Australia: Secret and Sacred Sites - By Private Plane - 1300 669 780 www.backtrackadventures.com.au - Back Track Adventures
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Australia: Secret and Sacred Sites By Private Plane Celebrating e tur ur en O P la v n e t fo r Ad 1300 669 780 www.backtrackadventures.com.au
backtrackadventures.com.au | 1300 669 780 Tour highlights: • Travel in an intimate group of no more than nine in your own private plane • Experience the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival, a biennial event showcasing the culture of the Aboriginal people of Cape York Peninsula • Fly over the gorgeous Cape York scenery and visit the northernmost tip of Australia • Take in majestic Uluru and spectacular Outback scenery from your bed or private balcony • Visit Ernabella Arts Community, the oldest, continuously running indigenous arts centre in Australia • Depart the Territory, have lunch at the iconic Birdsville Pub and fly over incredible Lake Eyre on an incredible tri-state day • Enjoy some of the most exclusive and remote eco lodges, villas and camps Australia has to offer Discover the hidden gems of © South Australian Tourism Commission © Tourism & Events Queensland © Tourism NT/James Fisher © Cathy FInch © Tourism & Events Queensland Page 2 | Back Track Adventures Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane
1300 669 780 | backtrackadventures.com.au Join us for Celebrating e tur ur en O P la v n e t fo r Ad Back Track Adventures has been operating small group adventures to exotic locations worldwide this adventure Back Track Adventures have been exploring the far reaches and searching for since 1985. Our experience in the most interesting off-the-beaten-track experiences across the globe for over small group holidays would be 35 years. hard surpassed by any other Thanks to current circumstances, we’ve now turned our gaze homeward and Australian Travel Agency. have uncovered some true and unexpected Australian gems, and have collated them together in this once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable exploration of our great Our aim is to give you the best nation. holiday you have ever had. Your Back Track crew strive to ensure This itinerary offers the best of Australian culture, including exploring UNESCO that you really experience the Heritage Listed Rock Art, attending an Indigenous Dance Festival, visiting the iconic Birdsville Pub and our exclusive, private access to the Ernabella Arts areas you are visiting in an up- Community in far-north South Australia. close, personal manner and in comfortable style. You will We also take in the best of the natural environment. Visit the northernmost point of Australia at Cape York, swim with turtles on Bremer Island, spot birds never feel isolated from the local and other wildlife on safari in Kakadu and seek out near-extinct wallabies on people and their culture and of Kangaroo Island. course you will be well informed Along the way, you’ll stay in some of the most exclusive and remote eco lodges, about the history, places of villas and camps Australia has to offer, and travel on a private plane from interest and the people in all the destination to destination. Take a trip through our backyard in style, uncovering areas you visit. hidden gems and unique experiences most Aussies will never see. Thanks to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have turned our focus to domestic travel. With all of the care and passion she posesses for African safaris, Jess has thoughtfully curated this itinerary to showcase pockets of Australia never seen together before in one itinerary. © Tourism NT/Matt Glastonbury Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane Back Track Adventures | Page 3
backtrackadventures.com.au | 1300 669 780 TRIP OVERVIEW Day 1 Arrival in Laura, transfer to Jarramali Camp. Day 2 Visit Quinkan Rock Art Gallery – UNESCO World Heritage protected gallery over 20,000 D B, L, D Itinerary years old. DAY 1: ARRIVE IN LAURA, TRANSFER TO JARRAMALI CAMP Day 3 Enjoy the Laura Dance Festival closing B, L ceremony with your local indigenous guide. Depart Brisbane travelling in exclusive style on-board a Beechcraft King Air private charter flight to Laura, the centre Day 4 Fly from Cooktown to Bamaga and explore B, L, D for the largest collection of prehistoric rock art in the world. the Tip of Cape York by plane & 4WD. Fly to Bremer Island in the Northern Territory. Enroute there will be a refueling stop in Mackay; total