Deals of the week: Kimberley, Tasmania, NZ, Canberra
Just because we can’t fly overseas doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to holiday at home.
Book by December 31 for APT’s Iconic Kimberley tour in Western Australia and enjoy savings of up to $1600 a couple. A helicopter flight over Mitchell Falls, viewing the region’s famous indigenous rock art, and a soak at Zebedee Springs are highlights of the trip. Accommodation is in comfortable tented cabins at three of APT’s wilderness lodges plus two nights at luxury property El Questro. From $7995 a person, twin-share; departures May to September next year.
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Grand plans
Couples who book by July 31 for Travel Marvel’s 10-day Grand Tasman package save $400. The high-end coach tour, which is available from this September to May next year, departs from Launceston and includes visits to Cradle Mountain and Freycinet national parks and Port Arthur plus a cruise on the Gordon River. From $3395 a person, twin-share.
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High life
DM Concierge has a 15-day private jet tour of the east coast, starting in Melbourne and heading to Tasmania, Sydney and North Queensland before venturing to South Australia. On the agenda are a superyacht harbour cruise in Sydney, a helicopter flight over the Twelve Apostles and a tour of Penfolds Magill Estate. Accommodation is at the likes of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, west of Sydney, Qualia on Hamilton Island and The Louise in the Barossa. Departs October 1; from $50,000 a person, based on eight people, twin-share.
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Look ahead
Travellers looking forward to post-COVID adventures can consider a 17-night cruise package that takes in New Zealand’s Fiordland and celebrates the 2022 New Year on Sydney Harbour. The trip, offered by luxury line Crystal Cruises and small-ship specialist Cruise Traveller, includes visits to Rotorua, Akaroa and Milford Sound, and ends in Melbourne. Departs most mainland capital cities on December 20 next year with flights to Auckland. Book by September 30 to save more than $4000 a person; from $10,765 a person, twin-share, including flights.
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Capital ideas
A full stage production of Puccini’s rarely performed opera La Rondine is the centrepiece of a three-day Canberra getaway from Renaissance Tours. Staying at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, guests will enjoy a champagne reception at Pialligo Estate, a tour of the National Portrait Gallery, a private concert with members of Canberra’s National Opera, plus the company’s final performance of La Rondine. From $2750 a person, twin-share; November 27-29.
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On the hunt
Wild Food Adventures is starting its winter truffle hunts this weekend in the Southern Highlands of NSW. With Zazu the truffle dog leading the way, participants go foraging for Perigord black truffles at Big Hill farm, before sitting down for a wine tasting and three-course lunch, inspired by the sought-after fungi. Saturday, July 4, 11, 18 and 25 and August 1 and 8; 10am-1pm; $175 a person.
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Take a hike
Explore Tasmania’s spectacular coastline from the sea and on land with Ultimate Cruising’s Coastal Treks itinerary. The package includes 10 nights on Coral Expedition’s 72-passenger Coral Discoverer and one night in Hobart. Guests sail from the capital and go ashore for guided hikes in the likes of Freycinet National Park, and at Port Davey and Cape Hauy. From $7600 a person, twin-share; book by August 30 for departures on February 16 and March 8 next year.
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Out and about
Luxury camp Longitude 131 has announced it will reopen to guests from August 21 following the relaxation of Northern Territory travel restrictions next month. The all-inclusive Baillie Lodges property comprises 16 tented pavilions looking towards Uluru, plus pool and spa. Jetstar is scheduled to restart flights to Ayers Rock Airport from Sydney in August, and from Melbourne in September. In other news from the Red Centre, Ayers Rock Resort will also be back in business from Saturday, August 1, having completed $50m in refurbishments during the COVID-19 shutdown. The airport has undergone improvements, and guestrooms, the lobby and the pool at the Sails in the Desert resort have been upgraded. Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is offering discounts of up to 50 per cent across a range of accommodation for stays of more than two nights. Looking further ahead, the Parrtjima light and art festival is set to proceed from September 11 in Alice Springs. The 10-night event sees the MacDonnell Ranges ablaze with special lighting effects. The Territory government is due to open its borders to all domestic visitors from July 17.
■ longitude131.com.au
jetstar.com/au
ayersrockresort.com.au
parrtjimaaustralia.com.au
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Renowned Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa will open his first Sydney restaurant in December. The venue, at Crown Sydney in Barangaroo, will be his third Australian restaurant, joining eateries in Perth and Melbourne.
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New York’s much derided LaGuardia Airport Terminal B has reopened after a complete overhaul, part of an $US8bn ($11.6bn) revamp of the entire facility. The airport is a hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines and, before COVID-19, handled about 30 million passengers a year.
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Qatar Airways has resumed flights from Doha to New York and will restart services to Boston, Los Angeles and Washington DC. By the middle of next month, the airline, which has helped repatriate about 160,000 US residents back to America during the pandemic, will be operating 39 weekly flights to the US.
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