More Australia for Less

The Real Deal: Round-trip international airfare and three flights within Australia for $999 per person

When: Apr. 1 - Jun. 30, 2006

Gateways: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu; San Jose, San Diego (add $50); Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix ($150); Denver, Dallas ($220); St. Louis, Chicago ($260); New York City, Washington, D.C., Miami ($300); additional cities available

Details: Fuel surcharges are included. Additional airport taxes total $137 per person. Seven-day minimum and 21-day maximum travel period

Book By: Apr. 13, 2006

Contact: Tourism Australia, 888/505-6252, australia.com

The Qantas Aussie AirPass covers international travel to Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane and then a choice of three one-way flights within Australia. Traditionally, the pass has broken the country into three zones, with rates fluctuating between $999 for zone one in low season to $2,099 for zone three in high season.

The new sale fare of $999 allows for travel in any of the three zones. The destinations are: Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Hamilton Island, Townsville, Alice Spring, Ayers Rock, Darwin, Broome, Perth and Hayman Island, Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island, and Coffs Harbor. Travelers will save up to 29 percent since travel to zone three in the late spring/early summer is typically $1,399.

Flights are on Qantas and its partners, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Travelers can add an unlimited number of extra stops within the 21-day travel period for $100 per person per stop.

To make the most of the three one-way flights, travelers should plan to fly into one Australian city and out of another. For example, fly from San Francisco to Sydney; Sydney to Cairns; Cairns to Kangaroo Island; Kangaroo Island to Melbourne; Melbourne to San Francisco.

Parts of Queensland were hit by Cyclone Harry, but they have recovered quickly and would gladly welcome the extra tourists now able to fly there with the AirPass.

Don't forget that seasons in Australia are the reverse of those in America. In Sydney, April averages weather in the mid-60s Fahrenheit, May is about 60, and June is in the mid-50s.