Join John and Rutene Spooner as we take you on an unforgettable journey to the Kimberley, one of the world’s most precious wilderness regions. We wonder at the majestic scenery, learn about Aboriginal culture and maybe even bring home a souvenir: Argyle Diamonds or Broome Pearls.
Experience the Exceptional
The Kimberley region – spread over Australia’s entire north-western corner – is considered one of the world’s last wilderness frontiers. Here we will find prolific wildlife, majestic canyons, freshwater swimming holes and several outback stations.
Extraordinary scenery: cruise the Katherine River, with a journey of discovery through the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge. Cruise along Lake Argyle and tour the World Heritage listed Purnululu National Park and its beehive shaped Bungle Bungle Range.
An unforgettable experience as we ride camels along Cable Beach with the sun setting over the Indian Ocean!
Discover how pearls are grown in Broome and how Argyle Diamonds are mined with a chance to buy both!
Escorted by John Cameron and Alex Milligan.
Sydney or Darwin
Depending on flight schedules, which are not yet released, we will either fly direct to Darwin or do a 1-night stopover in Sydney, before continuing to Darwin the next morning.
Darwin (3 nights, or 4 nights depending on flight schedule) - Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Esplanade Darwin
If we are able to fly directly to Darwin on the 7th May, we will enjoy a day of leisure and free time to explore. If we are unable to fly directly to Darwin on the 7th May, we will fly from Darwin to Sydney this morning (8th May) after a 1-night stopover. Following our arrival in Darwin, we will enjoy a day of leisure and free time to explore.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A sightseeing tour of history. Did you know more bombs were dropped on Darwin during World War 2 than Pearl Harbour?
• Visit the East Point Military Precinct to uncover the “Defence of Darwin”.
• Tour Darwin’s magnificent Botanic Gardens.
• Enjoy our welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in Darwin.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Visit one of Darwin’s top attractions to discover Australia’s deadly saltwater crocodiles. At Crocodylus Park you will have the chance to get up close and personal with these prehistoric creatures, including a cruise and guided tour of the croc farm.
• Tour to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, which features the largest permanent display of Aboriginal art in Australia. It also houses a fascinating display about Cyclone Tracy which devastated the city on Christmas Eve in 1974.
• Visit to Darwin’s Stokes Hill Wharf and the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, which features an amazing virtual reality display depicting the 1942 bombing of Darwin.
• Wander the iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Market and enjoy dinner at leisure with international cuisines on offer including Vietnamese, Indian, Italian or why not try the Road Kill Café for some local fare!
Katherine (1 night) - Paraway Motel
Today we leave Darwin and start our journey to the top end of Australia! Katherine River, which is part of the Nitmiluk National Park, is absolutely spellbinding with its beautiful river and gorge.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Pass through Adelaide River which is the site of the only Australian war cemetery on Australian soil.
• Lunch at the Pine Creek Railway Resort Restaurant. Pine Creek stumbled into existence when the workers building the Overland Telegraph Line in 1870 dug up some gold while digging holes for telegraph posts.
• Continue to Katherine and discover the cultural significance of the first 2 gorges to the traditional landowners - the Jawoyn people aboard the Nit Nit Dreaming Katherine Gorge Cruise.
• Enjoy a journey of discovery through the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge before checking into our overnight accommodation in Katherine.
Kununurra (2 nights) - Kununurra Country Club Resort
Kununurra is the gateway town to the East Kimberley and a great base for exploring some of Western Australia’s most remarkable natural attractions. These include the Work Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park and its beehive-shaped Bungle Bungle Range.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A tour though the picturesque scenery that will still be green and lush from the recent wet season.
• Keep an eye out for massive termite mounds on the way.
• Enjoy a stop at Joe Creek before arriving at the Lake Argyle Resort for lunch.
• This afternoon, cruise Lake Argyle, Western Australia’s largest freshwater man-made reservoir, and discover the amazing variety of agriculture it supports in conjunction with the Ord River Scheme.
Early this morning, enjoy a 2-hour scenic flight (optional extra) for an unforgettable adventure over the Bungle Bungle Range, Lake Argyle, the Argyle Diamond Mine, Ord River and takes in the Kimberley’s best scenic views.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Travel to Kelly’s Knob for a great lookout over Kununurra and the Ord River.
