Getting back to basics and focusing on the things that matter most is often the best way to work through a challenge. So, as we continue on through 2020, we are turning our attention to the stunning simplicity of Australia’s natural wonders and reminding ourselves that some of the most beautiful places on earth can be found right here at home.
Remote red landscapes overlooking sparkling waterholes, turquoise oceans offering incredible wildlife encounters, Dreamtime stories and opportunities to learn about our Indigenous culture – the oldest known civilization on earth. In this week’s newsletter, we outline three truly special tours that showcase the best of what our country has to offer and reaffirm that the world’s natural beauty and the simple pleasures it brings remain unchanged.
The gift of travel…
While we wait, not so patiently, for borders to reopen, we continue to indulge in the pleasures of planning. New York Times recently published a story on the psychological benefits of planning and booking a trip, even if you aren’t travelling for months, or even a year! We can’t travel right now, but there’s nothing stopping us from dreaming and sharing that happiness boost with a loved one. And after months of lockdown, there’s never been a deeper need to escape! With everything that 2020 has brought us – cancelled holidays, juggling work, schooling and everything else from home, a travel voucher is undeniably the perfect gift for ANY special occasion! Jigsaw Travel can arrange travel gift vouchers for any of our tours, as well as flexible vouchers so the recipient to plan their own dream holiday.
Why not reach out for a mood-boosting planning call?
Because when the time comes to travel again, it’s going to be so great!
Discover more travel inspiration on our social media @jigsawtravel and Jigsaw Travel Facebook.
KAKADU & ARNHEMLAND WITH LORDS SAFARIS
Lords Safaris offer exclusive and immersive luxury 4WD wilderness adventure tours with custom-designed itineraries that offer an unforgettable experience of Kakadu, Arnhem Land and The Kimberley.
Raised on a Kakadu buffalo and croc hunting station, Sab Lord is a larger than life outback character that brings incomparable knowledge and a deep respect of the local wildlife, terrain and Aboriginal culture that has been acquired over a lifetime. With a philosophy centred around the relationships between guide, guest, the land and the indigenous communities that call the area home, the team’s passion for the region is infectious and has seen Lords Safaris become one of the most highly-regarded private interpretive experiences available.
Working exclusively with private groups, each tour is bespoke and designed around the guests’ interests and requests. Suggested itineraries include a three-day Kakadu and Arnhem Land tour, a four-day Kakadu Active Safari and a Top End Luxury Safari Experience with accommodation ranging from Lords’ comfortable private camp in the middle of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park to world-class luxury lodges.
The immersive journeys provide authentic and sustainable encounters with the landscapes, wildlife and local communities. Highlights include;
- Vast, unpopulated pristine landscapes
- Yellow Water Billabong Cruise (a Kakadu icon)
- Walking through sub-monsoon rainforest
- Swimming in the crystal-clear plunge pool of Maguk (Barramundi) Gorge
- Air boat ride through the flood plains at Bamurru Plains among the birds and buffalo
- Spectacular Top End sunsets
- Encounters with an incredible variety of plants and Top End wildlife
With personal connections with traditional land owners and Aboriginal Clans of Arnhem Land developed over many decades, a rare privilege afforded to guests of Lords Safaris is the opportunity to visit a range of culturally significant sites and share in unique experiences that enable an understanding between people and cultures, without the tourist hype.
SWIMMING WITH WHALE SHARKS ON NINGALOO REEF
Jacques Cousteau once said, “The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish.” And this is the approach taken by the team at WA’s Exmouth Dive on their whale shark experiences in the world-heritage listed Ningaloo Marine Park.
Ningaloo Reef is an intricate coral reef system that fringes the north west cape of Western Australia and, in some areas, lies mere meters from the beach. At 260kms, it is one of the world’s largest fringing reefs, and home to over 450 different species of marine life, and 250 different species of coral. With pristine waters, teeming with life, Ningaloo Reef has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most exciting and abundant locations to swim, dive, fish and snorkel.
It is also the annual meeting place of the world’s biggest fish – the majestic whale sharks. Regarded as the Coral Coast’s premium Whale Shark safari operators, Exmouth Dive offer the opportunity to swim, snorkel and dive the crystal waters of Ningaloo Reef to be alongside these gentle giants as they cruise the waters of the north west cape.
Each tour provides:
- Ample swim time with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef, where you’re guaranteed to spot many other species of marine life and coral.
- Travel on fully-equipped, customised vessels including a full range of refreshments, beverages, lunch as well as morning and afternoon tea.
