APT Offers a Whole New Outback Experience in 2014
20 August 2013: APT has launched an entirely new Outback Wilderness Adventures (OWA) program for 2014. New itineraries, hotels and Signature Experiences are just a few of the highlights which, according to APT General Manager, OWA, Rob Tandy, complement the brand’s renewed emphasis on intimacy and in-depth discovery:
“We pride ourselves in taking guests off the beaten track to show them Australia’s diverse and hidden secrets. In 2014 we want to focus on doing so in the most personalised way possible so we’ve completely renewed our product offering. We’ve reduced group sizes from 26 to just 20. As well as adding two new tours, we’ve also refined all other departures with the intention of offering a much more intimate and detailed exploration of some of our most stunning destinations. We want Australian’s to fall in love with the Outback as much as we have and we think this new program will encourage them to do so.”
Supporting the launch is a new DVD. Entitled ‘Follow The Sun to the Outback’, it captures the essence of the Outback, with music supplied by Xavier Rudd and additional destination footage contributed by Tourism Western Australia, Tourism Australia and Tourism Queensland. Guests can ask their travel agent for a copy or alternatively they can view it online at www.aptouring.com.au/Outback
The new OWA brochure features 10 itineraries ranging from nine to 23 days in length. Packed with new features, it includes two new itineraries, seven revised itineraries, five new hotels and three new Signature Experiences.
Five core tours
Five core tours underpin the new OWA small group 4WD adventure program. Covering the length and breadth of Australia’s most remote and rugged Outback regions, they include:
– Cooktown & Cape York 11-day tour: OWA’s most popular tour priced from $7,295 per couple, twin share, it takes in Port Douglas, Cooktown, Weipa, Bamaga, Cape York, Thursday Island and Cairns. New for 2014 is the addition of private ensuite rooms added as standard every night of the tour and the services of an APT Tour Director as well as a driver guide, offering twice the expertise and personal attention. Also new is a night at the Port Douglas Sheraton Mirage and sightseeing at Mossman Gorge.
– Essence of the Outback 12-day tour: Includes a trip aboard the iconic Spirit of the Outback train followed by Longreach, Winton, Mt Isa, Lawn Hill and Cairns. In 2014 this tour will operate one itinerary in forward and reverse, with the addition of a Driver-Guide escort on the train journey. Also new is an additional night in Longreach.
– Coastal Explorer 14-day tour: From Broome to Port Hedland, Karijini National Park, Exmouth, Monkey Mia, Wooleen Station, Kalbarri National Park and Perth. This tour includes Ningaloo Reef, stunning Wildflowers and a night in Perth with either a welcome or farewell dinner.
– New for 2014 – Coober Pedy & Lake Eyre nine day tour: OWA’s lead-in tour, priced from $4,995 per person, twin share, it covers Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Marree, Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound and the Barossa. In 2014 guests can take an optional flight to the iconic Birdsville Hotel for lunch and will enjoy two nights in Adelaide, with a welcome and farewell dinner.
– New for 2014 – Pilbara & Ningaloo Reef nine day tour: From Broome to Pardoo Station, Newman, Karijini, Karratha and Exmouth. Highlights include Signature Experiences such as a tour of Mt Whaleback Mine, Karijini National Park, the chance to explore Ningaloo Reef by glass bottom boat, snorkel its clear waters and enjoy a picnic lunch at Turquoise Bay. Guests will also see the stunning plains of the Pilbara, stroll down Eighty Mile Beach, visit Millstream-Chichester National Park and discover Cape Range National Park. Optional extras include the chance to swim with Whale Sharks at Ningaloo Reef or fly to Horizontal Falls for an exhilarating jet boat ride.
New Hotels
In Queensland and South Australia, new additions to APT’s OWA portfolio include five star hotels, the Shangri-La Hotel The Marina, Cairns, the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort and The Sebel Playford, Adelaide, and the unique four star Desert Cave Hotel in Coober Pedy. These are complemented by the Resort Bamaga in Cape York; Heritage Lodge & Spa, Daintree; Sovereign Resort Hotel, Cooktown, Maree Hotel; and Wilpena Pound Resort, Flinders Ranges.
In Western Australia, APT has added the Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Broome to its portfolio, which includes exclusive accommodation such as Novotel Ningaloo Resort, Hyatt Regency Perth, Home Valley Station and Wooleen Station. Also featured is the Monkey Mia Resort, Emma Gorge Resort in El Questro and Karijini Eco Resort.
New Signature Experiences
An underground exploration of Coober Pedy, with the chance to stay in an underground room, plus a tour and tasting at one of Australia’s most iconic wineries, Penfolds Barossa, are the two latest additions to APT’s South Australia Signature Experiences. Exclusive to APT in Queensland is the Dreamtime Gorge Walk with a local guide at Mossman Gorge. In Western Australia, new for 2014 is the chance to snorkel Ningaloo Reef and picnic on the shores of Turquoise Bay.
Included in the price of all tours is luxury accommodation, meals, APT Signature Experience, transfers on the first and last day of the holiday, an APT Driver-Guide, sightseeing, park and cruise fees and for guest travelling to Cape York, the services of an APT Tour Director.
APT SuperDeals for 2014 include an earlybird saving of up to $2,400 per couple. For solo travellers happy to share a room with another traveller of the same gender, OWA is waiving the single supplement, offering a saving of up to $3,200 per person. Offers are applicable to all tours booked by 31 December 2013 and are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.