flying time 4 hours, 30 minutes. Upon arrival, you will be met by your Day 5 Spend the day at your leisure on Bremer Island. B, L, D indigenous guide and transferred 1.5 hours to the Jarramali Day 6 Depart Bremer Island for Bamurru Plains. B, L, D Camp. On arrival at the Jarramali Camp, you will be taken to Day 7 Experience an African-style safari in the B, L, D your respective accommodation, comfortable tents with floodplains of Bamurru Plains. stretchers, and mattresses. Put your feet up and enjoy the sunset or explore the sandstone escarpment and views whilst Day 8 Discover the sights and sounds of Kakadu B, L, D National Park. your dinner is being prepared. Enjoy tea & coffee (alcoholic drinks not supplied but can BYO, not a dry community) by the Day 9 Depart Bamurru in the morning and fly to B, L, D warmth of the campfire, offsetting the cool nights experienced Longitude 131, your accommodation in at this time of year. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Spend the evening at the Field of Light display. Day 10 Explore Kata Tjuta rock formation, visit the B, L, D DAY 2: JARRAMALI CAMP & QUINKAN ROCK ART Cultural Centre and experience iconic Uluru After breakfast, the real rock stars will be seen. Laura is the with a local guide. only place in the world where you can see the world famous Day 11 Visit the Ernabella Arts Community in far- B, L, D Quinkan Rock Art, regarded by UNESCO as one of the 10 most north South Australia, the oldest continuously- significant bodies of rock art in the world. Out of the 10,000 running Indigenous arts centre in Australia. Quinkan Rock sites near Laura, you will be taken to a pristine Day 12 See three states today. Depart Uluru just after B, L, D and culturally significant rock art site called ‘Magnificent breakfast, enjoy lunch at the Birdsville Pub Gallery’ that archaeologists predict is a 20,000-year-old outback in Queensland and arrive in Wilpena Pound, museum. This ancient gallery is outstanding for its variety, South Australia via a flight over Lake Eyre in quantity and quality, and is home to over 450 pieces of art. Your time for dinner. knowledgeable Kuku-yalanji guide will lead you through the Day 13 Get out in a 4WD on Rawnsley Park Station to B, L, D gallery and interpret the art for you. explore the Ikara Flinders Ranges National After a refreshing lunch, drive to another section of sandstone Park. escarpment where you will visit another rock art site called Day 14 Fly from Rawnsley Park Station to Kangaroo B, L, D Rainbow Serpent Gallery, only recently discovered. Island. Visit the Seal Bay Conservation Park After dinner, enjoy star-gazing and stories of how the Kuku- and Kangaroo Island Spirits, the first boutique yalanji people viewed the night sky. distillery on the island. Day 15 Visit Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife this B, L, D morning, then explore the Flinders Chase National Park and Remarkable Rocks in the afternoon. Day 16 Early morning transfer to Kingscote airport B after a last breakfast all together. We bid our group farewell. © Tourism & Events Queensland Page 4 | Back Track Adventures Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane
1300 669 780 | backtrackadventures.com.au DAY 3: LAURA DANCE FESTIVAL Depart Jarramali Camp for the closing ceremony of the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival - a celebration of Aboriginal culture in Cape York. The Festival is a biennial event celebrating and showcasing the culture of the Aboriginal people of Cape York Peninsula through song, dance ceremony and performance. People from about 20 different communities located across the Cape will meet at the festival grounds in Laura, the site of a very old, traditional Bora ground. At this respected and sacred site, gain an insight into the uniqueness of Aboriginal culture. Your indigenous guide will host you through the Laura Dance Festival where seating will be arranged to witness this amazing festival. Enjoy a true Cape York-style lunch as you sample local delights from the many food stalls. No alcohol permitted at this event. After witnessing traditional dancing from Cape York, you DAY 5: RELAX ON BREMER ISLAND will be transferred to the Laura airstrip for your short flight to Today is at leisure to enjoy the total experience and bliss of the Cooktown; flying time 12 minutes. remote solitude, clear skies, swimming, beachcombing and the bright starry night around the campfire. © Kathy Finch for Tourism & Events Queensland Spend the day doing