October 2015 | Travel Shows | Cape Wickham Golf Course Opens
October 2015 Newsletter
Thank you to all those who completed our short survey. It gave us some interesting information. Everyone who entered was put into a raffle draw. Keith drew the names from the hat and Anwyn won first prize ($250 dinner voucher at The Estelle in Northcote) and Wayne received second prize (a flight in our simulator)…. congratulations and enjoy.
Our private & corporate charter business has significantly improved in September & October … about 4 times the average for the same period in the last 3 years. We hope it continues but more particularly we hope this transcends into our air tours as this is what we love doing. The 2016 season is nearly planned but will always continue to be modified. Dates for tours up to September next year are on the website on the prices/schedule page. More tours are still to be added.
We are also currently planning the 2016 season. Some dates for early next year tours are already appearing on the website tour timetable. More dates will be added soon.
Travel Show in Sydney
Luxperience is a show organised in Sydney for inbound and local travel agents which allows the chance to meet local “luxury tour” operators. Tony Kirkhope attended and had interviews with about 60 agents. The response was really positive and we hope to promote more of our Benchmark and Bespoke tours through these contacts in 2016.
Of particular interest were our Luxury Lodge tours where a group can design their own Bespoke Tour. Email us to discuss Bespoke tours.
Recent Tours and Charters
The Birdsville Races weekend in early September saw two Kirkhope aircraft visiting. Our KingAir took race officials including Peter Moody, the who was the 2015 Race Ambassador. Our Piper Navajo took a party of four on a 4 day outback tour, with Broken Hill, Noccundra, White Cliffs and Innamincka included. As usual a great time was had by all, however not sure if anyone picked a winner!!
We also had an international visitor who’s original plans were cancelled, so at short notice we arranged a tour that went via Mungo, Broken Hill and Arkaroola…a great success.
Other tours/charters have included multiple Smithon trips, King Island, Flinders Island, Wagga, Bathurst V8 Races, Swan Hill and Canberra. With safety as a priority we needed to do some in-flight diversions on the way home from Bathurst and Wagga due to stormy weather. Everybody was happy with the professionalism displayed and the minimal delays.
A special one day birthday tour to King Island was then finished off on the way home with a scenic flight over the 12 Apostles (or is it 8?
DFO held an ‘Ultimate Weekend’ promotion and we participated with three stores. Rebecca won the 6 passenger, one day flight and lunch/tour to the Yarra Valley…..congratulations.
Key tours remaining for 2015…seats available
CAPE WICKHAM GOLF COURSE OPENING
Two new world class ‘links’ courses open on the 30th Oct on King Island. Play both Cape Wickham and Ocean Dunes on our 2 day tour departing 29th October which arrives before the opening and includes a hole in one competition. We will be scheduling additional trips, so keep an eye on the website.
KANGAROO ISLAND AND GAWLER RANGES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Departing 11th November & includes 2 days at each of Kangaroo Island & Gawler Ranges…The Kangaluna Bush Camp is a stunning Glamping location. An added bonus is the swim with sea lions at Baird Bay. Price is $4945pp twin share.
DISCOUNT 10% for 4 pax and 15% for 6 pax. Email inquiry
TEMORA AIR SHOW… 1 DAY
This excursion is to Temora’s War Birds Downunder for their big full day Air Show.
21st November…$695 pp including air show entry ticket.
Fly in our King Air aircraft. Seats are selling fast. Display aircraft will include Spitfire, Boomerang, Hudson, Sabre, Wirraway and more.
The Museum is also open. Email inquiry
Short Video Landing Flinders Island
A very windy but sunny day as we took a family down to Flinders Island for a week. Nice GoPro work from our pilot Tony Sazonov’s new camera.
Some Special Interest Tours in 2016
Keep in mind special interest tours… often in our calendar and always on demand.
Big Red Bash … July 4th Birdsville… Paul Kelly & Jimmy Barnes
Birdsville Races…1st Weekend September
Yarra Valley and/or Milawa day winery tours with lunch.
Bathurst V8 Races early October
Plus many more …send or inquire with your ideas
2016 Tour Schedule…
The calendar is slowly building on the website for our 2016 tour schedule. More tours to be listed but so far it includes:
4 x 14 day Kimberley/Top End tours (May, June, July and Aug)
3 x 4 day Tasmania/Bass Strait Islands
4 x 3 or 4 day Taste of the Outback (with Birdsville /Lake Eyre)
2 x 6 day Lord Howe Island
4 x 5 day South Australia Discovered (Kangaroo Is & Gawler)
1 x 12 day Cape York and Nth Queensland
Fishing tours to Flinders Island and Port Lincoln
Golf excursions to Cape Wickham, Barnbougle and also can be included in our Cessnock and Lord Howe Island tour.
AND of course ideas for the time poor with Luxury Lodge tours across Australia Email us early if you are interested. Eg..Maybe just a simple one week tour to Kimberley Coastal Camp and Elquestro Station?