Luxury holidays to Australia: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays
Luxury holidays and tailor-made tours for individuals as well as authentic travel experiences are exactly what we at Expressions Holidays specialise in. We have 30 years’ experience in offering luxury, bespoke and tailor-made holidays for individuals to selected destinations around the world. Australia is an ideal destination for our skill and expertise in constructing multi-centre and bespoke touring holidays that reflect the interests and requirements of our clients. From the distinct, dusty red of the outback, to the wet tropics of Far North Queensland and the dynamic culture of its cities, Australia is a country of contradictions, where history and modernity sit side by side. To truly experience this you have to be prepared to travel far, but you will be richly rewarded with awe-inspiring landscapes on a scale that is barely imaginable. Australia’s colonial heritage can still be seen amongst the contemporary buildings of its cities, and in the Red Centre Aboriginal traditions and history are intrinsically linked to the dramatic scenery. Surrounded by 18,000 km of beaches, this is a nation that thrives on the outdoors, whether it be surfing on Cactus Beach, Aussie Rules football or skiing in the Snowy Mountains. You will be charmed by the passionate esteem that the Australians hold their country in, and their warm and easy-going nature. Indeed, it is not difficult to see where this passion comes from, for it is hard not to be moved by the immense beauty and diversity of the land.
Luxury holidays and tailor-made tours for individuals as well as authentic travel experiences in Australia are at the heart of what we provide at Expressions Holidays.
Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be
● Single centre, multi-centre and tours● Long or short stays
● Combine a variety of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements including scheduled flights, shared charter flights, trains, hire-car and local car transfers
Included in all our holidays
● Concierge service● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday
● Full financial protection with our ATOL (3076) for all holidays including a flight and our ABTOT for all non-air holidays
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury holidays to Australia: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays
Our accommodation
Our range of accommodation offered to you includes luxury lodges, houses, boutique hotels, island resorts, beach resorts, grand hotels and arty city hotels (personally selected by our team of experts) for luxury holidays, touring itineraries and tailor-made travel arrangements. Hotels are chosen to reflect the character of their location and surroundings.
Travel in Australia
The vast size of Australia means that a substantial amount of travelling is required if you wish to explore it, regardless of whether you choose to fly or drive. It is possible to drive all the way around Australia and through the centre from Darwin to Adelaide, without leaving sealed roads. However, to really see the outback you will need to venture off this. Whilst a 4WD is not usually necessary, you will need to prepare yourself for the lack of facilities by ensuring that your vehicle is in good condition and that you have a tow rope so that you can be pulled to the nearest garage if need be. Because of the heat, it is advisable to ensure that you have a plentiful supply of water, and you should avoid travelling on the toughest routes during the hottest parts of the year. The domestic air network is well served by Qantas, and this provides an easier option for travelling long distances. Routes include between Perth and Sydney, Hobart and Alice Springs, Melbourne and Cairns. A daily boat service is operated in the evenings between Melbourne and Devonport (Tasmania) and three times a week between Sydney and Devonport.
Travel to Australia
Unless asked not to, we will include a flight from the UK to the destination and other internal flights as necessary. We work with a wide range of airlines but usually most clients choose British Airways or Qantas for Australia. The airline chosen will depend upon the route you want, and the number of stopovers and where they are. We can offer you all classes on board.
Local airlines
Qantas, JetStar and Virgin Australia have an excellent network of routes across Australia.
Local transport
When you arrive in Australia, we would include a private transfer from the airport to your first hotel. After that, means of transport will vary according to your itinerary. Private transfers, car-hire, trains and flights can be arranged.
