The UltimateOz Gap year package is designed for those planning a working holiday / gap year in Australia. The majority of our travellers are aged between 18 and 30 years old. There are various visa options available depending on your reason for travelling to Australia. Download our trip notes or visit our visa information page for information on which visa to apply for. If you are planning a Working Holiday, you must apply for a 417 or 462 Visa. You can still book UltimateOz on a Tourist Visa, but you will not be eligible for the Gap Year support elements of the package. Keen to travel Australia on a tourist visa for a shorter period of time? Check out our 8-day Ultimate Sydney tour; visiting Sydney, Bondi Beach and the Blue Mountains. This tour is ideal for those on a tourist visa and doesn't include any gap year elements.

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a mate, you’ll meet like-minded travellers from all over the world. UltimateOz is designed to help you make friends as soon as you arrive in Australia! Most people travelling with us stay in touch with their friends from the group for the rest of their stay in Australia. Group sizes vary with each tour however you can expect to travel with an average of 15-30 others on UltimateOz Gap Year. Ultimate Sydney groups tend to be smaller and cosy with up to 12 other travellers.

We’ve selected some of the best backpacker accommodation options in Sydney for you. If you’re joining our UltimateOz Gap Year package you’ll be staying in one of Sydney’s best backpacker hostels, located right near ULTIMATE HQ and in our Basecamp cabins. During Ultimate Sydney, you’ll get to experience our awesome Sydney hostel as well as staying at our surf inspired hostel in a prime location in Bondi. You’ll be sharing your room with other travellers (usually those in your group!) during the tour.

UltimateOz is designed to help you make friends as soon as you arrive in Australia! Most people travelling with UltimateOz arrive alone and stay in touch with friends from the group for the rest of their trip. You’ll spend your first week having loads of fun and getting to know each other. After the UltimateOz week has come to an end, our crew can advise you on finding a shared apartment in Sydney or help you plan your travel adventure around Australia with your new mates. Chat to others travelling Australia via our Facebook group.

The local currency for Australia is Australian Dollars (AUD). You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday in Australia and you may be asked to show evidence of this upon arrival. If you’re travelling on your gap year, we suggest arriving in Australia with at least AU$5000. The amount you need will depend upon your travel plans and length of stay in Australia. Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touch to chat with a member of the crew before or after you book.

Of course! You can pre-book extra nights in Sydney if you’re arriving early, and also extend your stay too. You can add them onto your booking, or just get in contact with us!

Once you've booked your UltimateOz tour, we'll email you a confirmation along with some important information about your booking. Closer to your tour departure date we'll be in touch to provide you with all the information you'll need prior to your trip to Australia. When you've booked your flights, just let us know your flight number and we'll take care of the rest!

Travelling to Australia with UltimateOz is easy as! Here’s what you need to do: Arrange a Working Holiday Visa Book your UltimateOz Sydney Arrival Package plus any other UltimateOz trips & tours Book your flights to Australia Arrange a travel insurance policy by clicking here Pack your bag, grab your passport & camera and jump on that plane!

If your flights are delayed, just email or call us. We will let the hostel know and arrange an adjusted airport pick up - no worries! We understand plans can change and we’ll try to help as much as we can. Click here to read our full booking policy.

In Australia, Health and Safety laws require that workers in certain professions (including Hospitality & Construction) undergo compulsory basic training and become certified to be eligible for employment. All hospitality staff must hold certification known as an RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) before being eligible for employment on licensed premises. You will also need RGS (Responsible Gambling Services) certification to work in premises with gambling facilities. To work on a construction site it is a requirement that you hold an OH&S General Induction Certificate or “White Card” as it’s commonly known.

Departures do book out in advance so we recommend you book your UltimateOz package sooner rather than later. If you're planning your trip last-minute, no worries! We'll do what we can to help you with your travel arrangements. You can also secure your spot on UltimateOz with a non-refundable 20% deposit. The rest just needs to be paid 6-weeks prior to your trip departure date!

