Australia Up Close with Colleen
Travel alongside CAA Travel Advisor, Colleen Jesso, as she shares itinerary highlights across South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Australia is a land of striking contrasts, where vibrant modern cities meet ancient landscapes found nowhere else on Earth.
Recently, CAA Travel Advisor Colleen Jesso joined ten Canadian travel professionals on a 12-day familiarization journey through South Australia and the Northern Territory, supported by Tourism Australia, to deepen advisors’ knowledge of this scenic region.
The experience gave Colleen valuable, on-the-ground insight to help CAA Members plan seamless, well-paced, and enriching Australian itineraries.
Arrival in South Australia: Adelaide
After a long journey from Fredericton to Adelaide via Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Sydney, the group jumped straight into exploring the city.
Our first evening featured Flamboyance Tours’ “Welcome to Adelaide” walking tour, led by Katina, who introduced us to colourful street art, hidden laneways, and the historic Adelaide Arcade. Along Rundle Street, we spotted iconic public artworks, including the Mall’s Balls and the Rundle Mall Pigs.
Dinner at Tutto Cucina & Bar at Peppers Waymouth Hotel was a delicious introduction to South Australia’s culinary scene and a perfect way to connect as a group.
Cruising the Murray River
The next morning, our group headed inland to the scenic Murray River region with Door-to-Door Chauffeurs and Melany Bednall from the South Australian Tourism Commission. Warm and engaging, Mel shared uniquely Australian insights that enriched our journey.
In Renmark, we toured Twenty Third Street Distillery, sampling gin and tawny before enjoying a relaxed lunch of wood‑fired pizza.
Next, we explored the Murray River aboard a beautiful 10-berth houseboat operated by Murray River Trails. They offer three-night touring experiences that combine river cruising with guided walks along the riverbanks.
Drifting along the Murray River, we spotted abundant birdlife, emus, and my very first kangaroo grazing quietly along the bank. We were able to walk surprisingly close; it seemed completely unbothered by our presence.
After a short hike to a scenic lookout, we returned to the houseboat for a homemade dinner.
We spent two relaxing nights at Discovery Holiday Parks – Renmark Riverfront, with spacious, comfortable cabins overlooking the water.
Tasting and Touring in the Riverland
Our next morning began with excellent coffee at Arrosto Coffee, a local favourite housed in a converted fire station.
We joined The Frames Luxury Accommodation for a Wetlands & Wildlife Cruise, led by co‑owner Rick. In total stillness, surrounded by pelicans, egrets, and cormorants, we listened to a symphony of bird calls, which was a beautiful, moving moment.
Afterward, Rick led us on a jeep tour through the region’s orchards, where we tasted fresh fruit and nuts right from the trees and learned about local plants. The tour ended with a visit to Rick and his wife Kathy’s home, where she welcomed us with sugared almonds and fresh orange juice (honestly, the best orange juice I’ve ever had!)
We then toured The Frames: three luxurious, architecturally stunning villas overlooking the river, each featuring its own pool, spa, and balcony. It’s clear that Rick and Kathy take exceptional care to provide an indulgent, highly personalized experience for their guests.
That evening, Rick ferried us by boat to Pasta on Para, a lively local favourite where great food and wine capped off the day.
Tasting and Touring in the Riverland
Our next morning began with excellent coffee at Arrosto Coffee, a local favourite housed in a converted fire station.
Next, we journeyed to one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, the Barossa Valley. We visited several standout wineries, including:
- Rosenvale Vineyards, where generations of winemakers have perfected small‑batch wines for over 160 years
- Turkey Flat Vineyards, home to shiraz vines planted back in 1847
- Seppeltsfield, one of the country’s oldest wineries, famous for its cellar of tawnies dating to 1878
Between tastings, we stopped for lunch at Harvest Kitchen, located at the Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre. The menu featured fresh regional produce and paired perfectly with our day of wine touring.
That night, we returned to Adelaide, checking into Majestic Roof Garden Hotel and dining at the trendy Thai restaurant Golden Boy, the perfect ending to our South Australia chapter.
Into the Outback: Alice Springs
Flying north to Alice Springs, we were greeted by Bianca from Tourism NT, who introduced us to Australia’s rugged Red Centre.
Our first stop was the Alice Springs Desert Park, an amazing place to learn about desert wildlife: we saw everything from nocturnal animals and kangaroos to thorny devils
Next, we visited the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, which has been delivering medical care to remote communities for almost a century. The museum’s holographic film and virtual-reality flight made their story come to life.
