Below is a range of questions we get asked frequently. If however you need further information please don't hesitate to contact us.
Q: WHO IS UNLEASHED?
A: Established in 2007, Unleashed Travel is the market leader in international travel packages for Australian school leavers. We specialise in safely providing thousands of 17 and 18-year-old schoolies with the ultimate experience at one of our supervised resort programs in Fiji, Vanuatu, Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia. These destinations offer the right balance of sun, fun and safety.
Unleashed Travel is an Australian licensed and registered trademark for Travel is Living, a Licensed Travel Operator in Sydney.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A RANGE OF PRODUCTS?
A: Yes, we do. At Unleashed we recognise that there is not only one breed of schoolie. Therefore, we’ve created three types of trips to ensure there’s an experience suited to everyone.
SCHOOLIES-ONLY ISLANDSFiji, Indonesia, VanuatuThese trips are strictly and specifically for 17 and 18-year-olds. We charter entire island resorts so we can control who infiltrates the resort and its surrounding areas. This ensures no uninvited guests (commonly known as “toolies”) can crash the party. Resorts are all staffed with increased security and the Unleashed crew. Each location has an Australian resident DJ for the week.
ALCOHOL-FREE ISLANDSVanuatuWeek-long parties aren’t the only schoolies experience on offer. Our Vanuatu option is an alcohol-free island. While the DJs still get the party scene pumping, NO alcohol will be permitted or sold on resort grounds.
VOLUNTEERINGThailand, CambodiaThese trips are designed for schoolies aged 17 and 18 years but we do not restrict older travellers from booking. Well organised, accommodation options include hotels, guest houses or home stays. Tailored to the schoolie with an appetite for adventure and a passion for aiding those less fortunate.
Q: WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE COST?
A: Our Fiji and Vanuatu packages include:
Our Thailand packages include:
Unleashed Schoolies is for anyone who is completing Year 12 in the year of Travel. Occasionally we have a 16, 17 or even 19 Year old. You will not be excluded from any of the parties or activities because you’re under 18. You will just need permission from your parent or guardian prior to booking.
Book your Unleashed Experience in a range of ways. You can go to your local travel agency such as Student Flights, Flight Centre, Harvey World Travel, and Jet Set Travel etc. etc.
Or you can book direct with us via our website as we are a registered travel agent in NSW. Just go to the destination page you want and hit the book now button.
Please note: You must have all passenger names as per their passport at the time of booking otherwise change fees will be incurred if we have received deposits.
When travelling out of Australia, the name on your travel documents should match the name that is on your passport. It may be embarrassing at times to let your friends know your full legal name, but it is a lot more embarrassing to be denied boarding at the airport because your travel documents do not match.
Travel Is Living (Unleashed) is a registered Travel Agency in NSW and as such can deal direct with the public and take direct bookings. To book simply do it online, go to the destination page of where you wish to travel, i.e. Sonaisali Island and on the right hand side is a choice of dates with "Book Now" button. Just choose the dates that suit, hit book now and follow the prompts. However we also have a range of travel partners that can book and help with your holidays, so also contact your local travel agent if you prefer.
Making a booking online will result in a booking confirmation receipt being emailed to you showing the full amount due. A deposit of $300 per person must be paid within 7 days or the booking will be cancelled. Full payment is required by the 31st of July in the year of travel.
You can pay your booking via the following methods:
- Direct Debit into our bank account using the bank details on your booking confirmation receipt
- Paying with your Credit Card over the phone. Please be advised we do not accept American Express or Diners Club credit cards and all credit card payments incur a 2.5% merchant fee, which is added to your payment.
- Travel Agents are able to pay via Direct Debit, Payment Gate or Enett and our details are on your booking confirmation in the Payment Policy section
To make changes to your booking please email Unleashed Travel at info@unleashedtravel.com.au with your booking number and the necessary changes including any cancellations.
Because we release our Schoolies products so far in advance, the flight times for our preferred airlines have not yet been released. Until they can confirm their schedules, we cannot advise any flight times.
Once we have confirmation of flight times an email will be sent out with general times and you will be advised your individual booking flight times when we release our documents.
As a guide, our flights generally depart Australia in the Morning and return to Australia in the evening.
Travel Is Living does not control third party suppliers and as such does not guarantee pricing, however we thought it might be useful to have a list of likely prices for possible extra’s you may want during your trip. Prices are subject to change and extra services may be withdrawn at any time.
The “Unleashed Crew” is a team of experienced travellers from various backgrounds including, youth workers, teachers, university students and personal trainers. The “Crew” are all senior first aid certified and experienced in managing groups. The role of the “Unleashed Crew” is:
1. Meet all Unleashed guests as they arrive at their destination. For example: When you arrive in Nadi airport you will clear customs and collect your bag and as you depart the terminal you will be met by the Unleashed crew and escorted on to the coaches.