• Enjoy a guided tour and a rum tasting at the Hoochery Distillery, the only rum distillery which is 100% owned, distilled and bottled in Australia.
• Enjoy lunch at the delicious Hoochery Café before returning to Kununurra for some free time and a rest before dinner.
Halls Creek (1 night) - Kimberley Hotel
Halls Creek is the gateway to a range of renowned natural attractions, including the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle ranges of Purnululu National Park and the Wolfe Creek Crater.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Diamonds are a girl’s best friend when we visit the largest diamond producer in the world, the Argyle Diamond Mine. It’s also the only known significant source of pink and red diamonds, producing over 90% of the world’s supply.
• Enjoy lunch at the Argyle Diamond Mine’s Workers Camp.
• On our travels through the Kimberley, pass through Durack which was named after the Durack family, the Kimberley’s best known pastoral pioneers. Brothers Patrick and Michael Durack famously drove cattle across the wilds of northern Australia from Queensland to the East Kimberley, to establish Argyle Downs Station in the 1880’s.
• Continue along the Great Northern Highway to our overnight destination of Halls Creek which is situated on the edges of the Great Sandy Desert and the Tanami Desert.
Fitzroy Crossing (1 night) - Fitzroy River Lodge
Set on the banks of the mighty Fitzroy River, Fitzroy Crossing is a true outback town.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Visit a sub-vertical quartz vein known as China Wall. Protruding 6m from the earth’s surface, the weather resistant quartz substance is visible from here to the Bungle Bungles.
• Travel to the Fitzroy River Lodge, then a short distance to the beautiful Geikie Gorge. Named after the Director General of Geological Survey for Great Britain and Ireland in 1883, the gorge abounds in natural beauty and wildlife.
• Cruise the gorge with a local tour guide before returning to the lodge.
Broome (2 nights) - Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Explore the Derby area this morning, which includes the famous Boab Prison Tree, a 1,500 year old boab tree that was used as an overnight lockup for prisoners.
• Stop for lunch at the Spinifex Café before travelling west to the coastal tourist town of Broome.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Visit a pearl farm and learn about how Broome pearls are grown - Broome is famous for its historic pearling industry and this morning we join Willie Creek Pearl Farm to discover the journey of the Australian South Sea Cultured Pearl from shell to showroom amidst the magnificent Kimberley landscape.
• Learn how pearl technicians seed and harvest oysters and discover exactly what makes the perfect pearl.
• Cruise Willie Creek’s azure waters and view live oysters suspended in their natural environment among the native flora and fauna.
• Just before dusk, an unforgettable experience as we ride camels along Cable Beach with the sun setting over the Indian Ocean!
• Finish an amazing day with dinner at one of the iconic Chinese restaurants.
Perth (2 nights) - Duxton Hotel
Today we fly from Broome to the Capital of Western Australia, Perth, covering over two thousand kilometres.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Visit the beautiful Kings Park, one of the largest inner-city parks in the world.
• Travel south to the historic port city of Fremantle. Today, the trendy nature of the city is evident in artisan food, trendy cafes, quirky boutiques and vibrant weekend markets. However, its past is still evident in its
well-preserved architectural heritage, including convictbuilt colonial-era buildings.
• Enjoy some free time in the main shopping precinct and visit the fascinating Maritime Museum, home of the America’s Cup 1973 winner “Australia II”.
• Gala farewell dinner with music.
Today we transfer to the Perth airport for our flight home. We hope you enjoyed your trip to discover The Kimberley, one of the world’s most precious wilderness regions.
Arrive home this morning still in awe of the majestic scenery and experiences we have enjoyed on this trip.
Air New Zealand flights - Auckland - Darwin direct or via Sydney // Perth - Auckland (all flights dependent on flight schedule), including all taxes.
13 nights accommodation: Sydney (1 night) and Darwin (3 nights) OR Darwin (4 nights) (depending on flight schedule, which is not yet released), Katherine (1 night), Kununurra (2 nights), Halls Creek (1 night), Fitzroy Crossing (1 night), Broome (2 nights), Perth (2 nights).
