anne's journeys - Flyaway Faraway Kimberley Style

Unique Air Tour - 14 days 

Price From: AUD 13,800

In your private aircraft link the best of the Red Centre, Top End and Kimberley into one journey of a lifetime. Be guided by indigenous custodians, rock art experts, cattle station owners and locals along the way. This trip brings to life the attributes that make Australia such a special place - experience the true colours of the country.

ITINERARY

DAY 1: MELBOURNE, ESSENDON – MULOORINA STATION – COOBER PEDY
Depart Melbourne city bound for the outback and beyond… Touch down outback-style at Muloorina Station in South Australia located close by Lake Eyre for lunch and a chat with the owners. Following lunch guests depart for the remote outpost of Coober Pedy for a guided tour winding up with champagne and sunset at the Breakaways Range (from Mad Max).
Tonight guests sleep underground with the Opals at the Desert Cave Hotel.

DAY 2: COOBER PEDY - ALICE SPRINGS
This morning visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service base and Standley Chasm. Discover just how alive the Red Centre really is with a visit to the Desert Park - home to an array of Australian reptiles and mammals which thrive in the arid environment of the Red Centre. Amongst many highlights of this visit is the free flying raptor display. 
Accommodation is at Voyages Alice Springs Resort or similar.

DAY 3: ALICE SPRINGS – TINDAL – POINT STUART
Departing Alice Springs tracking north over Katherine Gorge to Opium Creek Station’s airfield. Rod Dyer and his team of AAA Tour Leaders recently decided to access this region for its unbounded beauty and isolation. It offers all the wildlife and wetlands of the popular Kakadu National Park with far less tourists. Explore one of the few natural vine thickets within the lush tropical rainforest areas in the Top End, spot slightly friendlier freshwater crocodiles in the spring amidst the ancient banyan trees. 
Accommodation tonight is at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge.

DAY 4: POINT STUART, MARY RIVER NATIONAL PARK
Today, as a privileged few, AAA guests will experience some special parts of Point Stuart cruising the Mary River Wetlands. This area is absolutely bursting with birdlife and man’s least best friend in the Australian north, the saltwater crocodile. After lunch enjoy an afternoon out at Shady Camp on the water barramundi fishing or getting photo’s of the abundant Top-End wildlife. This evening the chef is on standby to cook what you catch! 
Accommodation is at Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge.

DAY 5: POINT STUART – BATHHURST ISLAND – DARWIN
Leaving Point Stuart, fly direct to Nguiu, Bathurst Island where you are met by your Tiwi guide.  You will be escorted throughout this fascinating islands museum and art studios before commencing an ancient ‘smoking ceremony’ to rid you of any demons . Darwin city: take an afternoon tour of this thriving garden city. The attractive Parliament on the Esplanade and the State Darwin Museumwhich houses some incredible aboriginal artworks. 
Accommodation is at Mantra on the Esplanade or similar.

DAY 6: DARWIN – FARAWAY BAY
Bruce and Robyn Eliison’s lavish and remote Bush Camp at Faraway Bay is one of a kind and accessed by air only. As the sign suggests ‘you have never been this far away’. The friendly staff await your arrival at the airstrip before an inimitable 4WD transfer. After settling in, one of the options available includes a rewarding trek up to some of the famed Bradshaw rock art sites, the paintings have been said to pre-date the pyramids. 
Accommodation is at the Bush Camp at Faraway Bay.

DAY 7: FARAWAY BAY – KING GEORGE FALLS
A peaceful morning by the bay, following breakfast you are welcomed aboard for a private cruise along the stunning Kimberley coastline to the King George River. From this vantage point marvel at how the river abruptly ends forming an 80m twin waterfall, shower under the gentle dry season flow and enjoy lunch shaded by the towering escarpment. The cruise home involves dangling a line, often resulting in the freshest Spanish mackerel or queen fish for dinner! Another afternoon at your private Kimberley retreat, a regular comment from past guests ‘I have never been so relaxed in all my life’. 
Accommodation is at the Bush Camp at Faraway Bay.

