By John Rozentals.
A comfortable walk on the wild side … Three Capes Lodge Walk. Image: Luke Tscharke.
The Tasmanian Walking Co reckons it is the only private guided-walking company with permission to stay within the Three Capes national park at night, and now offers the ‘Three Capes Lodge Walk’, a 46-kilometre fully guided walking experience along the wild and rugged cliffs of the dramatic Tasman Peninsula.
Starting with an eco-cruise near historic Port Arthur, the Southern Ocean is a constant companion as guests traverse soaring sea cliffs, spy wildlife and flora, and absorb 37,000 years of history along the way.
Settle in each night in architecturally designed lodges to refuel with Tasmania’s finest food and drink. Guests can even enjoy a massage or spa treatment as they rest up.
The trips depart all year round with a maximum of 14 guests.
Visit www.taswalkingco.com.au.
Plenty of art at Margaret River … Lauren Wilhelm at work. Image: Tim Campbell.
Satisfy your artistic curiosity and celebrate originality at this year’s Margaret River Region Open Studios, which will run between Busselton to Augusta in Western Australia’s south-west from April 27 to May 12.
More than 100 painters, sculptors, illustrators, jewellers, printmakers, glassblowers, ceramicists, photographers and furniture makers are participating, and 19 artists are throwing open their studio doors for the first time.
Local artists are the stars of the show and talent this year includes recognisable artistic names such as Leon Pericles, Rachel Coad, Rebecca Cool, Lauren Wilhelm, Ian Mutch, Christian Fletcher, and John Miller.
Margaret River Region Open Studios is free to attend and bookings are not required.
Visit www.mrropenstudios.com.au.
Captain Cook Cruises’ seven-night ‘Upper Murraylands’ cruise … plenty for winelovers.
Captain Cook Cruises’ seven-night ‘Upper Murraylands’ cruise, onboard Paddlewheeler, PS Murray Princess, will depart monthly this year.
The cruise explores the northern area of the Murray River from Mannum to Morgan, before returning to Mannum.
The cruise visits the historic towns of Waikerie, Morgan and Swan Reach, where guests can enjoy a guided walk of the townships.
Winelovers can indulge in a lunch and tastings at Banrock Station Wine and Wetland Centre, while at Caudo Winery there is a visit to the cellar door and a tour of the beautiful gardens and orchards.
Learn about Aboriginal history at the amazing Ngaut Ngaut Aboriginal Reserve — one of Australia’s most significant archaeological sites — and enjoy a guided boardwalk tour of ancient rock carvings.
Fares start from $1902 per person twin-share and include accommodation, all meals, guided nature walks, eco-excursions, onboard presentations, the Captain’s dinner and dance, live entertainment, and use of the ship’s facilities including sun deck, bar, two lounges, restaurant and a mini-gymnasium.
Scenic coach transfers from Adelaide or secure car-parking in Mannum are included.
Visit www.murrayprincess.com.au.
Parkroyal Melbourne Airport … two undercover pedestrian sky bridges to Melbourne Airport.
Visitors passing through Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport needn’t worry about filling in time between flights.
With a direct connection to Melbourne Airport via two undercover pedestrian sky bridges, Parkroyal Melbourne Airport provides access to both domestic and international terminals and offers convenient transit packages.
Designed for those who have a few hours to spare, the ‘Lounge and Swim’ package is perfect for anyone looking to relax and stretch their legs in between flights.
It’s priced at $25 per person and includes use of a fully-equipped, 24-hour gym, with runway views of Melbourne Airport, enjoying a rejuvenating dip in the hotel’s lap pool, or indulging in the comfort of the adjacent heated spa where complementary sauna and steam room facilities await.
Phone (03) 8347 2000 or visit www.panpacific.com.
Elysian Resort … catering to a maximum 20 guests.
The Sojourn Retreats group has reopened the former Paradise Bay Eco Resort on the southern tip of Long Island in the Whitsundays, after purchasing it in March and spending the past year renovating the resort.
