Northern Territory to the East.

Great Sandy Desert to the South.

Indian Ocean on its Western edge.

Located on the northern-most part of Western Australia and covering some 421,451 square kilometres (an area three times the size of England) you find the Kimberley.

Being home to only 40,000 people means that there are fewer people per kilometre than almost any other place on the planet!

Over 60% of this population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander who have given this region one of its most prized attractions: Indigenous rock art.

To truly appreciate the beauty and brilliance that dominates this region, navigating the Kimberley by 4WD is the way to go!

When to travel

The Kimberley has two seasons: the dry and the wet.

During the wet season – from November to April – monsoonal rains fall and rivers flood, making large areas of the Kimberley impassable.

The dry season typically has clear blue skies, Easterly winds and warm days with occasional cool nights.

If you’re wanting to see water fall’s at their prime, a visit at the end of April or May is ideal after they’ve been replenished from the wet season.

History

This is one of the earliest settled parts of Australia, and provides important geological and fossil evidence (dinosaur footprints!!) of Australia’s evolutionary history.

The Kimberley has been occupied by over 30 Aboriginal tribes for at least 40,000 years and continues to be home to Aboriginal groups practising traditional law in the World’s oldest continuous culture.

People have been drawn to The Kimberley for centuries. Firstly to grow crops, then to herd cattle in the mid 19^th  century. There was the gold rush in 1886 bringing an influx of Chinese and Europeans before pearling boomed in the late 19th century.

Today, people from all over the World come to visit the Kimberley’s National and World Heritage listed parks, its dramatic and beautiful landscapes, pristine beaches, ancient gorges, waterfalls and rugged outback.

Must Sees

Art

The Kimberley is home to hundreds of thousands of rock art paintings and drawings known as “Bradshaw” or “Wandjina” rock art. These beautiful and mysterious paintings are hidden in outback bush galleries on the huge escarpments and terracotta rocks of the North Kimberley.

Coast

More than just the red dirt dessert, the Coast is one of Western Australia’s biggest assets.

Cable beach: beautiful turquoise water for 24km’s.

Broome: World famous for pearls!

Buccaneer Archipelago: A group off Islands just off the Kimberley’s North Eastern coast (a 35minute flight). Rugged red cliffs, cool waters and white sandy beaches.

Waterfalls

You’ll find the most incredible waterfalls in Australia (if not the World) here. Fly above, swim and explore over half a dozen of them!

Purnululu National Park

World Heritage Purnululu is home to the incredible striped ‘beehive’ domes of the Bungle Bungle Range.

The rounded rock towers are made of sandstone and other finer materials moulded together by rainfall over millions of years. Their stripes are the result of oxidised iron compounds and algae.

To the local Kidja people, “purnululu” means sandstone.

Mornington Wilderness Camp

Part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, the superb “Mornington Wilderness Camp” is as remote as it gets!

Sitting on the Fitzroy River, it’s a scenic 95km drive across the savannah from the Gibb’s 247km mark. Nearly 400,000 hectares of gorges and savannah are devoted to conserving the Kimberley’s endangered fauna and there’s excellent canoeing, swimming, birdwatching and bushwalking here.

Threats

The Kimberley faces a number of serious environmental pressures, including climate change, large wild fires, feral animals, weeds and cattle grazing degradation.

Cruise

Not sure what to see or how to fit everything in while still having a relaxing holiday?

Take a 12 day luxury cruise that includes all the highlights!

You’ll see 6 fresh water waterfalls, Bradshaw and Wandjina art, Buccaneer Archipelago, Montgomery reef, and the list goes on! 

If you’re wanting to explore more, take an optional helicopter flight or fishing trip!

Easily accessible with most Australian capitals flying directly to Broome, the Kimberley is one of Australia’s most under rated holiday destinations packed with so many beautiful landscapes and history that you won’t want to come home!

To enquire about the stunning Kimberley, call Rosie at Mosaic Travel on (03) 5275 4583

The post Australia in Focus: The Kimberley appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Shortly after boarding in Fethiye (southern Turkey), we were shown our private double cabin with ensuite. This was used mainly as a storage room and the weather was so hot, it was more comfortable to sleep under the stars on the front deck!

We set off for our 4 day, 3 night adventure with 5 other guests and I couldn’t believe my eyes once we’d reached our first stop: Crystal clear turquoise water perfect for swimming.

