Travel is Australia’s favourite pastime and Australia’s Travel Industry is an award winning enterprise covering whatever the imagination can conceive.
For Aussies with the pioneering spirit we have Outback Safaris ranging from 1 day local tours from Broken Hill to 18 day Adventure Tours of the Kimberley. Tri State Safaris have won 6 Australian Tourism Awards for their tours to outback destinations such as the Mungo National Park, Broken Hill and Silverton the White Cliffs Opal Fields, Indigenous destinations of great significance and dreaming country with guides of great knowledge. All touring is in customised 4WD vehicles or coaches with all the mod cons of air con, fridges etc. For a holiday that’s a real adventure go to www.tristate.com.au for more information.
Whilst the dollar is low, the cost of overseas travel rises for the traveller and many of our intrepid grey nomads like to keep parity and travel in their own land. ‘A tourist in your own country’ is the philosophy and you will be spoilt for choice in this great Island Continent.
Cape York
How about a trip to the top of the Australian Continent, the very top of Queensland, the tip of Cape York to be exact. Have you ever wanted to visit Cape York to stand at the northern most point in Australia, well now you can with the Cape York Day Tour – the world’s longest scenic flight, where you walk on top of Australia after a 4 hour 4wheel drive tour of the north end and this is after your low level scenic plane trip up from Cairns with Daintree Air Services, there is nothing like this anywhere else, go to www.daintreeair.com.au
When you have your feet back on the ground in sunny Queensland, many of our grey explorers like to find a central location where they can base themselves with access to many attractions. A fine choice is the beautiful Sunshine Coast where you’re never far from the beaches, the inland waterways and lakes, the renowned restaurant strips and the many attractions for the action packed seniors. Caloundra Holiday Centre has a huge range of self-contained accommodation in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. You can cook at home in the finely appointment apartments or stroll to restaurants, clubs, bars, cafes and hotels for a meal or drink. Seniors can take advantage of heavily discounted weekly prices starting at just $380, so bring the family for a well-earned getaway check www.caloundraholidaycentre.com.au
Gold Coast
Just a few hours south from here is the Gold Coast. Known as the entertainment capital of South Eastern Queensland; it has everything to get all pumped up for. Fantastic beaches and surf, sun-tanned bodies, an endless nightlife, casinos and more. If all that is just a bit too much, the Gold Coast is also one of the great destinations for a chilled out holiday. Take a drive through rainforest to the hinterland, relax by a creek fish in the canals or just sit in a park without a care in the world. A good location to do all this from is Coolangatta, by the beach, close to the Northern Rivers and hinterland it’s a superb location. The Sunset Strip Motel with guesthouses and self-contained accommodation from $44 a night single room, check them out at www.sunsetstrip.com.au
Longer trips are the way to go for some of our semi or retired 50s something’s. Why not try the ‘Kimberley the Top End’ that goes for 11 or 12 days, staying at some of the world famous locations eating at renowned restaurants and flying and cruising the Top End in style.
‘Broome to Perth’ is another 15 days of exploring this marvellous region full of natural wonders and incredible history; nothing is missed on this unique tour. All these tours are escorted by expert directors whose knowledge is vast. The ‘Lawn Hill, Longreach and Gulf Tour’ takes in the outback to the tropics. Cruising, swimming, canoeing, a barrier reef island, museums and cultural historic sites are included in this 18 day trip of a lifetime. They are so well run with so much to do you need to go to All Australian Journeys at www.aaj.net.au to see the details of these marvellous tours.
Our travellers have the options open wide to them when looking for a day’s activity or a week or two, land or sea or both.
Cruises are a booming part of the travel industry. Australians love a cruise and we are most partial to a really nice day cruise. Blessed as we are with bays, rivers, harbours and ports there is always somewhere to cruise. People of all ages are regulars on the popular Starship Cruises socialising on-board while taking the magnificent scenery around the Brisbane Waters and 4 Islands, just north of Sydney. These easy to get to cruises will surprise, excite and delight you.
