helicopter Archives - Bespoke vacations

True North Kimberley Cruises – Luxury Lodges of Australia

Posted on August 26, 2016July 31, 2017 by Nicola Billens

A cruise along the Kimberley coast aboard the luxury adventure small-ship TRUE NORTH is on the bucket list for many. Scenes of thundering waterfalls and spectacular gorges greet guests daily. Highlights include Horizontal falls, Mitchell falls, the unique eco-system of Montgomery Reef, Aboriginal rock art and catching huge barramundi.

We speak to Peter Trembath, General Manager, who has been responsible for brand and product at North Star Cruises (owners of TRUE NORTH) since 2001.

Describe TRUE NORTH in 3 words.

Revered adventure-cruise ship

Tell us a little bit about TRUE NORTH and what makes it so unique beyond great food, great wine and a very comfortable place to sleep?

An adventure on the TRUE NORTH is one of Australia’s most desired holidays. Bigger ships cannot go where we go! Extended periods at sea are specifically excluded and daily activities can include scenic walks, fishing, snorkelling, diving, scenic flights in the ship’s helicopter and cultural events. We deploy comfortable expedition boats (not rubber boats) and discover wilderness in small groups. An Australian crew uniquely chaperones every experience.

Fishing for barramundi on the True North — Fishing for barramundi

How is the TRUE NORTH pushing the boundaries in guest experiences?

By providing unparalleled access to some of the world’s most pristine wilderness and, by providing activity-laden itineraries that provide our guests with maximum opportunity to truly experience the destination.

The True North is a base for adventure — The luxury small-ship is a base for adventure

What’s a recent (last 6 months) innovation from North Star Cruises?

The introduction of new itineraries in the Kimberley and the scheduling of a Discovery Cruise in the South Pacific.

What activity should guests not miss during their stay on the TRUE NORTH ?

Flying in the ship’s helicopter.

Raft point sunrise by helicopter on True North — Raft point sunrise by helicopter from the True North

Best dining experience on the TRUE NORTH ?

Catch of the day likely caught with your own hands.

Please describe a typical guest onboard.

Anyone who considers ‘the experience’ to be the true luxury.

Is the TRUE NORTH child friendly? If so what’s a great experience for kids under 10? And for teens?

Where behaviour is guaranteed not to disrupt the enjoyment of fellow guests. The high-speed drift-snorkelling at the stunning Rowley Shoals is great fun.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Beware of imitations and discover for yourself why our guests consistently remark “that’s the best holiday I have ever had!”

Peter Trembath, General Manager TRUE NORTH — Peter Trembath, General Manager, North Star Cruises with his catch of the day

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The Kimberley

Posted on April 9, 2016July 31, 2017 by Nicola Billens

The Wild North West (The Kimberley)

The Kimberley is a vast region that is for the most part totally uninhabited. Occupying the north west of Australia it is really only accessible during our winter months from April through to October. The big draw cards are the spectacular coastline, rugged outback wilderness, and the extraordinary assemblage of wildlife. The challenge is always finding a way to explore and experience all three. This is a remarkable part of Australia, and an incredibly unique destination. Below is a crash course on some key regional highlights.

Private yacht charter in Western Australia

Broome

This is purely a gateway port to start a journey in the Kimberley. The town itself can be covered in an afternoon or one night so not really much need to stay longer than one night – but could do two if you wanted.

Kimberley Coast – Expedition Cruising

Visit where the big ships can't go on the True North - Kimberley Wilderness Cruise — Visit where the big ships can’t go on the True North – Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

Daily activities can include scenic walks, helicopter flights, fishing, snorkelling, cultural visits, picnics, flora, bird and wildlife watching, diving, exploring and much more… Multiple expedition vessels or ‘tenders’ take guests in small groups to experience the wilderness ‘up close’ and, the luxury of having numerous tenders means that everyone onboard has greater opportunity to do “what they want, when they want”.

Most cruise options feature an onboard helicopter opening up a whole range of options from scenic flights and heli-picnics to overnight camping adventures. Discover virtually unseen and untouched parts of The Kimberley.

Beach Picnic on the True-North - a Kimberley Wilderness Cruise — Beach Picnic on the True-North – a Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

Kimberley Coast – Air Safari

Out of Broome a great way of seeing the Buccaneer Archipelago (one of the most spectacular sections of the Kimberley Coast) is by helicopter or light aircraft. You can fly over this stretch of coast for around three hours and if using a heli could include a stop for lunch at the horizontal waterfalls. The main points of interest include a stop at Cygnet Bay, a working pearl farm, and at the Horizontal waterfalls. True North also covers the same stretch of coast, however doing it by air is a different experience all together, not to mention the time difference. You would then fly down into Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary.