one of the optional activities on offer, including fishing & crabbing tours with the traditional land owners, deep-sea fishing, bird watching, conservation activities, hiking or turtle watching (additional costs may apply). DAY 6: ARRIVE AT BAMURRU PLAINS After breakfast, take a short flight back to Gove, then from Gove to Swim Creek; a flying time of 1 hour, 18 minutes. On arrival, you will be met by a Bamurru Plains representative and transferred 20-minutes to your luxurious accommodation at Bamurru Plains. The focus of your stay at Bamurru is in the environment around you and the wildlife and birdlife for whom it is home. The DAY 4: FLY OVER CAPE YORK TO THE TIP individual tent-style safari suites are designed to blend with the After breakfast, fly by private aircraft from Cooktown to Bamaga; surrounding bush and as such expose guests to the sights and a flying time 1 hour, 24 minutes. This Scenic Flight is low level, sounds of the bush around you. covering approx. 1100 kms of remote and spectacular reefs, rainforests and outback. Your Cape York private day tour is designed to show you the highlights of Cape York, both from the air and by 4WD. The 4WD section of the tour starts with a visit to the Tip of Cape York - you finally made it! You are now standing on the northernmost tip of the continent. Later, drive to historical Somerset beach and visit the original Jardine homestead site. Walk along Somerset beach, overlooking Albany pass (the old shipping passage) across to Albany Island, discovering the Jardine family and pearl divers gravesites. Enjoy a delicious lunch on the beach. Your day will conclude with a visit to WW2 plane wrecks and a drive through the Torres Strait Islander towns of Bamaga and Seisia. Re-board your aircraft for your flight to Gove, followed by a 10-minute scenic flight to Bremer Island (and your accommodation, Banubanu Beach Retreat) in a smaller aircraft. © Tourism NT/Peter Eve DAY 7: EXPLORE BAMURRU PLAINS Today is at leisure to participate in the wilderness experiences at the Lodge. Across the 300 square kilometre private property there are four distinct habitats - floodplains, melaleuca forests, savannah woodlands and riverine. Take some time today to explore these habitats in a variety of activities and develop a real appreciation for the diversity of the region. Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane Back Track Adventures | Page 5
backtrackadventures.com.au | 1300 669 780 © Tourism NT/Jason Charles Hill DAY 8: EXPLORE KAKADU NATIONAL PARK DAY 10: EXPLORE ULURU-KATA TJUTA Today depart on a full day tour to Kakadu National Park. NATIONAL PARK Commence with a scenic flight to Jabiru in the heart of Kakadu After a leisurely breakfast, explore the impressive formation of where a field guide and custom built vehicle will be waiting Kata Tjuta, the walls of Walpa Gorge rising obliquely on each to explore the park’s escarpment landscapes and ancient side and discover how eons of weathering and continental Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr. Join a cruise on the East Alligator upheaval have created today’s landscape. Pause for a long- River with an Aboriginal guide by your side revealing local distance perspective and photo opportunity before a visit to mythology, the river’s abundant food chain, traditional uses the Cultural Centre where informative and interactive displays for many plants and animals and bush survival skills before provide insight into the spiritual and cultural meanings of Uluru returning overland, with a stop at the Bowali Visitor Centre, in and Kata Tjuta. In the afternoon, join the lodge guide for a gentle time for sundowner drinks, canapes and the comfort of your walk along a portion of Uluru’s base and learn about the history safari lodge as the sun sets over Bamurru Plains. of the Mala people, viewing cave paintings and other relevant sites important to both Anangu and the early explorers. Enter DAY 9: ARRIVE ULURU Kantju Gorge at dusk to witness the rocks walls ablaze with the Fly Swim Creek to Tennant Creek for refuelling, then continue light of the setting sun. Revel in the silence with sunset drinks onto Uluru; a flying time of 3 hours, 48 minutes. Arrive at and canapes. Longitude 131° to a warm signature welcome. Settle into the relaxed luxury of the surrounds and savour the magnificent views from your balcony as the light shifts and changes over Uluru. Observe the sights and sounds of the desert along one of the circular walking tracks or simply relax in