Sundowner: Autumn/Winter 2018

More documents

Info

NINGALOO REEF A UNESCO World Heritage site, Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s ‘other’ great barrier reef. Technically a fringing reef, it has more than 500 species of fish living in its waters, plus humpback whale. Swimming and diving with these gentle giants tends to be what attracts people to Ningaloo, but if you’re less keen on large mammals and more a fan of a relaxed snorkel, then there’s plenty here for you, too. Head to the small town of Coral Bay where, 500 metres south of Bills Bay, Purdy Point is a revered snorkelling spot where you’ll drift over coloured coral and spot everything from sea cucumbers to mini rays. One of the best snorkelling sites in the area, however, is the Turquoise Bay Drift, where coral gardens swarming with fish can be marvelled at only metres from the shore. It’s worth noting that the Turquoise Bay Drift is recommended for experienced swimmers only due to strong currents, but those less able don’t need to miss out as Oyster Stacks is an ideal spot for families and inexperienced snorkellers within the coral reef. BROOME It may be known as the gateway to the most southern part of the Kimberley, but Broome is quite unlike most other gateway country towns, in that people tend to stick around rather than simply pass on through. A country township built on the mother-of-pearl industry, Broome had to quickly reinvent itself when the arrival of the now innocuous plastic button ended the world’s need for mother-ofpearl almost overnight. Luckily Broome is gorgeous, so when the town switched its focus from trade to tourism, business continued to boom. At its most popular during the dry season (April to October) Broome’s beauty is apparent 24/7, but it really comes alive at sunset – particularly if you’re lucky enough to witness the Staircase to the Moon, Western Australia’s version of the Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon happens when the full moon rises at a low tide and casts its glow over Broome’s exposed mudflats. What’s left is a stunning optical illusion of golden steps rising out of the Indian Ocean. It’s best seen from Roebuck Bay, but you can catch it all along the coast. It’s also well worth playing the tourist and taking part in a sundowner camel ride across the renowned Cable Beach – but if clambering atop an even-toed ungulate isn’t quite your thing, then take a book and experience the beauty of Cable Beach during the day. 18 | AUTUMN/WINTER <strong>2018</strong>
EL QUESTRO The remoteness of the Kimberley is both its blessing and its curse as, yes, it’s beautiful but, boy oh boy, do you have to work hard to see it. A trip to El Questro Wilderness Park, however, is well worth the flight north or, if you’re feeling a tad more adventurous, jumping into a four-wheel drive and taking the Gibb River Road, one of Australia’s most demanding dirt tracks. It’s clichéd to describe El Questro as magical but, unfortunately, there’s no other word for it, as its nearly 300,000 hectares of mountains, valleys, and gorges is Mother Nature at her finest. It’s worth spending some serious time in El Questro and there are a number of places you can choose from to rest your head. Pitch a tent in the Black Cockatoo Campground; hire a family-friendly bungalow in The Station; choose one of Emma Gorge’s 60 safari-style tented cabins (complete with en suites), hidden amid the Kimberley’s fiery red Cockburn Range; or go all out and stay in luxury by booking one of the El Questro Homestead’s nine suites. Cantilevered over the Chamberlain River, the Homestead is an El Questro experience all of its own – so sought after that when Nicole Kidman was filming Baz Luhrman’s Australia, she found it fully booked and had to stay in a neighbouring town. Once happily ensconced in the Homestead, guests are offered complimentary excursions where you’re encouraged to fully immerse yourself in a Kimberley experience. Swim in waterfalls, fish for barramundi, bask in the shade of a boab tree, soak off the day in the mineral-rich Zebedee Springs, or take a helicopter tour and witness the sheer size of this incredible part of the world. BUNGLE BUNGLES It may sound as if it was named after a character from a kid’s TV show, but the Bungle Bungle