The resort was damaged by Cyclone Marcia and then Debbie, rendering it non-operational over the last three years.
The family-owned group plans to operate the new Elysian Resort in line with its Pumpkin Island Retreat, located in the Keppel Islands.
Elysian will take a luxurious approach as an all-inclusive retreat catering to a maximum 20 guests with a private chef, custom organic spa treatments and exclusive aquatic adventures showcasing the reef.
Visit www.sojournretreats.com.au.
World Expeditions … ongoing drive to deliver ethical wildlife experiences.
World Expeditions has joined the Coalition for Ethical Wildlife Tourism to play its part in ending the suffering of wildlife for the entertainment of tourists.
The move is the latest in the company’s ongoing drive to deliver ethical wildlife experiences across its product range, following on from the 2014 removal of elephant rides from its program and the 2015 release of its Animal Welfare Code of Conduct.
The Coalition’s main objectives are to demonstrate a strong demand and support for venues considering becoming elephant-friendly (observation only) and to drive industry standards and government policies and legislation that better protect the welfare of animals and preservation of wildlife through tourism.
Phone 1300 720 000 or visit www.worldexpeditions.com.
The Laugavegur Trail … one of Iceland’s most famous hiking trails.
Walking the Laugavegur Trail, one of Iceland’s most famous hiking trails, is a wonderful way to escape the country’s influx of visitors and to see some of the most beautiful parts of Iceland at the same time.
UTracks has added a third walking itinerary to its Laugavegur offering for the 2019 season.
Its new four-day Laugavegur Trail Highlights guided walk begins in the geothermal valley of Landmannalaugar in the southern highlands and heads south past small gorges to the Pórsmörk Valley.
Arriving at the foot of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which last erupted in 2010 and whose crater is completely covered by an icecap, marks one of the many highlights of the trip.
Prices start at $2290 per person twin-share ex Reykjavik.
Phone 1300 303 368 or visit www.utracks.com.
Step back in time … cruising the Nile at Aswan.
Now is the time to discover the ancient wonders of Egypt.
Step back in time to the cradle of civilization and explore the Land of the Pharaohs, with its colourful hieroglyphics and 4500-year-old pyramids.
Book by February 28 and get free economy flights on any journey of 20 days or longer — a saving of up to $4560 per couple — or save $2145 per couple with a partner-flies-free deal on any journey less than 14 days.
Phone 138 128 or visit www.scenic.com.au.
Six Senses Con Dao … escape the crowds at Easter.
Want to escape the Easter holiday crowds and visit Vietnam?
Then sit back with a cocktail while staying in one of Six Senses Con Dao’s pool villas and be wowed by a mile-long stretch of immaculate beach.
Included are ocean-view pool-villa accommodation, return transfers to and from the airport, daily buffet breakfast, a sunset getaway, a set dinner per guest (food only), a spa credit for each adult, and resort activities.
Book by March 10 for stays from April 1-30.
Visit www.sixsenses.com.
The world’s cleanest air … Miles Canyon, on the Yukon River.
The city of Whitehorse, in Canada’s north-west Yukon Territory, has been lauded by the World Health Organisation for having the cleanest air of any city in the world.
Framed by mountains, with the thriving Yukon River running through it, Whitehorse is located in one of the most untouched and naturally beautiful regions on earth, with the Yukon famous for its abundant wildlife, soaring mountains, and immaculate waterways.
Attractions include the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, which embodies 700 acres of lush green hills, marshes, steep cliffs and flat-lands, the perfect ecosystem for 13 species of northern Canadian mammals, including bison, moose, mule, deer, woodland caribou, elk, mountain goats, Canada lynx, and foxes.
Walk, ski, snowshoe or bike the five-kilometre viewing loop, or jump on a bus tour with a knowledgeable interpreter.
Visit www.travelyukon.com.