tent, on the balcony or by the swimming pool with a refreshing beverage at arm’s reach. Later, capture the changing lights reflected over Uluru’s many faces as the sun slips down below the horizon, chilled glass and canape in hand. Experience Bruce Munro’s internationally acclaimed art phenomenon, Field of Light. Created from 50,000 bud-like stems and crowned with radiant frosted-glass spheres, the installation blooms and appears to sway as darkness descends over Australia’s spiritual heartland. Feast on four delicious courses complemented with the finest DAY 11: VISIT ERNABELLA ARTS COMMUNITY Australian wines. Later, Longitude’s resident astronomer regales After breakfast, you’ll fly into the Ernabella Arts Community. the gathering with tales of the Southerly constellations. Established in 1948, Ernabella Arts is the oldest, continuously running indigenous arts centre in Australia. Today its varied group of artists is a mix of young and old, men and women who continue to evolve the centre from its first incarnation as a craft room, into a culturally strong contemporary art centre producing works in a variety of mediums drawing world-wide acclaim. By special arrangement, we have arranged for you to visit the closed community to meet the artists and gain insight into the ancient techniques and stories which form the basis of their artworks and understand the indigenous symbols used by the artists to depict their Tjukurpa (sacred stories of country and law), providing inspiration to create your very own ceramic tile. Before heading back to Longitude 131, peruse the gallery and perhaps find a unique take home momento. Page 6 | Back Track Adventures Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane
1300 669 780 | backtrackadventures.com.au DAY 12: LUNCH AT BIRDSVILLE PUB, ARRIVE © South Australian Tourism Commission FLINDERS RANGES Rise early and discover Mutitjulu Waterhole and the sacred site of Kuniya Piti as the sun lights up the ancient monolith, or have a lie-in. Return to Longitude 131 for breakfast in the Dune House. Take stock of the journey and capture some last images, before transferring to the Ayers Rock Airport for your onward flight to the outback town of Birdsville. Enjoy lunch in one of Australia’s most iconic pubs – the Birdsville Hotel; a flying time of 2 hours, 6 minutes. After lunch, experience a spectacular journey over Lake Eyre enroute to Leigh Creek for refuelling, then continue DAY 14: TRAVEL TO KANGAROO ISLAND onto Rawnsley Park Station. Prior to landing, your pilot will dip Fly from Rawnsley Park Station to Kangaroo Island; a flying time down for a scenic flight over the awe-inspiring Wilpena Pound. of 1 hour, 6 minutes. Travel to Seal Bay Conservation Park and Total flying time 1 hour, 36 minutes. Enjoy a drive to Wilpena take a private tour with your guide among Australian Sea-lions Pound for a short walk followed by watching a stunning Flinders on a beautiful sandy beach – an experience similar to that of the Ranges sunset as you sip on local wine and enjoy delicious Galapagos. Break for lunch at a private bush camp and enjoy a canapés. This evening a 3-course dinner at the Woolshed delicious meal featuring local produce. Look for small wallabies restaurant is included. almost extinct on the mainland, a kangaroo endemic to Kangaroo Island and a variety of other birds, plants and animals on a guided bushwalk. Visit Kangaroo Island Spirits, the home of South Australia’s first boutique distillery to sample the range © South Australian Tourism Commission of high-quality liqueurs and spirits that reflect local and native ingredients. This evening feast on a three-course dinner using fresh local produce prepared by a private chef with premium Kangaroo Island and South Australian wines. DAY 13: EXPLORE IKARA FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK After a leisurely breakfast in your villa, head out by 4WD to discover more of the spectacular scenery, wildlife and geological attractions of the Ikara Flinders Ranges National Park. Admire © Ben Goode the rugged rock formations of Bunyeroo Gorge and keep an eye out for the elusive yellow-footed rock wallaby at Brachina Gorge. DAY 15: EXPLORE KANGAROO ISLAND Brachina Gorge also provides a window through 130 million Begin the day on the island’s north-west in an important private years of the earth’s history and offers insight into past climates, wildlife refuge with Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife. Check out the formation of the ranges and