Numerous scenic experiences including cruises on both the Katherine River and Lake Argyle, trips to Geikie Gorge and Willie Creek, camels rides on Cable Beach, Ord River and a scenic flight over Bungle Bungle Range (optional extra).
Special flavours, including tour and talk on Broome pearls, visit and tour of Argyle Diamond Mine (the largest diamond mine in the world), rum tasting at Hoochery Distillery and Crocodylus Park visit to see the crocodiles.
City tours of Darwin including Royal Flying Doctors Service Museum, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Mindil Beach Sunset Market and Darwin’s Stokes Hill Wharf; and Perth tours including Kings Park and Fremantle.
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 11 dinners and morning and afternoon teas.
Escorted by Alex Milligan and escorts to be confirmed.
All taxes, tips and porterage included.
MODERATE WALKING TOUR
This tour requires a better level of fitness with no wheelchairs or walkers. Generally, there may be times when we can’t get the coach close. In some of our Pacific Island tours we will need you to transfer onto a tender and walk on soft sand. We also will have much longer flights and long walks through airports.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• All trips are subject to change but any changes will be of equal or greater value.
• Deposits refundable until final payment date minus any costs incurred, or an administration fee of up to $150.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Travellers are required to obtain comprehensive travel insurance for all international trips.
Please refer to terms & conditions on our booking form.
PLACES WE VISIT
Darwin's famous Crocodylus Park, East Point Military Precinct and the Botanic Gardens.
Katherine for the Nit Nit Dreaming Katherine Gorge Cruise.
Kununurra to see the Bungle Bungle Range, Larke Argyle Diamond Mine, Ord River and rum tasting at Hoochery Distillery.
Fitzroy Crossing for the Geikie Geikie Gorge Cruise, and a chance to see sub-vertical quarts vein known as 'China Wall'
A tour around one of Broome's famous pearl farms, and a cruise along Willie Creek.
Western Australia's Capital, Perth, see one of the worlds largest inner-city parks, visit the Maritime Museum and port city of Fremantle.
Every customer is required to take out insurance for all international travel when taking a trip with Operatunity Ltd.
DOMESTIC INSURANCE
Insurance for Domestic travel is currently available from many companies. Insurance for New Zealand trips is entirely at your discretion. Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice.
INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
Insurance for International travel is currently available from many companies. For our trips overseas it is a requirement that proof of cover be sent to our office some time before departure from NZ. We can not accept travellers who hold no cover for international travel as per our term and conditions.
Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice. Email travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz Phone 0508 886 489
Operatunity provides group senior travel and with this in mind we plan trips to suit our target market. But not every trip is created equal in terms of mobility. We want to give you the best possible experience but that will only be achieved if you are able to enjoy everything that our trips have to offer.
Most of our long haul trips require a better level of mobility. We will look after everyone as well as we possibly can, but we cannot look after one at the expense of the rest of the group. We also cannot have one person slowing the rest of group to the point where the group is not able to enjoy every experience we are able to provide.
With this in mind we have put a mobility clause into every trip. Under each explanation here I have popped a statement. Ask yourself if this is ‘you’, when booking on a trip.
None of the following mobility clauses preclude you from ordering a wheelchair at the airport if required.
1. GENTLE TOUR This tour will suit most people, even with a stick or a walker, but sorry not someone in a wheelchair. The activity level is gently paced, but you still need to be able to get on and off buses easily. There will be walking, but not a lot. “I love travelling, but at a gentle pace. I like to avoid stairs or too much activity, but I am able to get on and off buses easily.”
2. EASY TOUR This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of times to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances. ”Walking is fine. I can get on and off a coach. I am happy to stand for an hour or two in museums and galleries and gently stroll through places of interest. I am happy to climb the odd set of stairs.”
3. MODERATE WALKING TOUR This tour requires a better level of fitness with no wheelchairs or walkers. Generally, there may be times when we can’t get the coach close. In some of our Pacific Island tours we will need you to transfer onto a tender and walk on soft sand. We also will have much longer flights and long walks through airports. “I like walking at a moderate pace. I love to keep my days full and experience everything the tour has to offer. Stairs, tender transfers and cobblestones don’t bother me.”
