How do I find out more information or make a booking?
If you have any questions about the trip or would like to make a booking, please call to speak directly to us on freephone 0800 089 0003 (during office hours). If you are calling outside our office hours, please leave us a message with your details including your phone number and we will call you back within 24hrs.
Alternatively you can fill in the Call Back Request Form or email us at either enquiries@grustravel.co.uk or bookings@grustravel.co.uk. If emailing, please leave your name and telephone number in the subject field, list any questions you have or tell us you would like to make a booking, and inform us of a convenient time to call. We will reply to your email or call you back within 24hrs.
Your holiday can only be booked directly with Grus Travel as we do not operate through travel agents or other agencies.
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What are your office hours?
Our office hours are 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 12pm Saturday. At all other times, you are welcome to leave a message on our answering machine and we will call you back.
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What information do I need to make a booking?
It would be helpful if you know the tour code for your holiday. This can be found in the price chart on the dates and prices page of this site, and begins 'OLA-' or 'OBA-'. Please check the date next to your tour code. Grus Travel have included the fee for your Australian Visa in the cost of your holiday. Please have passport details to hand for yourself and anyone else who is travelling with you. We will also require details of your holiday insurance and emergency contact information of your next of kin.
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What happens once I make a booking?
Once you make a booking we will send you a confirmation invoice with a request for your deposit and details of how to pay and where to send your money. Your booking and the price of your holiday will be secure for 21 days by which time we need to have received your deposit. Once your deposit has been received, we will contact you to confirm all the details and your holiday is then secure until final payment is due. Please refer to your confirmation letter and booking conditions in our brochure for further details.
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Do I have the option to upgrade my flight?
We can arrange an upgrade for you from Economy Class to Business Class for a supplement cost. This is only available on the international Qantas flights. Features of Business Class include award-winning, fully facing, fully adjustable 6'6" Skybeds, flexible in-flight dining with choice of restaurant-style or express meal service, personal video screen with Total Entertainment system, and self-service bar with drinks and snacks. Please ask for details if this is of interest.
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Do I need a Passport?
All British Citizens need a full ten year passport for all holidays
to Australia. To comply with Australian regulations, it must be valid
for at least six months after the date of your return. If your passport
expires earlier, it may still be valid for travel to some countries,
but you should contact your local passport office, or the consulate
or embassy of the country to be visited, for advice. If you do not
hold a British Citizen's passport, check with the consulate or embassy
of the country to be visited for further information. We recommend
that you apply for a passport at least twelve weeks before departure.
You can pick up a Passport Application Form at selected Post Office
branches or visit www.passport.gov.uk.
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Do I need a Visa?
The following visa requirements apply to holders of British Citizen's
passports. If you are planning a holiday or a short business trip
to Australia, you will need either a visa or an Electronic
Travel Authority (ETA). An ETA will let you spend up to three
months in Australia. Grus Travel will arrange your electronic visa
(Electronic Travel Authority Visa - ETA) on your behalf.
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What is an ETA?
An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. Approved applications are electronically recorded on Australian Government systems. When you arrive at an airport for check-in on a flight to Australia, the airline check-in staff can electronically confirm that you have authority to board the flight to Australia. When you arrive in Australia your passport is scanned electronically and having completed your arrival card on the plane you are invited into Australia.
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Is my money protected?
The law as it stands in both Britain and Australia requires us to have assurances and insurances in place to safeguard your money and your holiday. Grus Travel is a member of ATOL, ABTA, ATEC and TCF.
ATOL is a protection scheme for flights and air holidays, managed
by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and most firms who sell air
travel in the UK are required by law to hold an ATOL license. ATOL
protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad when a tour
operator goes out of business. All licensed firms have to lodge bonds
with the CAA so that if they go out of business, the CAA can give
refunds to people who can't travel and arrange for people abroad to
finish their holidays and fly home. ATOL protection is included in
the price of a holiday booked with an ATOL holder, and there is a
Government-backed fund called the Air Travel Trust which steps in
if any ATOL bond is not enough to look after everyone affected by
a failure. Our ATOL number is 9312.
Membership of ATEC (Australian Tourism Export Council) is a strong endorsement of professionalism, credibility and international market knowledge.
The TCF (Travel Compensation Fund) is an Australian body formed to protect travel consumers from any country in the event that an Australian travel agent experiences business or financial difficulties. The TCF regulates travel agents, provides compensation to consumers, and ensures travel agents have and will continue to have sufficient financial resources to secure the right to trade.
Our ABTA number is V7988.
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What about insurance?
Travel insurance is not included in the cost of your holiday. Grus Travel recommends ABTASure for your travel insurance needs. For information or instant cover, visit the Citybond Suretravel website
or call 0845 618 0301.
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External Links
www.fco.gov.uk
www.australia.com
8am to 12pm Saturday