- Tour leaders who are infectiously passionate and excited about sharing their knowledge of whale sharks, Ningaloo, and the Exmouth region.
- Each deluxe swim guest receives a premium video and photos of their whale shark encounter recorded by a professional videographer to keep as a memento of their amazing day.
- Fully trained and qualified Dive Masters, with years of experience in marine safety, scuba, and snorkelling. The safety and wellbeing of our guests – and the whale sharks – is taken very seriously. Divemasters are experts in in-water rescue operations, and carry more staff on deck than any other local tour operator.
Everything you need for the day is fully provided. You’ll be using quality gear and equipment that fully complies with safety standards and industry regulations.
PORT LINCOLN SEAFOOD SAFARIS
South Australia’s untouched Eyre Peninsula is rugged, remote, pristine and pure. Abounding with coastal adventures, it is the only place in the world where you can safely swim with Australian Sealions, Bottlenose dolphins and even Great White Sharks in their natural environment.
It’s also known as the Seafood Capital of Australia with its pristine waters providing a haven for producing seafood of extremely high quality – succulent King George Whiting, Snapper, Tuna, Kingfish, Australian Salmon, Crabs, Squid, Mussels, Cockles, Prawns, Abalone, Crayfish and the very best Coffin Bay Oysters.
The team at Australian Coastal Safaris have long known the best places to find it and the best ways to enjoy it. Whether you catch, hunt or gather it, their specialised tours and custom safaris, hosted by knowledgeable local characters, will have you enjoying the most succulent seafood fresh from the Southern Ocean.
HUNT & GATHER SEAFOOD EXPERIENCE (Day Tour)
This tour kicks off with digging your toes in the sand to collect cockles, before a 4Wdrive adventure through massive sand dunes to cast a line into an azure blue sea where fresh fish are hooked and pulled to shore. To top it off, marvel as fresh abalone is collected just metres from shore.
After the hunt, sit back and relax with a glass of wine as a seafood lunch is cooked by your Australian Coastal Safari host on the beach. Breathe in the freshest sea air, and watch out for local dolphins and sea lions that frequent the area.
PORT LINCOLN & COFFIN BAY HIGHLIGHTS (Two Days)
The lower Eyre Peninsula is a beautiful, untamed region of Australia boasting some of our country’s best aquatic, coastal, and land-based adventures, activities and experiences.
This two-day, fully-guided tour features stunning scenery, pristine beaches, beautiful national parks, the freshest seafood from local fishermen and oyster farmers, wildlife and bird life, plus local history, landmarks and attractions.
Other popular safaris include:
EPICUREAN SAFARI (Day Tour)A full sensory and tasting journey with a gourmet extended lunch.
EXCEPTIONAL PORT LINCOLN, SEAFOOD AND WILDLIFE TOUR (Day Tour)
Discover extraordinary Port Lincoln, nestled on the shores of beautiful Boston Bay.
COFFIN BAY OYSTERS, OCEAN and NATURE TOUR (Day Tour)
A fascinating tour where you’ll learn about the farming process, sample plump, juicy oysters straight from the ocean and explore Coffin Bay National Park.
Tailor made tours start from 1 day to 3 or even more. Trips are fully catered with breakfast, lunch, 3-course dinners showcasing the renowned fresh local seafood, regional land produce, local wines & beers. A range of accommodation options are on offer including Port Lincoln Hotel, your own private waterfront accommodation at South Point Beach House and a fully self-contained 4-bedroom home.
TRAVEL FROM HOME – ATLAS DINING MASTERCLASS
Turn yet another lock-down night at home into a world tour for your taste buds with Atlas Dining’s At-Home Masterclasses. At his South Yarra restaurant, Chef Charlie Carrington has carved out a reputation for completely changing course and swapping the menu to an entirely different cuisine every four months. With his restaurant closed, the Atlas team has created an eat-at-home version of the restaurant experience, where a new cuisine is released every week and ingredients for three nights worth of meals are delivered, or available for pick-up from the restaurant. Each box contains the ingredients for three restaurant quality meals from a different destination. And the best part? Each meal is prepped and designed to be ready on 30 minutes or less.
Next week we’re off to Japan! https://atlasmasterclass.com.au/
A POSITIVE TRAVEL STORY
Amongst all the negativity we are seeing and the challenges faced by Australians still trying to make it home from overseas, we were buoyed by the positive experience of one of our clients whom we helped return home from Europe recently. We shared the story on our LinkedIn page here.