Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent is making sure its guests are travel ready when the time is right with the launch of its expanded portfolio of tailor-made and flexible small group journeys across Australia and New Zealand.
One of the longest players in Australia’s inbound travel space, A&K Australia has been offering tailored luxury travel experiences for over 35 years with much of it focused on travel within Australia. Thanks to these decades of experience and the long-established relationships formed with all the key luxury providers across the region, the experts at A&K have built on their past favourite destinations, regions, experiences and accommodation choices to hand craft each and every one of the journeys in the extensive new collection.
A&K Australia Asia Pacific Regional Managing Director Sujata Raman says, “While these past months have been a challenge, they have enabled us to take the time to expand our domestic portfolio. By travelling on these journeys, our guests will be giving vital support to the many local businesses right around the country who have been equally challenged throughout the pandemic. I hope it will encourage local spending and give travellers the time to explore their own backyard, meet local personalities and do it all in the style for which A&K has become known.”
A&K prides itself on delivering the finest and most unique travel experiences the world over, and its Australian journeys are no different. The company’s dedicated Australia & New Zealand Product Managers travel extensively throughout both countries discovering new experiences and connections with local characters that are stitched together to craft the privately tailored and flexible small group journeys which appear in the portfolio. Each presents a different level of activity, varied styles of accommodation, differing modes of transport and distinct ways in which to travel. And they can be booked as is or customised to the guest’s personal preferences. In addition, there are a number of curated ‘Experiences’ presented state by state, and in New Zealand, as further inspiration for travellers wishing to enhance their journey or have a truly bespoke itinerary crafted individually for them.
Where to travel with A&K in Australia and New Zealand
The new portfolio captures a broad range of travel experiences including a selection of the very best Australasian destinations, accommodations and recreations. From tropical islands, red deserts and windswept beaches to snow-capped mountains, glaciers, fiords and world-class wineries. There are golfing getaways, eco walks, private cycling tours, fly fishing, swimming with whale sharks and more. Here is a sample of what’s on offer:
In South Australia, A&K’s new eight-day Outback Adventure by Private Aircraft takes guests in limited company on a private air tour from Adelaide to the raw landscapes of the Flinders Ranges, Parachilna and William Creek, Coober Pedy and the Eyre Peninsula. The journey is a unique insight into the state’s rich pastoral heritage, visiting outback stations and meeting the characters who reside there. There are atmospheric pubs and hotels and the myriad tastes of South Australia to enjoy, from ‘feral fare’ and home brew to some of the world’s finest seafood. There are just five departures with prices from $14,900 per person. Other ideas for the private traveller include a walking and houseboating experience through the Murray River floodplains as well as McLaren Vale, Kangaroo Island and the Barossa Valley.
In Tasmania, suggested journeys include a walking adventure on Maria Island and a discovery of Hobart and the Freycinet National Park. A visit to the Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy supported Raptor Refuge combines perfectly with either of these. And keen golfers will relish a day trip to the world-renowned Barnbougle golf courses, flying in and out by private charter plane.
The Western Australia collection includes A&K favourite Ningaloo Reef for whale shark and humpback whale adventures from the comfort of beachfront camp Sal Salis, as well as a gourmet discovery of the Southwest. Complementing this is a quokka walk on Rottnest Island or hiking and gourmet picnics in Margaret River.
In the Northern Territory, outback suggestions include an exclusive camping safari in Kakadu National Park with privileged access to indigenous rock art galleries, gorge walks and billabong cruising. Special access to traditionally owned turtle breeding grounds is a lovely add-on. There’s also a self-drive adventure into the Red Centre where the Field of Light installation is an unforgettable attraction.
Queensland’s offering includes a week-long road trip from tropical Cairns to Cape York via Cooktown, the Daintree Rainforest and remote cattle stations. There’s also a hike through the Scenic Rim staying in luxurious surrounds at Spicer’s Lodges and added ideas of golfing in the Whitsundays, or a guided indigenous walk through ancestral lands in the far north.
In the A.C.T. a unique city stay reveals Canberra in a new light taking guests off-limits at Parliament House, into the Australian War Memorial and the National Museum with expert insight and private gourmet experiences.
A private Kangaroo Valley retreat for 14 guests is on offer in New South Wales with possible paired experiences including an insider’s discovery of Sydney’s Chippendale or a wildlife adventure on Lord Howe Island.
Victorian suggestions include another iconic road trip – The Great Ocean Road – which is complemented perfectly by the mountain scenery of the Grampians. Or a surprising in-depth discovery of Melbourne with recommended add-ons to the Mornington Peninsula for a gourmet immersion or a unique indigenous history and heritage experience at Worawa College in the Yarra Valley.
Across the Tasman, New Zealand entices with a new small group journey for active adventurers. Joining an engaging local host, the six-day ‘Active Fiordland Adventure’ takes in Queenstown and Te Anau with hiking, lake and fiord expeditions staying at two of the South Island’s finest lodges. Four departures are scheduled with pricing from $7,200 per person.
Another one for active adventurers is a bespoke cycling tour of the Nelson Tasman region of New Zealand’s South Island. This small group journey balances daily activity through breathtaking natural landscapes with visits to artists’ studios, galleries and world-renowned wineries. There’s also an overnight catamaran trip in Abel Tasman National Park. This six-day tour has just four departures with pricing from $7,700 per person.
Other tailor-made suggestions in New Zealand include a week’s golfing at Cape Kidnapper’s and Kauri Cliffs, outdoor adventure in the pristine Marlborough Sounds and exclusive mountain experiences at Minaret Station and Blanket Bay. And glacier heli-adventures and world class wine tastings are just some of the possible add-ons to choose from.
All journeys are featured in detail online at www.abercrombiekent.com.au.
A&K’s COVID Safe Plan
A&K’s first priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of its guests, and in order for guests to feel confident about planning future travel A&K has introduced a number of new measures:
- Elevating health and hygiene protocols to the highest level. A&K’s partners have been strictly vetted to ensure all local and global regulations are followed and that best cleanliness and social distancing practices are met.
- Flexible booking policies. For new bookings made by 30 September 2020 for travel this year and in 2021, travellers may change or cancel up to 30 days prior to departure in the event of a COVID-19-related reason and receive a credit toward future travel.
- Provision of personal protective equipment during the journey in the event local health regulations require it, or for guest peace of mind.
- Rigorous health and safety procedures followed by all A&K guides and staff.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