Gosford Wharf
The popular MN Lady Kendal, cruises the Brisbane Waters, leaving Gosford Public Wharf at 10.15am or Woy Woy at 10.40am every Saturday to Wednesday. This relaxing trip is a favourite amongst our loyal readers, many returning for this popular luncheon cruise. Starship Cruises run this and their 4 Island Cruise which takes in Broken Bay, Lion Island, Barrenjoey Head Land and sails through Pittwater to the Lower Hawkesbury River, Brooklyn and Dangar Island; a 6.5 hour journey of scenic wonderlands with morning teas, buffet lunches and is fully licensed www.starshipcruises.com.au
If you want to combine a cruise on Sydney Harbour to watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race with a deluxe stay in Darling Harbour then Downunder Coach Tours are your people. The land-lubbers who like to stay on dry land are well looked after with a 5 day Clarence Valley & Grafton trip celebrating the colourful Jacaranda Festival, a most for lovers of these magnificent purple visions. Those who have their sights on our very classy southern city of Melbourne will love the 14 day Melbourne and Phillip Island tour that also takes in the magnificent Mornington Peninsula or the 7 Day Edinburgh Mighty Tattoo in Melbourne which takes in this Mighty Tattoo in gold seating. With amazing stops Mighty Tattoo steps through outlaw country, outstanding cave tours and visits to the Parkes Observatory and the mystical Standing Stones get to www.downundercoachtours.com.au for all your bookings.
Murray River
Rivers are the lifeblood of Australia and Australia’s most famous river is the Murray. How about a cruise the whole length of the Murray River from Goolwa to Mildura or cruise the unforgettable Gippsland Lakes in Victoria taking in lakes, rivers and channels with all meals included over 6 days and 5 nights. This is the only cruise operating through the lakes system, you will not be disappointed. Another combining coach and boat is the 5 river cruise taking off from Adelaide and visiting 3 states, through the Murray, Darling, Murrumbidge, Wakool and Edward River systems, an experience unlike any other with an all terrain luxury 26 seater coach and wonderful boats, for more info go to www.murrayriverrun.com.au or www.spiritaustraliatours.com.au for more details on these wonderful trips.
For those who value springtime in all its blooming glory, there are some of the most fabulous garden spectaculars in all the world right here in Australia and All Australian Journeys can take you right to them this spring.
The famous Canberra Floriade is a 3 day tour visiting Bowral’s floral display on the way to Canberra where you take in the Floraide, visit the Australian War Memorial, Mt Anslie, the Tulip Farm and the illuminating Canberra Night Lights.
Berry Gardens Festival is a 4 fay tour in the ‘town of trees’, through the cliff bridge at Stanwell Park, visiting Kangaroo Valley & Milton with a luncheon cruise on the Clyde River along with the colourful Berry Gardens Festival.
Japanese Gardens Cowra
Griffith Festival of Flowers is a 6 day tour of citrus and garden displays, the Japanese Gardens, Cowra War Cementary & Temora Aviation Museum with tastings at Pappas Fudge Factory, yum.
A 5 day tour to Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers is full of prize winning exhibition gardens, Laurel Bank Park at twilight glowing magnificently, viewing from Picnic Point. The Guya Tomato Hothouses have to be seen to be believed and Outdoor Sculptures of Walcha. For dates, details and prices go to www.aaj.net.au
Fiji
Most of our readers are looking for paradise, and I am here to tell you that paradise truly exists. It’s only a few hours away on the island of Taveuni in Fiji. This paradise ticks all the ‘what is paradise’ boxes; remoteü islandü surrounded by sparkling waterü spa treatmentsü. Relax in paradise set in tropical gardens of flowers and green with mountains in the background, deep water access for boat trips, scuba diving, snorkelling and swimming. This romantic destination caters for single travellers, lovers and of course senior groups, go to www.paradiseinfiji.com
Vanuatu
Another super destination only 3 hours away is the tropic island of Vanuatu. This picture postcard perfect (PPP) piece of Pacific was in the news a while back due to the Cyclone Pam, which hit the island. Well we are here to tell you that Vanuatu, a most popular spot for travelling Australians, is back in business. Everybody on the ground in Port Vila have been working round the clock to get things shipshape. Teams of aid relief workers from Australia, New Zealand and many other nations have worked tirelessly to lose all trace of the havoc of Pam. Even visiting travellers from Australia got in on the act of helping. More than 80% of all tour companies and hotels are open for business. Tourism is important for this pristine island nation and all travel warnings have been lifted.
The people of Vanuatu need your return, the majority of places are ready for you and by you going you help these lovely people.
Air Vanuatu can get you there in just a short flight from Australia. Vanuatu is a pacific paradise with some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the world. Dine on organic produce that is world renowned.
Dive wrecks from WWII amongst the most abundant sea life on earth. Action holidays are everywhere from lava surfing a Volcano to high velocity windsurfing. Ancient culture thrives only 3 hours away, combine relaxing with cultural ceremonies form a time more ancient and come to the perfectly balanced pacific island of Vanuatu for bookings and info go to www.airvanuatu.com
Travel means something different to each individual and with the range on offer here – everybody is happy!