Our bespoke, luxury hotel holidays can be
● Single centre, multi-centre and tours● Long or short stays
● Combine a variety of different hotels in different regions
● Utilise a variety of transport arrangements including scheduled flights, shared charter flights, trains, hire-car and local car transfers
Included in all our holidays
● Concierge service● Handcrafted helpful hints and local information provided with all our holidays
● Personal service by your sales consultant who looks after all aspects of your holiday
● Full financial protection with our ATOL (3076) for all holidays including a flight and our ABTOT for all non-air holidays
Call us on 01392 441245
Luxury holidays to Australia: luxury hotel holidays, touring holidays and special interest holidays
Regions of Australia
New South Wales and Sydney
With rainforests, isolated outback landscape and Alpine country, combined with rich Aborigine and European history, New South Wales encompasses all of Australia’s diversity. Sydney is a vibrant cosmopolitan city, with excellent beaches and culture. The land stretches out from the city to the mystical Blue Mountains, and beyond that to the wine country of the Hunter valley and the arid desert. Along the coast, resort towns utilise the golden sands and warm climate, but south of the city it is possible to find a little more seclusion in the more picturesque and less developed coastal towns.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory comprises two different areas – the monsoonal Top End and the dry Red Centre. Much of the land is Aboriginal owned, which has allowed their ancient culture and traditions to flourish. The Top End is home to Darwin, a lively multi-cultural city, and the lush tropical Kakadu National Park, with excellent wildlife and significant rock-art sites. The Red Centre is most famous for Uluru (Ayers Rock), which rises spectacularly out of the flat desert, but there are many other sites of interest and beauty to be found, such as meteorite craters, beautiful waterfalls and sinister canyons
Queensland
Stretching from Coolangatta to Cape York, Queensland best exemplifies Australia’s beach culture, with its endless stretches of sand and tropical climate. The state has much to offer, from the verdant Daintree rainforest to the spectacular Whitsunday Islands, although its main draw continues to be the magnificent Great Barrier Reef. Queensland’s main cities are the lively and cosmopolitan Brisbane, and Cairns, which offers an extensive range of land and water activities. Passing over the Great Dividing Range, the land becomes drier as you reach the outback, providing a startling contrast to the lush colours of the coastal areas.
South Australia
The dramatic red and purple folds of the Flinders Ranges create a most spectacular centrepiece for South Australia, a region that is rich in both history and beautiful scenery. The state’s Mediterranean climate results in wonderful food and excellent wines from the renowned Barossa Valley, and with over 300 conservation reserves there is ample opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity and the wildlife. Cultural tours throughout the region and the Tandanya centre in Adelaide offer excellent insight into traditional Aboriginal ways of life. Bordered by the majestic Mt Lofty Ranges, Adelaide is an elegant and green city with a distinctly European feel.
Tasmania
Few visitors make it as far as Tasmania, but those who do are rewarded by beautiful surroundings. The island’s distinctive and varied landscape is due to its distance from the mainland, which has also resulted in unique flora and fauna. The island’s untouched wilderness can be seen all around - in its crystal clear waters, pristine white-sand beaches and the majestic Cradle Mountain. Tasmania’s small population means no traffic and some of the cleanest air in the world. Hobart, the capital, is spread over seven hills in a most stunning waterfront setting and reflects the colonial heritage of the island.
Victoria and Melbourne
Australia’s smallest mainland state can be divided into two distinct regions – east and west. East Victoria’s cooler climate provides the ideal conditions for vineyards, and so it is no surprise that the region is home to the world-class wines of the Yarra Valley and Rutherglen. The legacy of Australia’s gold rush can still be seen in the ornate buildings of west Victoria, which is also known for the striking landforms and the magnificent shoreline of the Great Ocean Road. Undoubtedly Australia’s cultural and sporting capital, Melbourne is a multi-cultural city, characterised by its vibrant café scene, grand Victorian buildings and leafy boulevards.
Western Australia and Perth
The immense range and size of Western Australia will astound you - from the haunting formations that scatter the red desert, to towering karri forests and pristine white-sand beaches. Less visited than other states and with 80% of the population living in Perth, it is possible to go for days without seeing anyone else, allowing you to revel in the many wonders of the landscape, and the true sense of tranquillity that this allows. Whilst Perth may be the country’s most isolated city, it is modern and friendly, offering excellent gastronomic experiences and a superb array of cultural events.
Capital
Canberra
Airports
Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane are the main international gateways
Currency
Australian dollar
Size
7,617,930 square kilometres
Population
24.6 million
Average temperature
Australia’s size results in a variable climate. The interior is hot throughout the year but can often be very cold at night. The southern third of the country enjoys warm summers (December – March) and mild winters (June – August), although there are extremes of this, such as in the alpine country of New South Wales and Victoria where winters are a lot colder. The far north of the country has just two seasons because of its position on the monsoon belt – hot and wet, and hot and dry.
Unmissable holiday experiences in Australia
Circular Quay and Sydney Harbour, Blue Mountains, Hunter valley vineyards, the Great Ocean Road, The Twelve Apostles, Goldfields, Coober Pedy, Flinders Rang, Kangaroo Island, The Ghan train from Adelaide to Alice Springs, Ningaloo marine park, Great Barrier Reef, Daintree rainforest, Atherton Tablelands, Wineglass Bay Tasmania, Uluru and Kata Tjuta, Kakadu National Park.