Last minute deals: Pacific holidays within easy reach

By VICTORIA BARTLE


UNDER $480

Return flights to Melbourne are down to $375 for those who get in quickly and book before Monday, March 22. The date you depart determines the fare. The $375 price tag applies to flights between May 1 and June 30. From now until April 30, the cost is $395 - and this price also applies to flights taken between July 1 and August 31.

Departure tax from most New Zealand provincial airports increases the cost by $100, and there are twice daily departures from Auckland or five to six flights each week from Wellington and Christchurch, flying Qantas.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel (09) 353 2626.

UNDER $800

Plan ahead for the July school holidays and snaffle some Gold Coast flight and accommodation packages - the deadline is the end of this month.

Seven-night packages start at $759 a person for adults (twin-share) and $429 a child. Prices start at $699 for an adult travelling outside the school holiday period. Airport taxes are not included.

Contact: Flight Centre freephone 0800 354 448 before March 31.

UNDER $1300

Five nights in Hawaii are on sale for holidays taken before August 31 - from $1299 a person. The catch is that the Qantas flights go via Sydney on the way there and on the way back for 90 minutes to two hour stopovers - or you can choose to spend longer in Sydney and continue your journey a day or two later.

Departures to Hawaii are on Tuesdays, Fridays or Sundays at 6.30am, as are the return flights from Hawaii. You must stay at least five days in Hawaii and this package must be booked and paid for by Monday, March 22.

Contact: Itchyfeet Travel (09) 353 2626.

UNDER $1500

There's more to Fiji than white sands and snorkelling. Get into the local village life in the Viti Levu highlands and even stay a night in the authentic village of Navali with the adventure travel company Intrepid Travel's newest journey scheduled for July. The 12-day "Fiji Explorer" tour costs $1490 a person and includes exploring Suva, the traditional markets, museums and trekking to villages, cruising the Yasawa island chain and staying overnight in beach bungalows.

The guided journey leaves from Nadi on July 18. Airfares to and from New Zealand and meals are not included. A maximum of 12 people can go on this tour.

Contact: Intrepid Travel

UNDER $2020

Want to get around Britain on your own off-the-cuff itinerary?

If you're taking advantage of the $2299 a person deal to London - which gives you two free nights in Singapore along the way - consider the latest motorhome package deals in Britain, starting at $144 a day. These mobile motels come fully equipped with sleeping bags and everything you need to eat from and eat with - plus all the local maps you'll need.

The Singapore stop-over deal is on sale only until Friday next week and the mobile homes $144 deal is based on bookings of at least 14 days' duration. Shorter rental periods are available.

Contact: Flight Centre freephone 0800 354 448.