Travel packages: New Zealand; Arnhem Land; hotel stays; private plane journey
Experience Indigenous culture and natural beauty in West Arnhem Land and Kakadu, or plan for a 2023 cruise to New Zealand.
Art and soul
Northern Territory
Indigenous cultural experiences and the natural beauty of West Arnhem Land and Kakadu combine on a six-day tour by luxury 4WD. Guests will spend two nights in the remote Aboriginal community of Wugularr, explore Katherine Gorge, cruise Yellow Water Billabong and see the rock art of Ubirr and the birdlife of the wetlands. Accommodation includes Cooinda Lodge in Kakadu.
Fine print From $7199 a person, twin-share; departs Darwin on May 25, July 25 and August 27, 2022.
More for less
NSW and NZ
Spend two days sightseeing in the Blue Mountains before embarking on Oceania Cruises’ 684-passenger ship Regatta for a 15-night return voyage to New Zealand. The cruise calls at Milford Sound, Dunedin, Napier, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands, among other classic Kiwi destinations. NSW accommodation is in the Hotel Mountain Heritage.
Fine print Book by August 31 to save $7894 a couple; from $8995 a person, twin-share; departs February 10, 2023.
Country to coast
Queensland
Abercrombie & Kent is building on its air safari inventory with a new 10-day journey from Brisbane to the Outback plus some tropical indulgence on Hayman Island. A maximum eight guests will fly on a privately chartered aircraft to the Channel Country of Quilpie, dinosaur heartland Winton, Longreach and Mount Mulligan luxury lodge.
Fine print From $17,950 a person, twin-share; single supplement $3575; departures from April to September next year.
Cool comforts
Victoria
Enjoy a cosy stay at Lancemore Lindenderry Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula or Mansion Hotel Werribee Park and enjoy the hotel group’s Winter Warmer package, which includes daily breakfast, a bottle of wine and two pairs of Swanky Socks. Other properties in the offer are Crossley St in the heart of Melbourne and Lancemore Milawa in the King Valley.
Fine print From $390 a night at Red Hill, $239 at Werribee; available for stays until September 30.
In the news
A series of Walk for Wild fundraising hikes, set up by the World Wildlife Fund-Australia and Tasmanian Walking Company, begin on October 8. All proceeds from the treks (Bay of Fires, Three Capes and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania, and the Twelve Apostles in Victoria) will go towards WWF’s Regenerate Australia scheme.
Viking Cruises has resumed sailing on the Seine River, with four new Longships departing from the line’s dock in the heart of Paris. Voyages in Bordeaux are scheduled to restart this month. All passengers are required to be fully vaccinated.
New charter venture YOTSPACE debuts with its first superyacht outing this weekend. The initiative gives Australian travellers the chance to book individual cabins on luxury vessels in locations such as The Whitsundays in QLD and NSW’sHawkesbury River. The boats carry up to 10 passengers and are fully crewed. Book by September 30 to save $500 a couple.
Safari operator Great Plains has unveiled two new camps in the Mara conservancies of Kenya. An expedition camp with six tents harks back to explorer days while the Toto Camp is designed for families or large groups.