EXPLORE / TRAVE L
Tour guide
A RE YOU PLANNING TO GET OUT and explore much more of Australia? Want to really immerse yourself in a destination? Then maybe it’s time to consider taking a tour. “Touring these days is about having an authentic, immersive experience,” says Ben Hall of AAT Kings, which operates itineraries in every Australian state and territory. “Of course you can still cover off icons like Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef, but touring is also about discov- ering more remote areas, like Ningaloo Reef.” If it has been a while since your last guided excursion, you will be surprised how many options are now available. Depending on where you go, tours can involve travel- ling in a four-wheel drive vehicle or on a train, aboard a small ship or even a bicycle, and your accommodation may range from glamping experiences to five-star stays. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that tours take the hard work out of travel. “Someone else takes care of a lot of the work for you – accommodation, meals, planning and logistics,” says Liz O’Rourke, executive officer of Great Walks of Australia, a collection of multi- day guided walking experiences in some of the country’s most memorable destinations. “You’re also being led by experts who are in these places, day in and day out, and know them in detail. Guides share the stories that bring a place to life, of the flora and fauna, the history, and help us understand a place better,” she says. Looking for your perfect tour? Here are 10 of the best. From road to rail, walking to cruising, we’ve put together a stunning selection of Australia’s top trips. Words UTE JUNKER
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DARE SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2023
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