If this year has taught us anything it is to appreciate our own backyard when it comes to planning our next holiday. Living in the most isolated capital city with a land mass about the size of Western Europe has definitely had its advantages in 2020. Whilst our borders have only just opened to the rest of the world we have been allowed to travel relatively freely within our glorious state. Many of us having begrudgingly been forced into cancelling the annual European sojourn and have had to look into holidays on our own doorstep which much to our surprise and delight have been to towns we wouldn’t have thought to explore had it not been the year of the pandemic.
Exmouth, Shark Bay, Kalbarri and Broome have had a boom like season with the city folk heading up north in droves.
The south will no doubt have a cracker of a season and good luck finding accomodation if you haven’t already booked for the summer!
Given the likelihood of our borders remaining shut until at least midway through 2021 and with many parks and resorts are already nearing capacity we have looked at a few of the most exciting escorted tours and cruises still available to book next year to inspire the wanderlust among us.
Globetrotting, Margaret River
Margaret River is our jewel of the South. The region is easily our most visited, whether for a weekend break or a longer stay over the holidays. There is something for everybody; from white sandy beaches to impressive bushland bike trails, world class wineries, gourmet delights, the many caves and it is a world class surfers paradise.
Margaret River is also home to Jesters Flat, a working equestrian farm and vineyard situated in the charming region of Rosa Brook.
Established by a polocrosse playing equestrian rider and his wife, Paul and Fiona Brennan have built an impressive equestrian centre with their herd consisting mainly of Australian Stock horses catering for all riders from beginners to the accomplished eventer.
The team at Globetrotting have partnered with Jesters Flat and created a 5 day, 4 night ultimate ride which encompasses all the beauty of Margaret River from the back of your Australian Stock Horse.
Saddle time is approximately 6 hours per day where you will canter along pristine beaches, swim bareback in the turquoise waters, meander through secluded bush tracks and
wide open pastures and for the more experienced there are opportunities to jump logs along the way. Food and drink will be some of the best the region has to offer and you will sleep under the stars in style in your teepee style glamping tent.
If like me you would like to fulfil your childhood dream of spending days on end swimming bareback in the ocean and cantering along an endless stretch of beach as Alec Ramsay did in The Black Stallion then this is for you. Head to the globetrotting.au website for more information. Prices start from $1,800 per person.
Western Wildness Tour
Have you ever wanted to explore our great far North West but are too scared to drive the many kms between towns for fear of breaking down in a town not too dissimilar from the one in the movie Wolf Creek?
An escorted tour such as this 11 day beauty from Imagine Holidays may just be the answer you need.
The journey starts from Cable Beach Club in Broome and then heads up to Fitzroy Crossing, you overnight in Halls Creek before staying at the truly magnificent El Questro Wilderness Park (Instagram central) and then onto Kununnura, the gateway to the Bungle Bungles before an overnight at Katherine where you will cruise the awe-inspiring network of gorges and ending in Darwin.
Accommodation is all four star and all meals are included. Prices start from $5,999 per person. Visit imagineholidays.com.au for more information.
Kimberley Ultimate
Your experience of a lifetime starts here in The Kimberley. Having been rated by the New York Times earlier this year as one of their top 5 places to go, there is no better time then now while the international crowds are at bay to head up to the Kimberley on a small luxury expedition cruise itinerary with True North.
True North is a multi award winning expedition cruise company and have long been regarded as one of Australia’s outstanding and most revered tour experiences.
All itineraries are activity based and designed for the discerning traveller who truly wants to ‘experience the destination’ in some of Australia’s most remote and hard to access coastal regions.
The Kimberley Ultimate is the True North’s flagship adventure and one of Australia’s most exclusive holiday experiences.
The Ultimate is simply 2 weeks of lavish indulgence. Premium accommodation on board, personalised service, fine dining and a private helicopter on board this is an opportunity to experience our wilderness in pure luxury.
Highlights such anchoring at the base of King George Falls, meeting crocs in the Mitchell and Roe Rivers, swimming in picture perfect billabongs, immersing in ancient Aboriginal culture and multiple ‘once in a lifetime’ helicopter experiences.
This really is the ultimate adventure experience. Prices start from $22,995 per person. For more information visit truenorth.com.au or call (08) 9192 1829