Sunrise at Raft Point by helicopter with True North - Kimberley Wilderness Cruise — Sunrise at Raft Point by helicopter with True North – Kimberley Wilderness Cruise

Kimberley Coast – Kimberley Coastal Camp

‘Crushed coral rustic luxury’ is the best way to describe this property. Located along an impressive stretch of the Kimberly Coast this rustic camp is a great experience with good aboriginal art (including Bradshaw and Wandjina Art), great fishing and beautiful coastal scenery. Hugely popular with all our past travellers due to the uniqueness and personalisation of experience. This really isn’t offered anywhere else in the region – hands on experiences out exploring with your guides. Accommodation is open air ‘shacks’ with bare sand/coral floors and open air ‘windows’ – all looking out onto the water. Small, intimate, and very unique.

Kimberley Outback – El Questro Homestead

Baobab dining at El Questro Homestead in The Kimberley

This is a member of Luxury Lodges of Australia, and is by far the most comfortable outback experience in this part of the country. The station has various accommodation options, however the homestead is the only luxurious option. It is a few hours’ drive, or a short heli flight from Kununurra. There are a range of on-site activities included in a stay here, as is all your food and beverages.

Kimberley Inland – Mornington Downs Wilderness Sanctuary

A very authentic side to this region. Mornington Downs has good African style safari tents, but there is more specific focus on the wildlife conservation work here. This is run by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy who are doing some impressive work in this region, and will show you a very interesting (and to many unknown) side to the conservation battle in Australia. Mornington is the one place in Northern Australia that has managed to reverse the declining mammal populations and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy is the leading private conservation group in the country. This is an opportunity to experience some of the Kimberley’s wildlife, and is usually a very rewarding visit.

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Heli Tours of North Queensland

Posted on March 5, 2016July 31, 2017 by Nicola Billens

Explore North Queensland by air and discover places that many don’t get to see on one of our signature Heli Tours of North Queensland. Each guest is provided with a headset, enabling easy communication between themselves and the pilot. The pilot and guide know this region well and will share stories on the major landmarks throughout the journey.

The fleet can accommodate up to nine passengers on a variety of helicopters:

Robinson R44
Bell 206 Jetranger
Bell 206 Longranger
Bell 407
Bell 205
AS350 (Squirrel)

3 pax
4 pax
6 pax
6 pax
9 pax
6 pax

Below are some suggested day tours however each can be tailored based on the interests of each guest.

Torres Strait Islands private heli tours

Dugong - Image credit: National Geographic — Dugong – Image credit: National Geographic

The Torres Strait Islands are a group of over 270 low lying islands located between the tip of continental Australia (Cape York) and Papua New Guinea. Seldom visited by mainstream tourists, the relatively untouched region is rich in natural, historical and cultural beauty with a unique Melanesian indigenous population. The islands’ clear tropical waters have diverse marine ecosystems with dugongs, saltwater crocodiles and many species of turtles seen amongst the colourful reefs. Activities include fishing, swimming, diving, viewing or buying fabulous indigenous artworks, visiting local markets and seeing original colonial architecture. Highlights include: Great Barrier Reef, Prince of Wales Island, Thursday Island, WW11 remnants and Horn Island. These private day tours depart from Horn Island.

World War II history flight: Fly over Prince of Wales Island and spectacular waterfalls. WWII bunkers, shipwrecks, and gun stations are a highlight of this trip. Circle over Green Hill Fort and Thursday Island before landing on Horn Island.

Icons of the North: Fly over the Torres Strait to the very top of Australia, Cape York to stand on the tip of Australia. A scenic flight over Punsand Bay and the Iconic Possession Island are more highlights before landing at Horn Island.

North Queensland Heli fishing adventure

Enjoy a scenic heli tour of North Queensland combined with a spot of fishing! Highlights include: Cairns, Mitchell River, Fishing and the Mt Mulgrave Homestead. This private day tour departs from Cairns.

Flying west from Cairns we intersect the mighty Mitchell River which starts on the Atherton Tablelands and flows 750km north-west across Cape York to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Along the way, it carves through the rugged highlands of the Great Diving Range. Tracking the river, we land at a secret fishing spot where we set up on the banks of the Mitchell, before rigging a couple of fishing lines. The river is teaming with Barramundi, not only a great fish to catch, but also fantastic eating as well. Lunch is served on the banks of the Mitchell. We then take you to Mt Mulgrave Homestead, a working cattle farm and family owned for generations. Experience what it is like to run a remote cattle station that has a similar land mass to some countries. Finally we cross the Great Dividing Range, before making our way back.

For more information about private Heli Tours of North Queensland or to arrange a heli tour elsewhere in Australia, please contact Alquemie.

Click here to find out more about Australian travel with Alquemie