Round Up of news from Australia's Northern Territory

 Access the Outback – new flight routes to the NT  NEW luxury accommodation for 2011 - Wildman Wilderness Lodge  Hawk Dreaming expands accommodation, exclusive to APT  Pinnacle Tours come to NT  Saddle-up to explore the Outback

Access the Outback – two new flight routes launch in summer 2010 Two flight operators have announced new routes into the NT which will start in June & August and will offer more competitive prices for visitors. Virgin Blue will launch a new daily Sydney – Uluru (Ayers Rock) route on the 2nd August which will provide a low-fare option for up to 104 people per day. One-way online fares to the iconic rock will start from AU $199 (£99). Tiger Airways is returning to Darwin on 18th June after a 50% increase in travellers between Melbourne and Darwin. Tiger originally operated a Melbourne to Darwin route until 2008 and now, due to the increase in demand, will be re-open the route, operating six flights per week. www.virginblue.com.au and www.tigerairways.com/au/en/index.php New luxury lodge – Wildman Wilderness Lodge Opening in February 2011, a brand new luxury accommodation comprising 15 luxury safari-style tents and 15 luxury lodges will provide the perfect base from which to explore Kakadu National Park. Anthology (www.anthology.travel) is to add the new eco-lodge experience to its current portfolio which includes the award-winning Bay Of Fires Lodge and Quamby Heritage Homestead in Tasmania as well as Wilpena Pound in South Australia. Known for his success in creating luxury properties in remote destinations, Anthology’s founder Grant Hunt takes on his most ambitious project yet – to relocate and recycle lodge assets from a now-unused property in Queensland (Wrotham Park Lodge) to build this new 30-cabin/tent lodge on pristine wilderness adjacent to National Park land a two-hour drive from Darwin on the Mary River. Joint ventures with Indigenous Business Australia, Aboriginal groups from the local area and Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Services have begun to build a unique infrastructure of cultural and natural touring product that will include interpretative and educational wetlands cruises and safaris. Prices will start from £250 per night (including breakfast and dinner). www.wildmanwildernesslodge.com.au Hawk Dreaming expands accommodation, exclusive to APT From 1st May 2010 travellers with Australia Pacific Touring (APT) will be able to indulge in exclusive accommodation at Hawk Dreaming in the heart of Kakadu National Park. The site is located at Cannon Hill, on Aboriginal land, and features eight tented cabins, hot showers, flushing toilets, hearty meals and even an outdoor spa to soothe aches after an exciting day of exploring the Top End. Up to 16 people can stay at Hawk Dreaming which provides an intimate experience of Aboriginal history including nearby Ubirr affording ancient rock art and breathtaking views of the surrounding wetlands and billabongs. There are a range of tours offered by APT which feature this accommodation from a two-day Kakadu Art Site and Wildlife tour to larger tours taking in wider Top End delights. www.aptouring.com.au Pinnacle Tours moves to the NT! Australian tour operator Pinnacle Tours has added a bevy of Northern Territory experiences to its extensive range of Australian holiday options. From three day deluxe safaris to six-day luxury outback experiences, there are options for all travellers looking to experience the NT. Top locations throughout the NT such as Litchfield National Park, Kings Canyon and Uluru (Ayers Rock) are just a handful of the top-spots that make up tours. A day tour of Litchfield including the Jumping Crocodile tour starts from AU $119 (£60) per person. www.pinnacletours.com.au Saddle Up to explore the Outback Jerry Kelly is a local (Waruungu) Aboriginal man who was born in the Barkly Region and has spent years working on cattle stations around the region. Visitors can now enjoy a lesson and a trail ride with Jerry, where they will learn about the Tennant Creek (500km north of Alice Springs), station life and indigenous heritage. Jerry is passionate about his local area and is an expert on finding bush tucker. After working on NT cattle stations he has become a local equine expert and teaches horse riding skills to visitors and local indigenous youth in horse and cattle handling skills so that they can get employment on cattle stations in the Northern Territory. Riding lessons plus trail ride costs from AU $150 (£75) per person. Maximum six people. http://www.caent.com.au/travel/2010/01/kellys-ranch/ Not to be missed events in 2010: • 25th – 28th June: Alice Springs Beanie Festival with music, crafts and fun this annual, free event celebrates a relaxed calm approach to life in the Northern Territory and brings together craftspeople from remote areas. Oh...and beanie wearing is essential! www.beaniefest.org • 10th July: Alice Springs Camel Cup – a must-see event! Watch brave/crazy riders whizz past on unpredictable camels. Created in 1970 as a way to settle a bet between friends, camel racing up the dry riverbed of the Todd is a fun day out for all. www.camelcup.com.au • 8th August: Darwin Beercan Regatta – build a boat from beercans and test your skills by sailing out into Darwin Harbour aboard your ‘tinny’ vessel. This ever-popular event is great to participate in but even more fun to watch! www.beercanregatta.org.au • 14th August: Alice Springs Rodeo – watch real Australian cowboys do what they do best! The Northern Territory is Australia’s cattle country so watch some roping and riding in Alice Spring’s annual celebration of the rodeo. Blatherskite Park in Alice Springs. For more information about the Northern Territory, download the new free iApp from iTunes. http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/outbacknt/id357912860?mt=8 *ENDS* For more information and photography contact Suzanne Holiday or Tryph Greenwood on T: +44 207 839 2140 or tourismntmedia@keenepa.co.uk and visit www.australiasoutback.com. NOTES TO EDITORS 1. Australia’s Northern Territory is a leading nature and culture destination where Australia’s Outback meets the tropics and is home to Australia’s most dramatic, beautiful and varied scenery including the awe-inspiring red centre icons of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon as well as the Top End adventure and wildlife destinations of Katherine Gorge and Kakadu National Park. 2. Darwin International Airport is an international gateway to Australia offering connections to Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City and Denpasar. 3. The peak visitor time is during the dry season, from May to September, but the Tropical Summer from October to April brings spectacular lightning shows and lush growth. 4. www.australiasoutback.com is an essential resource for travellers planning a trip to the Northern Territory. We have sent you this press release because we believe it is of genuine professional interest to you. 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