Australian Journeys With A Difference

Australian Journeys With A Difference

As the sixth largest country in the world, Australia has many experiences to offer visitors with many different ways to journey through the country. From camel trekking along beaches to riding a Harley-Davidson across the Outback, each travel option will provide exciting and new ways to experience this great land.

Tourism Australia’s Regional Manager, New Zealand, Vito Anzelmi says "Australia is a large place and the variety of exciting ways to journey throughout the country is truly unique. Australia offers travel options that are not available in New Zealand, giving visitors a completely new experience. Hiring a four-wheel-drive to follow some of our pioneers’ famous touring and trading routes is just the beginning."

Over half of New Zealand visitors to Australia chose to get out of the country’s cosmopolitan and vibrant cities by taking a trip into regional Australia.

Anzelmi encourages more New Zealanders to experience the great journeys of Australia. "Taking a journey is a great way to share quality time with friends and family. It is the perfect opportunity to get together and create fantastic memories from the exciting experiences enjoyed along the way."

Below are some of Tourism Australia’s suggestions for unique Australian journeys.

Four-Wheel-Drive The Savannah Way
www.savannahway.com.au
Four-wheel-driving is an excellent way to travel around Australia and is particularly ideal for the rugged Outback. The Savannah Way, between Cairns on the north Queensland coast and Broome on the coast of Western Australia, encapsulates many of the country’s natural wonders, from diverse and spectacular landscapes such as ancient gorges, rock pools, salt pans and hot springs to exotic, abundant wildlife – from the rare bulbous boab tree and roaming wild camels to soaring wedge-tail eagles and migratory wading birds. Allow 20 days to travel this epic 3500km journey.

The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive
www.cattledrive.com.au
Join The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive and help drive a herd 500 cattle on a 460km journey – on horseback – along desert tracks from Oodnadatta to Marree, in South Australia’s rural north. There are seven tours to choose from, each four nights and five days. The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive 2007 begins Saturday May 5 and finishes Sunday June 10.

Sailing the Whitsundays
www.sailingwhitsundays.com
The Whitsundays is a group of 74 islands at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, the eighth wonder of the world, on Australia’s northeastern coast. Sink your feet into white sand and stare into the crystal clear water, home to hundreds of rare and beautiful fish. There are many ways to sail around the region, from self-charter yachts of varying sizes and shapes, to a private charter manned by a skipper and crew with meals provided. How far you go and how much you see of this world-famous region is entirely up to you.

The Indian Pacific Train Journey
www.railaustralia.com.au/indian_pacific.htm
As the name suggests, the Indian Pacific crosses the heart of Australia from the Pacfic Ocean to the Indian Ocean and is the world’s last remaining transcontinental train journey. This 4352km excursion traverses some of the country’s most diverse terrain, from the Blue Mountains through the famous green and gold Sun Belt, past historic Broken Hill. The Nullarbor Plain section of the route is the longest stretch of straight rail track in the world at 478km. You can travel in style with the Gold Kangaroo Service which includes beds, toilet and shower facilities, hairdryer, CD player and meals at the onboard restaurant.

Fly on a Strikemaster Jet Fighter
www.austjetadv.com
Imagine flying at 900km/h in a pressurised cockpit with a clear canopy giving uninterrupted views as your pilot – strapped right beside you – performs death-defying aerial aerobatics. For a journey you will never forget, try a flight aboard a jet fighter or warbird or get involved in a mock dog fight at more than 5000m. Based in Ballarat, Victoria, there are amazing views of this rural setting while enjoying zero Gs, barrel rolls, loops, derry turns, wing overs in an air show-style experience.

Motorcycle Uluru on a Harley Davidson
http://www.redballoondays.com.au/experience/UMT412
Jump on the back of a Harley Davidson motorcycle and feel the freedom of the warm desert wind passing you by while your driver takes you on an unforgettable experience. This one and a half hour journey takes you on a tour around Uluru at sun set, giving you the opportunity to marvel at Uluru while it changes colour as the sun goes down. Along the way you can enjoy the spectacular desert flora and the red ochre sand dunes throughout the National Park. The tour breaks half way for you to sip champagne and truly enjoy the heart of Australia at sunset.
Camel Trekking
http://www.redsuncamels.com.au/
Camels were first introduced to Australia in 1840 and were instrumental in the development of the country’s interior due to their ability to travel for days without water. Join a camel train and take a journey along the vast reaches of Cable Beach in Broome, Western Australia. Ride in the morning for a relaxing, cool start the day or take the popular sunset trek and can watch the sun sink into the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Hiking Frenchman’s Cap
http://www.tas-ex.com/
On this challenging tramp, ascend almost 1500m to the top of Frenchman’s Cap in the wilderness of southwest Tasmania. The 50km return trip reveals a peak which is covered in white quartzite, giving the appearance of snow. At the top of the mountain the views of Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and the west coast make the five-day hike an incredible experience. The best time to climb Frenchman’s Cap is from January to March when the weather is most stable.

ENDS

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