The day was spent diving off the deck, reading books, playing chess and jumping into the water again once you’d become too hot. Our only interruptions were from the captain and his deckhand ringing the bell for “breakfast!!”, “lunch!!” and “dinner!!!”

At each meal time we were treated to a feast of fresh, organic Turkish food. From freshly caught seafood, to breakfast buffets, salads and (my favourite) BBQ night where we were served freshly made kofta and marinated steak.

Everyone’s dietary needs were catered for with the majority of guests being vegetarian and I was even treated with freshly baked brownies on my birthday!

Someone remarked “how is it possible that 2 men on a boat have served us with food more spectacular than our hotels!!?”

The whole boat has such a laid back feel with an honesty system for drinks, and all meals and snacks included in the boat fare, your wallet stays in the cabin the whole time.

The following days were spent swimming, swimming and swimming – I couldn’t get enough!

I was able to finish a book (a rare luxury) and learnt how to play chess again.

Living on the Ocean is very calming and spending so much time on the water gives you no distractions or worries.

Having no wifi adds to this by forcing you to literally disconnect – this was the ultimate way to relax.

On our last day we were surprised by a treat from the main land: A small speed boat was zipping from yacht to yacht shouting “ice cream”, “ice cream”!

I couldn’t believe it!

I instantly ran to find some coins and wave down my new best friend. His ice cream was protected from the blazing sun by liquid nitrogen and was popular with all the guests on board.

When it was time to disembark, I was sadly greeted with the reality of every day life: bustling streets, shops and internet. But mainly, the realisation of just how relaxing my time on the boat had been.

With my sea legs and sunburn, I arrived at my next hotel hoping the ice cream man would visit here as well.

To book yourself on this heavenly cruise in Southern Turkey, call Rosie on (03) 5275 4583!

The post My time cruising the Mediterranean appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Best accessed by helicopter, the Islands only resort is “Orpheus Island Lodge”. Capping the number of guests at 28, this an exclusive escape – talk about private!

With a warm tropical climate, Orpheus provides an average temperature of 27°C year-round. The water temperature varies between 21°C in the winter and 29°C in the summer making it ideal for exploring the coral reefs at your doorstep.

The Island

Orpheus Island is one of the 13 Islands that belong to “The Palm Island Group” located 20km off the Queensland coast (between Magnetic and Hinchinbrook Islands).

Declared a national park in 1960, most of the island is controlled by the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. It’s mostly made up of dry woodlands filled with wattles and huge Morton bay ash trees. Explore the island to find scattered rainforest, wetlands and mangroves and keep your eyes out for geckos and echindas!

Located in one of the seven natural wonders of the world, this Island is only home to Orpheus Island Lodge and a James Cook University research station and lab.

Researchers visit the “state of the art” lab to study the hundreds of species of fish and corals, and the stunning national park. They’re helped by VCE biology students who visit each year to learn about climate change, rising sea levels, and environmental impacts. They’re also open for visitors! Just contact the University in advance. 

How to get there

Take a 30min helicopter journey from Townsville over the picturesque coral-studded sea, or a 90 minute flight from Cairns.

Alternatively, join a day trip that cruises through the Palm Island Group and gives you plenty of time to swim, snorkel and explore.

The Reef

Orpheus is home to 1100 of the Great Barrier Reef’s 1500 species of fish and 340 of the 359 varieties of hard corals giving you the opportunity to see the best that the GBR has to offer! If you’re wanting to see even more, the Island is in close proximity to outer reefs where you can dive with green turtles, bull rays and reef sharks.

If you’re lucky, you may even see the Humpback whale migration from late June to mid September!

The Accommodation

Right on the beach, the Island is home to only one resort – Orpheus Island Lodge.

An all-inclusive, luxury resort (complete with infinity pool) with a focus on the environment: They actively minimise their footprint as much as possible, and have a sustainable veggie patch, solar hot water and a waste water treatment plant.

Staying here, all of your chef prepared meals are provided along with beer, wine, soft drink and snacks. Try yoga, fishing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, all on the house! Know how to sail a catamaran? Take one out for the day!

Everything you could want is provided here.

Convenience

Bordered by coral reefs, Orpheus is a haven for snorkelling and diving.

