20 FEATURE
australia: self drives DARWIN
CAIRNS TOWNSVILLE
ADELAIDE
MELBOURNE
LAUNCESTON HOBART
GREAT
OCEAN ROAD
MELBOURNE TO ADELAIDE �Duration: Five days Overview: A snaking coastal
route with some iconic stops and breathtaking scenery along the way. Takes in Melbourne, Lorne, the fi shing village of Port Fairy, Robe, the holiday town of Victor Harbor
and Adelaide. �Must stops: Top stop is the Twelve Apostles but visitors should also take time to explore the waterfalls and lush forest in Otway National Park. At certain times of year they can watch whales from historic Warrnambool. There is also an important Aboriginal site near
Tower Hill, �Stopovers: Stay in Port Campbell, just 12km from the Twelve Apostles. It’s a quintessential coastal village full of stories of shipwrecks and,
more happily, survival. Best suited to: Those who like easy driving, a gentle pace and a road with a view. A great way to link two of Australia’s most elegant and cultured state capitals without the need for an internal fl ight. SAMPLE PACKAGE: WEXAS TRAVEL Offers seven nights self-drive touring from £1,879pp including international fl ights to Melbourne, eight days’ car hire and accommodation en route. 020 7838 5892;
wexas.com
EXPLORERS HIGHWAY
ADELAIDE TO DARWIN �Duration: 14 days Overview: This is a real outback
odyssey which mostly follows the Stuart Highway through long fl at bush and desert terrains. Truly a great driving adventure, it follows in the footsteps of one of Australia’s most famous explorers, John McDouall Stuart, who was the fi rst person to travel across Australia
from south to north in 1862. �Must stops: From Adelaide travellers head north to outback landscapes of Wilpena Pound and then perpare to experience the wild west style of opal mining town Coober Pedy and the Red Centre beyond for some iconic sighseeing at Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kings Canyon
and Alice Springs. �Stopovers: For something completely different, stay underground at the Desert Cave Underground Hotel in Coober Pedy and mingle with locals who are still digging for opals; and check-in to the Ayers Rock Resort for excursions to Uluru and a range of classic Red
Centre adventures. Best suited to: Adventure lovers looking to truly experience the vastness of Australia. SAMPLE PACKAGE: AUSTRAVEL Offers a 13-day Explorers Way self-drive from £1,339pp including 11 days’ car hire, seven nights in South Australia and fi ve in the NT. 0800 988 4834;
austravel.com/ explorersway
route travellers can discover deep rooted indigenous culture, adventure activities in one of 70 national parks and experience the food, heritage
and wildlife of Tropical Australia. �Must stops: The Great Barrier Reef is of course a classic stop along the way but make time for the scenic Atherton Tablelands, inland of Cairns and the lush tropical Daintree Rainforest, north of Port
Douglas too. �Stopovers: Mission Beach is a natural mid-way point between Townsville and Cairns. It’s made up of four beach villages linked by 14km of wide golden beach, with accommodation nestled among lush
GREAT
TROPICAL DRIVE
CAIRNS TO TOWNSVILLE �Duration: 5 days plus Overview: This route winds its
Top: Part of the Great Tropical Drive Above: Tjungu Wakagetti
way from palm-fringed beaches to ancient rainforests and the golden outback of North Queensland. En
tropical rainforest. Best suited to: Anyone who wants to soak up the sun and luxuriate in the tropical climate combining some time by the sea with adventures in the rainforest. SAMPLE PACKAGE: AUSTRAVEL Offers a 12-day Tropical North Queensland self- drive with overnights in Cairns, Port Douglas, Cooktown, Atherton, Townsville and Mission Beach, priced from £1,695pp including return fl ights from Heathrow with Qantas and car hire, based on departures in June 2014. 0800 988 4834,
austravel.com
www.sellinglonghaul.com
TASMANIA HOBART TO LAUNCESTON
�Duration: Six days Overview: The size of Scotland
with a rugged coastline and stunning mountain and river scenery. Roads are good and with a population of just over half a million, drivers are more likely to see a Tassie Devil than
get stuck in a traffi c jam! �Must stops: Soak up Hobart’s maritime history and drive north to Port Arthur, one of Australia’s best preserved convict sites. Wineglass Bay in Freycinet Park is one of the world’s most perfect beaches and
Cradle Mountain is a natural icon. �Stopovers: Take a Pennicott Wilderness Cruise to see sealife and dramatic seastacks. Swim in Bay of Fires and enjoy a fi sh bbq. Stop at a vineyard or fruit farm to taste the local
produce. Stay a night in Cradle Lodge. Best suited to: Anyone looking for an adventure and who is prepared to get out his or her walking boots. SAMPLE PACKAGE: AUSTRAVEL offers a six-day Freycinet Escape self-drive from £451pp. Recommend extendng this to take in Cradle Mountain 0800 988 4834
austravel.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72