2. Escort all Unleashed guests through the transfer process. For example: After boarding the bus in Nadi the crew will go with the you to Denarau and then escort you to the boats and then on to the island. The “Crew” are always approachable with questions, issues or concerns. The same service is applied to the return trip.
3. Available 24 hours. The “Unleashed Crew” are equipped with local mobile phones. Hotel/resort reception can call the crew anytime on your behalf.
4. On hand in case of emergency. If there is a situation whereby an Unleashed guest must leave the resort or island and visit a doctor or hospital then they will be escorted by an Unleashed Crew member. All locations have emergency action plans in place.
Red Frogs is a support program for young people. Red Frogs make it their mission to provide a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments where young people gather, educate young people on safe partying behaviours, and promote and provide non-alcoholic and/or diversionary activities that engage young people in these environments. Unleashed brings along Red Frogs Volunteers to all their Island Trips to act as additional Crew Members.
For more information about Red Frogs, please click here: http://au.redfrogs.com/who-we-are
For International Travel Unleashed require the Traveller Info Form to be completed for every person travelling and must be completed after their deposit has been paid. This is to give us time to have Air Tickets and Manifests prepared.
If you do not have your passport or insurance details at the time of completing the form, please leave the passport info fields blank & put TBA in the insurance section. Once you have this information you will need to email us to update this.
Once you have completed the form and all the data you have entered is correct, press “send booking form” and you will see a Thank you message. If there is an error in the form, data has not been entered correctly and needs to be fixed in order to send the form.
Yes. It is mandatory for all our passengers to purchase Travel insurance for their Unleashed Schoolies Trip. It is up to you to purchase insurance that covers your individual needs.
A valid passport is needed for all destinations that Unleashed travels to. Your passport should be up to date and have an expiry date that is a minimum of six months after the RETURN date of your trip. For example if you are scheduled to return to Australia on December 8, 2013 your passport should be valid until at least June 8, 2014.
The Fijian Immigration department upon arrival in Fiji currently issues visas. You don't need to do anything in Australia. But note for those with criminal records etc. may need to apply in advance. For the average citizen there is no problem.
Final itineraries will be emailed out to the lead passenger of your booking 6-8 weeks prior to departure with the groups travel information on it. If you are not the contact on your booking, please contact your friend or Travel Agent for this information.
This is a very subjective question. It is really up to you and very different from one person to the next. On average we find that passengers spend anywhere between $70-$100 per day. This is very dependant on what activities you would like to do during the day, if you plan on purchasing drinks & snacks etc.
For most of our holidays, you will require the following: towel, water bottle, torch (optional), toiletries & items of a personal nature, hat, sun screen, camera, insect repellant, warm clothing.
During your Unleashed Travel holiday there will be themed parties and we suggest you bring items of clothing that suit the theme (don’t worry, everyone does it).
Themes will be released in your pre-departure documents, which will be released in September 2013.
No. This is in the terms & Conditions, which are signed and agreed to when making the booking. On arrival the local tourist police will search your bags. In the event that they find anything that is illegal, it will be confiscated & not returned.
No. As we have a group allocation with the airline you cannot check-in prior to your flight. You can check in once you get to the airport either as a group or individually.
All Fiji flights arrive at Nadi International Airport where the Unleashed Crew who escorts you on a luxury coach to the port, which takes approximately 20 minutes, will meet you after you collect your bags. From there we board our private charter boats. Its a 60 - 120 minute ride out to the islands depending on which Island you’re staying on.
This has changed recently and causes some confusion. But in May 2009 the legal drinking age was made 18, the same as in Australia and NZ and we would expect it now to stay like this for the foreseeable future. 17 Year olds are not allowed to purchase alcohol.
Fijian Islands have the same electrical outlets and power supply as in Australia and New Zealand. If you can get it onto the island you can plug it in.
I personally drink the water in Fiji as do many but for the short-term visitor it’s just not worth it. There is purified water available at no charge from the bar, just fill up your water bottles and then you don't have to worry.
All our resorts have set buffet style meals for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. There are always a variety of options available so you will never go hungry. For those who miss breakfast or would like a snack throughout the day each Island has it’s own snack kiosk or shop to purchase additional items such as soft drinks, chips and other snack items. These items are not included in your package cost.
Yes, if you’re staying on Plantation Island, Sonaisali Island or Mana Island.
If you’re staying on Plantation, Sonaisali or Mana you will need to pay a per person room deposit at check-in as security in case there is any damage to your room.
Upon check-out if you’re room is at the same standard as it was when you checked in, your deposit will be returned to you. It is up to you to follow this up with the resort staff upon checkout.
Plantation Island = $500 FJD per personMana Island = $400 FJD per personSonaisali Island = $350 FJD per person
While on our Trips, we recommend you take an unlocked phone so you can purchase a local sim card to top up with credit so you can text and call everyone at home and make them all jealous about all the fun you’re having. On all of our Island Trips, you will also be able to pay to use the Internet and Wi-Fi and top up your account, as you need to.