The local currency for Australia is Australian Dollars (AUD). You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday in Australia and you may be asked to show evidence of this upon arrival. If you’re travelling on your gap year, we suggest arriving in Australia with at least AU$5000. The amount you need will depend upon your travel plans and length of stay in Australia. As part of the UltimateOz package you will have the opportunity to open an Australian bank account before you arrive. We send you a link and all the details you need 4 weeks before your tour is due to start. Then during your first week your leader will take you to the bank to finish the final steps in setting up your account.

We like to include some meals throughout your tour, but allow you to be able to experience other cuisines as well. Included in UltimateOz you will have 3 x Dinners, 2 x Breakfast & 1 x Lunch.

The great thing is, there is no bad time to travel to Australia! The country is so vast that depending when and where you plan on travelling you're always likely to hit some sun! In Sydney the Summer months run from December to February, but warm, beautiful weather can be experienced all year round. Although the 'Winter' months technically run from June to August, it is not like a Winter you may normally experience in your home country. Temperatures generally don't drop too low, and the sun still shines!

UltimateOz includes a 12-Month membership an online job database - Travellers At Work!During your first week in Sydney we'll give you valuable information about finding work in Australia. We'll share our tips on where to find work, how to apply and what you can expect to earn!We’ll provide you with access to the Travellers At Work job database, so you can begin applying for jobs at your earliest convenience. If at any time you need some guidance just swing by and have a one-on-one session with one of our in-house work and travel experts who can help you out in your job search! We'll review your CV and help you adapt your application to suit Aussie employers.

We can give you all the best recommendations on what sites to look at when when trying to find a place to rent in Sydney and help you with the application process. During the meantime we are more than happy to book you extra nights at the hostel until you can move.  

Medicare is Australia’s governmental public health policy. If you are on a Working Holiday Visa you may be eligible to be covered by Medicare for the duration of your stay in Australia. Medicare is an add on, not a replacement for any other insurances you may have so you still need to have valid travel insurance! Citizens of the UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand are covered for the duration of their approved visa time in Australia. Citizens of Malta and Italy are covered by Medicare for a period of 6 months from their date of arrival in Australia. All other countries unfortunately are not eligible for Medicare support but as long as you have travel insurance you’ll be covered!

To obtain a 2nd year visa extension, you must complete three months (or 88 days) of work in a regional part of Australia. The Crew at UltimateOz can assist you in your 2nd year visa jobs search and lots of 2nd year visa jobs are available on www.taw.com.au.

As a working holidaymaker in Australia you may be eligible to receive a tax refund. Our tax refund experts will help you with everything, so you’ll get the maximum refund possible. When you leave Australia, we can also help you claim your superannuation refund too.

Of course! You can pre-book extra nights in Sydney if you’re arriving early, and also extend your stay too. You can add them onto your booking, or just get in contact with us!

During the Ultimate East Coast: 4 week package, you’ll be travelling by hop-on, hop-off minibus (seats 24) between Sydney and Noosa/Rainbow Beach and by fast train (with toilets, showers & dining carriage) between Noosa/Rainbow Beach and Cairns. Your Ultimate East Coast: 5 week includes coach travel, complete with reclining seats, USB ports & wifi. Your Ultimate East Coast: 6 week tour also includes your airport transfer (shuttle bus) and return transfers to Bondi (public transport).

We’ve chosen the best quality hostels up the East Coast at the best prices for you. You’ll be sleeping in 4-16 bed dorm rooms, a private campsite and even on a sailing boat! The Ultimate East Coast: 4 week tour also includes 1 night on an overnight train. The Ultimate East Coast 5 & 6 week tours include 2 overnight bus journeys.

You will need a sleeping bag for your Fraser Island trip. If you don’t have one, you can hire one when you get there for $10! All of the hostels included in your package will provide all of your bedding for you.

The local currency for Australia is Australian Dollars (AUD). You must have access to sufficient funds to support yourself for the initial stage of your holiday in Australia and you may be asked to show evidence of this upon arrival. If you’re travelling on your gap year, we suggest arriving in Australia with at least AU$5000. The amount you need will depend upon your travel plans and length of stay in Australia. As part of the UltimateOz package you will have the opportunity to open an Australian bank account before you arrive. We send you a link and all the details you need 4 weeks before your tour is due to start. Then during your first week your leader will take you to the bank to finish the final steps in setting up your account.