Want a change of scenery? Day trip to Australia’s largest Island national park “Hinchinbrook Island” and be wowed by beautiful waterfalls, secluded beaches and lush rainforest. And don’t worry, the Lodge can organise a chef prepared picnic hamper to take with you!

This luxury escape will make you feel instantly relaxed. Spend your days enjoying the wonders of the reef at your doorstep and soak in the tropical climate.

The post Australia in Focus: Orpheus Island appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

I recently returned from the Greek Islands – not Mykonos or Santorini, but a couple of islands in the Saronic archipelago which I had previously never heard of!

Click on the link below to listen to me chatting to Tim Webster on 2UE radio, about these authentic Greek islands.

https://omny.fm/shows/talking-travel/talking-travel-rosie-richardson-on-the-greek-islan

Spending 10 days on these relaxed Greek islands was just a dream. We spent our days swimming, reading, exploring on walking tracks, and eating fresh seafood and produce. Just heaven!

Agistri Beach

The post Off the beaten track Greek Islands that no one knows about! appeared first on Mosaic Travel.

Dubrovnik, otherwise known as the real-life King’s Landing (for Game of Thrones fans!), sits at the southern end of country. As one of the main coastal cities, it’s full of stunning sights, fabulous fare and a beautiful waterfront, making it a popular destination for visitors every year. However, it’s also the ideal spot to explore the surrounding countryside, crossing borders and getting out onto the water. Here are Mosaic Travel’s top 5 day trips from Dubrovnik.

Looking back on Ston from our oyster boat!

Peljesac Peninsula

A long, narrow piece of land an hour from Dubrovnik, the Peljesac Peninsula is home to a number of vineyards, wineries and small cellar doors, clustered into small villages. The Plavac Mali grape is the most common, a variety closely related to Californian Zinfandel.

One of those villages is Ston, which holds an interesting history. There have been salt pans here since Roman times, and to protect them, Ston has 5 kilometres of stone walls; the 2nd longest in the world after China. It’s also home to some of the freshest oysters going round –hop on a boat and pluck them straight from the source! They’re best washed down with a glass of the local wine.

Lovely little Perast, Montenegro.

Lokrum Island

A short ferry trip away from Dubrovnik Harbour, Lokrum Island was previously the quarantine location for people before they were allowed to enter Dubrovnik. These days, you’ll find picturesque beaches, forests and a multitude of olive trees. The botanical gardens on site feature a large cacti section, while there’s also a ruined Medieval Benedictine monastery worth exploring. Removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger city, it’s a lovely spot to while away a lazy afternoon.

Clear water on Lokrum Island, Dubrovnik

Elaphiti Islands

Fancy getting out on the water for a day? You can do just this with a trip to Elaphiti Islands, a collection of 13 mostly uninhabited pieces of land. You’ll need to hire a boat or hop on a group tour to visit – there’s no regular ferry service. However, once you get here, expect to be rewarded with land dotted with pines, olive groves, fig and citrus trees and grape vines, as well as a few 16^th century churches. If you’ve brought your walking shoes, hike up to the Church of St Ivana – you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view.

After lots of swimming and a long, lazy lunch, a boat like this can cruise you back to Dubrovnik.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop by Kolocep for lunch at Rosie’s favourite restaurant, Villa Ruza. Housed in a terrace built by a wealthy merchant as a symbol of love for his wife, it’s perched on the edge of the Adriatic and dishes up delectable seafood dishes.

Mostar, Bosnia

A world heritage-listed city, Mostar lies in neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina. You may recognise its most famous landmark, the arched Mostar bridge from which daring divers leap into the sea.

The gorgeous little town of Mostar, with it’s famous bridge.

The old bazaar and Turkish house are also worth seeing, while the craft shops selling artisan wares are likely to have something worth taking home. As one of the more recent sites of warfare, you can also learn about the after-effects of the Homeland War in the 1990s.

The best part about this collection of day trips is three out of the five are already part of the itinerary on Mosaic Travel’s Magnificent Croatia tour. With a flexible schedule and local tips and tricks, the other two also aren’t far off!

For more information about Mosaic Travel’s Croatia tours in June and September 2017, click here.

The post Our top 5 day trips from Dubrovnik, Croatia appeared first on Mosaic Travel.