the evolution of early life forms. wildlife surveys targeting tiny endangered mammals and get an Sit down to a lunch of the Prairie Hotel’s famous ‘Flinders Feral’ introduction to the bush, so the fire ecology experienced later food which focuses on local produce and bush tucker. Emu, in the day has context. After an elegant picnic lunch, travel into kangaroo, quandong anyone? Flinders Chase National Park and explore the massive shapes of After lunch travel to the old copper mining town of Blinman Remarkable Rocks, a natural sculpture perched impossibly on before returning to Rawnsley Park. Spend the afternoon at your top of a dome of granite emerging from the ocean. Evidence of leisure in your eco-villa with the amazing views. Enjoy a 3-course the power of the Southern Ocean swell continues at Admirals dinner tonight at the Woolshed Restaurant. Arch – a coastal grotto which provides a haul out for a large colony of Long-nosed fur seals who swim effortlessly through the crashing waves. This evening enjoy a three course dinner using fresh local produce prepared by a private chef with premium Kangaroo Island and South Australian wines. DAY 16: DEPART KANGAROO ISLAND This morning after breakfast, transfer by private vehicle to the Kingscote Airport for your flight to Adelaide; a flying time of 18 minutes, where you are free to continue to discover South Australia, or head home. Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane Back Track Adventures | Page 7
backtrackadventures.com.au | 1300 669 780 Your Accommodation JARRAMALI CAMP - EXCLUSIVE USE Jarramali Camp is a regional camp located 50km from the small town of Laura. Sleep in comfortable tents, fitted with stretchers, mattresses and other necessary comforts. Spend the day learning about the incredible UNESCO-protected Quinkan Rock Art and the nights listening to stories of how the Kuku-yalanji people viewed the night sky over a campfire. In the morning, awaken with the sights and sounds of the bush for a truly Australian experience. SOVEREIGN RESORT HOTEL The Sovereign Resort Hotel is a beautiful 4-star rated resort situated in the heart of Cooktown, close to all historic sights, shops, wharf and museum. Surrounded by landscaped tropical gardens, the resort style rooms and apartments are all spacious and modern with an outdoor seating area, flat screen TV and air-conditioning. The hotel also boasts a beautiful lagoon-style swimming pool in the garden as well as a restaurant, café and bar. BANUBANU BEACH RETREAT - EXCLUSIVE USE Banubanu Beach Retreat is located 13 kilometres north of the town of Nhulunbuy, which is at the north-eastern corner of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory. Banubanu offers untouched beaches where the visitor will be one of, at most, a small group of people providing all the sought- after features of other Pacific Island destinations in Australia’s own backyard. It is considered “exclusive” with travellers having unshared access to explore such a pristine area away from the crowds. Its remote beaches are a drawcard for the destination. Banubanu is the ideal holiday destination for nature lovers, fishing enthusiasts and people seeking an unforgettable holiday experience. © Tourism NT/Mark Fitzpatrick Page 8 | Back Track Adventures Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane
1300 669 780 | backtrackadventures.com.au BAMURRU PLAINS Situated on the vast coastal flood plains of the Mary River delta in the Top End, just west of Kakadu National Park, Bamurru Plains is an utterly exclusive bush camp that exudes ‘Wild Bush Luxury’, bringing a touch of style to a remote and beautiful wilderness region. The property encompasses a variety of habitat including vast river frontage, coastal floodplains, savannah woodland, and paperbark swamps. With just ten safari bungalows with views over the wetlands, and a team of expert field guides, Bamurru Plains offers a select few guests the chance to immerse themselves in the story of the bush, while also enjoying the ‘Wild Bush Luxury’ touches. There is no internet access, no © Peter Eve television or mobile phone coverage - a rare opportunity to ‘unplug’ and truly escape to your immediate environment. © Tourism NT/George Apostolidis LONGITUDE 131 The ‘safari’ style luxury tented site is the first of its kind in Australia. Built on the very edge of Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park, the fifteen individual tents have uninterrupted views over Uluru. Relax in the free-form swimming pool