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a mate, you’ll meet like-minded travellers from all over the world. Our travellers make friends for life on these tours! If you’re travelling on the Ultimate East Coast 3, 5 or 6 week tours, groups sizes vary throughout the year (between 8 - 20 people). However small or large your group, you’re guaranteed an epic adventure with new mates! Group sizes will vary for each of your activities. Travelling with a friend? Be sure to let us know so that we can ensure your activities are booked together. Joining the Ultimate East Coast: 4 week package? Please be aware that due to the hop-on/hop-off nature of this tour it is not always possible to guarantee that you'll be in the same accommodation or activities as your travel mates, especially during peak seasons. Ultimate will do everything possible to ensure that customers travelling together will stay together but we may need to shuffle around accommodation and activities based on availability. The average group size for the Ultimate East Coast: 4 week tour is around 10-15 people however trips do book out in high season (your bus takes a maximum of 24 pax). As you have the option to hop-on & hop-off you’ll be meeting new travellers at each leg of the journey! Group sizes will vary for each of your activities.

The great thing is, there is no bad time to travel to Australia! The country is so vast that depending when and where you plan on travelling you're always likely to hit some sun! In Sydney the Summer months run from December to February, but warm, beautiful weather can be experienced all year round. Although the 'Winter' months technically run from June to August, it is not like a Winter you may normally experience in your home country. Temperatures generally don't drop too low, and the sun still shines!

Our group tours are designed for 18-35 year olds. Looking for adventure, bucket list tick-offs and an experience you'll never forget? Looking for an automatic group of friends, a leader to show you the best spots and everything all organised for you? Then the Ultimate East Coast is for you! Whether you're in Australia for a Working Holiday or just visiting, this tour is perfect for you if you want to experience the best spots along the famous East Coast of Australia. We have a few options available from 3 to 6 weeks long, have a look at the Australia tours we have available by clicking here!

The Ultimate Vietnam group tour starts in Hanoi on Day 1 and then your journey travels south for the duration of your trip ending in Ho Chi Minh. Please note this trip does not conclude in the same place it departs so it is not recommended book return flights from Hanoi

 

You should book your flights into Hanoi (HAN Airport) and out of Ho Chi Minh (SGN)

 

 

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a mate, you’ll meet like-minded travellers from all over the world on this Vietnam group tour. Group sizes vary with each tour however we like to keep things fun yet personal so you’ll be travelling with no more than 30 others. You'll also have a local guide with you along the way!

Nobody wants a bowl of Pho, a bite of Bánh Mì or a bite from a mosquito to ruin the trip of a lifetime … so plan ahead and get your vaccinations sorted before you make the trip. This is a rough guide to want you have to plan against with Vietnam in mind and some of the vaccinations listed are taken care of during childhood so check with your GP before you go and book anything, just to make sure you need the jabs!

 

• Hepatitis A and B – two separate diseases with a vaccination that can be taken together or separately. Both diseases are pretty awful so tick this one off!

• Typhoid – highly recommended and transmitted by dodgy food or water. Get it and forget about it!

• Tetanus, Pertussis & Diphtheria – It’s best to have an updated tetanus jab and the others come along with the package.

• Measles Mumps and Rubella – one of the childhood immunisations that you might not need so check your immunisation record with your GP.

• Flu – get a flu shot if you think it’s necessary or ask your doctor for more information.

• Malaria – inland Vietnam has malaria whilst the coast doesn’t.

 

There are a couple more that can be recommended but aren’t essential so we’ll say it again – check with your GP!

Ideally, you should organise all this plus a trip to your GP 6 to 8 weeks before your departure. Some vaccination need 2 or more shots.

If you need additional nights before or after your trip, just add them to your booking when you checkout.

Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touchto chat with a member of the crew before or after you book.

