Deals of the week, December 5: Abercrombie & Kent; Whitsundays, Wolgan Valley
Walk Tasmania’s Maria Island on a private, fully hosted adventure or be pampered in the Whitsundays.
Step right up
Luxury operator Abercrombie & Kent has chartered two exclusive walking holidays on Tasmania’s World Heritage-listed Maria Island for family groups of up to 10 people. Accommodation is in secluded wilderness camps for the first two nights, with the final night at historic Bernacchi House in the settlement of Darlington. Included in the experience is a moonlight Tasmanian devil-spotting walk. Departs January 7 and April 11 next year; from $2600 a person, twin-share.
Retreat treats
Pampering and adventure are on the cards during a four-night escape to Elysian Retreat on Long Island in the Whitsundays. A one-hour spa treatment and choice of excursions such as a snorkelling tour or picnic at world-famous Whitehaven Beach are two inclusions. Guests can also take a 60-minute scenic helicopter flight over Heart Reef for $100 a person. From $6999 for two adults; for travel from January 5 to March 31.
Grand ideas
Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley has upped the indulgence factor in its signature Krug Champagne picnic, adding southern lobster and local rainbow trout to the menu. Guests can choose to have the dinner for two in their villa or on a private terrace. Blinis and scampi caviar, salad and lemon meringue tart also feature on the menu, topped off with a bottle of Krug Grand Cuvee; $895 for two.
Present and correct
Seeking inspiration for a family Christmas gift? Cairns-based Sunlover Reef Cruises has a Family Fun Pass that takes two adults and two children (four to 15 years) to Moore Reef for the day. Snorkelling, glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible tours plus lunch are all part of the package. Gift voucher for $607 (a saving of $139).
Added appeal
Stay three nights in a one-bedroom apartment at The Sebel Noosa on Hastings Street and save 38 per cent plus enjoy an array of inclusions. Guests receive an $80 food and drinks credit, welcome cocktail and hamper, and free parking and Wi-Fi. From $379 a person for travel until July 30 next year.
Make tracks
Revisit the golden age of travel on a six-day journey around NSW by steam train. Your heritage carriage, pulled by a Philadelphia-built Baldwin-Mikado steam locomotive that entered service in 1952, awaits in Sydney, from where it heads to Tamworth, Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst. Highlights include visits to Tocal Homestead, the historic town of Nundle, Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Bathurst Railway Museum. Departs June 25; from $3590 a person, twin-share.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au
OUT + ABOUT
The Empty Esky tourism campaign has teamed up with audiobook and podcast producer Audible to make roadtrips more palatable and help support regional Australia. The pair has devised seven driving itineraries that encourage travellers to visit small towns and businesses, scanning QR codes along the way to gain access to up to 10 free audiobooks and other diverting listening. More than 70 destinations feature in the Great Aussie Audiobook Adventure, and listening includes the likes of The Great Gatsby and the Heist podcast with Michael Caine.
Australian-owned cruise operator Aurora Expeditions, founded by mountaineer Greg Mortimer, has been named the leading polar expedition operator at the annual World Travel Awards. Travel professionals and the general public vote in the awards. The company has specialised in Antarctic and Arctic itineraries since the 1990s and its new ship, Sylvia Earle (pictured), launches in November next year.
Sydney is set to have a new surfing destination 60 minutes’ drive inland from the CBD in 2022. Wisemans Surf Lodge, a resort-style wave pool with accommodation set on 18ha, has been approved for development by the local council.
Virgin Australia will open its lounges in Sydney and Melbourne on December 15, following the resumption of flights to Queensland this week; Brisbane’s lounge opened last month. The airline expects to reach 60 per cent of its pre-COVID domestic capacity by January.