4. EXPLORING TOUR This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace. “I like to spend most of the day exploring. Whether walking historic neighbourhoods on cobblestones at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I want my days full. Stairs don’t bother me and I am keen to see and do as much as I can with the odd day off to recuperate.”
Operatunity is a company specialising in music lovers tours to the senior market. Each trip has been especially planned to include music and arts experiences and has a level of friendliness and care which cannot be found anywhere else! Our trips are packed with features not found anywhere else
Yes we have lots of people who travel on their own. We endeavour to match you up with someone who lives close to you or is close in age to you. Often you will get a chance to meet with your matchup or ring them before you leave on your trip. You also may prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement price. We travel as a happy band so there will be lots of chances to meet people. You will find fellow music lovers and those with other similar interests. In fact those like the nicer things of life so you will travel with like-minded people. It is also important to remember that our singers are our escorts so you will see at least a couple of familiar faces as you leave.
If you live outside of Auckland, we can arrange travel and accommodation on your way to meet up with our group. We have access and can book domestic airfares in conjunction with Air New Zealand international airfares. Plus we can book your pre and post tour accommodation if required.
It is compulsory for our international trips and highly recommended for our domestic tours.
No as most airlines offer various special meals and any restaurants we visit are happy to accommodate special dietary requirements.
We seek to accommodate the needs of guests with disabilities whenever possible. However in most cases we are unable to take customers with walkers, wheelchairs or other mobility issues. Certain trips may be unsuitable due to walking or limited availability of accommodation with disabled facilities. We cannot be responsible for the care of customers suffering from significant cognitive illness (such as dementia). We ask such customers to consult with your doctor to obtain medical clearance. Guests needing assistance mustbe accompanied by an able companion who will be available to assist them and assume full responsibility for their wellbeing.
We ask that you can walk at least 100 metres unaided and be able to get on and off buses with little or no assistance. We cater for a senior market but it is important that you do not jeopardise the enjoyment of others by requiring more care and holding up the rest of the group. Talk to our office or staff at concerts and any advisory notes for individual trips to get a better idea of your suitability for each trip.
We stay at 4 and 5 star character hotels, avoiding package, tourist or big hotel chains. We choose hotels with a more personal feel often with historic content or hotels of beauty and character, centrally located or in parks, by the water, or with beautiful gardens.
Breakfast is included daily, and many dinners and lunches are also included as per our itinerary.
There are no hidden costs. Included in the trip are tips, taxes, porterage, breakfast, meals where specified, inclusions listed in the itinerary, entry fees where listed in the itinerary, concert/show tickets where listed in the itinerary, tour escorts and local specialised guides.
Some of our trips sell out very quickly and we recommend you make your booking as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
We will ask you to pay an initial deposit when making your booking. We will then follow up for a second deposit and then a final balance payment prior to travel.
All deposits up until final payment are refundable minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs the company may incur.
After final deposit refunds are unlikely and the refund becomes an insurance claim.
Our numbers vary from destination to destination, please contact our office for further information. We have a minimum number required to operate a tour. Should minimum numbers not be met, a full refund will be made.
For international trips, all guests must have a valid passport that does not expire earlier than at least 6 months beyond their intended stay.
Music is a key element in making our experiences special. There are special experiences and events every day, such as themed dinners, impromptu concerts, music, art tours with art experts and garden tours with garden experts.
Most hotels now have internet connection and all hotels have telephones in the room or at reception. If using your mobile telephone check calling and text rates, and disable data roaming before leaving New Zealand. Consider purchasing a prepaid SIM card. And you can keep in touch using social media such as Facebook. We have a copy of your next of kin details in case of emergency and we are also happy to help out with texts, phone calls and emails if you can’t get in touch with your family and need to while away. We are also happy to help out with getting your phones, ipads and cameras to work if needed while away.
We spend less time travelling between regions, allowing more time to enjoy experiences when you arrive. We avoid one night stops and “conveyor belt” travel, so you really can capture the local colour and vitality of the region. Our trips are planned so that there is a balance of included activities and free time for you to relax or do some exploring on your own.
Contact Operatunity Travel
Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
Mail your booking form to PO BOX 132 150, Sylvia Park, Auckland 1644
Email: travel@operatunity.co.nz
Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
Email: travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz
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