Fiji & VanuatuPlease note that there is no ATM on the Islands in Fiji & Vanuatu. Payment can be made in cash at the bar or charge to your personal account and then settled with either cash in the local currency, a credit card or prepaid visa/MasterCard debit card or Travel Money Card.
Personal account: Each individual guest for Fiji & Vanuatu schoolies will be issued a personal account number (on a wrist band) at check in. This is designed for guests to bill drinks, snacks and activities to this unique number. The guest can then use this for all purchases and no cash is required in day-to-day transactions other than purchases on Islands other than the one they are staying on. The guest has the option of settling this account daily to keep track on how much they’re spending or at check out. They will be able to settle this account with a credit card, cash in the local currency or a Visa/MasterCard debit card or Travel Money Card.
Cash: Cash must be brought onto the Trip in the local currency and we highly recommend getting this prior to departure. There is an ATM in the airport although this is often very busy and transfer busses will not wait so you may miss out on getting cash.
Local Currency:Fiji = Fijian Dollar (FJD)Vanuatu = Vatu (VUV)Thailand = Thai Baht (THB)Cambodia = US Dollars (USD)
Credit Cards: Credit cards are the most widely used form of payment in Fiji. Drinks, snacks and activities can be billed to your personal account number and you sign and print your name. You will get a bill with the each purchase itemized. We highly recommend paying off your personal bill every day so you keep track of how much you are spending.
Pre-Paid Visa/MasterCard Debit & Travel Money cards: It is understandable that not everyone will have a credit card. We highly recommend using a Visa/MasterCard pre-paid debit card or a Travel Money Card. These behave like a credit card i.e. Swipe and sign, but are pre-loaded with cash as opposed to going into credit. These cards are great for those under 18 years of age.
Please note these are different to EFTPOS debit cards. The EFTPOS option on your regular bank card will not work so please ensure you have a Debit card issued from any of the following: Banks, the Post Office, Travel Agents or Travelex.
Yes you can. In our pre-departure information on the back page there is a form for your parent/ guardian to sign in the event that they give you permission to use their card details. You will have the option to use this for either your bond, your personal account or both. You must keep this form and take it with you to the island and give it to the resort staff upon check in. They will store it in a secure place, so no need to worry about carrying this around with you.
None of the Islands have an ATM. We recommend the use of charge back facility, i.e. running a room tab for water sports, snacks and bar bills, Then simply paying the amount at the end of the trip with any major Credit or Debit Card. For those of you in dorms each bunk has a number, so don't worry there won't be a bunch of guys on the last night trying to figure out who had 3 Margarita's. But if you wish to you can take local currency, a debit / credit card and pay as you go along
The reception will gladly put a sealed envelope into the safe for the stay. Maybe wallet, credit cards, passport etc. There is no need for money on the island. All Bures are lockable and for those in dorms each bed has a large lockable cupboard that you can out backpacks etc. into.
Prices below are in Fijian Dollars. The local currency does move however, so it is subject to change.
- Bottled water $4.80 1.5 litre - Toasted sandwiches from $2.50 to $3.15 - Beer Draught (2 local choices) $4.75 Happy Hour - $3.60 - Stubbies “ $5.80 $4.35 - Imported beers around $8 to $10.00 No Happy Hour price for imports- Cocktails $14.25 $11.00 - Frozen Margaritas etc. $8.50 $6.00
On Land
On the water
Semi submersible Snorkelling Scuba Handline fishing Water skiing Wake Boarding Knee boarding Banana ride Windsurfing Habitats Canoeing Swimming Surfing Safari Dolphin safari Sunset cruise Island hopping Shell Village trip Game fishing Honeymoon Island SnorkellingMoonlight cruise
Although numbers vary depending on which Trip you go on and how many people are allowed, the resort has approximately 1 Security / Police officer for every 10 kids and Unleashed employees 1 Crew Member / DJ for every 30 kids.
These numbers may vary and are subject to change.
Yes you can! This is available in the Resort Gift shop and includes, singlets & hats.
Unleashed Crew members will be snapping your pics while on our trips and you can see them all on our Facebook Page on your return. Please keep in mind that these are often uploaded while in Fiji & Vanuatu using Island Internet, which can take time so please be patient.
Glad you asked! Unleashed Travel is always looking for Ambassadors who have experienced our trips and would like to help promote this to their friends & family in return for incentive rewards. If you think this is something you might be interested in, check out our Ambassador page here: http://www.unleashedschoolies.com.au/ambassadors
We are also keen to hear from DJs, and potential crew members, so just send us an email in June when we start our recruitment process and tell us a little bit about yourself.
"We had the best time in Thailand. I wanted to do something different before starting uni, and my fortnight spent volunteering was an incredible experience. I'll never forget it!" Carla, 17
"I would totally recommend Fiji! We had so much fun and it was great to know that Mum and dad weren't worried about me (well, not totally freaking out anyway)." Tilly, 18
