Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts owns Lizard Island, Heron Island and Wilson Island on Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef, Kings Canyon Resort in the Northern Territory and El Questro Wilderness Park (the Station and Emma Gorge at El Questro) and the El Questro Homestead in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. 

 

EL QUESTRO WILDERNESS PARK – WESTERN AUSTRALIA -   WWW.ELQUESTRO.COM.AU

El Questro Wilderness Park, one of Australia’s most spectacular destinations. Just 110km from Kununurra, El Questro Wilderness Park is a million acres of one of the world’s last unspoilt regions.
 

EL QUESTRO HOMESTEAD  - WWW.ELQUESTRO.COM.AU 

El  Questro  Homestead  named  Best  Outback  Experience  at  the  2013  Australian  Gourmet  Traveller  Travel  Awards 

El  Questro  Homestead  has  been  voted  the  Best  Outback  Experience  at  the  2013  Australian  Gourmet  Traveller  Travel  Awards in June.  The awards, which are hosted annually by Australia's leading food and travel publication,  were  held  in  Melbourne  and recognised outstanding  Australian  tourism  operators  from  the  coast  to  the  outback.
 

The  luxury  nine -room  Homestead  is  dramatically  cantilevered  over  the  Chamberlain  River,  set  amid  a  landscape  of  salt  plains,  gorges,  hot  thermal  springs  and  the  backdrop  of  the  Cockburn  Ranges. 

Lori  Litwack,  General  Manager  of  El  Questro  Homestead  said:  “We  are  delighted  to  have  been  voted  the  Best  Outback  Experience.  We  have  a  fantastic  team  of  people  working  here  to  ensure  every  visitor  has  the  best  experience  here  at  El  Questro,  so  we  are  thrilled  to  have  been  recognised  for  our  hard  work  and  commitment.”
 

Guests  staying  at  the  Homestead  can  enjoy  luxury  accommodation  in  three  new  stylish  Cliff  Side  Retreats,  bringing  the  total  number  of  suites  to  just  nine  at  this  exclusive  property.    The  Cliff  Side  Retreats  offer  uninterrupted  views  of  the  rugged  scenery  courtesy  of  the  floor-to-ceiling  sliding  glass  walls.   From  the  shower,  guests  can  access  either  the  free  standing  bath  on  the  verandah  or  the  garden  rain  shower  surrounded  by  magnificent  stone  wall  that  ensure  complete  privacy.  
 

Dining  at  the  Homestead  is  enjoyed  under  the  stars,  at  either  of  the  large  communal  tables  by  the  pool  and  on  the  verandah,  or  on  one  of  the  three  private  tables  by  the  gorge  edge.  As  a  treat,  guests  can  dine  at  one  of  the  incredibly  romantic  tables  on  the  edge  of  the  cliff  overlooking  the  Chamberlain  River,  and  with  a  soundtrack  of  owls  and  frogs. 

 

 

El Questro – New lookout
 

Also new for this year is a tour to a new lookout called Buddy’s Point in memory of local El Questro legend Buddy Tyson who passed away in 2011. Former rodeo champion, drover and tour guide at El Questro, Buddy Tyson was a larger than life cowboy who was loved for his whip cracking show and his humour.
 

The views from Buddy’s Point take in the heart of the Chamberlain Gorge, and the Homestead, nestled amongst mahogany and frangipani trees, the Station, Saddleback Ridge and the Cockburn Ranges.
 

Looking in the opposite direction guests can see where the Pentecost River converges with the Chamberlain River and creates the crossing that leads to Explosion Gorge. Further back, guests will be able to look towards the Gibb River Road and see parts of the Pentecost River as it continues its path to Wyndham.
 

Sunset tours to the new Buddy’s Point lookout will cost $60pp and the lookout can also be booked for private use for the afternoon and into sunset - a fruit and cheese platter and sparkling wine are the perfect complement to the view.
 

El Questro – New Road to Emma Gorge Resort
 

Self-drive guests can now enjoy a quicker and little less bumpy journey from Kununurra to Emma Gorge Resort. The road has now been sealed and the journey is now taking around 45 minutes.

The last 2km of road off the Gibb River Road remains unsealed however this is still suitable for 2WD vehicles.

 
 

LIZARD ISLAND – WWW.LIZARDISLAND.COM.AU

Minke whales have been spotted along the reefs at Lizard Island on their annual migration north.
 

Between May and August each year these enigmatic and graceful creatures migrate north to the stretch of reefs south of Lizard Island, known as the Ribbon Reefs.
 

The inquisitive nature of the minke whale brings them close to boats to linger with divers and snorkellers, at times as close to up to a metre away. The whales are mostly encountered alone or in family groups of two or three, but can be in groups of up to eight.
 

Ross Penegar, Marine and Dive Manager at Lizard Island said: “Some of our guests on board our dive and snorkel boat Serranidae have recently been lucky enough to see a minke whale jump out of the water. They are beautiful, curious creatures so we always look forward to seeing them at this time of the year.”
 

Penegar said this time of year also sees humpback whales breaching in the waters around Lizard Island, with guests often spotting them from the comfort of Ospreys Restaurant or the Beach Club.
 

