SeaLink is expanding its operations Down Under with a new and unique tour, after noticing the need for new tourism products in Australia.
Unveiled to media in Sydney last week, SeaLink has teamed up with the traditional owners of the Tiwi Islands to launch overnight tours to the destination.
For anyone who doesn’t know, the Tiwi Islands are a remote group of five islands located 70 miles north of Darwin.
They house some of Australia’s more beautiful fauna and flora as well as one of the oldest and well-contained indigenous communities in Australia.
SeaLink’s Paul Victory said the decision to launch tours to the destination came after noticing the country needed more tourism product.
“We take pride in product development and I think Australia needs to develop new product.”
Paul Victory, SeaLink NT General Manager
‘Ultimate Tiwi Islands’ tours developed from an NT Government tender in 2013.
According to Mr Victory, the government was looking for a ferry service to provide transport between Darwin and the islands.
This developed into one-day tours to the destination, which attracted around 250 people in 2014.
After witnessing the success of the destination, SeaLink decided to expand the product this year to a three-day itinerary.
The exclusive itinerary will only run for 10-weeks in July, August and September.
Guests will learn how to make and buy local art.
Available to only 12 guests at a time, the tour starts in Darwin with either a ferry or flight across the Beagle Gulf to Wurrimyanga on Bathurst Island.
Guests will be welcomed by their tour guide who will take them to their first stop, the arts centre to see the Tiwi people’s world-famous indigenous artwork.
From there guests will be transported via boat to the islands’ one of three fishing lodges – the Bathurst Island Lodge, which is only accessible by sea.
The Bathurst Island Lodge recently underwent a $2 million renovation on its kitchen, bathrooms and guest rooms.
The property is only available to 12 guests and features waterfront accommodation plus shared bathrooms.
Guests will stay at the Bathurst Island Lodge.
While the fishing lodge is surrounded by water, guests are warned not to go for a dip to avoid being bitten by crocodiles. That’s where the soft adventure comes in.
Once guests have settled into their accommodation they’ll spend the next two days taking part in a traditional smoking ceremony, meeting the locals, creating Tiwi Art, joining a sunset turtle discovery tour and taking a scenic flight to Melville Island to the remote Milikapiti township.
The three-day tour is priced from $2,425 per person for the ferry package and $2,500 per person for the fly package.
According to Mr Victory, the island community is the main benefactor of the product.
“They’re looking for economic development through the agriculture, forestry and tourism sector,” he said.
“We’re excited to invite local and global consumers to taste and experience this niche and upmarket product.”
Paul Victory, SeaLink NT General Manager
The limited season starts on 24 June and ends 11 September.
Famils will be available for agents in June, with details on how to take part coming out shortly.
So what do you think, would you clients be keen on a soft adventure tour to the Tiwi Islands?