Spirit of Adventure

Our Cape York tour is a true adventure exploring the top of Australia. Feel the excitement of being one of the lucky few who ultimately stand at the northernmost point of the continent, then head into the Torres Strait for a unique cultural experience on Thursday Island.

A visit to the ancient Daintree rainforest will have us hearing the wonderful sounds of the birds and wildlife, and smelling the rainforest flora in what is still, thankfully, a relatively unspoilt wonderland. We may even spot a crocodile on the river!

An undoubted highlight of our trip will be walking alongside tribal elder and story-teller Willie Gordon into his ancient tribal ‘birthing site’, for an incredible journey of dreaming, birthing, and beginning. Whilst we’ll see amazing rock art, we’ll also hear their stories, and leave having experienced an educational and thought-provoking insight into Australia’s Indigenous culture.

There will also be the chance to get our hands dirty at the Cape York Turtle Project. Here, subject to timing, we may find ourselves measuring and tagging nesting turtles, removing deadly ghost nets from the beaches, fitting protective devices to keep feral pigs away from turtle eggs, or even protecting the hatchlings as they make their way to the sea. This is a wonderfully rewarding experience to help save an endangered species.

So, when we finally reach the top of Australia, we will certainly have an amazing array of memories from this unique part of the world. The Cape York – Top of Australia 12-day adventure has departures from May to September this year.

Now that the mayhem of Christmas and the New Year are over, it’s time to look ahead on the holiday calendar and turn your thoughts to Easter. It’s fast approaching, so you’ll need to book soon to secure your spot on an Easter action adventure! Try these adventures for size:

Mountains and Milford: a walking trip through the Fiordland region of New Zealand’s South Island, and the eco-wilderness of Stewart Island. 9 days, departing 11 April.

Freycinet Kayak Expedition: an exploration of the beautiful Freycinet Peninsula on Tasmania’s east coast. Paddle kayaks around the pink granite coastline and explore pristine white beaches. 4 days, departing 4 and 11 April.

Maria Island Walk: exploring the isolated beaches and inland peaks of beautiful Maria Island, and enjoying gourmet Tasmanian food and wine along the way. 4 days, departing 1, 2 and 13 April.

Kiwi Kapers Family Adventure: an exploration of New Zealand’s South Island. Take the kids to meet dolphins and whales at Kaikoura, enjoy a yacht trip along the rugged Abel Tasman coastline and relax in thermal hot springs. 8 days, departing 11 and 18 April.

Other action adventures available over Easter are:
Franklin River Rafting: 5 days, departing 10 April
Cradle Mountain & the Tarkine: 5 days, departing 20 April
South Island Explorer: 10 days, departing 18 April
South Island Cycle: 9 days, departing 28 March

Mayan Magic

For exquisite ancient ruins with a colourful culture and history attached, you can’t go past Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula! Enjoy the fine white sands of Cancun and also discover the ancient world and mysteries of the Maya. By exploring the ruins of Uxmal and Chichen Itza your family will get a history lesson worth coming to class for! With plenty of time to relax on the beach, snorkel or partake in the many activities on offer, one thing is for sure – you and your family will not want to leave this Caribbean paradise!

The 10-day Mayan Magic family adventure departs throughout the year, see our website for more details.

Crocodiles, rainforest and reefs

A family adventure in Australia’s far north, exploring the Daintree National Park, Great Barrier Reef and a tropical island paradise sounds like a holiday with everything you need! The kids will be thrilled with spotting crocodiles along the rugged Bloomfield Track and they will also gain a unique cultural and historical lesson from our Aboriginal storyteller whilst visiting the local Indigenous communities, and their ancient rock paintings.

The tropical island paradise of Dunk Island provides a tranquil retreat for the whole family with time to explore the marine wonderland of the Great Barrier Reef. Crocodiles, Rainforest & Reef departs on request, see our website for more information.

Garrath Ridd, Peregrine’s Destination Manager for Australia and New Zealand, shares his favourite highlights of Tasmania’s wilderness…

My spirit of adventure remains undiminished after travelling to 78 countries (and still counting), yet Tasmania remains one of my true passions and favourite holiday destinations.

The beauty of Tasmania shines even in this time of bulging populations, sprawling cities, and overpowering pollution. This island paradise remains relatively untouched and largely unspoilt - there is an amazing wilderness experience just waiting for everyone to enjoy. The waters are pure, the air is clear, and the pristine forests are just as I remember them from my years growing up in their surrounds. A recent visit to the Tarkine Rainforest proved to me that some things don’t need to change - ever!

Our Cradle Mountain and the Tarkine trip will take you into the ancient and isolated rainforest for which this region is renowned. Discover the tallest hardwood trees on the planet, wild rivers, the rugged beauty of Cradle Mountain, and the home of over 50 endangered species. Our forest trails will open up Australia’s best kept wilderness secret for you.

Tassie will provide you with an adventure like no other, because wherever it is that you return home to, a part of you will feel enriched having enjoyed an escape from the everyday grind, and your view of life will surely be enhanced.

To view all trips in Tasmania and around Australia click here.

Peregrine Adventures together with Inspired Adventures are excited to launch The Eye Foundation Larapinta Challenge 2009. We are giving 20 people the opportunity to join this incredible trekking challenge in late April 2009.

