NEW TOURS & TOUR OPERATOR NEWS

FIRST FLOODPLAIN WILDLIFE CRUISE LAUNCHED AT LITCHFIELD

Wangi Wildlife Cruises is operating the only wetland/coastal floodplain wildlife cruise in, near or adjacent to Litchfield National Park. The cruise runs on an exclusive basis through Welltree, a private cattle station, on the Reynolds River, renowned for its abundance of wallabies and other Australian fauna and flora. wangiwildlifecruises@bigpond.com.

INDIGENOUS LAND TOURS WITH ABORIGINAL OWNERS

Unique Indigenous Land Tours,a new tour operator owned and operated by Aboriginals, provides an authentic insight into Aboriginal land from their own perspective. Touring options include half-day trips around Darwin, full-day bird watching tours of Howard Springs and Berry Springs, and one and two-day tours of Kakadu National Park. www.uniqueindigtours.com.au.

GECKO CANOEING LAUNCHES NEW TOUR

Gecko Canoeing, the award-winning adventure tour operator, is offering a new ten-day Wilderness Escape tour which departs from Katherine on the Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park, and incorporates five days� walking the striking Seventeen Mile Valley and Edith Escarpment country, taking in waterfalls, swimming holes and sheer sandstone cliffs, before arriving at Edith Falls. The second stage of the tour is a five-day Katherine/Daly River Explorer trip, during which participants paddle through an ever-changing landscape, negotiating gentle rapids and camping under the stars. This tour is also ideal for families with children. www.geckocanoeing.com.au

SIMPSON DESERT TO HAY RIVER SAFARI

Ossies Outback 4WD Tours has introduced a new remote Outback safari, ideal for travellers with a sense of adventure and reasonable level of fitness. The 13-day itinerary departs Alice Springs on May 13, heading south-east to the Aboriginal Community of Santa Teresa. Highlights include climbing huge red sand dunes, seeing rare Acacia Peuce �Waddy Trees� in the driest part of Australia, traversing the Southern Hemisphere�s largest private cattle station, and travelling through the Simpson Desert and Finke River Floodout into northern of South Australia, stopping at Mount Dare Hotel, a paradise for birding and nature walks. www.ossies.com.au.

NEW DOT PAINTING WORKSHOP TOUR

Anangu Tours is launching a brand new Dot Painting Workshop Tour from 1st April 2005, which will operate daily from Ayers Rock Resort in the Uluru Cultural Centre. Participants will be given a first-hand insight into the meaning of dot paintings by Aboriginal artists, and will be able to work alongside the artists to create their own masterpieces on a small canvas. This award-winning tour operator received a World Tourism Award in 2004. www.anangutours.com.au.

SELF-DRIVE TOUR IDEAS

MARY RIVER 4WD TRACK INFORMATION

Self-drive visitors to Mary River Park can now take advantage of a �mud map� available to overnight guests, giving details of 4WD tracks in the nearby Mary River National Park. The information leads visitors from the Park in order to see buffalo, wild pigs, wallabies, crocodiles, brolgas, bustards, jabirus and water birds along the route. The track is approximately 70kms long and, according to Mike Ostwald of Mary River Park, who guides groups along the route during the dry season, it is best enjoyed as a full day experience and, whilst driving conditions are relatively easy, should be treated with respect. www.maryriverpark.com.au

TRAVEL NEWS

SECOND WEEKLY GHAN SERVICE TO DARWIN

Great Southern Railway has announced that The Ghan will operate an extra weekly return service between Adelaide and Darwin every Wednesday, returning Saturday, during the peak season of May, June and July 2005, to meet the demand from passengers. www.trainways.com.au

VIRGIN BLUE OPERATE BETWEEN ALICE AND ADELAIDE

Daily flights with Virgin Blue now operate during peak season between Adelaide and Alice Springs, with four flights per week during the low season. www.virginblue.com.au

ACCOMMODATION & DINING

NEW B&B ON PRIVATE BIRD PARK NEAR DARWIN

Feathers Sanctuary is a new, b&b offering first class, hut-style accommodation on a private bird park just two minutes from Darwin Airport and ten minutes from the city. The landscape at Features Sanctuary has been planted to attract native birds, such as mangrove golden whistlers and red-headed honeyeaters, with the aim of breeding the rarer species. www.featherssanctuary.com.

