Northern Territory and the Ghan Guided tour

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10 - 20 August 2018

Come and join us on a journey of discovery to the colourful Northern Territory of Australia. The Northern Territory is a place rich in aboriginal history, rugged natural beauty and great diversity. We visit the iconic wonders of Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata, Tjura and Kings Canyon, stay in the Red Centre town of Alice Springs, cruise down the vast Katherine Gorge and travel on the luxurious Ghan, one of the greatest train journeys in the world between Alice Springs and Darwin. We then immerse ourselves in Darwin’s melting pot of cuisines and cultures and explore the rainforest and aboriginal rock art of the World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park. The Northern Territory also offers a huge array of wildlife, colourful outback characters and landscapes for outdoor adventure.
Fully escorted by Alex and Lisa.

$9,115 NZD

Single Room in HOTELS

& SINGLE small cabin on TRAIN

- ADD $1,325 NZD

Single Room in HOTELS

& use of a TWIN cabin on TRAIN

- ADD $2,055 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$900 NZD

Second Deposit Due 21 February 2018

$2,000 NZD

Final Balance Due 2 May 2018

Discover the Northern Territory & Ghan

Desert Gardens Hotel, Uluru (2 nights)
We depart Auckland to fly to Sydney then to Ayers Rock for our big adventure. Our coach will be waiting to transport us to our hotel. Desert Gardens Hotel is a superior 4½ star hotel at Voyages Ayers Rock Resort. Magnificent ghost gums and flowering native shrubs are the setting for this hotel. Time at leisure to settle in.
A welcome dinner tonight at the resort.
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• A visit to one of the most famous landmarks in Australia and a guided tour around Uluru to learn more fascinating stories and its significance to the indigenous people.
• Travel to the beautiful Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), aboriginal for “many heads”. It is a group of more than 36 rounded red domes rising from the desert floor. The tallest is said to be around 546 metres high.
• A spectacular sunset experience with a glass of sparkling wine and canapés while watching Uluru cycle through the deep reds of an outback sunset.
• Dinner and music tonight at the resort.
Uluru ~ Alice Springs
Lasseter’s Hotel Casino (1 night)
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Travel this morning through the red sands of the central Australian desert to a town they call “The Alice”. As one of the country’s most famous outback towns, Alice Springs lies in the physical and spiritual heart of Australia’s Red Centre.
• The chance to join Uluru Camel Tours on a 45 minute journey through the sand dunes of central Australia with the original “trains of the desert” (optional, own expense). If camel riding is not for you join the indigenous Maraku Arts for a dot painting lesson or simply relax at the hotel.
The Ghan (1 night)
The Ghan Railway was established in 1929 to provide a lifeline between Adelaide and Alice Springs and it was not until 2004 that the line extended through to Darwin. Named after the Afghan camel traders who were the precursor to the train, the Ghan has grown to become a living legend in Australian History.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Travel to the beautiful MacDonnell Ranges and Simpson Gap and take a short 5 minute walk to explore the water hole and keep an eye out for the Black Footed Wallaby.
• A visit to the Desert Park Nature Reserve to experience the multitude of animals that call the outback home.
• Discover the challenges of outback education at the School of the Air.
• This evening it’s all aboard the Ghan Railway for our overnight journey to Darwin. We enjoy the Gold Class service which includes twin and single cabins, all meals and standard beverages in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant.
Note: Our pricing includes either twin cabins with ensuite which have bunk bed configuration with easy access via a small ladder or single cabins with shared facilities. You can choose to go in a single cabin with shared facilities or a bunk cabin – either of these choices is included in the package price. Single supplements are available in a twin bunk cabin which means you get your own facilities. This can be a single supplement for just this part of the tour if you prefer.
Sky City Hotel (3 nights)
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Arriving in Katherine we enjoy the Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise, as we discover the grandeurs of one of Northern Territory’s most monumental natural wonders.
• Continue our incredible train journey to Darwin.
Darwin
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• A sightseeing tour around Darwin and discover its fascinating history. Highlights include the City Centre, Darwin Harbour, Botanic Gardens, Chinese Temple and East Point Military Precinct.
• Free time to do your own exploring of this beautiful city.
• An evening luxury private catamaran cruise with dinner and concert entitled Sunset Serenade while cruising the Darwin Harbour.
Darwin
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• The opportunity to get up close and personal with saltwater crocodiles at Crocosaurus Cove.
• Visit the Darwin Museum and Art Gallery which features the largest permanent display of Aboriginal art in Australia. It also features a fascinating display about Cyclone Tracey which devastated the city Christmas Eve 1974.
• Every Thursday evening during the dry season the Mindil Beach Markets come to life. Filled with colour, excitement, food and street performers, be sure to take in a top end sunset while enjoying the activities. We are transferred here to enjoy the festivities and do some shopping.
Kakadu National Park
Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, Jabiru (1 night)
The Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn is privileged to be situated in one of only a handful of World Heritage listed national parks.
Kakadu National Park covers an area of 19,804 square kilometres and has been continuously inhabited by the aboriginal people for 40,000 years. The park features amongst the richest displays of flora and fauna in the top end of Australia with an amazing array of birdlife and beautiful wetlands. The area also features some of the best preserved aboriginal rock art in Australia.
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Travel to The Kakadu National Park, with all its scenery along the way.
• Visit Ubirr Rock which is home to some of the most significant and best preserved rock art in the region.
• We stay in the Gagudju Crocodile Holiday Inn, uniquely shaped to represent Kakadu’s most famous inhabitant, the saltwater crocodile.
Kakadu - Darwin
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Explore the Bowali Visitor Centre which contains a wealth of information about the Kakadu National Park.
• 2 hour Yellow Water Cruise, a spectacular journey through the parks wetlands.
• A private gala dinner at one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants, including music from the Operatunity team.
Darwin - Sydney
HIGHLIGHTS today include:
• Visit the Royal Flying Doctors Centre on Stokes Wharf. The medical service was established in 1928 by Rev John Flynn to provide “a mantle of safety” for the inhabitants of remote Australia and covers almost 2 million square kilometres.
• Transfer to the Darwin Airport for your fights to Sydney
Sydney
Today we fly home after a quick stop over in Sydney for the night.

