These Eastern Grey roos can pause their pregnancy for up to two years at a time,” says Noel Nicholls, Owner of Grampians Personalised Tours and Adventures, just as we watch a joey poke its head out of its mother’s pouch.
I’m told that they do this in times of hardship, such as drought, and resume the pregnancy when conditions are better. Who knew that Australia’s most famous resident was so complex?
Here in the Grampians, in the state of Victoria, conditions must be ripe for breeding as I find myself surrounded by these bouncy marsupials and their offspring – and they don’t seem bothered by our presence in the slightest.
I spot the male from a mile away – he’s built like a championship boxer – and give him a wide berth, although he’s far too preoccupied with his harem to take much notice of us curious humans.
I’m staying at Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park in a safari tent that overlooks the National Park paddock, which at sunset, is dotted with grazing kangaroos.
I’ve also been lucky enough to watch a stag stalk majestically through the misty valley at sunrise, and been studied by cockatoos on my balcony. It’s a different kind of safari, but worthy of the name none the less!
From here guests can pick up the Grampians Peaks Trail, a 160km multi-day hiking trail that runs the length of the Grampians National Park. Opened in November 2021, the trail has 11 bookable campsites and is a grade four walk with steep climbs and descents.
Although I only complete a short section of the trail, I see a small sample of the 900 species of plantlife growing, including gum trees and black wattle – which Noel describes as a “7/11 store for kangaroos thanks to its sugary sap” – as well as a glimpse of some of the campsites along the way, which offer dramatic vistas of lakes, waterfalls and mountainscapes.
And all this within a few hours drive from Melbourne, one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan cities.
Drive time
Dispersing visitors beyond Australia’s main gateways continues to be key focus for state tourist boards into next year. Visit Victoria, which hosted Australia’s premier tourism event, Australia Tourism Exchange (ATE) earlier this year, is finding this is particularly true of the silver traveller demographic.
Lesley Davidson Regional Manager UK & Europe, Visit Victoria, says: “Our primary audience from the UK continues to be the 55-plus demographic, which is interested in discovering the vibrant city scene in Melbourne but after venturing on to seek out nature and wildlife.
“Typically, they embark on a self-drive tour, taking in destinations like the Yarra Valley, Phillip Island, the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine Peninsula, which are all within one to two hours of Melbourne, driving the iconic Great Ocean Road, and discovering national parks such as The Grampians (Gariwerd) and Wilson’s Promontory National Park.”
Western Australia is another state seeing an increase in demand for road trips.
Steph Underwood, Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia, UK market, says: “We’re encouraging visitors from the UK to explore our incredible regions by car. Our experience-led road trips campaign, ‘Drive the Dream’, features Perth-born Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo and showcases the road trip experience along the magnificent Coral Coast Highway.”
According to Underwood, the two most popular self-drive itineraries in the state are Australia’s South West, for exploring the premium wineries, beaches and national parks of Margaret River, Albany and Esperance, and Australia’s Coral Coast Highway, to see natural wonders like the Pinnacles, and Kalbarri’s pink lakes and sandstone gorges.
Western Australia has also been raising its profile amongst a younger demographic, thanks to a new Working Holiday Maker campaign which launched in June this year, and describing it as the ‘Dream Working Holiday destination’.
“In this market, we have been investing in trade famils over the last year, hosting over 60 UK agents,” said Underwood. “We are also delighted to be welcoming 300 agents from around the world to G’Day Australia, which will be held in Perth in October, in partnership with Tourism Australia.”
While historically Western Australia has been a destination for repeat visitors, the state is enjoying an increase in first-time arrivals (32% first-timers for the year ending March 2024, compared to 24% in 2019). This is, in part, due to the direct 17-hour flight with Qantas serving London to Perth.
Shubhra Halliday, ANZCRO UK Sales Director, agrees that the direct flight is proving popular for clients, saying: “We see many guests arrive in Perth before travelling down to the Margaret River region for a few days, then heading back to Perth and enjoying the Indian Pacific Rail Journey to Adelaide or Sydney. Guests will often stay a few nights in the Harbour City, with a day trip or overnight to the Blue Mountains.
