Review: Fiji and South Australia With Down Under Answers

On a recent 10-hour flight from Fiji to Los Angeles, I had plenty of time to reflect on the rather surreal week I just had. In the last seven days, I snorkeled on a private Fijian island; cooked in bamboo at Nanuku Resort Fiji; seen koalas, kangaroos, wallabies and other wildlife while touring Australia’s Kangaroo Island; snacked my way around Adelaide Central Market; went wine tasting in South Australia; and, if you can believe it, enjoyed even more sightseeing and activities. 

While it was, admittedly, a busy week, the jam-packed schedule served as a mere teaser of all the possibilities available with the brand-new South Pacific Island Hopping FIT travel itinerary from Down Under Answers. At first, pairing the tropical paradise of Fiji with the wildlife and wine that South Australia is known for might not seem like the most obvious combo. But the contrasting experiences provided by the two destinations are actually the  key to the tour’s appeal, according to Jeff Adam, director of sales for Down Under Answers. 

“Fiji has historically been a stopover destination between Australia/New Zealand and the U.S.,” he explained. “A lot of the major tour operators used to always include it, but [more recently], they have kind of left it off the table — even though it serves a great purpose. The big benefit of pairing Fiji and South Australia is that the differences create such an impact.” 

Adam says that contrasting the “WOW” (wildlife, the outback and wine) offerings that characterize South Australia with Fijian cultural and destination immersion makes each individual experience stand out more for the traveler, ultimately “creating great memories and a great vacation.”

Travel advisors looking to pair the two destinations with Down Under Answers can use the suggested 14-day Island Hopping itinerary as a starting point for their clients and, if they want, work with the company to customize the escape. The Down Under team can help agents craft a seamless experience, including airfare to and between destinations, ground transfers, accommodations, in-destination guided tours and more, all in one package.

Here's a look at the overall trip concept, and some of the specific opportunities that Down Under Answers can help agents arrange. 

South Australia: Kangaroo Island and Adelaide

The state of South Australia touts its WOW experiences , but some of the travel advisors on our fam trip noted that it’s not the first place clients usually think of when looking for an Australia getaway. After having experienced the highlights of Adelaide and Kangaroo Island, however, the whole group was eager to share the unique offerings of the region with their travelers.

“Not knowing what to expect, especially in South Australia, was an asset, because at every turn, I was completely surprised,” said Amy Sawyer, owner of Travel With Flair. “I love the idea that clients can be here for a week and have the outback experience with the wildlife, but also the wine and the wonderful food scene, and get an authentic taste of what real Australia is.”

Kangaroo Island is sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of Australia, thanks to wide expanses of untouched land and abundant wildlife. While the destination was significantly impacted by massive bushfires in 2019-2020 — which burned across approximately 42% of the island — the landscape is seeing significant recovery. Signs of the fires remain (blackened trees are common, some infrastructure is still being rebuilt and there are parts of the island where animals have yet to return in their previous numbers), but there is also abundant regrowth; as a first-time visitor, I wouldn’t have known much was amiss with the environment. 

To help clients get the most out of their time in Kangaroo Island (and other parts of South Australia), Down Under Answers can include guided, small-group day tours in the Island Hopping package. And honestly, there’s no better way to get around this area — knowledgeable guides know all the best places to see the island’s wild residents, from fields full of kangaroos to koalas perched in trees, colorful native birds, groups of wallabies, playful seals and sea lions and more.

After a few nights of natural immersion, clients can hop back to the mainland via a quick 35-minute flight or 45-minute ferry ride to Adelaide. The city serves as an ideal base of operations, whether travelers want to explore Adelaide itself or get out into the surrounding areas.

Unique opportunities within the city limits include RoofClimb Adelaide Oval (which takes guests on a rooftop tour of the iconic sporting stadium for views that extend all the way to the coast), and the endlessly delicious Adelaide Central Market, which dates back to 1869 and has hosted many vendors for multiple generations. In addition to offering fresh fruits and veggies, breads, meats, cheeses and more from local producers, stalls sell a variety of authentic international foods, from Portuguese egg tarts to Turkish delight, falafel, Korean dishes and more.

Interested travelers can dive deeper into South Australia’s culinary culture with a visit to nearby wine regions such as Barossa Valley or McLaren Vale. While Barossa has a higher international profile, I adored my time in McLaren Vale. Just 45 minutes outside of Adelaide, the region’s rolling hillsides are dotted with some 80 cellar doors for sipping high-quality wines at friendly establishments. (Don’t sleep on the delicious dining opportunities here, either.) Down Under Answers can again help arrange daytrips with preferred partners, so clients sip and savor to their hearts’ content while benefitting from the knowledge and connections of their local guide.

“[On this trip], I was surprised by how close everything was to Adelaide,” said Nicole Chapman, a travel agent with AAA Washington. “It was easy to be in the city and get out to the beach, to the vineyards and even to Kangaroo Island. When they call it a ‘20-minute city,’ they aren’t kidding.”

Immersion in Fiji at Nanuku Resort

To help clients get a true taste of Fiji, Down Under Answers’ partner of choice is the exceptional Nanuku Resort Fiji, a 500-acre private estate on the main island of Viti Levu.

The property itself is something special, with expansive and luxurious accommodations in multiple styles. My beachfront villa, for example, was modern and bright with Fijian design touches, a private pool, an outdoor shower, a giant soaking tub, a private cabana and a kitchenette.

Guests can choose to be as active or relaxed as they want, with downtime at the beach or pool and included non-motorized watersports such as snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more. There are complimentary bikes to ride, as well as yoga classes and other rotating activities. For an added cost, clients can also book daytrips to Nanuku’s private island, enjoy special “destination dining” at scenic spots around the resort, visit the spa or arrange other excursions.

RELATED: 3 Ways to Get Out on the Water in Fiji

But perhaps the biggest benefit for travelers is the resort’s authentic connection to local culture, which is shared regularly by the staff. The warmth of the Fijian people is extended from the moment guests step on property, when they’re greeted with a traditional warrior welcome encompassing drumming, a fresh coconut to sip and the blowing of a conch shell. From there, each day offers new cultural immersion, ranging from traditional music and dancing to a fire-walking ceremony, arts and crafts, unique cooking classes and more.

Down Under Answers’ choice of Nanuku Resort is a strategic move for island-hopping clients. Taking full advantage of South Australia requires many moving parts, from transfers between Kangaroo Island and Adelaide to daytrips around each region. But at Nanuku, travelers can get a full Fijian experience — including its natural beauty, activity offerings and rich culture — all in one place.

For this reason, I’d recommend that advisors put Fiji on the back end of their clients’ Island Hopping itinerary (which Down Under Answers can easily arrange). The relaxed pace of the Fijian lifestyle is a perfect contrast to the earlier bustle of the trip, allowing clients to return home refreshed and rejuvenated.

“Fiji feels like a ‘land lost in time,’” said Patty Crim, a travel consultant with Morris Murdock Travel. “It’s like a breath of fresh air for the soul. So many clients have already gone to Hawaii or Mexico; it’s time to open their minds to Fiji. And I loved pairing the two destinations in one trip — Fiji and South Australia make perfect dance partners.”