Holiday packages: private jet tour; Vivid Sydney, Antarctica cruise
There’s a new private jet tour criss-crossing the country, and a luxury expedition ship destined for Antarctica.
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QLD and NT
Luxury is the name of the game on a new 11-night, all-inclusive private jet tour with Latitude 33. Silky Oaks Lodge in the Daintree, and Bamurru Plains and Longitude 131 in the Northern Territory are the esteemed lodgings for the maximum 14 guests. Highlights include airboat safaris, barramundi fishing, scenic helicopter transfers and fine dining.
Fine print Departs Sydney May 31 next year; from $25,799 a person, twin-share.
Sailing safari
Africa
Journey to Africa on a 29-night itinerary that includes a three-week Azamara cruise from Lisbon via the Canary Islands and Namibia to Cape Town. Passengers spend four nights on luxury safari in Botswana (pictured). Also included are three nights at Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel in Cape Town.
Fine print Departs Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane on November 27 next year; from $16,849 a person, twin-share, including return economy flights. Book by September 30.
Into the lights
Sydney
Vivid Sydney has released a range of packages to help Sydneysiders and visitors make the most of the light festival. Stay three nights at Shangri-La hotel in The Rocks in an executive Sydney Harbour room and enjoy a three-course dinner cruise, daily breakfast, $100 food and beverage credit and late checkout.
Fine print Vivid Sydney runs from August 6-28. From $699 a person; kids up to 11 years stay free. Book by June 30.
Crystal clear
Antarctica
Voyages for the 2023-24 season on new polar-class expedition ship Crystal Endeavor went on sale on Thursday, with savings of up to $US2000 ($2670) a person. In the offerings is a 19-night voyage to Antarctica departing from Ushuaia, Argentina, and encompassing the Falkland and South Shetland islands, Elephant Island and South Georgia. The ship crosses the Drake Passage on the return journey.
Fine print Departs January 18, 2023; from $44,389 a person, twin-share.
In the news
Chartair has launched direct flights between Alice Springs and Uluru on six-passenger Cessna 402 aircraft. The service, which operates on Mondays and Fridays, is available at an introductory price of $329 a person, one-way, until June 30, after which prices rise to $399.
The reopening of Sydney’s historic Luna Park following a $30m renovation has been delayed until the latest Covid restrictions are eased. The 86-year-old attraction had been due to relaunch on Friday. It has eight new rides, a new loyalty program and a wine bar, Amphora; the revamped Big Dipper rail coaster will be back on track in December.
Kakadu’s Jim Jim Falls and the Karnamarr Campground have reopened after being closed for the wet season.
Tickets have gone on sale for the 194 performances that make up this year’s Darwin Festival, August 5-22. Cabaret, comedy, Indigenous culture and contemporary music are all in the mix.
Expedition cruise line Hurtigruten will begin sailing in the UNESCO biosphere reserve of the Galapagos Islands in January next year. The operator will offer 10-day voyages on the 90-guest MS Santa Cruz II, in partnership with Ecuador-based Metropolitan Touring.
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