Simon Bernardi
I have been in the travel Industry for over 30 years and have traveled extensively both within and outside Australia. Our business was established to provide tailormade experiences for travelers wanting a unique experience. We enjoy curating experiences that provide local insights for our travelers. Australia is a unique destination with diverse communities and natural beauty.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in Australia in particular Queensland, Tasmania, and New South Wales and have traveled in the outback as well as many coastal regions. Having lived in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane I have extensive knowledge of all of these cities. As a keen Scuba diver I have also dived in many places in Australia as well as the South Pacific."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I initially entered the travel industry with a love of Aviation and joined Qantas Airways where I spent most of my career. My roles included running their holiday arm Qantas Holidays for many years. Since then I have led a number of holiday companies and have a passion for showing international visitors our home Australia."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"A unique travel experience I have had was traveling in Far Nth QLD where we traveled to the Lockhart River and went on charter boats and remote Islands for seven days Heli-fishing and Scuba diving. This trip was fantastic where we were helicoptered from fishing spot to fishing spot. We caught Barramundi in the coastal rivers whilst avoiding the Sharks and Saltwater Crocs that were also lurking below. For lunch, we would Barbecue and enjoy a great lunch before helicoptering back to our Island or charter boat. This is an expensive trip but purely a once in a lifetime experience. This is a truly unique part of Australia very sparsely populated where there may be no other people near you for thousands of kilometers."
Featured trips & expertise
Best of Eastern Australia: Sydney, Cairns, Gold Coast, & Melbourne - 10 Days
On this 10-day adventure through Australia, discover four cities, along with several scenic day trips. Begin in Sydney to tour landmarks and areas like The Rocks, Sydney Harbour, and Bondi Beach, along with an excursion to the stunning Blue Mountains region. Then, enjoy a quick day in Carins for an indigenous experience, followed by two days in Gold Coast to tour the beaches and enjoy some thrills. The vacation ends in Melbourne to visit the funky pub scene, embark on a wildlife tour of Phillip Island, and take a guided road trip through Great Ocean Road.
Queensland Outback - 11 Days
This educational 11-day itinerary explores a remote area of Australia for an adventure rarely experienced by the average traveler. Starting in Brisbane, you'll travel through a series of small distinct towns in Queensland's outback brimming with pioneer history, stunning scenery, and a mix of activities that run the gamut from cattle herding to bushwalking to touching dinosaur fossils, to name a few.
The Authentic Aussie Adventure: Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, & Cairns - 10 Days
On this 10-day adventure, visit four cities that offer a mix of sightseeing tours and outdoor excursions. Land in Melbourne and stroll through popular sites, before taking to Great Ocean Road to explore seaside lookouts. Next is Adelaide, which offers museum tours and a trip to Kangaroo Island, decorated with native species. Then, visit Sydney's local landmarks, along with the picturesque Blue Mountains, before the grand finale out of Cairns—a memorable boat tour to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef.
The Best of Australia & New Zealand - 22 Days
Cover the spectrum of these two dynamic countries with this comprehensive itinerary. Start off in New Zealand, where you'll visit both the North and South islands to explore Maori culture, natural wonders, adventure sports, and more—sip wine on Waiheke island, hike at Aoraki, and cruise through Milford Sound. Then head to Australia, starting with the city sights in Melbourne before you meet the penguins of Phillip Island, stunning scenes of Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, and urban streets of Sydney.
Highlights of Australia - 12 Days
This 12-day highlights tour combines stunning natural settings and diverse wildlife with heart-stopping activities. You'll begin in Sydney before flying into the outback, ending your stay along the coast where you'll divide your time between rainforest and the Coral Sea. You'll hug koalas in Kuranda, watch whales off the coast of Sydney, snorkel part of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as hike in the Blue Mountains and catch a sunset over Uluru.
New Zealand's Ultimate Tour - 13 Days
Perfect for first-timers, this 13-day itinerary covers an epic variety of landscapes and activities that only New Zealand could offer. Starting in Auckland, you'll head south passing through glowworm caves, natural mud baths, and famous film sets. Stay a few nights in Wellington before continuing to the South Island for the country's highest peaks, incredible natural wonders (like Milford Sound), and—if you so choose—a range of adrenaline sports to amp up this "Kiwi" adventure.