Deals of the week, January 23: Kimberley cruise; city staycations; wildlife spotting
Book ahead to enjoy big savings on a round-the-world cruise or keep it local with a city staycation.
Sky news
MS Caledonian Sky will cruise eight new itineraries around Australia in the 2021-22 season, including hot-ticket destination the Abrolhos archipelago in WA. APT’s 15-day Colours of the Coral Coast from Broome to Perth sails to the islands plus Ningaloo Reef and Rowley Shoals. Departs March 30, 2022; from $15,395 a person, twin-share, saving $2000 on bookings by March 31.
See the world
Sales open on Thursday on Oceania Cruises’ 180-day Around the World voyage departing San Francisco in January 2023. The odyssey, on 684-guest Insignia, calls at 96 destinations across 33 countries, with overnight stays in Buenos Aires and Kyoto, among others. All guests have the option of 64 included shore excursions, a beverage package, or $US6400 ($8320) shipboard credit; veranda staterooms from $85,370 a person, twin-share.
Jewels in the crown
Valet parking and a deluxe daily breakfast at The Hive are all part of the VIP treatment at Crown Metropol Melbourne at Southbank. Book by Monday for discounted rates on two-night stays at the hotel, including welcome bottle of sparkling wine and noon checkout. Upgrade to the spacious Loft accommodation category to receive a $150 food and beverage credit; from $499 a room for travel until December 24.
Quay points
Sir Stamford Circular Quay, a short stroll to Sydney Harbour and the Botanical Gardens, has a staycation package that includes room upgrade, breakfast for two, late checkout and parking. The hotel is also hosting high teas with a glass of French bubbles on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for $79 a person; rooms from $279 a night.
Northern exposure
New operator Arcadia has announced its first Australian tour, a 15-day private air safari focusing on Indigenous culture in some of the Top End’s most treasured places. Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmuluk national parks, Arnhem Land, Groote Eylandt and Elcho Island are on the itinerary, with stays at Bamarru Plains, Cicada Lodge and Kimberley Coastal Camp. Hosted by rock art expert Jo McDonald; from $36,230 a person, twin-share.
Go troppo
Stay five nights at Hamilton Island’s freestanding leafy Palm Bungalows, and save up to $240 a person in the latest deal from Flight Centre. The package includes daily breakfast, use of gym, spa, sauna, tennis courts and non-motorised watersports equipment, resort transfers, Wi-Fi and $150 credit; from $949 a person for travel from April 18 to June 25.
Nature calls
Wrangel Island, one of Russia’s most remote nature reserves, is in the spotlight on a 16-day Aurora Expeditions adventure. Polar bears, whales, walrus and migratory birds are some of the wildlife guests are likely to see. Departs Anchorage, Alaska, for Nome on July 19, 2022; from $19,855.50 a person, twin-share.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au.
OUT + ABOUT
Aman has launched a series of personalised three to five-day self-drive journeys. Guests can choose from sportscars, classic vehicles or SUVs, and are provided with a smartphone loaded with an itinerary and sightseeing and dining guide, while using an Aman luxury resort as their base. Montenegro’s coastline, Monument Valley in the US and Norikura, Japan’s highest road, feature in the offerings.
Canberra’s Craft Beer & Cider Festival will take place on March 20, with two ticketed sessions from 11am to 2pm and 3pm to 6pm. To ensure social distancing, the event space has been expanded from the grounds of Mercure Canberra into Batman and Gooreen streets in Braddon. Hotel packages available from $149 a room a night.
Mov’in Boat Floating Cinema in Sydney’s Darling Harbour is extending its season until the end of March. Guests have the choice of watching films from row boats provided, comfortable lounges on the pontoon, a VIP area or from their own vessel; $119.90 for four in a row boat.
The Snowy Valleys region is hosting a 50-day arts festival to help support communities and artists affected by the bushfires that swept through the region last summer. Arbour Festival runs until February 15 with workshops, installations and performances at Batlow’s Pilot Hill Arboretum, which survived the flames, and locations in Tumut, Tumbarumba and Adelong.