By Kristie Lau
Spectacular ... Roebuck Bay, the site of the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon.
Seeing Broome and the Kimberley region doesn’t have to cost the earth, writes Kristie Lau.
The Staircase to the Moon is a spectacular natural phenomenon caused by the full moon’s reflection hitting the mud flats in Roebuck Bay at very lowtide. This creates the illusion of a staircase stretching up to the moon. The great thing is that you’ve got quite a number of chances throughout the year to catch it. There’s a great deal going with online tour operators Best of the Kimberley that includes four nights’ accommodation at theMangrove Resort Hotel, airport transfers, a half-day Broome sightseeing tour and a hovercraft sunset tour over Roebuck Bay. It’s priced from $580 but you must book before March 26. Travel is valid on March 20, April 20, May 20 andOctober 15. Phone 1800 450 850 or see www.kimberleytravel.com.au.
Resort relaxation
Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome has a range of accommodation options including villas with their own private courtyards and spas, and bungalows that cater for groups of up to four people and feature open-plan living areas. Studios are also available and have either beach, landscaped garden or pool views. There’s also an on site day spa for all your luxury treatments and a Buddha sanctuary that stages yoga and Tai Chi classes. It has a great stay-five-pay-four deal that is valid until March 31. At $262 a night, the package includes a five-night stay in a garden-viewstudio, daily buffet breakfast, welcome drinks and return Broome Airport transfers.
Phone (08) 9192 0400 or see www.cablebeachclub.com.
B&Bbliss
Broome Town Bed and Breakfast is within walking distance of Broome’s major shopping district, Chinatown, as well as plenty of alfresco restaurants and art galleries. The property features boutique accommodation with just three rooms, all with private balconies. The B&B has romantic getaway packages that include a two-night stay in a superior room, airport transfers, daily breakfast and champagne onarrival.
It’s priced at $396 a couple. See www.lovebirds.com.au.
Salubrious sanctuary
The Rendezvous Sanctuary Resort is within walking distance to Cable Beach and a five-minute drive from Chinatown’s shops and restaurants.
All rooms feature theirown private balconies, courtyards and their own kitchens and the resort also features a day spa, restaurant and bar.Until March 31, it has a stay-five-pay-four deal on its one-bedroom apartment rates. Priced at $198, the deal also includes dinner vouchers, provided upon check-in, and airport transfers. The resort also runs a free shuttle service to and from Cable Beach.
Phone (08) 9192 8088 or see www.rendezvoushotels.com.
Kimberley tour
A six-day East Kimberley Highlights tour with Kimberley Safaris departs from Kununurra Airport and features a day cruise along Lake Argyle and the Ord River, stopping off at the historic Durack Homestead, before catching the sunset across Lake Kununurra. The tour also includes a scenic flight over the amazing Bungle Bungles, a collection of rockymounds streaked with black lichen and orange silica. An air conditioned vehicle will then transport you to Cathedral Gorge’s beehive domes. The tour also squeezes in a visit to Zebedee thermal springs. Accommodation in various locations is included and for the month of April it is taking 20 per cent off the normal cost of $3250 a person. You must book this earlybird rate before April 1 and the booking is valid for travel inApril only.
Phone 1300 369 262 or see www.kimberleysafaris.com.
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