A year ago, Australia was pretty far down on my list of places I wanted to travel. It’s not because I didn’t think Australia wasn’t totally beautiful and had lots of offer, it was more than airfares across the Pacific were easily over $2000, making it hard to justify such a trip on my tight recent-college-graduate-budget. With such a big price tag, there was just no way I was going to make it Down Under until I had a few more zeros after my balance in my bank account.

Then things changed. Airfares dropped. Big time. Virgin Australia and Delta started offering flights from the West Coast, which triggered somewhat of a fare war with Qantas—the previous king of the U.S. to Australia flights. The struggling economy and hurting travel industry also helped to drive down prices.

I recently got the wonderful opportunity to pack up my bags and take off for a press trip to Queensland, Australia for a week. However, the short trip did nothing more than whet my appetite for a real Aussie vacation and more time to travel Down Under and experience all the delights of Oz.

With airfare specials to Australia dipping lower and lower, I may actually be able to afford another trip Down Under. Gone are the days of $2000-$3000 airfares (though who knows when those days will return). Delta is now offering airfare from Los Angeles to Sydney for just $289 each way. A round-trip ticket to Oz for less than $600? At those prices I’m busy trying to figure out a way to justify two trips to Australia in one month…

To get this amazing Delta price, you’ll have to book by June 30, 2009. Travel may begin on or after July 5 and must be completed by December 16.