This is our extended Vietnam itinerary which offers an extra free in Da Lat - the adrenaline capital of Vietnam. Here you have the opportunity yo upgrade to a full day of canyoning, a high rope course or a zip wire adventute. This also excludes an extra say in Ho Chi Minh to settle in before your tour ends

Sure! We recommend searching and comparing flight prices using Skyscanner.com – get a flight quote.

Find the best insurance policy for your Ultimate adventure with the help of our recommended travel insurance provider.

If you are looking into our Ultimate Vietnam trip then this should point you into the right direction on how to get a visa for travel in Vietnam. It is your responsibility to obtain the correct Visa to enter the country.

 

There are 3 options to obtain your visa:

Option 1: Apply in person or via post at your nearest embassy – means less hassle when arriving in Vietnam, but more expensive.

Option 2: Get a visa on arrival, which requires a visa invitation letter issued by an authorised agent before you leave home – seems a little easier and is also cheaper, but you’ll need to queue up when landing to actually have your visa issued.

Option 3: Apply for an E-Visa online – this is only available to certain nationalities and does not permit you to enter Vietnam through all entry points, only selected ones.

 

Generally no visa is required for travel to Vietnam lasting up to 15 days only if you are from one of the following countries: UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy.

 

Booking is easy! Select your preferred Vietnam Group Tour departure date, enter your details and we’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as useful information about your tour.

 

Choose to pay a non-refundable $300 deposit to secure a spot on your chosen departure date. Need someone to talk through your travel plans with? Get in touch!

 

 

 

The Bali Group tour starts in Kuta and ends on the Gili Islands.

Your tour guide can help you arrange onward travel at the end of the tour, or select the return transfer option when you book.

 

You’ll be travelling with a group of 18-30-somethings from all over the world, and a fully licensed tour guide available 24/7 whilst on tour. The Bali Group tour, group sizes vary but you can generally expect to travel with a group of 6-15 people.

You’ll be staying in twin share hotel accommodation throughout the Bali Group tour. Booking with a mate? Mention you’re travelling together and we’ll do our best to ensure you’re in the same room. Private double upgrades available.

If you need additional nights before or after your trip, just add them to your booking when you checkout.

Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touch to chat with a member of the crew before or after you book.

Sure! We recommend searching and comparing flight prices using Skyscanner.com – get a flight quote.

Find the best insurance policy for your Ultimate adventure with the help of our recommended travel insurance provider.

Departing Flight - We recommend you book your return flight for after 8pm on Day 9. This is to ensure you have enough time for the return journey from Gili T to Denpasar Airport.

We recommend to bring a debit card / travel money card with you with so you can withdraw cash as you go. ATMs are available throughout Bali. Alternatively, you can bring your local currency to exchange when you arrive, your group leader can help you with where to go. Try to only get out enough to cover you for a few days at a time so you're not carry around lots of cash.

The local currency in Bali is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The amount of money you should bring will depend upon the total length of your holiday and your spending habits. It’s very easy to get by in Bali for $300 - $600 a week. This will cover your food, souvenirs and having fun. However, try and budget for the higher end of this – it’s a once in a lifetime trip, so make the most of it!

We like to have a great mixture of some meals included and times for you to experience the local cuisine of Bali! See below for the meals that are included: Welcome Dinner Daily Breakfast 1 BBQ Lunch 1 ice cold Bintang (delicious local beer!)

Bali is great to visit all year round! You'll experience warm to hot temperatures throughout the year with a lot sun to go with that! You may experience a little more rain from November to January, but this can offer a little relief from the heat!

Your 10 day tour will finish on the stunning island of Gili Trawangan. Your tour guides will help with any onward travel while you're in Bali. If you don't have much time afterwards and would like to pre-arrange your return transfer you can add this to your booking, just let us know. When arranging your onward flights (either home or to more adventures!), we recommend departing the day after your tour finishes to make sure you have enough time to travel back to the airport in Denpasar.

Our Ultimate Bali tour is aimed towards travellers aged between 18 to 39 years old looking for adventure, culture and nightlife!

Airport transfer is included in your trip! Just make sure you let us know your flight arrival date, time and flight number at least 14 days before your tour is due to start. Two weeks before your tour we will send you an email with detailed information about your arrival in Bali, airport transfer, accommodation and where to meet your group.

