Author: Renata

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

Christmas Mystery Lunch Tours "Another Christmas has been and gone and I can't believe how fast time flies"!  Our first ever Christmas as Aussie Redback Tours was amazing!  We had two tours which saw our passengers treated to a relaxing, scenic trip in the countryside, followed by a delightful Christmas lunch, complete with all the trimmings and good cheer. Both of our lunches were held in Toodyay at the charming Victoria Hotel, where our chef Narelle cooked up a storm!  Nobody went home hungry!  We had Christmas crackers too, which provided a bit of light entertainment with jokes to share, hats to wear, and odd little trinkets to take home.  Thanks, Marg, Narelle, Bianca and Paula for making both of our days very special.  (Note: you can read more about the Victoria Hotel in Toodyay here: Victoria Hotel, Toodyay). Our passengers were also treated to a Christmas Lucky Dip where everyone got a little gift to take home and put under their tree (although it seems nobody could wait - there was a lot of wrapping paper lying around as we left for the trip home)! We had more than enough time before and after lunch to explore this historic town, including the amazing Christmas shop where you can spend anywhere from $2 to $4000 on any one item!  Some of our passengers remarked that it's the best Christmas shop they've seen and it can only be compared to a shop they'd visited in Canada.  Well, there you go - you don't have to go to Canada to buy your Christmas decorations any more! On Sunday we were fortunate to be there when the markets were on, so we made the most of that opportunity too, buying up on jams, arts and crafts, and patting the alpacas.  We had sunshine

The winter rains have been fantastic this year - which is just perfect for wildflowers.  The roadside verges, national parks and country areas are blossoming with everlastings, donkey orchids, wattles, wreath flowers, blue leschenaultia, dampiera and more..... We have just released two tours to see the amazing wildflower scenery - one to the north of Perth (Coalseam, Badgingarra, Carnamah, Three Springs and Dalwallinu), and one to the south-east of Perth (Wandering, Hyden, Newdegate, Lake King, Ravensthorpe, Hopetoun, and the Stirling Ranges).  According to wildflower experts, the season is the best it's been for years! For more information about our two new tours, go to our Tours page, or contact us at aussieredbacktours@yahoo.com.au or phone 1300 662 026 for a full itinerary. Seats are filling fast, so don't hesitate - contact us now!