NEW AWARD FOR SEVEN SPIRIT BAY PLUS FREE AIR TRANSFERS

At the Northern Territory�s 2004 Gold Plate Awards, Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge was presented with the accolade of �Best Hotel Restaurant�. As well as focusing on the food served, the judges also looked at other criteria including atmosphere, value, theme and service.

Seven Spirit Bay Wilderness Lodge has also announced free scenic air transfers from Darwin for guests who book a minimum four-night �Days of Luxury� stay, which also includes full board, guided nature walks and 4WD safaris. www.sevenspiritbay.com

NEW LUXURY ACCOMMODATION PACKAGE IN ALICE SPRINGS

Orangewood, the Alice Springs b&b known for its high level of comfort, service and customer satisfaction, has introduced a new, value-added luxury package, �Fantastic Orangewood�. Designed to cater for guests who expect value for money combined with exceptional standards, Fantastic Orangewood comprises private hire car transfers to and from arrival/departure points and accommodation, a three or four course gourmet meal for two with pre-dinner drinks/wine, a night�s accommodation with special toiletries and chocolates in the room, a full Orangewood breakfast, a guarantee of no more than one other couple in the house overnight, plus full laundry service. www.orangewood-bnb.au.com

OTHER NEWS

GAY & LESBIAN EVENT IN ALICE � 26 February 2005

The Gay & Lesbian Fun Festival and SPIN F-X Desert Dance Party will be held in Alice Springs on 26 February 2005 at the Gap View Motel. The 5th party of its kind, it is expected to be bigger and brighter than before. The event is held the weekend before Sydney�s Mardi Gras, and Wonderland Weekend accommodation packages can be arranged at The Gap View Motel or Alice Springs Resort via Alice Is Wonderland. www.aliceiswonderland.com

PRECISELY PRISCILLA PILGRIMAGE � 30 April to 2 May 2005

Alice Is Wonderland is also involved with the �Precisely Priscilla� Kings Canyon Tour, Saturday 30 April to Monday 2 May 2005, to celebrate 10 years of the film classic 'Priscilla-Queen Of The Desert'. Vanessa Wagner, Australian entertainer, television presenter and dancer will be hosting the Priscilla Dance Party. The two-night weekend package includes return travel from Alice Springs to Kings Canyon, sparkling wine on arrival, a variety of accommodation options from campsites to deluxe spa suites, cooked breakfasts, supper, screening of the film, a sunrise guided rim walk of Kings Canyon Gorge, admission to the Priscilla Dance Party and recovery drinks back at Alice Springs Resort. www.aliceiswonderland.com.

UK AND EUROPE TOP VISITOR NUMBERS TO THE NT

Research for the year 2003/2004 carried out by NT Travel Monitor, reveals that the UK & Europe send more visitors annually to the Northern Territory than all other destinations combined, with a figure representing 70% of overseas holidaymakers to the region. North Americans make up 17% of remaining visitors, while Asians represent 9%, New Zealanders 3% and other nationalities just 1%. These figures are very similar for visitors to the Northern Territory in general with the UK & Europe comprising 67%of the total number.

LABOUR SHORTAGE BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES FOR BACKPACKERS

With the Northern Territory currently experiencing a significant shortage of young people willing to work on the land and in rural industries, there are considerable opportunities for backpackers and gap year students to part-fund their travels by working on an Australian farm and enjoying a challenging and rewarding experience at the same time. Specialist recruitment company, Visitoz, organises visas, bank accounts, flight bookings and farm skills training. www.visitoz.org.

For further information about the Northern Territory - www.ntholidays.com.

-ENDS-

For further information contact Jovanka Ristich, Independent Public Relations tel: 01628 623003 email ristichj@aol.com