Get the best out of breathtaking Oz
THERE’s nowhere quite as wild and wonderful as beautiful Australia.
This extraordinary land seizes the imagination – and lavishes every visitor with endless, unforgettable sights.
Australia’s cobalt-blue skies, cinnamon-red earth and Technicolor reefs form a vivid palette – framing vibrant cities, super-sized icons such as Uluru, and traditions going way back to the aboriginal Dreamtime.
You can enter the world of Australia’s indigenous peoples through ancient art, songs, stories and mimes told under star-crammed skies in the Outback. But above all, any visit to Australia must take you to its sparkling coast, where most people live within easy reach of an amazing beach.
Here, sublime white sands are fringed by fun cities, rainforest, reef and magnificent islands teeming with Aussie characters, from kangaroos and koalas to possums and platypuses.
Australia might be a vast place, but getting around its awesome landscape is all part of the adventure.
It makes sense, then, that a flexible, high-quality escorted tour, such as Distant Journeys’ Wonders Of Australia, doesn’t simply waft you around by coach – but by rail, cableway, train, boat, air and foot, revealing this great land from every angle.
What’s more, there will be a stopover in fascinating Singapore or Dubai to enjoy on the journey out – and an optional low-cost two-night break in either Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok or Dubai on the way home.
So climb aboard for a string of once-in-a-lifetime journeys in likeminded company, with a fantastic tour manager to make sure everything runs super-smoothly. Are you ready to go walkabout?
RAIL TO ALICE SPRINGS
THERE’S a chance to see the most incredible Aussie wildlife at Kangaroo Island, near Adelaide. Then it’s all aboard the legendary Ghan train to roll into rich, red, Outback splendour. Once settled into your comfortable private cabin and the big wheels start turning, you’ll want to head to the classically styled Queen Adelaide Restaurant for a delicious meal.
Press your nose to the window to see golden wheat fields, vast sheep stations, rugged mountain ranges, salt lakes and the fierce Simpson Desert go by, on this route once used by Afghan cameleers.
The following day, wake up to a stunning sunrise in Marla. Next stop, Alice Springs!
WALK AROUND ULURU
NOTHING beats walking around the base of Uluru (Ayers Rock) with a guide. Visit waterholes and ancient rock art sites, hear the creation stories and really get close to this sacred land. Later, relax with a glass of sparkling wine and watch a spectrum of changing colours as the sun begins to set.
SOAR OVER THE REEF
A TRIP to the Great Barrier Reef could see you speeding by catamaran to the Marine World platform to snorkel amid a rainbow of fish in a coral lagoon, take a glass-bottom boat ride or visit an underwater observatory.
You could even enjoy a sea eagle’s view of this mind-blowing wonder, which stretches for more than 1,200 miles, on an optional helicopter flight.
RAINFOREST CABLEWAY
CAIRNS offers a chance to immerse yourself in aboriginal culture, with mesmerising music, dance and storytelling by the Tjapukai people. Then take the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, a beautiful glide over the tree canopy, to see markets and koala sanctuaries in pretty Kuranda. Roll home past spectacular rainforest waterfalls on a scenic railway.
ON THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD
WHETHER driving a souped-up Land Cruiser capable of crossing a croc-infested creek, or cruising in an air-conditioned coach, you’ll find a route to suit on Australia’s arrowstraight roads. The all-time classic for jaw-dropping coastal scenery is The Great Ocean Road, west of Melbourne, home to the rocky pinnacles known as the Twelve Apostles. You could even get the chance to spot whales offshore.
Melbourne stays also offer an unmissable opportunity to visit Phillip Island for the ultra-cute Fairy Penguin Parade.
CRUISE SYDNEY HARBOUR
A LUNCH cruise around Sydney’s beautiful harbour rounds off an Australian tour perfectly. The Opera House, Harbour Bridge (a favourite spot for marriage proposals) and the many dream homes fringing the shores look stunning from the water.
Whichever way you traverse this incredible country, the magnificent sights and experiences will create super-sized memories to treasure.
Find a flexible tour such as Wonders Of Australia, featuring these unforgettable journeys and more – and you’ve got the ultimate Aussie walkabout.