knowledgeable on the areas we travelled to that gave us confidence that what we were choosing was right for us. We travelled to Melbourne, Hobart-Tasmania, Ayers Rock-Uluri, Cairns-Port Douglas, and Sydney. Every single city was unique and amazing. It was definitely an unforgettable... Read more

The whole process of planning the trip was great. Our planner Brooke took the time to understand our interests and needs and was always open to make changes and adjustments based on our requests. She was very knowledgeable on the areas we travelled to that gave us confidence that what we were choosing was right for us. We travelled to Melbourne, Hobart-Tasmania, Ayers Rock-Uluri, Cairns-Port Douglas, and Sydney. Every single city was unique and amazing. It was definitely an unforgettable experience.

Hotel Reviews
The Woolstore 1888 by Ovolo
Pyrmont

We enjoyed our stay at this hotel. It was clean, comfortable and in a good location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Outback Hotel & Lodge
Yulara

This was a decent hotel for the one night we stayed. We didn't have any major complaints.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clarion Suites Gateway
Melbourne

The hotel was comfortable and clean. We didn't spend much time in the hotel as we were out exploring most of the time. This hotel was perfect for our needs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Salamanca Inn
Hobart, TAS

Similar to the Clarion Suites, this hotel was clean, comfortable, and in a safe location. It was very convenient for our short stay in Hobart.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bay Villas Resort
Port Douglas

The resort was great. The accommodations were comfortable and the location was convenient. We appreciated the proximity to the grocery store and the ability to cook our own breakfast

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Full-Day Great Ocean Road Trip
Full-Day Great Ocean Road Trip
Melbourne

Our tour guide Sarah was fantastic. She was so passionate about what she does that made this day for us unforgettable.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Phillip Island Full day tour Moonlit Sanctuary + Penguin Plus
Australia

This was another highlight. We got to see the penguins and explore the sanctuary.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Tour of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary & Tasmanian Devils
Night Tour of the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary & Tasmanian Devils
Hobart

This was one of the most beautiful experiences. Amazing overall.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A Night at Field of Light
A Night at Field of Light
Uluru

This activity was great. We were supposed to get a souvenir at the end but that did not happen. The lights are getting old so they do not shine as bright. The food and service were good.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Uluru Highlights
Morning Uluru Highlights
Uluru
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Welcome to Port Douglas
Welcome to Port Douglas
Port Douglas
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Classic Kuranda - Gold Class
Full Day Classic Kuranda - Gold Class
Australia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Dinner Cruise - Window Seat - Vivid Sydney
Sunset Dinner Cruise - Window Seat - Vivid Sydney
Sydney

Vivid Sydney was amazing

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Full Day Blue Mountains Deluxe Day
Sydney

Although the blue mountains are beautiful the trip was designed for older people. It was a little boring for our 15 year old. He liked it all but it needs a little something to make it more fun for teens.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney Opera House Tour
Sydney
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Depart Australia
Depart Australia
Australia
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Our driver taking us to the airport was so kind. He allowed us to stop at a golf course so our son can get a hat. So kind
Morning City Tour
Morning City Tour
Melbourne

This was a great way to start our trip. We got to see a lot of the city and learn about its history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise + Intro Dive (from Hotel)
Full Day Outer Barrier Reef Cruise + Intro Dive (from Hotel)
Port Douglas

We were a little disappointed with this tour. The dive was overrated and the crew was not very welcoming. We also did not have the opportunity to take photos underwater.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ruth Grau
Ruth
Ruth Grau
Local specialist in Adelaide, Australia, & Palm Springs, USA | Replied on Jun 25, 2023

Thank you so much for your lovely review. Brooke and I are so thrilled that you enjoyed your trip!

Gary was fantastic . He put together the perf...
Australia | May 9 - May 25, 2023

Darlene E
Darlene E E.
Alhambra, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 22, 2023

Gary was fantastic . He put together the perfect trip according to my suggestions. The hotels were great. The excursions were wonderful.
I loved everything. I am a travel agent in Arizona, USA. I will definitely recommend Kim Kim Travel.

Local specialist: Gary Topic
Gary
Gary Topic
Local specialist in Newcastle, Australia | Replied on Jul 31, 2023

Hi Darlene,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. I'm very glad you loved Australia.

Australia trip
Australia | May 26 - Jun 7, 2023

Katie
Katie K.
Palm Bay, FL | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2023
Gary was incredibly helpful and planned an absolutely wonderful trip for me and my family. Everything from the transportation, hotel reservations, and excursion was exceptional. We had some last minute travel issues that he helped us with immediately. I gave 5 stars but Gary deserves 10. Thank you, Gary!! Read more

Gary was incredibly helpful and planned an absolutely wonderful trip for me and my family. Everything from the transportation, hotel reservations, and excursion was exceptional. We had some last minute travel issues that he helped us with immediately. I gave 5 stars but Gary deserves 10. Thank you, Gary!!