Range is El Questro’s most famous neighbour. These stunning rock formations are found among the remoteness of the Purnululu National Park and have been sculpted by millions of years of erosion into the tiger-striped, beehive domes they are today. The Bungle Bungles are best viewed from above as it’s only when you look down that you begin to appreciate the sheer scale of this fascinating and fragile rock massif, which stretches over 240 square kilometres. If you’re keen to explore by foot, then a number of the canyons are open to visitors and tour guides are ready to show you around. And if you’re staying in El Questro Wilderness Park, a ranger can help to arrange a day trip for you. FURTHER AFIELD Utilising all travel options available to you is the only way to see everything the Kimberley has to offer, which means getting out and about by land, sea, or air. A few must-dos are to make sure you take the time to kick off your shoes and take a walk down Silica Beach – named for its pure, powdery soft, white silica sand. Hop aboard a boat and take a trip to see Horizontal Falls, an experience David Attenborough called “one of the greatest natural wonders of the world”, and, let’s face it, he’s seen a few. Take a helicopter ride over the top of the sandstone-carved Mitchell Falls and then, before you leave and head back to civilisation, take a moment to stop, look around, and really take in everything this historical and mythical part of the world has to offer. EL QUESTRO BROOME KIMBERLEY BUNGLE BUNGLES NINGALOO REEF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CONTACT ABERCROMBIE & KENT previous page: Gantheaume Point, Broome left, from top: Swimmer at Ningaloo Reef; driving the Gibb River Road near Home Valley Station in the Kimberley; the craggy shoreline of Cape Leveque, Broome above: The stripy domes of the Bungle Bungles A&K's 12-night escorted expedition cruise to Kimberley: Australia's Last Frontier in 2019 starts at £10,300 per person (based on two sharing, excluding flights). For more information, call our escorted tours specialists on 01242 547 892. abercrombiekent.co.uk | 19
Page 1 and 2: AUTUMN/WINTER 2018 A/W 2018 £4 Lov
Page 3 and 4: 16 72 48 DEAR TRAVELLER Welcome to
Page 5 and 6: THE NEXT GENERATION sanctuary retre
Page 7 and 8: CHABLÉ MAROMA, MEXICO Tucked in th
Page 9: clockwise from left: Victoria & Alb
Page 12 and 13: This picture postcard setting attra
Page 14 and 15: GOING OFF GRID A HOLIDAY ISN’T A
Page 17: WILD, WILD WEST THE KIMBERLEY IS AU
Page 21 and 22: THE ENTREPRENEUR EXPLORER FOR DECAD
Page 24: He carries an additional bag on his
Page 27 and 28: seasonal LIE BACK AND WAIT FOR THE
Page 29 and 30: A PUGLIAN PARTY Puglia may not be y
Page 31 and 32: AMANYARA Providenciales, Turks and
Page 33 and 34: New directions OUR IDEA OF LUXURY I
Page 35 and 36: THREE OTHER TRAVEL TRENDS TO WATCH
Page 37 and 38: ISRAEL: LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT BY SARA
Page 39 and 40: FRAMED BY RIVERS AND WETLANDS, IMME
Page 41 and 42: official 08.00 opening time. Keen b
Page 43 and 44: 0-8 Little emperors and empresses w
Page 45 and 46: Beach babes 0-8 DO: Every family ne
Page 47 and 48: BARCELONA THE EXPERIENCE Enjoy the
Page 49 and 50: LO N G - D I S TA N C E RELATIONSHI
Page 51 and 52: abercrombiekent.co.uk | 51
Page 53 and 54: PERU & ECUADOR & GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
Page 55 and 56: CAPE TOWN & MOZAMBIQUE CAPE TOWN As
Page 57 and 58: VIETNAM, CAMBODIA & LAOS VIETNAM En
Page 59 and 60: WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO BOND WITH
Page 61 and 62: previous page: Sally with daughter
Page 63 and 64: CHINA IN YOUR HAND A LAND OF CONTRA
Page 65 and 66: Hangzhou and Zhejiang Province The
Page 67 and 68: Kudadoo Private Island by Hurawalhi
Page 69 and 70:
HAVING TAKEN INDIA’S FAMED TOURIS
Page 71 and 72:
patchwork quilt to bake in the sun.
Page 73 and 74:
left: Posing on the red carpet in L
Page 75 and 76:
left to right: Country music in Nas
Page 77 and 78:
Chalet 1597, St Anton SLEEPS 10+2 A
Page 79 and 80:
Never a dull moment “Wandering th
Page 81 and 82:
Step into an eco-sanctuary Simply k
Page 83 and 84:
Amazing grace At the end of the roa
show all

Sundowner: Autumn/Winter 2018

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?