Deals of the week, January 30: Antarctica cruises; Perth hotel discounts; NT summer sale
Grab a discounted staycation at a Perth hotel or book ahead on a cruise to Antarctica.
Tropical topics
See Queensland’s contrasting landscapes on a seven-day return trip from Cairns that ventures to historic Cooktown, rugged bushland and the Daintree wilderness. The fascinating lava tubes of Undara Volcanic National Park are a highlight of the journey, along with driving a section of the legendary Bloomfield Track. Departs March 28 and April 11; from $3695 a person, twin-share.
Silver linings
In anticipation of the creation of a South Pacific travel bubble, Ultimate Cruising has a 16-night sailing from Cairns to The Whitsundays, Norfolk Island and the picturesque isles of Vanuatu, ending in Lautoka, Fiji. The voyage on Silversea’s 144-passenger Silver Explorer includes all meals, guided shore excursions, luxury airport transfers and butler service in every suite. Departs September 10; from $16,920 a person, twin-share.
In the mix
Book two nights at Pullman Magenta Shores Resort on the NSW central coast and receive a host of inclusions such daily a la carte breakfast. The property, which sits on 21ha between Lake Tuggerah and the ocean, has an 18-hole championship golf course; guests each receive a $20 credit to put towards a round. Welcome cocktail, $25 spa credit per person and $50 food and beverage credit are also part of the offer. From $399 a room; book by February 8 for travel to December 15 (blackout dates apply).
Above and beyond
Scenic’s 16-day Beyond the Antarctic Circle itinerary starts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with flights to the world’s most southern city, Ushuaia, prior to setting sail. After the drama of the Drake Passage, guests explore the South Shetland Islands before spotting penguins, seals and whales in the Weddell Sea. Four days are spent on the Antarctic Peninsula before sailing back to South America. Departs December 20, 2022; from $23,879 a person, twin-share.
Scandi savings
Book by March 31 to save up to $1000 a couple on Viking Cruises’ 15-day sailings between Bergen in Norway and the Swedish capital, Stockholm. Voyage highlights include Berlin, Tallinn in Estonia, St Petersburg, Helsinki and the Norwegian fjords. Departures from May to September 2022; from $8495 a person, twin-share.
Southern exposure
With multiple departures scheduled from November this year to March 2022, Hurtigruten’s 14-day Antarctica expeditions are priced from $10,999 a person, twin-share, including international flights from Australia. There’s time to explore Buenos Aires plus five full days in Antarctica, sailing on the Fridtjof Nansen. Book by February 20.
Send Great Escapes to travel@theaustralian.com.au.
OUT + ABOUT
West Australians are being encouraged to take a midweek break in Perth, with the state government offering $200 discounts on two-night stays at about 80 hotels. The Stay, Play and Save campaign applies to packages valued at $400 or more, Sunday to Thursday, across Perth, the Swan Valley, Fremantle, Scarborough and Rockingham. Participating hotels included COMO The Treasury (pictured) and Esplanade Hotel Fremantle by Rydges. Book by February 19 for travel to the end of April.
TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards have revealed Shoalhaven on the NSW south coast and Mudgee in the state’s midwest are “emerging destinations in the world”, ranked at No. 8 and No. 10 respectively (No. 1 was Martinique in the Caribbean). Tasmania’s Freycinet National Park was in 18th place in a list of the top 20 national parks across the globe (Serengeti National Park in Tanzania took the No. 1 spot). The most popular destination in the world was a perennial Australian favourite: Bali, Indonesia.
The NT Summer Sale continues until March 31, offering travellers savings of up to $1000 on everything from self-drive holidays and stays at Longitude 131 and Sails in the Desert at Uluru to journeys on The Ghan. The promotion applies to departures by the end of March on bookings valued at $1000 or more booked with Helloworld, Holidays of Australia, NT Now, Viva Holidays, Flight Centre and some independent travel agents.