Diwali arrives on 8 November and the wedding season is open. This issue puts two honeymoon-ready packages, one for Australia and one for New Zealand, in front of you with prices and links. It also covers the visa biometrics change every agent needs to brief clients on, and the latest arrivals data for both countries.
Happy Diwali to all of you and your families. I hope the festival brings you the kind of year you are planning for.
I will keep this short, because the useful part is further down. We have put two packages in front of you, one for each country, with the price and the full itinerary one click away. Australia is nine nights across Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne, from A$2,910 per person. New Zealand is eleven nights across both islands, from NZ$4,530 per person. I picked these two because they are the trips couples talk about for years: the harbour, the reef, the Twelve Apostles, Milford Sound, and a night under the stars at Lake Tekapo.
Wedding season has started, and honeymoon enquiries come with it. Couples tend to book with the agent who comes back quickly with a clear plan and a clear price. If that is you, we will make sure the plan and the price are ready.
One more thing. Australia now asks for biometrics on certain visa applications lodged in India. It is explained below. Please tell your clients early, and lodge a little earlier than you normally would.
Thank you for the trust you place in us. It means a great deal.
Both are ready packages for two adults travelling together, valid for travel from 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, excluding 21 December to 7 January. Give every couple both options and let them choose.
Prices are indicative starting rates; net rates and availability are confirmed at quote. International flights, visas and travel insurance are not included. Travel from 21 December to 7 January is excluded: ask us for a peak-date quote. Prefer WhatsApp? Message us on +61 450 388 648.
Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb at dawn from A$298. Hunter Valley wine country day from A$219. Daintree and Cape Tribulation day from A$229. Yarra Valley wine and wildlife day from A$199.
Milford Sound scenic flight upgrade from NZ$550. Waiheke Island wine day from NZ$269. TranzAlpine train and Arthur's Pass day from NZ$449. Tasman Glacier heli hike from NZ$1,220.
Applications lodged in India on or after 26 October 2026 may require fingerprints and a facial image. Home Affairs decides case by case. Visas already granted, and applications lodged before that date, are not affected.
General information, not immigration advice. Rely only on the official letter and Home Affairs instructions.
A note on the numbers: the cooling has stopped. June arrivals were down 9.2% year on year, July down 4.3%, and August is flat at +0.3%. Total arrivals still sit 4.3% below August 2019 (789,200). India is the mixed signal: 33,650 arrivals is 1.0% above August 2019 but 5.2% below August 2025 (35,500, our calculation from the ABS table). The market is there; it is no longer growing on its own, which makes how fast you convert an enquiry matter more. ABS counts border crossings, not people. (Source: ABS Overseas Arrivals and Departures, August 2026, released 13 October 2026.)
Top source markets, short-term arrivals, August 2026. Source: ABS.
New Zealand is growing while Australia is flat: August arrivals rose roughly 8% year on year, in line with the 8.8% annual growth reported in our last issue for the year ending June 2026. Australia remains New Zealand's largest source market at roughly 40 to 45% of arrivals, which is why an Australia and New Zealand proposal is a natural second conversation for every Australia enquiry you hold. (Source: Stats NZ, International Travel: August 2026.)
India is Australia's 7th largest source market this month and sits just above pre-COVID levels. With the wedding season running from now into February, couples are choosing honeymoon destinations while family travel for the winter break is being planned in the same weeks. Lead with the two packages above, tell clients the visa now carries a biometrics step, and ask for passports early.
The USA was Australia's 4th largest market in August at 50,650 arrivals (ABS). The Australian Open runs 11 to 31 January at Melbourne Park, with main-draw play from 17 January and finals on 30 and 31 January. Pair a Melbourne stay with the Great Ocean Road or a reef extension, and book hotels early.
UK arrivals were 38,280 in August, the 6th largest market. Summer in the southern hemisphere is the natural pitch for northern winter, so open the conversation now and keep it warm through a longer decision phase.
Announced as the second of three new Christchurch long-haul routes this quarter. It gives clients arriving from Japan and North Asia a direct South Island entry. Confirm schedules with the airline before quoting.
The third new Christchurch route links the South Island with Western Australia, opening a genuine two-country routing for clients who want Perth and Queenstown in one trip. Confirm schedules with the airline before quoting.
The Cairns base for the 9-night package: three nights, breakfast included, positioned for the outer reef day and the Kuranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway day.
The Tekapo night in the 11-night package, timed for stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve.
A full day on a fast catamaran to a pontoon, with snorkelling, a semi-submersible and an underwater observatory. The package suggests offering an introductory scuba dive or a helicopter flight as an upgrade.
A long day, roughly 13 hours from Queenstown, and the headline excursion of the New Zealand package. Milford Road can close in bad weather, so brief clients on the rebooking policy before they travel.
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Put the Australia package and the New Zealand package side by side. A choice of two keeps the conversation moving and lets the couple feel they decided.
The tournament runs 11 to 31 January. The Melbourne nights in the Australia package can be positioned for it. Ask us early; hotels tighten as the dates approach.
With biometrics now possible after lodgement, leave room for it. Book flights and non-refundable tours after the visa is granted wherever you can.
The dawn Bridge Climb, the Waiheke wine day and the Milford scenic flight are the easiest upgrades to attach to a honeymoon. Offer one per couple at quote stage.
Any family or couple still undecided needs a confirmed proposal this week.
Tell them to expect a letter, and to act on it the day it arrives.
Australia and New Zealand, side by side, with the add-ons attached.
11 to 31 January is closer than it feels. Ask for availability now.
Coming in December: planning the April to June 2027 summer-holiday season while allocations are open.
Contact Your AGT / KGT Rep WhatsApp +61 450 388 648