DAY 8: FARAWAY BAY – KUNUNURRA – BUNGLE BUNGLES – HOME VALLEY STATION
After breakfast your flight tracks easterly across the massive estuarine waters to the rich agricultural town of Kununurra. Private tour of the Ord Valley led by an expert local guide, the afternoons highlight is a low-level scenic flight over the Bungle Bungle Range. Touching down at Home Valley Station you are welcomed and checked into your rooms to refresh before being driven down to the private Home Valley lookout by the Pentecost River. 
Accommodation in Home Valley’s Grass Castles or similar.

DAY 9: HOME VALLEY STATION – PENTECOST RIVER – COCKBURN RANGE
Today a million acres of Kimberley wilderness is yours to explore, with the assistance, care and expertise of your local Aboriginal guides. Activities on Home Valley are varied; walking trails, swimming at the croc-free Bindoola Falls, canoeing in the homestead billabong, fishing for barramundi or visiting the Kimberley version of Bondi Beach where Osprey are on patrol. As well as a great place to visit, Home Valley is also an operational cattle station. Sunsets are a real event in this part of the world, from the private Home Valley lookout admire the sun playing with the colours on the face of the Cockburn Range.
Accommodation is at Home Valley’s Grass Castles or similar. 

DAY 10: HOME VALLEY STATION – PRINCE REGENT RIVER – HORIZONTAL FALLS – BROOME
Departing Home Valley Station your pilot tracks west above the arduous Gibb River Road and over Rod Dyer’s former property Ellenbrae Station.
Yet another breathtaking scenic moment awaits as guests soar over the awesome Prince Regent River, Kings Cascades, Horizontal Falls and Kimberley coastal fjords prior to arriving into Broome. Pristine Cable Beach is right on your doorstep, and beautiful private grounds and gallery of Cable Beach Club Resort is yours to enjoy.
Accommodation is at Cable Beach Club Resort or similar.

DAY 11: BROOME
Today, tour Broome’s many points of interest on board private transport. The town truly offers all guests a wonderful experience, with lots to do. Diamonds, pearls and crafted pieces can be purchased from places like Linneys. This evening we will take you to join in an AAA tradition. Watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean whilst sipping on champagne.
Accommodation is at Cable Beach Club Resort or similar.

DAY 12: BROOME – YUENDUMU –YULARA (Ayers Rock)
After breakfast AAA guests depart skyward from Broome’s colourful waters tracking south east to Australia’s Red Centre. From Broome, the first sector is a short flight to the Kimberley town of Halls Creek, enjoy a lunch onboard as you view Wolfe Creek meteor crater. Stop off in Yuendumu with a chance to purchase some authentic desert art. You arrive at Yulara in time to view sunset over the Rock. 
Accommodation is at Voyages Desert Gardens or similar.

DAY 13: YULARA – ULURU – KATA TJUTA – PARACHILNA
This morning take a trip out to the mysterious Olgas followed by a circumnavigation of Ayers Rock by private vehicle. Return for lunch at the interpretive centre ‘Ininti’. Depart the Red Centre for big opal country, soaring over the Musgrave Ranges to Parachilna on the edge of the desert and the Flinders Ranges.
Accommodation is at the stylish Prairie Hotel, Parachilna.

DAY 14: COOBER PEDY – ESSENDON, MELBOURNE
This morning drive into ancient Brachina gorge and see fossils over 500 million years old. Return to the Prairie for another gourmet experience. AAA guests’ now fly home over the spectacular Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges before refuelling in Mildura then continuing on to Melbourne.

COST:
From AUD 13,800 per person, twin share. Single Supplement AUD 990

DEPARTURE DATES:
2010 departures

May 31 – Ewen Bell Photograph Australia by Air departure; June 21; July 12; August 2; August 23

For bookings and full conditions of the package contact Anne

Rates are subject to currency fluctuation and availability at time of booking.

*In Association with Travel Managers Group*
TAANZ Bonded & IATA Licensed