The Eye Foundation is the medical eye specialists’ foundation, dedicated to restoring sight and preventing vision loss throughout Australasia. The Foundation supports more than 850 Australian and New Zealand medical eye specialists (ophthalmologists) who are passionate about giving future generations the best vision possible. Inspired Adventures offer life-changing experiences to everyday Australians whilst helping them to raise money for a broad range of charities.

The Larapinta Trail is considered one of the best walks in Australia, and traverses the West MacDonnell Ranges. The rugged rocky outcrops form a striking backdrop to scenic paths that cut a swath through stunning gorges and expansive plains.

Funds raised will go directly to The Eye Foundation’s indigenous eye health programs including the Minum Barreng (‘tracking of eyes’) Indigenous Project. We invite you to consider participating in this fundraising and fitness challenge which is all about everyday people – fundraising champions – incredible journeys!

To find out more click here to visit our website, or email groups@peregrineadventures.com

The mystery of the Kimberley region has been attracting travellers for many years. Today, there are a myriad of activities to take part in and an array of beautiful places to explore. The Colours of the Kimberley wilderness adventure gets you involved in all this region has to offer and so much more.

This classic 14-day adventure covers north-western Australia following the Gibb River Road through the Kimberley. Starting in the historic pearling town of Broome, you travel along this spectacular part of Australia and discover vast gorges carved into ancient river beds. You will visit outback sheep and cattle stations, and spend time in remote Aboriginal communities where you experience first-hand their unique way of life. A highlight of your trip will be the world famous El Questro Station, this unique holiday destination is a lovely place to relax and there’s plenty of space to explore – the property is one million acres in size!

If you’re looking for a shorter trip but still jam-packed full of amazing experiences then our 8-day Kakadu Wetlands & Gorges or the 7-day Uluru & Outback Trails trips are for you.

Considered to be one of the best walks in Australia, the Larapinta Trail provides travellers with an experience they will never forget. The red dirt of Central Australia will get into your blood and before you know it, you’ll be planning your next trip.

The Larapinta Trail traverses the West MacDonnell Ranges, in the Northern Territory, where the rugged rocky outcrops form a striking backdrop to scenic paths winding through the picturesque gorges and expansive plains. On the 9-day and 16-day Larapinta Trail treks we camp at night under the stars, beneath sentinel gum trees, absorbing the ambience of the stark Australian outback. The experience of sleeping in the outback will be one you will never forget, the amount of stars and satellites will astonish even the most well-travelled adventurer.

A highlight of the trail is a challenging but rewarding climb up to the top of Mount Sonder (1380m), where we enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, plains, valleys and salt lakes. You can stand on the summit and not see anything man-made at all, just the vastness of the ancient landscape. Watching the sunrise on Mount Sonder’s shoulder will prove to be a highlight during a day where every traveller will be rewarded for their hard work, either by achieving the goal of reaching the summit or for completing the trek of a lifetime.

Our 9-day Larapinta Trail trip departs throughout the year, and we also have the 16-day Larapinta Trail – End to End trip for those ready to take on the entire 232km journey.

It’s easy enough to head out bush and tick the ‘icons’ off on the itinerary: Uluru, Kakadu, Kata Tjuta… But Peregrine’s new Australian small group tours prove that, with a little more time and a knowledgeable guide, it’s possible to see the country’s raw beauty beyond the beaten track, and to gain a deeper understanding of the ‘spirit’ of the outback.

The eight-day Kakadu Wetlands and Gorges tour begins in Darwin and heads to Katherine Gorge, where paddling a canoe gives an alternative impression of the towering cliffs as they catch the fiery colours of the afternoon sun. Heading into Kakadu, the trip visits the popular sites such as Gunlom for a dip in the natural ‘infinity’ pool overlooking the floodplains; spectacular Jim Jim and Twin Falls; and includes a cruise on Yellow Water to see saltwater crocodiles and the profuse bird life of the wetlands.

Beyond the well-worn trails, a highlight of the trip is a day in Koolpin Gorge. With a limit of just 25 visitors a day, it’s a chance to soak simultaneously in the spirit of the ancient landscape and the crystal-clear creek waters as they flow over natural rock terraces.

The Uluru and Outback Trails is a seven-day trip starting in Alice Springs that offers an Aboriginal perspective on the landscape. It heads west through Hermannsburg and the gorges of the East MacDonnell Ranges to Kings Creek Station – a working cattle station in proximity to Kings Canyon. After a dawn walk around the canyon rim, the trip heads to Uluru and Kata Tjuta, where Aboriginal guides explain the Dreamtime stories associated with the World Heritage site.

Then, in keeping with the aim of going deeper into country, the trip travels to Cave Hill, just over the SA border, where the traditional Aboriginal landowners share insights into their lifestyle and the extraordinary cave paintings that date back over 20,000 years. Around a campfire they will relate stories of the songlines that cross their country as the group beds down for a night under the desert stars.

Further south, the group is met by the traditional custodians of Mt Woodroffe, the highest mountain in South Australia, and shares a meal, a campfire, traditional lore and another night under the stars. Rising early for the desert sunrise, the trip finally returns to Alice Springs.