My favourite experience in Alice Springs was an art session with Art Tours of Australia at Simpsons Gap. Surrounded by rust-red cliffs in the peaceful desert gorge, we painted watercolour landscapes under Anna’s kind guidance.
That evening, we checked into the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs and enjoyed a delicious dinner at its award-winning Tali Restaurant.
Hot‑Air Ballooning and Kings Canyon Adventures
Early the next morning, we took to the skies with Outback Ballooning. Watching the desert glow pink at sunrise from a silent hot‑air balloon was pure magic, made even more special by spotting wild kangaroos hopping below. The 30‑minute flight ended with snacks and champagne, and the warm, funny crew made the entire experience truly unforgettable.
Our journey continued with Zoe from Autopia Tours, who drove us for 2 hours through vast red desert to the King’s Canyon Resort. The resort’s Deluxe Rooms, complete with soaker tubs and endless views, were stunning, and the Standard Rooms and the Glamping Tents were also impressive in their own right.
That evening, we enjoyed the “Under a Desert Moon” dinner, a multi‑course, chef‑prepared meal served outdoors around a glowing fire. While the menu featured unique outback ingredients, including kangaroo (which I skipped as a vegetarian), it was the setting that stood out most: still desert air, flickering flames, and a blanket of stars overhead.
Hiking the Rim and Witnessing Desert Magic
At dawn, we set out with Zoe to tackle the famous Kings Canyon Rim Walk. We were told to bring plenty of water and started early to beat the heat. The toughest part came right away, a steep climb known as Heartbreak Hill. It definitely lived up to its name!
Once we reached the top, the view made every step worthwhile. The canyon stretched out in layers of red rock glowing in the morning sun. Along the way, we stopped at Priscilla’s Crack, a spot made famous by the film Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
The hike took about three to four hours. The heat made it even more demanding, and a good level of fitness is definitely required.
After finishing the walk, we had a well-earned lunch at Kings Creek Station before continuing our drive to Yulara, the gateway to Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. We checked into Sails in the Desert, a beautiful and centrally located hotel within the Ayers Rock Resort.
That evening, we joined the Wintjiri Wiru experience, an open-air desert performance combining drones, lasers, and sound to tell an ancient Indigenous story. The light show was breathtaking, but nature added its own surprise: lightning flashing across the horizon. Together, the two displays created an unforgettable night in the desert.
Sacred Landscapes: Uluru & Kata Tjuta
The next day, after breakfast at Ilkari Restaurant at Sails in the Desert, we joined Outback Cycling for a guided bike tour around the base of Uluru. Wearing helmets and fly nets, we rode past sacred sites as our guides shared stories from Anangu culture, explaining where photography is respectfully restricted and why.
The ride took just over an hour, and learning about Uluru’s history, geology, and cultural significance made the experience especially meaningful. We returned to Ilkari afterward for an Australian‑style high tea featuring a mix of sweet and savoury treats.
Later, we travelled by motorcoach to a sunset viewing area. As the sun dropped toward the horizon, Uluru slowly turned deep red and orange, a simple but unforgettable sight that felt truly magical.
Sunrise Magic and Final Farewell
We started the morning super early, heading out at 4:45 a.m. for a sunrise viewing of both Uluru and Kata Tjuta. From our lookout spot, we watched the first light slowly light up these sacred rocks. It was peaceful and awe-inspiring, a moment that felt truly special.
After sunrise, we took a guided walk into Walpa Gorge. The trail winds through rocky terrain through towering formations, so good hiking shoes are a must. The gorge was dramatic and calm, with tall red walls forming a natural wind tunnel that protects unique desert plants.
A simple Outback-style breakfast was included, and afterward we returned to the hotel to check out. This wrapped up our amazing adventure through the Northern Territory in the best way possible.
Journey’s End in Brisbane
We flew to Brisbane for our final night, staying at the Pullman Brisbane Airport and enjoying one last group dinner at Aporia Restaurant.
As our Australian adventure came to an end and the journey home began, I felt a mix of gratitude and sadness. Australia’s landscapes, wildlife, stories, and people left a lasting impression on me. I’m deeply thankful to Tourism Australia and CAA for this unforgettable FAM experience, and I can’t wait to help my clients plan their own incredible Australian journeys.
READY TO DISCOVER AUSTRALIA?
Reach out to Colleen, or your local CAA travel advisor today to start planning your personalized adventure!