Author: Renata

It's just 52 days until the 2017 Tamworth Country Music Festival starts, and we are going to be there for the last four days of the Festival!  The Tamworth Country Music Festival is an annual event held in Tamworth, NSW, and features numerous concerts and live performances at various venues in the town.  Famous country musicians and vocalists attend, making this one of the world's top 10 music festivals.   There are free shows every day and night in the park and streets, buskers, stalls, activities and street performers - something for everyone! Tickets can also be purchased for special events. The line-up for 2017 includes John Williamson, the Bushwackers, Lee Kernaghan, the McClymonts, 4 Highwaymen, Carter and Carter, Beccy Cole, Troy Cassar Daley to name a few..... We put together a special tour, by popular request, and have included some famous outback towns along the way there and back.  Lightning Ridge (black opal capital of the world), Broken Hill (the first city of Australia to be included on the national heritage list due to its outstanding heritage significance to the country), and the famous "Back-o-Bourke" are just a few of those towns. The combination of Australian country music and hospitality and significant outback towns make this a tour that will be remembered for years to come. Dates for the tour are Mon 23 Jan - Sun 05 Feb 2017 (14 Days), including flights Perth-Adelaide-Perth.  If you want more information including a full itinerary, please call us on 1300 662 026.  Limited seats available!  

Things are "travelling" along quite well here at Aussie Redback Tours.  We are excited to be putting on extra tours, and we have some wonderful new ideas for seniors travel and tours for the remainder of 2016 and all of 2017.  If you're on our mailing list, you would have received our first postal newsletter for the year. I hope you found it to be a good read.  Since the newsletter has gone out we have acquired the services of "Miss Adventure", a luxury 48 seat Scania coach. She is beautiful, a delight to drive and to travel in.  As our newsletter has told you, we have had some great little outings in the 2015- 2016 season, with plenty more to come, including one-day tours, exciting extended tours, and art specific tours. By popular request, we have put together the following shorter tours: 4 day Busselton - Margaret River tour - 02 May 2016 - $999, seniors $950, (s/sup $240) 2 day Wave Rock- Mulka’s Cave tour - 14 May 2016 - flat rate of $399 (s/supp $60) 6 day Mt Augustus tour (during wildflower season) - 28 Aug 2016 - $1250, seniors $1190 (s/supp $240) We have kept the prices as low as we could go, but without forgoing the attractions because travel with us is about value for money, not bums on seats! Our next travel brochure (Issue 3), will feature new tours, including: 14 day Tamworth Music Festival (incl Lightning Ridge/Broken Hill) - 23 Jan 2017  - Tamworth Music Festival 2017 7 day Murray River Experience - 11 Mar 2017 - Murray River and Surrounds 11 day Norfolk Island Getaway - 15 Apr 2017 - Norfolk Island Info Prices for the above three tours to be advised. Why not come travel with us!  Call 1300 662 026

If you've never visited Monkey Mia before, we highly recommend it, and of course, we will be travelling there in just under 3 weeks' time.  Situated just north of Denham (Shark Bay), it is well worth a visit, not only because it is famous for its dolphin interaction experience (sustainably managed), but the area is beautiful in its own right, with its rusty red sand dunes contrasting with the white sandy beaches and turquoise bay. Monkey Mia is just north of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area - one of the most important natural treasures on Earth. In 1991 it was ranked alongside places such as the Galápagos Islands, the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon as a site of global environmental significance. Shark Bay has species, scenery and situations that are either unusual or unique on the planet. Our 6 day tour in April will take us up the coast of WA through the Pinnacles and via the stunning Kalbarri National Park.  The ever-changing landscape of white sand dunes around Lancelin to the pristine blue waters of Shark Bay will simply amaze you and as we arrive into Shark Bay you will be surprised at how the ocean looks like you'll drop off the earth if you sail out far enough!  It has an uncanny still, flat look about it at times. The shell beach made up of millions of microscopic shells (bright enough to almost blind you) and stromatolites (first life form single celled organisms on earth) are also are quite an experience.  You really have to see them for yourself. More of our Monkey Mia Tour Highlights: Lobster Shack Tour HMAS Sydney Memorial Lynton Convict Settlement Rainbow Jungle Kalbarri Sunset Cruise Monkey Mia boat cruise Eagles Nest boardwalk Hamelin Bay Telegraph Station Tour details: Sun 17