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Northern Territory and Ghan Operatunity 2018.pdf.page 1

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This trip includes

Return airfares including taxes Auckland – Sydney – Ayers Rock/Darwin – Sydney – Auckland.
10 nights’ accommodation including one night on the luxurious famous Ghan and 4 star hotels in the Northern Territory.
Overnight accommodation with meals included on the luxurious Ghan, one of the greatest train journeys in the world between Alice Springs and Darwin. Price includes either a single cabin with shared facilities or a bunk cabin with own facilities.
Incredible tours and sights of the Northern Territory including Ayers Rock, Uluru-Kata Tjura, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge, Darwin and World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches, 10 dinners, all transfer tours (as listed), taxes, tips and porterage are included.
Special flavour including private concerts along the way, sunset drinks and cocktails overlooking Uluru, Darwin dinner cruise and musical entertainment on final night.
Specific tours including Yellow Water Cruise, Crocosaurus Cove (to see the crocodiles), Darwin city tour and markets, Desert Park Nature Reserve and the Royal Flying Doctors Centre in Alice Springs.
Escorted by Alex and Lisa.
Important Information
• For further information please ring our office or visit our website.
• All trips are subject to change but any changes will be of equal or greater value.
• All deposits are refundable up until final payment date minus any costs that the company has incurred.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on our booking form.
• While we carefully plan our trips to be well paced, all travellers need to possess a certain level of fitness. Some trips are more arduous and carry an advisory note in the itinerary that a specific level of fitness is required.
• Operatunity Travel requires all travellers to obtain comprehensive travel insurance.
Please be sure to ring our office if you require any information or clarification about insurance or any questions regarding travelling with Operatunity Travel.

10 nights’ accommodation including one night on the luxurious famous Ghan and 4 star hotels in the Northern Territory.

Special flavours including private concerts along the way, sunset drinks and cocktails overlooking Uluru, Darwin dinner cruise and musical entertainment on final night.

Travel Insurance

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

MOBILITY

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