While the colder weather starts to bear down on much of Australia, holiday makers should seriously consider an escape into Broome time, as the locals of the north-western pearling town describe it.
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Broome, with daily temperatures currently hovering between 25 and 30 degrees, is the natural starting point for exploring the spectacular Kimberley region, but there’s plenty to do in the town itself.
Iconic Cable Beach, with its 22 kilometres of soft white sand, stunning Indian Ocean sunsets and famous camel rides, draws its name from the long undersea telegraph cable that was laid in 1889, connecting north-west Australia to Indonesia and opening up communication to the world.
And then there’s cuisine. Broome’s multicultural heritage — Aboriginal, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian and European — along with its coastal location have influenced the variety of cuisines on offer throughout the town.
Taste the many flavours of Broome at the Courthouse Markets on a Saturday or Sunday morning, try pearl meat at a pearl farm, take a culinary journey through Japan at Cable Beach Club’s Zensai, enjoy local seafood at The Wharf, and head to Matso's Brewery for some serious tasting.
Visit www.visitbroome.com.au
Aurora Expeditions has launched a new Kimberley Coast cruise deal for 2019, with a second person flying free.
The deal is available on all 2019 departure dates for the 11-day Broome-to-Darwin and Darwin-to-Broome voyages booked before July 31 this year, regardless of whether travellers are accompanied by a partner, a family member or a friend, and offers savings of up to $1400 per couple.
The cruise journeys through the maze of nearly 3000 islands along the coast, landing daily to explore the area’s natural beauty and attractions, including sprawling landscapes, beautiful gorges and lush waterfalls.
Phone 1800 637 688 or visit www.auroraexpeditions.com.au
The author and illustrator of the Ruby Red Shoes series of books, Kate Knapp, will bring her own brand of magic to the Mary Poppins Festival in Maryborough from June 29 to July 8.
During the festival, Kate will be exhibiting her work and doing readings.
The historic Queensland town of Maryborough was the birthplace of PL Travers, the author who created Mary Poppins.
There’ll be plenty to do for festival goers, despite an unforeseen delay in renovating the Story Bank, the former bank building where Travers was born.
Activities will include a creative writing workshop hosted by visiting author of the Extreme Adventure series Justin D’Ath, a Kids’ Party Confidential with comedian and author Sean Murphy, and the festival’s major event, A Day in the Park, on July 7.
That will include the grand parade, nanny race and chimney-sweep challenge.
Combining two world-class experiences into one 13-night package, Ecruising is offering guests the chance of a two-night stay at New Zealand’s Huka Lodge, followed by a nine-night cruise from Auckland to Sydney on board Cunard’s elegant Queen Elizabeth.
Departing Sydney on 24 February next year, the package is priced from $7539 per person twin-share for a Princess Grill suite, a saving of more than 50 per cent.
Those who book by June 30vwill receive up to about $1200 on-board spending money per suite.
The package includes a one-way economy-class flight from Sydney to Taupo, as well two nights of pre-cruise accommodation at The Hilton Hotel Auckland.
While at Huka Lodge, guests will enjoy a two-night stay in a Junior Lodge Suite with access to lodge’s many facilities, pre-dinner drinks and canapés, daily breakfast and a gourmet five-course dinner, transfers and a tour of the stunning Waitomo Caves en route to Auckland.
Ports visited on the cruise include the Bay of Islands and Port Arthur.
Phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel
World Expeditions has expanded its Africa and Middle East portfolio, adding 16 new itineraries, including alternative routes on Mt Kilimanjaro as well as treks in Uganda, Morocco and Ethiopia.
World Expeditions has a long history in evolving the concepts of African adventures for its discerning and active travellers, having pioneered the first commercial treks of Mount Kilimanjaro’s remote Northern Circuit and Shira Routes, while keeping the choices diverse with the Lemosho, Machame and the Rongai routes also on offer.
Interest in mountain trekking has expanded, from just Kilimanjaro, to include Mount Kenya, new trekking routes in Uganda’s Mountains of the Moon (the Rwenzoris), Morocco’s High Atlas and the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia.
New trips include ‘Festivals of Ethiopia’, which takes in two of the country’s most important and fascinating festivals, the Genna and Timket Festivals.
Phone 1300 720 000 or visit www.worldexpeditions.com
Off the Map Travel has launched a new Arctic midnight-sun glamping experience, with guests staying in a Lavvu — an indigenous Sami tepee — next to white sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas.
The new experience also includes the chance to fish for your dinner and learn traditional Scandinavian wilderness cooking in the Lofoten Islands, on the banks of one of Norway’s most picturesque fjords and framed by the Arctic peaks beyond.
As the Lofoten Islands are at 68° North, above the Arctic Circle, the camp also allows guests to experience the long Arctic summer days – and even the 24 hours of uninterrupted Midnight Sun in June and July.
For those wanting to give a little back to the island, guests staying at the camp can also join a beach clean-up, including a presentation about major impacts of plastic in our oceans.
A two-night glamping experience is priced from about $2670 per person based twin-share, including a wildlife cruise, a visit to goat farm, Lofotr Viking Museum visit, kayaking experience and a fjords hike.
Visit www.offthemap.travel