Booking is easy! Select your preferred Bali Group tour departure date, enter your details and we’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as useful information about your tour.

 

Got a travel date in mind but not ready to pay in full? Choose to pay a non-refundable $300 deposit to secure a spot on your chosen departure date. Need someone to talk through your travel plans with? Get in touch!

 

Departing Flight - We recommend you book your return flight for after 8pm on Day 10. This is to ensure you have enough time for the return journey from Gili T to Denpasar Airport.

 

The Ultimate Thailand Group tour starts in Bangkok and ends on the Koh Phangan.

Your tour guide can help you arrange onward travel at the end of the tour, or select the return transfer option when you book.

 

Whether you’re travelling solo or with a mate, you’ll meet like-minded travellers from all over the world on this Thailand Group tour. Group sizes vary with each tour however we like to keep things fun yet personal so you’ll be travelling with no more than 30 others.

We recommend making an appointment with your GP to discuss which vaccinations will be needed for your trip.

The Hepatitis A vaccine is strongly recommended. Rabies pre-exposure vaccination may be an option, but not essential.

Malaria isn’t common in the areas we visit, but stock up on bug spray in Bangkok as there are other diseases such as Dengue that are more common.

We recommend organising all vaccines at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to Thailand.

If you need additional nights before or after your Thailand Group tour, just add them to your booking when you checkout.

Not sure if you need extra nights? Get in touch to chat with a member of the crew before or after you book.

Sure! We recommend searching and comparing flight prices using Skyscanner.com – get a flight quote.

Find the best insurance policy for your Ultimate adventure with the help of our recommended travel insurance provider.

Your Ultimate Thailand tour ends in Koh Phangan, home to the legendary Full Moon Party!

Some Ultimate Thailand tour dates coincide with the Full Moon Party. If your tour lines up with a Full Moon Party we'll make sure your group can attend.

There are also some epic Half-Moon parties on the island that take place in the middle of the jungle! If your tour dates align, we'll also give you the option to join the party!

If your Ultimate Thailand tour does not line-up with any “official” Full Moon parties, no need to worry! We always organise Ultimate parties for you in Koh Phangan regardless!

Check out our guide to the Koh Phangan Full Moon Party here.

 

In some cases, yes, and the process is very easy!

 

Citizens of 41 different nationalities, including Australia, NZ, UK, USA and most of Europe, can enter Thailand without a pre-arranged visa. This ‘visa exemption’ allows you to stay 30 days when entering Thailand by air, and 15 days when crossing into Thailand by land.

It's worth noting that without proof of an onward ticket and sufficient funds for your expected stay any visitor can be denied entry. For more information about 60-Day Tourist Visas, Visa Extensions and Visa Runs check out our Thailand visa info here.

This Ultimate Thailand Group tour starts in Bangkok.

You can choose to fly into either of the two International Airports, Don Mueang (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK). Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the newer airport of the two and is a little closer to the city.

Return flights to Bangkok are generally cheaper than organising a flight one-way. Our tour ends in Koh Phangan but your guide will be able to advise you on the best way to get back to Bangkok for your flight, and help you organise the transfer!

If your flight arrival information changes, please let us know as soon as can so that we can rearrange your airport transfer. You can give us a call or email us with the updated date, time and flight number. If your flight is delayed, please find the relevant contact number to call on your Welcome Booklet to adjust your pick up time.

Your tour will finish in the beautiful island of Koh Phangan. We can help you get back to Bangkok or plan your onward travels around SE Asia.

There are a number of ways to get back to Bangkok from Koh Phangan. Check out some of the options available to you and choose to add them to your booking, or arrange your transfer with the help of your guide.

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Surat Thani to Bangkok - Ferry/Bus + Flight

The most common way to get back to Bangkok is to get a ferry/bus to Surat Thani, and then a flight from Surat Thani to Bangkok.

Your transport to Surat Thani can be pre-booked before you travel ($48). Just add the transfer as an optional extra to your Ultimate Thailand order. 

Your flight from Surat Thani will need to be organised in advance, and should be booked after 2pm on the day of travel.