However, if guests are eluded by whales this year they can still get close to other marine creatures in the waters off Lizard Island.
 

At the world-famous Cod Hole, at the northern end of Ribbon Reef 10, divers and snorkelers can see the curious Potato Cod. And just metres from the beaches at Lizard Island, guests can snorkel next to turtles, parrot fish and swim over 100-year-old clam gardens off Watson’s Bay.
 

Award winning and a constant favourite in the world’s ‘best’ lists, Lizard Island is located right on the spectacular Great Barrier Reef, 240km north of Cairns and 27km off the coast of Cape Flattery.  An idyllic island fringed with pristine coral reefs, crystal clear waters and 24 powdery white beaches, Lizard offers the postcard perfect setting for an Australian island escape.
 

Lizard Island – New Heli Tours
 

Introducing  heli tours to and around Lizard island, guests now have the option see the Island and its surrounds in style following the decision to base two helicopters on the island. 
 

Operated by Skysafari Australia, the four-seater Robinson 44 helicopter and the five-seater Robinson 66 helicopter – nicknamed the sports cars of helicopters - operate a range of scenic tours and day tours taking advantage of Lizard Island’s enviable location on the northern end of the Great Barrier Reef. 
 

SkySafari is also offering transfer options from Cairns for those guests who want to arrive in style.  If time allows they stop off along the way on one of the many islands in the area for a look around and a glass of bubbly.

http://www.lizardisland.com.au/2307.aspx
 

Lizard Island – 27th Black Marlin Classic
 

Fishing enthusiasts are gearing up for another season of heavy tackle fishing as the sparkling waters become home to the largest Black Marlin in the world from September to December each year.
 

Dubbed the “Formula One of Fishing”, the 27th Lizard Island Black Marlin Classic which takes place from October 12-19, 2013 is a top event for game fishing enthusiasts each year.  
 

Voted best resort in Australia by readers of Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine in 2012, Lizard Island is Australia’s northernmost resort and lies at the top end of the spectacular Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns. 
 

As well as being a fishing playground, the Island boasts unrivalled dive and snorkelling sites with a myriad of corals, fish, ancient giant clams, spotted rays and sea turtles on display.

 
 

HERON ISLAND –WWW.HERONISLAND.COM

Heron Island - Great Barrier Reef Swim 10-14 October 2013
 

In its third year, the Great Barrier Reef Swim will take place from 10-14 October 2013.  The event, held in partnership with Oceanswims.com, involves a competitive swim around the Island for a distance of approximately 3kms and also shorter course options.  There is also a swim clinic and a range of social events as well.

 
 

WILSON ISLAND, GREAT BARRIER REEF -  WWW.WILSONISLAND.COM

Just five acres in size, Wilson Island is a tiny coral cay island with a big personality. Wilson Island can accommodate just 12 adults at any one time (six couples) in castaway themed tented cabins and offers guests sumptuous cuisine, premium beverages and snorkelling over coral gardens.
 

Wilson Island has proved to be a popular spot for honeymooners and groups looking to hire the tiny 5-acre island exclusively. Wilson Island has also proved to be a popular breeding ground for green and loggerhead turtles, which come ashore from November to April every year to lay their eggs.
 
 

KINGS CANYON RESORT  - WWW.KINGSCANYONRESORT.COM.AU

Under a Desert Moon degustation dinner at Kings Canyon Resort relaunched in 2013
 

Central Australia’s Kings Canyon Resort is celebrating the arrival of clear autumn skies and cooler temperatures with the re-launch of Under a Desert Moon, its signature outback dining experience . 
 

The Under a Desert Moon experience will be hosted at the central fire pit at Kings Canyon Resort, offering an intimate setting with no more than six couples dining on any one night.  The menu showcases a variety of modern Australian cuisine beginning with canapés such as braised crocodile bound in a honey mustard aioli or roasted asparagus spears wrapped in emu prosciutto.
 This will be followed by a four-course menu, including sweet potato, ginger and coconut soup with fresh damper, barbecued Moreton Bay Bugs cooked over the open fire, mountain pepper crusted beef fillet followed by vanilla and lemon myrtle panna cotta with a lime mango puree. 
 

Priced at $99, Under a Desert Moon offers guests a gourmet dinner for two, with sparkling wine and canapés as the sun sets, followed by a four-course menu by firelight.
 
 

The dinner has proved popular for guests wanting to enjoy the desert experience at night after they have returned from a day exploring this amazing outback location, walking the canyon or taking one of the many scenic helicopter flights.
 

Meanwhile the Outback BBQ & Grill at Kings Canyon Resort has reopened offering contemporary Australian BBQ cuisine. Guests can revel in the friendly atmosphere, mixing with other guests under a solid roof with open sides - a traditional outback veranda.
 

This casual bar and grill also provides live entertainment on six nights a week during peak season (May to October).

 

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For further information contact:  Judith Watson,  Judith.watson@lushpr.com, tel: 02073727732

Image Library: http://www.tpdmedia.com.au/ml/Delaware_North/default.asp