South Australia is a Timeless Land South Australia dates back 20,000 years, and that is evident in its rugged mountain ranges, known as the Flinders Ranges and Mount Lofty Ranges. We will visit both and explore this scenic vista on our South Australian Outback Tracks tour this year. There is a lot to see and do on this tour which takes in the vast areas of the South Australian outback, and we'll be taking in picture postcard scenery every day. We have learned recently that Lake Eyre is flooding, so it will be a perfect year to visit as there will be an abundance of bird life around and you'll have the opportunity to view this from above in a fixed wing flight. Amongst other places, we'll also visit Wilpena Pound, an amazing sight, and we'll noodle for opals at Andamooka.  We'll spend time in Roxby Downs where we shall have a tour of the Olympic Dam Mine and we'll also explore Marree which is famous for playing a big part in the history of the Ghan Railway. The tour also includes a visit to the Wadlata Centre in Port Augusta, where we step back in time and learn the story of ancient Australia, its people and its treasures down under. We also take in the history of Burra, a historic old copper town.  The whole town is heritage listed and is a must see while visiting South Australia. If this is something you've always wanted to do, now is the time.  The weather at this time of year is around 26  degrees - perfect for travelling.  Details are: 7 day South Australian Outback Tracks Tour Departing Saturday 2 April 2016 $2500 for Seniors and $2550 for Adults - S/Supp $400 (includes air fares to and from Perth, motel accommodation,

Think it costs a lot to travel in Australia? As a small tour company, we are only too aware of the cost of a holiday in Australia.  But when you compare to taking a holiday overseas (apart from Bali), it is well within the means of most people.  Australia is a beautiful country with some of the most amazing scenery in the world which is why we have so many overseas visitors arriving at our shores every day. The cost of travel in Australia may seem high, but that’s because we have such a vast country with an abundance of open spaces, so travel is not cheap because of distances between each place.  The cost of accommodation can be high too, but just for a moment put yourself in the remote operator's position. They are only able to operate a number of months a year and have to survive the rest of the year on the money they make over the holiday season, not knowing what the off season will bring.  Most remote operators are station and farm owners trying their hand at tourism to make ends meet, as a lot of them can’t make their properties bring in the vital income they need to run their business, especially if they've been affected by drought, flood or fire, which is just some of Mother Nature’s fury. The transport costs of living in remote areas are enormous too. So next time you’re looking at a tour of remote Australia, don’t think “Oh my, that’s expensive", just think what your valuable dollar is doing to help the economy of Australia’s outback people. If you look at your tour this way, then you just might agree you are helping an Australian out and feel good about it.  Keep your dollars in Australia. We

The wet season in the Kimberley is unique!  One of the tours we can't wait for is next year's "Wet Northern Safari" as it's a trip to the Kimberley during the most dramatic season, taking in the wonders of the area, with tidal rivers, rushing waterfalls and amazing light shows.  And by "light shows" we mean the most amazing thunderstorms complete with thunder and lightning!  We have it on good authority from our contacts up north, that this is one of the most enjoyable times of the year and I don't know about you, but I want to see it in all its splendour. With the combined skills of our experienced driver and host, and the knowledge of a local guide, we are sure to have an insightful tour, not only for the picturesque scenery but for its historical and cultural values. The Kimberley has a presence of its own - you can feel it, smell it and of course see it.  And once you experience it, you're hooked.  Sharon has always had a soft spot for this area in WA and when she takes her passengers there, they all say the same thing - "Why did I wait so long to visit this place"?!  Don't let this be you.  Why not join us on this 6 day tour, departing Tuesday 02 February 2016 of one of the most beautiful areas of Australia.  We will explore together, laugh together, and have an experience of a lifetime.  The tour is suitable for seniors as well as our younger travellers.  Contact us now for more information - Aussie Redback Tours. P.S.  If you book before 26 December 2015, you'll receive $100 off the price of the tour.    

As mentioned in a previous post, Matilda our mascot travels with us on all tours, whether they be extended tours or the occasional day tour from Perth.  For a bit of fun, we decided that Matilda should "report" back on our tours (via our secret third party), and here is her latest news about a day tour she was on recently.  Sit back and enjoy! One Day Tour to the Avon Valley, WA "Here I am again, your favourite Redback Roving Reporter  - "Matilda", reporting on my recent day tour with Aussie Redback Tours to the Avon Valley.  My place, as always, was on the dashboard, looking out at the amazing scenery but also looking at our wonderful passengers, all seniors, who were bursting with adventure and enthusiasm.  Our day tour took us along beautiful country roads, over rolling hills, and along the famous Avon River (well-known the for annual Avon River Descent). First stop was Toodyay for a delicious morning tea, followed by plenty of free time to explore this delightful country town. No rushing around with Aussie Redback Tours!  We were fortunate to be there when the markets were on, so we made the most of that opportunity.  (Not much for spiders but plenty for everyone else to enjoy)!  And of course, we all visited the famous Christmas Shop and came out with bags of goodies! (I dare anyone to go in there and not come out with something)! We then made our way to Northam, learning all about it's history and current news and events.  After that it was on to York (the oldest inland town in WA).  We had a delicious lunch by the Avon River, followed by more free time to explore this historical town, including the fascinating motor museum which is in the main