All aboard for the Land of Adventure
WITH its epic scenery, surf-washed shores and extraordinary wildlife, Australia is a land that seizes the imagination more than almost any other – and, for most of us, it’s a mustsee destination.
Opportunities here are as vast as the horizons, with super-sized icons such as the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru and Sydney Opera House forming the backbone of any big adventure.
The fabled Outback combines cobalt-blue skies, fiery red earth, dramatic gorges and rock formations as unique as the wildlife. Witness the extraordinary sunsets here – a backdrop to indigenous traditions intertwined with this ancient land.
Along the glittering coastlines, sublime white-sand beaches are fringed by vibrant cities, rainforests and reefs, while incredible islands teem with kangaroos, koalas and possums.
Diverse Australia has so many wonders waiting to be discovered, you won’t want to miss a thing. But neither do you want to be locked into an inflexible itinerary that dictates your every move. The good news is that the best tours can often be tailored to your tastes, with flexible options in each destination.
This makes it easy to plot out the great Aussie walkabout that suits you best.
FLEXIBLE OPTIONS ALL THE WAY
TAKE Distant Journeys’ ‘Wonders Of Australia’ tour, which can be customised from the start, with regional flight options at no extra cost, and a choice of exciting stopovers in dazzling Dubai or in the cosmopolitan melting pot of Singapore, where East meets West. Your flexible tour kicks off with a range of choices during a three-night stay in cultural Melbourne, where you can mix and match photo-opportunities at the 12 Apostles limestone stacks along the Great Ocean Road with a visit to Phillip Island to see the adorable fairy penguin parade. Alternatively, explore the city, travel on the Puffing Billy mountain steam train, or take dinner on an historic tramcar.
And the fantastic options keep on coming as you tour the country by air, coach or train – from a behind-thescenes tour at the Opera House to a slow-motion hot-air balloon ride over awe-inspiring Alice, a bushland experience in the Blue Mountains, or a private wine-tasting of outstanding Aussie vintages.
Tailor your itinerary as you go, almost like a private tour, while also benefiting from the significant cost-saving advantages of being part of a group.
And don’t forget there’s the camaraderie and enjoyment of travelling with like-minded people.
An expert tour manager will take the stress out of finding a place to eat or booking a special trip.
Hotels are hand-picked, with central locations (breakfast is included), so that it’s easy to explore and dine at some of the best hidden gem restaurants. There’s free time, too, giving you even more opportunities to strike out and experience ‘Down Under’ your way.
And you could even tag on a New Zealand tour for the ultimate Australasian adventure.
IN THE TRACKS OF THE CAMELEERS
ONE of the most exciting ways to see the stupendous Australian Outback is from The Ghan train, on the magnificent route from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the heart of the Red Centre.
Named after the Afghan cameleers who once traversed this route, the iconic train offers Gold Service private sleepers, and includes meals and drinks served in the classically styled Queen Adelaide Restaurant and Outback Explorer Lounge. Once the big wheels start turning, you’ll roll past golden wheat fields, sprawling sheep stations, rugged mountain ranges, salt lakes and the fierce Simpson Desert. The next morning, you’ll wake up to an unforgettable Outback sunrise at Marla.
Another memorable highlight is laidback, tropical Cairns, where you can walk with an aboriginal guide in the Daintree Rainforest, spot crocs from a cruise boat, and ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that takes you over the rainforest canopy.
And the Great Barrier Reef is unmissable. Breathtakingly beautiful with vibrant marine life and coral, take a catamaran ride to the Outer Reef for a chance to snorkel or ride in a semisubmersible or glass-bottom boat.
Imaginative tour options mean that you could even try scuba diving, explore the area with a marine biologist, or enjoy a scenic helicopter ride above the reef.
In fact, most travel dreams are possible when you join one of this new breed of fantastic, flexible tours to experience the very best that wonderful Australia has to offer.