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Koh Samui to Bangkok - Ferry + Flight

The quickest way to return to Bangkok is by ferry from Koh Phangan to the island of Koh Samui then a flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok. Whilst this is a quick way to get back to Bangkok, this journey is usually the most expensive option.

Your ferry to Koh Samui can be pre-booked before you travel ($28). Just add the transfer as an optional extra to your Ultimate Thailand order. 

Your flight from Koh Samui will need to be organised in advance, and should be booked after 10am on the day of travel.

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Travel to Bangkok - Ferry / Bus

This option is generally the cheapest option ($70 total) however involves a 15-hour journey during the day.

Your ferry and bus can be pre-booked before you travel. Just add the transfer as an optional extra to your Ultimate Thailand order. 

Flights can be organised separately and in advance. Please note if you choose this option, your flight from Bangkok should be booked for the following day after arriving in Bangkok, allowing yourself a full day to from Koh Phangan to Bangkok.

Ultimate Thailand is aimed towards travellers aged between 18 to 39 years old looking to experience the best of Bangkok and Southern Thailand in a guided tour.

Our local accommodation has been selected to offer a unique experience in Thailand. You’ll be staying in a combination of budget hotels, an overnight sleeper train, a floating bamboo raft house and a beachside hideaway.

Airport transfer is included in your trip! Just make sure you let us know your flight arrival date, time and flight number at least 14 days before your tour is due to start. Two weeks before your tour we will send you an email with detailed information about your arrival in Thailand, airport transfer, accommodation and where to meet your group.

The local currency in Thailand is Thai Baht (THB). The amount of money you should bring will depend upon the total length of your holiday and your spending habits. It’s very easy to get by in Thailand for $300 - $600 a week. This will cover your food, souvenirs and fun! However, try and budget for the higher end of this – it’s a once in a lifetime trip, so make the most of it! We recommend bringing a debit card / travel money card with you with so you can withdraw cash as you go. ATMs are available throughout Thailand. Alternatively, you can bring local currency to exchange when you arrive - your group leader can help you find somewhere, no problem. Try to only get out enough to cover you a few days at a time so you're not carrying around lots of cash.

We like to have a great mixture of some meals included and times for you to experience the local Thai cuisine! For a breakdown of what meals are included check out the trip notes!

Thailand is a great country to visit all year round! As the country is so vast different weather systems spread out across the region. So if you're visiting at a certain time of the year and the weather is due to be hot and dry in Bangkok, you may experience a little rain in the southern islands. Not to worry though, if rain does occur it usually does not last very long and can be a relief from the heat!

All good things must come to end! Your tour will finish in the beautiful island of Koh Phangan. We can help you get back to Bangkok or plan your onward travels around SE Asia. There are a number of ways to get back to Bangkok and you can even add onward travel options to your booking if you’d like. Have a look below at some of the options available to you: 1 - The most common way to get back is to get a ferry/bus to Surat Thani, and then a flight from Surat Thani to Bangkok. The transport to Surat Thani can be organised by us via a ferry / bus. The flight would need to be pre booked to Bangkok and should be booked for after 2pm on the day of travel. 2 - The quickest way is to get a ferry to Koh Samui and a flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok. The ferry again can be booked with us, but the flight will need to be pre booked. This flight can be booked anytime after 10AM on the day of travel. This can usually be the most expensive option. 3 - Get the ferry / bus all the way back to Bangkok. This is can sometimes be the cheapest option but involves a 15hr journey during the day. So you wouldn't be able to fly out of Bangkok until the day after you start travelling. When arranging your onward flights (either home or to more adventures!), we recommend departing the day after your tour finishes to make sure you have enough time to travel to the airport you are departing from. See ‘How do I get back to Bangkok after my tour’ for more details.

Booking is easy! Select your chosen departure Thailand Group tour date, enter your details and we’ll send you a booking confirmation as well as useful information about your tour.

Got a travel date in mind but not ready to pay in full? Choose to pay a non-refundable $300 deposit to secure a spot on your chosen departure date. Need someone to talk through your travel plans with? Get in touch!