Travel On A Budget

Amazing Australia

Sat, Mar 14 · 7:00 PM PDT

Sydney, 191-201 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia, AU

The Land Down Under - March 14th - March 25th, 2026

Our friends at PhotoFly Travel Club (http://www.photoflytravel.com/) have invited us to this amazing new adventure!

Go here to sign up: http://www.photoflytravel.org/australia-group-tours/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

This amazing part of the world has been long overdue for another adventure! This time we will explore the beauty, beaches iconic buildings of Sydney, The Great Barrier Reef around the stunning Whitsunday Islands, and the history, food, & culture center that is Melbourne! We’re excited to show you some of our favorite parts of the great country of Australia!

• 11 nights/12 days throughout the best of Australia
• Breakfast daily
• 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners

Sydney - 3 Nights
As Australia’s largest city, Sydney embraces its harbor, taking the sea and natural waterways to its heart. The grand style of the Sydney Opera House has made the city the landmark of the South Pacific. Sydney, with some 4 million people is the oldest, biggest, and liveliest city in Australia. Sydney’s facilities for sightseeing and holiday activities are unequaled by any other Australian city. It is a paradise for surfers, swimmers, yachtsmen, fishermen, and golfers. Full of history and great nightlife, the choice of things to do in Sydney is endless.

• Privately Guided City Tour throughout highlights of Sydney including the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbor Bridge, Darling Harbor, The Rocks historic district, Parliament House, Kings Cross, Watson’s Bay, Bondi Beach, and others.
• Free time to explore the streets and world-class beaches Sydney has to offer.

Blue Mountains Optional Adventure - Full Day

• Visit Calmsley Hill, see a working farm with emus, kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and more.
• Explore Blue Mountains National Park and travel through historic townships featuring views and vistas of the extensive mountain range.
• Photograph world-famous Three Sisters rock pillars from a remote lookout point
• Participate in a light hike or nature walk to get further into the park.

The Whitsunday Islands & Great Barrier Reef - 4 Nights
A great way for you to experience everything the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef has to offer. Witness the whitest sand in the world on Whitehaven Beach, feast your eyes on the most exotic marine life in the beautiful waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and get up close and personal with a collection of native animals including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, wombats and various reptiles at Wild Life Hamilton Island.

• Great Barrier Reef Full Day Adventure: Truly one of the great wonders of the natural world and a must-see for any visitor to Australia. Getting there is half the fun onboard the 120 foot vessel ideally suited to outer reef cruising.
• Reefworld Pontoon: adjacent to Hardy Reef, we’ll have a choice of areas to relax and a great range of activities. There are numerous ways to explore the reef, from the underwater viewing chamber, to the semi-submersible submarines, or snorkeling & diving! Morning tea, afternoon tea, buffet lunch, and included snorkel gear (fins & mask, wetsuit) included. Intro and certified diving options available (additional cost)
• Scenic helicopter flights (additional cost)
• Whitehaven Beach Cruise and Island Exploration: See the very best of the Whitsunday Islands National Park on our fully guided half day cruise. Sit back, breathe in the sea air, sip a wine or beer, and marvel at the 74 Island Wonders of the Whitsundays, starting with views of Passage Peak and the imposing Pentecost Island.
• Explore Hamilton Island
• Entry into Wild Life Hamilton Island: Get up close and personal with a collection of native animals including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, wombats and various reptiles.
• Relax and explore the beaches of Hamilton Island: Catseye Beach is one of the best with easy access from our hotel. A perfect spot for relaxing, swimming, and enjoying a whole range of fun water sports. You can also explore the sand flats at low tide and see the island from a different perspective.
• Use of catamarans, paddle skis, windsurfers, and snorkeling equipment
• Use of gym, spa, & sauna
• Unlimited use of the scheduled Island Shuttle service

Melbourne: 4 Nights
Simply stated, Melbourne is friendly elegance and Australia’s cosmopolitan and sophisticated lifestyle capital. Enjoy Melbourne’s Old World charm as you stroll through formal gardens, boat on the lazy Yarra River, wander down broad, tree-lined avenues, admire stately buildings, or shop in the fine boutiques. There is a wonderfully friendly welcome found in the charming sidewalk cafes, the delightful trams, and the streets and markets of distinctive ethnic neighborhoods.

• Private guided city tour throughout the highlights of Melbourne's eclectic architecture of central business district, Captain Cook’s Cottage in the beautiful Fitzroy Gardens, Botanical Gardens, Queen Victorian Markets, Shrine of Remembrance, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and more.

• Food and culture tour: Unique, privately guided lanes and arcades walking tour; 4 handpicked venues to learn about the development of the city and food/drink to eat and sample.

• Full day tour of Mornington Peninsula: one of the state's premier coastal wine regions. A hot spot for Melbournites, this area has gourmet food, amazing wines, coastal views, relaxed vibes, and calming scenery throughout. Our full day tour goes out to visit a few vineyards to have some glasses, takes a light hike to the rocky coast, and a stop for lunch with a view.

• Free time in Melbourne to explore as you wish or other optional activities available.

• 2 Domestic flights INCLUDED (Sydney –> Hamilton Island / Hamilton Island –> Melbourne - a $300 value!)