and enjoy an aperitif on the balcony as the sun sets over the desert, or simply lie in bed and watch the stars rise over the outback. Inside the tent, the atmosphere is lavish with expansive stone floors, beautiful bed linen, unique bathrooms and air conditioning. © Tourism NT/George Apostolidis RAWNSLEY PARK STATION Overlooking the southern side of Wilpena Pound, Rawnsley Park Station provides the perfect base for exploring South Australia’s beautiful Flinders Ranges. Rawnsley Park’s stylish Luxury Eco-Villas are spacious and fully self-contained with magnificent views over stunning Wilpena Pound from your private verandah. Each set on private and secluded sites, the villas are designed to complement the natural surroundings, with many sustainable design features. The villas also feature many modern luxuries including reverse cycle air conditioning, a luxurious bathroom and a retractable ceiling offering night-sky viewing from the comfort of your bed! Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane Back Track Adventures | Page 9
backtrackadventures.com.au | 1300 669 780 Accommodation cont. ONE KANGAROO ISLAND - EXCLUSIVE USE One Kangaroo Island offers exclusive, luxury accommodation on Kangaroo Island. Few dwellings in the world capture inspirational images as secluded, pristine and surrounded by natural beauty. Good design is timeless. That’s what makes this sustainable eco retreat so special. The retreat offers five double king bedrooms (with three rooms having twin share options), four ensuites, two living areas and multiple decks all providing breathtaking views. Lavish outdoor bath and shower areas overlooking the ocean, epitomise the complete serenity of this private paradise. Your Transport BEECHCRAFT KING AIR The Beechcraft King Air is the most popular business turboprop in the world, and for good reason. Nearly 40 million flight hours have been logged in the entire King Air fleet worldwide since the first aircraft was delivered in 1964. With its rugged design and more than 40 years of heritage the King Air has proven itself time and time again that it is one of the most dependable and predictable turboprop aircraft around. The Beechcraft King Air is the epitome of comfort, class and style. Immaculately presented for travel, the legendary comfort of the King Air’s square-oval interior offers generous head and shoulder room, unmatched by conventional cabin cross sections. The King Air interior is furnished with finely crafted reclining seats set in a club configuration, fold out mahogany tables and is fitted with USB charging points throughout the cabin. Reading lights are fitted above each of the seats along with air- conditioning vents. Enjoy light snacks and water from the refreshment centre as you travel in this superb aircraft. Page 10 | Back Track Adventures Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane
1300 669 780 | backtrackadventures.com.au Pricing & Dates AUSTRALIA: SECRETS AND SACRED SITES Trip Duration: 16 days | Start Brisbane | Finish Adelaide DATES 2nd - 17th July 2021 COSTS for 2021 From $39,750 pp From Brisbane Single supplement- $6,800 INCLUDED: » Travel in a luxurious King Air private aircraft from Brisbane to Adelaide. » Back Track Adventures leader throughout. » All accommodation as detailed on a Double share basis with private facilities. » Meals & beverages as specified on the itinerary (15 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 dinners). » Transportation by private air-conditioned vehicle complete with bottled water. » Services of a driver/guide and/or representative for sightseeing where specified. © Tourism NT/Jason Charles Hill NOT INCLUDED: » Any flights and/or airport taxes not mentioned in inclusions » Insurance coverage of personal loss, injury, illness or damages incurred during your trip. » We strongly recommend travel /cancellation insurance. » Items of a purely personal nature such as drinks, laundry, dry cleaning, internet or telephone charges and transfers/ sightseeing or meals not included in inclusions. » Excess baggage charges. Australia: Secret & Sacred Sites by Private Plane Back Track Adventures | Page 11
Back Track Adventures 222A Barry Parade, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 PO Box 132, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Phone 07 3850 7655 | Fax 07 3854 1079 email info@backtrack.com.au web www.backtrackadventures.com.au ASSSBRO-21-01 ABN 23 910 991 873 | Member AFTA, TCF, WTAAA www.backtrackadventures.com.au
You can also read