Anyone have an "average" (loosely used term there) price they have paid recently from the States to Darwin?
There is a party of us AR regulars heading over in late June. We are now looking to book our flights. Seems we've had a high quote of $2,675 and a low quote of $2,250. Do these prices seem in-line with this these travel plans?

Anyone have any suggestions on agents to try here in the States? We've gotten quotes from the hunting agent "regulars" such as Steve Turner, Kathi Klimes, etc..

Thanks in advance.

Sydney to LAX is $1200USD from this end and around $700 Sydney to Darwin.

I've just had a quick search and you can fly Virgin Australia LAX to SYD for USD1398 return and Jetstar SYD to DAR for AUD488 (same USD on todays rates) return includes 40kg baggage on this leg.

Raising fuel here has flight prices creeping up.
We went ahead & booked. Roundtrip out of PHX was $2,115.

Looking forward to the trip! 5 months & counting. Hoping to find a BIG ol sweeper bull or 3!!

Take plety of pictures mate and don't forget to post a report when you get back.
Hope you have fun.

Direct Qantas flights running through Dallas are going to be a big improvement for our clients, at least those coming from east of the Rockies. fly direct from Dallas to Brisbane and the then Sydney to Dallas on the way home. I took thatt Syd-Dallas on my way out here .... sooo much better than the LAX flight!!

I heard that that new Dallas flight was nice..
But coming from PHX, its a 45 min flight over to LAX.. no backtracking over to Dallas!!

Looking forward to the hunt!

Scotty,
It seems we Americans get nailed by taxes on these flights others don't have to pay. The cost of living in the States I guess... check your flight info and see how much the flight is and how much is attributed to taxes! It is an eye opener for sure.

Good hunting!

Taxes are the truth! I fly between 30-40 weeks a year and I tell you I look at my air travel cost every month and wonder how I make bank.

The last time I went to Jburg the taxes on my ticket were about $115. The thing that has just gone out of control are the upgrades and business and first class tickets... 12K-14K to go first class..thats a joke--the food is not that good!

Ed

However no one else gets a 40 kg luggage allowance ... something which would be VERY useful.

If we added 20 kg extra luggage like you lucky Yanks get, it would DOUBLE the flight cost. I know, I once got badly burned taking two rifles to Africa both heavy.

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:
However no one else gets a 40 kg luggage allowance ... something which would be VERY useful.

If we added 20 kg extra luggage like you lucky Yanks get, it would DOUBLE the flight cost. I know, I once got badly burned taking two rifles to Africa both heavy.

We get the same allowances when flying to the USA.

Scott - It mayy still be worthwhile for those coming from Mountain States (and travelling onto Darwin) to fly over to Dallas and then get off the flight at Brisbane and continue onto Darwin/Gove. It is also easier to get off in Brisbane and stop a night there than it is in Sydney (with guns) - as Qld recognises the NT Visitors permit (safari hunting) but NSW (Sydney) does not.

I just looked on Kayak.com and they gave round trip prices of about $1850 if you fly on weekdays.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:
We get the same allowances when flying to the USA.

Do we? I didn't when I flew to the USA but it was a long time ago.

quote:

Originally posted by NitroX:

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:
We get the same allowances when flying to the USA.

Do we? I didn't when I flew to the USA but it was a long time ago.

Yeah mate it is for all flights into and out of the USA, not based on citizenship. It is 32kgs are thereabouts.. Not sure for all airlines but they generally have hgher allowances for the USA.

I just look at my current Qantas ticket and it allows me 2 pieces at 23kg each. Europe flights from Aust is one piece.

Good. Will be useful when I go to hunt grizzly and moose in the North one day .

One of my guys is flying on Qantas Aukland to LAX tomorrow and they have given him 2 bags at 23kg each. Dont know why there is a difference??

Down to a little over a month left.
Really looking forward to this hunt. Should be a fun time.. 5 of us from AR all heading over together.

I can't wait to be looking down the sight of the double at a BIG ol sweeper bull!

what dates are your hunts Scotty??

I will probably be driving past around the 10th, might call in if it is an appropriate time.

The Australian buffalo hunt has finally arrived!!
Time to load up and go chase a couple of bulls around the bush with some good friends.
Hopefully we are successful & can report a positive hunt was had.

Cheers!

Scotty:

Good luck! I opted to hunt red and chital deer on a friend's farm near Brisbane. Hopefully the lucky guy on AR who volunteered to help me out whacks one so I can!

Nice pic of the giraffe mount, BTW.