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 Australia, from Melbourne to Sydney - 11 Days
This trip to Australia combines vibrant cities with tranquil nature, starting in Melbourne with visits to museums, a scenic drive along Great Ocean Road to see the Twelve Apostles, and a tour of Phillip Island to view the little penguins. Head into the center of the country to explore Uluru and its famous Ayers Rock, with sunrise hikes through the national park, stargazing tours, and the art exhibit, Field of Light. End your trip in Sydney where you'll cruise the harbor, tour the historic neighborhoods, visit the nearby beaches, and explore the Blue Mountains.
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.
Australia Highlights: Sydney, Cairns, & The Outback - 7 Days
Spend a week in three of Australia’s eventful regions—Sydney, Uluru, and Cairns. Go sightseeing in Sydney, from The Rocks to Bondi Beach, then adventure through the stunning Blue Mountains region. Next, get a taste of The Outback in Uluru, where spectacular colors change from sunrise to sunset over Ayers Rock. Then, travel to Cairns to experience the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, along with an exciting journey across the Kuranda Scenic Railway.
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.
Recent trip reviews for Simon
Amazing adventure in Australia · Australia - Nov 12 - Nov 27, 2019
I had an amazing adventure in Australia. The in-country agents that kimkim set me up with were overall very good. Initially, I had to review everything quite closely and we made changes to a number of things on the itinerary, such as choice of hotels or upgrades to the hotel rooms. If I hadn't been so engaged I don't think the trip would have been quite as fun and satisfying as it was.
Peggy was very responsive to my requests and added a few nice touches, like private limo airport... read more
Hi Laurie,
Happy New Year !
Thank you for your kind feedback and areas where we can improve also. Im glad you had a great trip , it was a pleasure to work with you on the trip. If you come back to Australia we would love to assist you again.
Also unfortunately Southern Ocean Lodge burnt down in the recent fires, hopefully will be all rebuilt for your next trip.
Best
Simon