“A few days in Tropical North Queensland is almost always on the list; Brits can’t get enough of the charm and nature of Port Douglas and the Daintree Rainforest! In saying that, some itineraries will be off the beaten track and may incorporate a few days in a wine region such as South Australia and/or a week’s self-drive around the island of Tasmania.”
The operator, which specialises in customised itineraries to Australia, has reported bookings to the country for next year as the “strongest they have ever been”, up approximately 40% year-on-year.
“Product offerings evolve constantly, and it’s our job to communicate the ‘must dos’ to our agents, like the incredible Wintjiri Wiru night-time experience at Uluru,” said Halliday. “We also add value by suggesting experiences or destinations that aren’t well known, for example, Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef.”
If clients are still unsure how to spread their time, a train journey across the country could be the best way to tick off multiple highlights. Andree Mitchell, Trade Marketing Manager at Journey Beyond, says: “Australia is a big country. It can be hard knowing what to recommend. Our reservations team will help guide you as to which experience is right based on your clients’ activity levels, mobility and their preferred style of travel.”
He adds: “Whilst the UK market has always been a strong supporter of the Indian Pacific, our Red Centre Spectacular package is gaining popularity and combines The Ghan – one of Australia’s most iconic rail journeys – with seven days of intimate, small-group touring through the Outback.”
Top experiences
Swim with whale sharks: For clients travelling between March to July and with an adventurous side and an interest in wildlife, suggest a few days at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia to swim with whale sharks. It’s the only place in Oz where you can get in the water with these gentle giants. ningaloodiscovery.com.au
Join a street art tour: Take a street art tour of Melbourne, hosted by a working street artist. Tour the colourful lanes adorned by intricate portraits or psychedelic swirls and learn about the artists and the city’s legacy as a vibrant art and culture hub. Highlights include works by Banksy and a history of Hozier and AC/DC lanes. melbournestreettours.com
Learn about an ancient civilisation: For the first time, visitors to Kakadu in the Northern Territory can glamp overnight with some of Kakadu’s Traditional Owners. Kakadu Billabong Safari Camp offers a cultural induction to Patonga community. Activities include foraging for bush tucker, ground oven cooking, traditional weaving, and local language. kakadubillabongsafaricamp.com.au
Cruise the Great Barrier Reef: There are 74 islands in the Whitsundays, scattered off the coast of northern Queensland from Mackay to Townsville. Hop aboard a cruise that sails between the many islands and stop at premium snorkelling spots and blinding white-sand beaches along the way. cairnspremierreefislandtours.com
What’s new
Flights: Virgin Australia has introduced two new direct services that operate from Melbourne and Brisbane to Uluru.
Jetstar has started flying direct from Singapore to Broome, Western Australia. The seasonal service will operate until October, recommencing in April next year.
Hotels: Designed with families in mind, The Sundays on Hamilton Island is due to open in 2025. It will be accessible by boat transfers from the Queensland mainland.
Osborn House in Bundanoon has unveiled an all-new Forest Lodge experience and has added five additional lodges, all-inclusive stay packages, and a Forest Bathing Deck. It is located in the Southern Highlands, a two- hour drive from Sydney/Warrane.
In the coastal village of Yamba, an hour’s drive south of Byron Bay, II Defino is a new seaside stay on New South Wales’ coastline. II Delfino features four suites and a stand-alone bungalow, all with ocean views.
Luxury Lodges of Australia now has Bullo River Station in its collection, promising a distinctively Australian and sustainable experience. Set on 400,000 acres of outback country in the East Kimberley in Western Australia, Bullo River Station offers a working cattle station experience.
Attractions: The first Bluey’s World is due to open in Brisbane in November 2024. Inspired by the children’s show, Bluey’s World will feature life-size sets and interactive experiences with the characters.
An indigenous cultural show has opened at Uluru. Sunrise Journeys transports you through the past, present and future through projected light and music.
Where to book it
Journey Beyond: A four-night Perth to Sydney train journey on the Indian Pacific includes off-train experiences in Kalgoorlie, Cook, Barossa Valley, Broken Hill and the Blue Mountains. From £2,890 it also includes meals, fine wine and other beverages but not flights. In 2025, Gold Premium will be introduced. journeybeyondrail.com.au