• International Airfare is not included. We are happy to help you find a good flight as always! (Flying into Sydney (SYD) & Departing from Melbourne (MEL)

• All taxes, fees, & transfers included

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Join Us!

Price: $3,849
Single Supplement: $1,195

Go here to sign up: http://www.photoflytravel.org/australia-group-tours/

Zimbabwe & Botswana – Beyond the Falls

Tue, Mar 24 · 7:00 PM PDT

Chobe National Park in Botswana, Botswana, BW

March 24th – April 1st, 2026

PhotoFly Travel Club (https://www.photoflytravel.com/) has created another small group trip for anybody who is interested in an incredible safari!

Join us for an unforgettable experience in 2026! Join our club on a truly unique African safari that combines the wildlife-rich Chobe National Park in Botswana with the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls—Africa’s largest and most iconic waterfall. Chobe is known for its massive elephant herds, thrilling game drives, and sunset river cruises where hippos, crocs, and lions roam the banks. Just over the border in Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls offers a jaw-dropping display of nature’s power, with misty viewpoints, rainforest trails, and optional adventure activities like helicopter rides and whitewater rafting.

The journey continues to one of the continent’s most beloved destinations: Matopo National Park in southwestern Zimbabwe. Famous for its striking granite formations, including massive balancing rocks and sweeping panoramic vistas, this region is especially magical at sunrise and sunset. It's a dream for wildlife and landscape photography, with chances to spot white rhinos, leopards, and a wide array of birdlife. The best part? You’ll be staying at an unforgettable rock cave lodge tucked into this dramatic landscape—our favorite base for exploring Matopo.

• 8N/9D throughout the Chobe National Park (Botswana), Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), and Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe
• Domestic flight within the country ($275 value!)
• Privately guided adventures and naturalist guides throughout
• Game drives over land and on the water
• Breakfast every day
• 6 Dinners, 4 Lunches

Join Here: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/zimbabwe-botswana-safari/

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Chobe National Park - Botswana
Experience the park from two perspectives: land and water. Game drives and boat safaris each offer unique wildlife viewing and photography opportunities. Every morning and late afternoon—when animals are most active—set out for a safari on land or water.

Game Drives: Open safari vehicles offer panoramic views and elevated seating, perfect for spotting wildlife and moving quickly when sightings are reported. Outfitted with sunshades and blankets for chilly mornings, these drives provide close encounters with lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, crocs, and a wide variety of birds—every outing is a chance to capture the essence of wild Africa.

Boat Safaris: Out on the river, there's always action and a refreshing breeze. Birds thrive along the banks, reedbeds, and shores—watch for fish eagles, ospreys, and a rainbow of kingfishers. Guides keep an eye out for crocs and help position the boat for close-up shots. Hippos are ever-present, and elephants often play in the water. You might also spot lion, buffalo, kudu, and other animals drinking at the edge—most keeping a wary eye on the crocs.

• All-inclusive in Botswana
• Two game drives or boat safaris per day

Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
An awe-inspiring natural wonder where the mighty Zambezi River plunges over a basalt cliff, sending mist rising hundreds of meters into the air—visible from miles away. The thunderous roar and shimmering rainbows earned it the local name Mosi-oa-Tunya, or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.

Victoria Falls Guided Tour: An unforgettable encounter with nature at its most powerful—Victoria Falls overwhelms the senses with its thunderous roar, misty air, and sheer scale. No photo can truly capture its impact (though we’ll certainly try!). We’ll explore the surrounding rainforest with a knowledgeable guide who’ll share the history of the Falls along with insights into the area's unique flora, fauna, and birdlife. With 16 viewpoints along the trail, you’ll have endless opportunities to take in and photograph this natural wonder.Traditional Felucca Ride: Sail the Nile aboard a classic wooden felucca, drifting past palm-lined banks with views of the hilltop Aga Khan Mausoleum.

**Optional Activities: **While here, optional activities to enjoy here include a scenic helicopter ride (recommended!), bungy jumping, zip lines, elephant walk, and more!

Matobo National Park - Zimbabwe

Camp Amalinda: We’re always thrilled to bring our members to this unforgettable place. Nestled within the ancient caves of Matobo National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—Camp Amalinda is built into a former Bushman shelter and consistently ranks among the top safari lodges in Zimbabwe. Surrounded by towering granite domes and massive kopjes, this lodge offers a truly immersive experience in the heart of untamed Africa.

In Search of Rhino: Matopo is one of the world’s top spots to see the rare black and white rhinos. The dramatic landscape offers stunning photo backdrops, but spotting and photographing these endangered giants is the true highlight of the experience.

Rhodes’ Grave & “View of the World”: A short hike leads to the grave of Cecil Rhodes, who chose this as his final resting place for its breathtaking beauty. The panoramic views from the top have earned it the name “View of the World.”

Ancient Bushman Rock Paintings: Explore caves adorned with rock art dating back 6,000–10,000 years, created by the San Bushmen who lived in the area up to 13,000 years ago. This walk offers a surreal journey into early human history.

Matobo Safari: Enjoy a wildlife-filled safari through Matobo, home to rock dassies, klipspringer, giraffe, wildebeest, sable, hippo, leopards, and an impressive array of birdlife.

Email us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!

Price: $4,249
Single Supplement: $995

Check out our club's official trip page: https://photoflytravel.org/tour/zimbabwe-botswana-safari/