The South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and Tourism Western Australia (TWA) have joined forces to promote new safari itineraries designed to attract UK travellers.
TV personality and wildlife expert Ray Mears will help promote them in a consumer-facing marketing campaign, and there will be training for travel agents to sell the itineraries.
The tours feature Australia’s big five – koala, quokka, whale shark, echidna and kangaroo – in some of the country’s most scenic landscapes.
Visitors to Australia from the UK visit an average of two states/territories in each trip and are most motivated to travel by Australia’s world class beauty and wildlife, according to research.
Accommodation on the tours varies from luxury lodges, to tented camps, boutique hotels and winery sleepovers.
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Mears said: “I’ve been lucky enough to spend time in both South Australia and Western Australia and these new itineraries offer incredible access to some of the world’s most fascinating landscapes and species.
“Whether you’re on a conservation tour of Kangaroo Island with the world’s leading expert on short-beaked echidnas or swimming with whale sharks on Ningaloo Reef with marine biologists – a thrilling underwater adventure which also advances scientific knowledge of these mysterious giants of the ocean; guests will enjoy very special wildlife encounters.
“Overlay that with the opportunity to spend time with indigenous guides, explore biodiversity hotspots, indulge in some of the world’s best food and wine and sleep under big Australian skies, and the safari traveller booking these new itineraries will return home with some wonderful stories.”
Janice Kurrle, UK and Europe regional manager for the South Australian Tourism Commission, said: “Safaris have always been associated with Africa, yet these new itineraries spanning South Australia and Western Australia highlight the amazing opportunity to enjoy an immersive Aussie safari experience.
“We have some of the world’s best field guides who bring the landscapes to life in a highly insightful way without losing the laidback Aussie charm.
“Starting or ending that adventure in the National Park city of Adelaide also gives guests the opportunity to build in other passion points including visits to wineries, galleries and some of the country’s best beaches.”
Elen Thomas, Tourism Western Australia’s UK country manager, added: “Western Australia is so wild but it’s also accessible with year-round sunshine and a direct flight from the UK meaning Brits can leave London at lunchtime and wake up in Perth, suggested by WWF as the wildlife capital of the world.
“Combining Perth’s quokkas and dolphins plus our biodiverse regions like Ningaloo Reef with South Australia’s iconic locations from the Flinders Ranges to Kangaroo Island gives visitors a uniquely Australian wildlife journey and an unforgettable safari experience.”
Five hero safari itineraries have been created which include:
• Ocean to Outback Safari – featuring Perth, Ningaloo Reef, Adelaide and the Flinders Ranges
• Island Safari – featuring Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Perth and Rottnest Island
• City Safari – showing how to enjoy urban wildlife in both Adelaide and Perth
• Walking Safari – combining the Kimberley region in northern Western Australia and the Arkaba Walk in the Flinders Ranges region of South Australia
• Food & Wine Safari – featuring Perth, the Margaret River, Adelaide and the McLaren Vale and Barossa
Main picture: Ray Mears in Flinders Ranges, South Australia, which features in the Ocean to Outback itinerary