Australian outback: stuff of dreams
26/01/2007
If there is one abiding image that we all have of Australia, it’s Ayer’s Rock – now part of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. 500 million years ago it formed part of the ocean floor. Today, it rises sheer out of the desert floor and - depending on the time of day and the atmospheric conditions - the rock can almost mystically shift colour… from brown to blue to violet.
Australia is a vast country of great contrasts and immense beauty. It has incredible natural jewels such as the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest rainforest. But it is also home to many famous man-made icons including the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Add to this an ancient Aboriginal heritage, vibrant cosmopolitan cities, stunning beaches, unique wildlife and the easy-going lifestyle of its people and you have a captivating destination for a journey of a lifetime. Taking in all this huge country is no small task, and the usual week or ten day holiday certainly won’t do if you want to do it justice. Specialist tour operators Grus Travel offer a 35-day trip, called “Once in a Lifetime Australia”, which brings the traveller closer to the real Australia.
Within the tour around Australia, you’ll explore the Top End in Darwin and ride the legendary Ghan Train from Darwin to Alice Springs, where you wake to the scent of gum trees; experience the soul of the Outback with the superb Sounds of Silence dinner in Uluru (Ayers Rock); interact with nature on Kangaroo Island; have dinner on The Colonial Tramcar in Melbourne; immerse yourself in the wilderness of Tasmania and the uniqueness of Cradle Mountain; cruise Sydney Harbour on our exclusively chartered boat; and enjoy the Great Barrier Reef from our exclusive luxury catamaran.
There’s a stopover too at the world famous Raffles hotel in Singapore, giving you the opportunity to visit another of the most fascinating places in the world, and the accommodation on tour is also geared towards the luxurious.
Groups have been limited to a maximum of just 28 people and there is a strong emphasis on leisurely pacing, with plenty of time for relaxation and personal exploration, and many opportunities for interaction with the unique local wildlife.
You can find out more on the weblink below or call freephone 08080 555 666 for a brochure.