DESTINATIONS — AUSTRALASIA
On track: The Ghan
in Northern Territory
Chill outback: Cicada Lodge, Katherine
Northern exposure: Darwin from the air
though, the next highlight in our tour of the Top End. Like Kakadu, this spot is as significant for its culture as for its natural assets. It remains home to more than 5,000 Jawoyn people, whose beliefs say the rainbow serpent Bolung still resides in one part of the gorge, and who call the area by its traditional name, Nitmiluk, or place of the cicada. It’s as dramatic a
landscape as you’re ever likely to come across: towering sandstone sides rush down to deep waters, which can hide the odd crocodile in the wet season but are safe to swim or kayak the rest of the year. Commissionable tours can
be organised through Cicada Lodge, the high-end property that opened last year as an alternative for luxury-seeking guests to the relatively basic accommodation in Katherine, and run in partnership with the Jawoyn people. There are dawn and sunset cruises (£45 and £80, the latter
including dinner), scenic flights (from £54 for three gorges up to £129 to see the full 13 gorges in all their glory) or a helicopter tour focusing on Jawoyn rock art sites (£273). Anyone who fancies indulging
their own artistic side can do so at the Top Didj Cultural Experience. It’s touristy, but serves as a decent introduction to Aboriginal culture with a talk by local guide Manuel Pamkal, then a chance to try traditional cross-hatch-style rarrk painting, learn how to make fire, throw a spear and even meet the resident baby wallabies which
hop around on-site (£36 per adult, £25 per
child, or £109 for a family of four).
l ON THE RAILS Self-drives are a popular way to get around, but those who want to sit back and watch the scenery go by in style could opt for iconic rail journey The Ghan, which stretches from Darwin to Adelaide. Named after the Afghan camel
riders who traversed the continent in the 19th century, this is a little piece of Australian history not to be missed – although it might surprise some to know the long- awaited Alice Springs to Darwin section has been in operation only for the past 10 years. Red Service seats give clients the basic experience, but it’s in Gold and Platinum class that The Ghan really shines. Between the glitzy gold and plum furnishings in the lounge car and the regal decor of the Queen Adelaide restaurant car (with top-notch dining to match), this option will transport guests to an era of elegant train travel. Add to that included off-train excursions and complimentary hotel pick-up, and this becomes an even better sell. Gold cabins are well-appointed but still a fairly tight squeeze with twin bunk beds and a compact shower, while Platinum passengers enjoy a double bed, big windows and a bit more space. Prices for the three-day journey
from Darwin to Adelaide, or vice- versa, lead in at £1,327 for Gold Service or £1,971 in Platinum, while shorter journeys terminating in Alice Springs – gateway to Uluru – are also available. TW
SAMPLE PRODUCT
Austravel offers a nine-day
package from £1,699, including Malaysia Airlines flights, two nights each at SkyCity Hotel, Darwin; Aurora, Kakadu; Cicada Lodge, Katherine; then back to Darwin, plus car hire, for travel in October.
austravel.com 0800 988 4834
Anzcro can tailor-make a
10-day break with four nights in Doubletree by Hilton Darwin including immediate access on arrival, two nights each at Mercure Kakadu Crocodile
Hotel, Ibis Styles Katherine, and another two nights in Darwin, with flights, transfers and five days’ car hire, from £1,646 in October.
anzcro.co.uk/agent-zone 01872 266899
Premier Holidays’ nine- night Northern Territory & Far East package starts at £2,249, including Malaysia Airlines flights, three nights at Doubletree by Hilton Darwin, a three-night Tropical Top End Tour with some meals, and
three-night stopover in Kuala Lumpur on the return leg, for travel in October.
trade.premierholidays.co.uk 0844 493 7542
17 July 2014 —
travelweekly.co.uk • 51
FAST FACT The Indian Pacific
train has extended its service to run twice-
weekly from August 31 to November 19 greatsouthern
rail.com.au
Picture this: Aboriginal rock art, Kakadu National Park
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 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76