New eco-camps, waterfall tours and a private plane adventure in Western Australia
Get back to nature with new eco retreats in Australia's only biodiversity hotspot, take a private jet tour of Western Australia's (WA) world heritage sites or enjoy a stylish new hotel and free wifi in Perth, Australia's sunniest city.
Stay in Fremantle's newest hotel
A stylish new hotel has opened in the port city of Fremantle, which is a 20-minute drive from Perth city. The Hougoumont Hotel offers affordable luxury in a prime location on Bannister Street. The 19thC heritage building is a short walk to Fremantle's 'cappuccino strip', markets and Bathers Beach. Each room combines luxurious comfort with smart TVs, free Wi-Fi, complimentary wine and Hors d'oeuvres for guests each weekday evening, personal trainer on request and onsite parking. Rooms start from $199 (£107). hougoumonthotel.com Perth is set to lead Australia on hotel establishment with 4,000 new rooms to be brought on to the market over the next five years
Experience the waterfalls of the Kimberley
WA's Kimberley region has seen a spectacular amount of rainfall this wet season. To appreciate the waterfalls at their most majestic, the Berkeley River Lodge has released its 'waterfall package' for March and April. The lodge is the region's newest remote luxury lodge, and the package includes four-nights' accommodation in a luxury villa, return scenic sea plane transfers from Kununurra, all gourmet meals and beverages, and tours such as waterfall river cruises, guided bush hikes, fishing adventures and beach/bush four-wheel-drive tours. The Kimberley was recently named as the number two destination to visit in 2014 in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014. Costs from $4,850 (£2,614) berkeleyriver.com.au
Take a tour of the outback by private jet
A&K is launching the first private jet adventure into Western Australia's most extraordinary landscapes including the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef and Bungle Bungle range. This sort of itinerary has never been offered before with no more than 30 guests travelling in comfort and style over 13 days on a privately chartered Fokker F70LR aircraft. The itinerary includes exclusive access to isolated Aboriginal communities and ancient rock art galleries with expert guides. Guests will also enjoy dune-top luxury at Berkeley River Lodge in the Kimberley, one of the world's last great wildernesses. The trip will also explore the stunning gorges and wildflowers of Karijini National Park as well as snorkelling and marine experiences at the World Heritage Listed Ningaloo Reef.
The tour starts, which from Perth on 26 August 2014 and concludes in Darwin on 7 September 2014, costs £15,925 per person twin sharing, including all experiences, guides, accommodation, food and drinks. abercrombiekent.com
Discover an aboriginal wilderness camp
Uptuyu, an award-winning aboriginal operator, has launched Oongkaldada Wilderness Camp - six luxurious eco-tents on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, 200km from the tropical pearling town of Broome. Take part in cultural day trips, learn to fish using traditional methods and explore the local wetlands and ancient gorges on bush walks. Eco-tents are $250 per night or a wilderness camp package, which includes a full day of touring, all meals and accommodation is $210 pp per night. Minimum two night stay, open from April to October. aboriginaladventures.com.au
Surf for free in Perth
Perth in Western Australia has become the first and only Australian city giving people free blanket WiFi internet access across its CBD area.
The service enables users to freely move around the city's main business, dining and shopping streets while staying connected to the internet and do not need to rely on random 'hotspots'. The City of Perth also provides free WiFi in the Northbridge Piazza area, which is a hub of the city's restaurants and bars. The network will eventually include East and West Perth (home to the city's sports grounds and Kings Park). For more information please visit our Perth Wifi page.
Take one of Scenic Tours' new escorted trips
Scenic Tours is launching two new itineraries in Western Australia focussing on the state's iconic locations. The 21 day Kimberley itinerary, starting May 2014, explores the best of Australia's final frontier from £6,295 while the 'Treasures of the West', from June 2014, combines four World Heritage listed sites from across the state over 28 days. Explore the Kimberley's stunning Bungle Bungle range and snorkel on Ningaloo Reef, the world's longest fringing reef to feeding the wild dolphins at Shark Bay and discovering Fremantle Prison's colonial architecture and convict history. From £7,995 including international flights, accommodation, experiences and meals scenictours.co.uk
Glamp in Australia's only biodiversity hotspot
Experience Margaret River's magnificent mountain bike trails and walking tracks, from a new eco-camp set amongst towering karri forest. Once a pine mill and then a budget accommodation, the Wharncliffe Mill Bush Retreat has had a $1.2 million upgrade, adding four new lodge rooms, three new forest cottages and safari tents as well as offering camping sites. Spot possums, kookaburras, lizards, kangaroos and a diverse range of wildflowers around the property, which is located close to many of Margaret River's best walking and mountain bike trails and walking distance from town.
The small family run eco-camp, which re-opened in January 2014, includes a cafe, kiosk, library and kitchen. The property generates its own solar power, harvests rain water and has state of the art waste water treatment facilities to ensure a minimum impact on the national park setting. The redevelopment is part of the State Government's Naturebank program, which invests in affordable, high-quality accommodation and facilities in Western Australia's national parks and reserves.
Safari tents start from $75 (£40), cabins $140 and eco lodges from $340 (£183). wharncliffemill.com.au
Another sustainable retreat, St Allard Eco Resort, has also opened just ten minutes' drive out of Margaret River in WA's South West. Set against natural forest, St Allard Eco Resort offers six chalets and a lakeside restaurant, paddle boats and peaceful nature walks. facebook.com/StAllardEcoResortMargaretRiver
Cruise to Australia ex UK
Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) is launching a new 'round the world' cruise from the UK to Western Australia in 2014 on the premium ship Astor which carries just 600 guests. The 38 night voyage will depart Tilbury on 5th November - the port which saw 1.5 million Brits sail for a new life as 'Ten Pound Poms' after WWII and call at South Africa, Reunion and Mauritius before arriving into Fremantle in Western Australia in time for Christmas in the sun. From £2,889 per person cruiseandmaritime.com
Skydive Perth's beaches and beyond
Skydive Express has launched a new skydive experience over the white sands and turquoise waters of Rockingham, 45 minutes drive south west of Perth city. The closest beach skydive to Perth city, the new Rockingham drop follows the recent opening of Skydive Express' Perth drop, which is one of the only CBD skydives in the world. Starting in WA, Skydive Express is rolling out a nation-wide rebrand and will now be operating as premier skydiving brand, Skydive the Beach and Beyond. From $259 (£139) skydive.com.au/locations/rockingham
Celebrate the outback at the Ord Valley Muster - May
Be entertained with over two weeks of music, dance, art and indigenous cultural treats in the Kimberley town of Kununurra. The highlight is the award winning Kimberley Moon Experience, a moonlit concert set on the banks of the Ord river featuring iconic Aussie bands Eskimo Joe, The Waifs and John Williamson.
Celebrity chef and My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel together with WA chef Don Hancey will host cooking demonstrations on the banks of Lake Kununurra on May 21 as well as an exclusive long-table dinner held under the Kimberley night stars at the historic Durack homestead. May also marks the beginning of the dry season in the north west, the best time to visit. (16 May - 25 May 2014) ordvalleymuster.com or watch this video guide youtube.com/watch?v=7IevdLlAP88
For more information, visit westernaustralia.com.
