Holiday packages: Sal Salis; Murray River; New Zealand; West Africa
Covid cancellations have created openings for Murray River cruises, or look to next year for adventures farther afield.
West world
Africa
Hurtigruten heads to Africa’s west coast in 2022 for the first time on 13-day expeditions. Departing from Senegal’s capital, Dakar, passengers on MS Spitsbergen will experience the musical culture of Cape Verde, meet the animist Bijago people of the Bissagos Islands, off Guinea-Bissau, explore volcanic landscapes and delve into the tragic history of the slave trade. The voyage ends in Gambia’s Banjul.
Fine print From $7035 a person, twin-share; departures from November 2022 to January 2023.
Cabin fever
Victoria
Covid restrictions have created openings for travellers with the freedom to cruise Australia’s longest river. Cabins on PS Emmylou, which sails out of the historic town of Echuca, are available on a number of Murray River trips ranging from two to six days. Shore excursions will operate on the Victorian side of the waterway.
Fine print From $768 a person for two-night voyages; from $2680 a person for six nights; departures from September 3 to December 13.
Perfect pitch
Western Australia
Luxury Escapes is offering heavily discounted, three-night, all-inclusive stays at premium safari outfit Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef on the stunning West Australian coast. The packages include daily breakfast, lunch and dinner and self-serve open bar at the exclusive property, perched just 50m from the World Heritage-listed reef and accommodating only 30 guests in glamping tents.
Fine print $3999 a tent, twin-share; book by September 6 for travel to September 30, 2021.
Scenic wonders
New Zealand
Franz Josef Glacier, Mount Cook, Milford Sound and the thermal pools of Rotorua are among the highlights of a 16-day tour of New Zealand. Starting in Christchurch and ending in Auckland, the trip also includes a journey on the spectacular TranzAlpine train and the option to sail on an America’s Cup yacht or explore Waiheke Island.
Fine print From $7550 a person, twin-share; departures from Christchurch from January to April next year.
In the news
Flight Centre has launched an online resource to help consumers navigate an increasingly complicated travel landscape. Travel Help Centre allows users to browse topics such as safety, bookings and credits, and provides access to more than 100 articles. The service is available to the public.
Virgin Australia will rebrand and re-open its premium Club lounges in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane by the end of the first quarter next year. The facilities in Perth and Canberra have been deemed unviable, however, and will not relaunch. The airline says updated benefits and eligibility criteria to its premium loyalty program will be revealed soon.
Hold your horses. The legendary Birdsville Races, scheduled for next month in the Queensland outback town, have been postponed until next year. Run since 1882, the event has been cancelled only twice in its history, most recently last year because of the pandemic. Covid willing, the races will be held twice next year, on April 10-11 and in September.
Children aged three to 14 travel free on SeaLink’s Kangaroo Island ferry when accompanied by a paying adult with a vehicle or car-hire booking. For travel from October 11 to December 10.