Hotel Reviews
Shangri-La Sydney
The Rocks, Sydney

This was the best hotel we stayed at. Incredible view and impressive service.

Authenticity & Character
It was beautiful and unique
Location
Walkable to everything and great views from our window.
Staff
Very helpful staff. They took care of my kids who arrived before I did.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mercure Cairns
Cairns

This hotel worked great for us and our short stay but didn't compare to the other hotel stays. It was a bit of a Bahamian vibe.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
The staff was lovely.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel
Mascot, Sydney, NSW

Perfect stay for an early departure.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Day trip to the Great Barrier Reef
Australia

Unfortunately I was sea sick most of the time. Regardless, this excursion was one for the books. The captain took good care of me and the kids and I had a blast.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Gary Topic

A Trip of a Lifetime!
Australia | Jun 1 - Jun 12, 2023

J
Jolene M.
Greeley, CO | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2023
Our trip was absolutely amazing! Liz did a fantastic job of coordinating our travel plans, even when there were some last minute changes. I am thankful for her willingness to go above and beyond to help us with those changes. All of our flights, hotels, pick ups/drop offs, and tours went smoothly and as planned. Visiting Sydney during Vivid and doing the Vivid BridgeClimb was absolutely breathtaking! We also thoroughly enjoyed the nocturnal tour with Wait a While Tours in Cairns with... Read more

Our trip was absolutely amazing! Liz did a fantastic job of coordinating our travel plans, even when there were some last minute changes. I am thankful for her willingness to go above and beyond to help us with those changes. All of our flights, hotels, pick ups/drop offs, and tours went smoothly and as planned. Visiting Sydney during Vivid and doing the Vivid BridgeClimb was absolutely breathtaking! We also thoroughly enjoyed the nocturnal tour with Wait a While Tours in Cairns with Paul. During the tour we were able to to see two platypus in the wild...a dream come true! And, of course, you can't beat snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef. Last of all, my favorite place was Kangaroo Island. Seeing koalas, kangaroos, and sea lions in the wild was incredible. And, Admiral's Arch is a must see for anyone visiting KI. Thank you, Liz, for all that you have done for us! It was a trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews
PARKROYAL Darling Harbour
Sydney

The hotel was nice and well-located.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Grand Chancellor Adelaide
Adelaide

The hotel was downtown, but Adelaide was a bit congested and not as pretty as other locations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mercure Kangaroo Island Lodge
American River

The hotel was secluded and peaceful. Loved walking along the lagoon in the morning. However, there are limited dining options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Climb the Harbor Bridge
Climb the Harbor Bridge
Sydney

The bridge climb during Vivid Night was amazing, even for someone who is scared of heights. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Full Day Marine World Outer Great Barrier Reef  - to pontoon
Full Day Marine World Outer Great Barrier Reef - to pontoon
Australia

The pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef had an all-you-can-eat buffet, submersible, and underwater window view. The snorkeling experience was enjoyable, even for someone who doesn't swim or snorkel much.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ultimate Kangaroo Island Tour (Day 1)
Ultimate Kangaroo Island Tour (Day 1)
Australia

Kangaroo Island was beautiful, especially Admiral's Arch. Highly recommend doing the two-day tour!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ultimate Kangaroo Island Tour (Day 2)
Ultimate Kangaroo Island Tour (Day 2)
Australia

Remarkable Rocks was another highlight on Kangaroo Island. The island was remote and full of wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rainforest Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Rainforest Adventure & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour
Australia

The Wait Awhile tour in Cairns with Paul was great. He was very knowledgeable, and we saw two platypuses in the wild as well as other wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Liz Neal
Liz
Liz Neal
Local specialist in Sydney-Auckland-Los Angeles | Replied on Jun 20, 2023

Hello Jolene,
I am so happy you enjoyed your trip and .. Platypus !!!!! You are one of my lucky clients !! they are quite elusive but super fun when you spot them. Good for you!

It was very nice working with you and I would be happy to work with you in any other destination we cover. !! Wishing you a great rest of the year.
Liz

Gary was absolutely AMAZING. There wasn't a ...
Australia | May 26 - Jun 7, 2023

K
Kirk K.
Melbourne, FL | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2023

Gary was absolutely AMAZING. There wasn't a glitch. Gary covered every angle from airline and car transportation, hotels to excursions.

We had drivers waiting for us everywhere they were courteous and punctual. The excursion to The Great Barrier Reef was a highlight that we would have most likely missed if Gary had not recommended we see this when we traveled to Australia. Kim Kim Tours and Gary are OUTSTANDING and I would highly recommend them if you are considering a trip.

Thank you

Local specialist: Gary Topic
Gary
Gary Topic
Local specialist in Newcastle, Australia | Replied on Jul 31, 2023

Hi Kirk,
Thank you so much for taking the time to send your wonderful feedback. I am so glad to hear that you loved your trip.