Our Last 12 Months - Testimonials
‘It’s not where you walk, it’s who you walk with’
The Pilbara - September 2025
Our September Pilbara tour this year was a charter -booked by the Diamond Valley Bushwalking Club in Victoria. They have travelled with us for many years and it was great to see a lot of new club members coming along. We had great seasonal wildflowers in Kalbarri and around Perth but the Pilbara region was quite dry this year. The group swam with the manta rays at Coral Bay, hiked in the Cape Range NP and saw all the gorges in Karijini. It was another fantastic tour and many of the Diamond Valley members have already booked again for next year. We can’t wait to see you all again.
“Wow + Wow. Thank you all for your hard work giving us an amazing holiday. Highly organised, a wonderful variety of experiences. You took great care of everyone, encouraged and assisted with the walks. For me thanks for helping up the big steps and catching me as I jumped down. Most of all thanks for sharing your love of this unique area of Oz. I have had a fantastic trip and been able to visit places that I would not have seen otherwise. Many, many thanks.”
“You opened my eyes to the most beautiful places Aust has to offer. I never knew such beauty existed. The experience was truly amazing even the red dirt I shall take home with me. The whole trip was a wonderful experience from the food to the knowledge imparted. Many Thanks.”
“What an awesome 22 days! You guys worked so diligently to give us the best time of camping in the Pilbara. Everything was perfect. Food was awesome and you did your best to accommodate our varied requirements. I was unable to do some of the hikes, but Dave and Genine were fabulous in the alternative hikes. I thank you for your care and I am going home with a sense of achievement that fills me with joy.”
“I’ve had the best time ever. Our group of 19 has exceeded my expectations. Such fun with a group of people you know and can share memories with afterwards. Genine and Dave are great additions to your team. Loved the walking, flowers, gorges, meals and friendship. Looking forward to another trip soon.”
Kakadu & Arnhem Land - July 2025
2025 Kakadu & Arnhem Land was a fascinating tour but not with out its challenges. Kakadu itself had unseasonal late rain in May which delayed the opening dates of many sites. Instead, we explored other areas in Kakadu including a fabulous aboriginal guided tour to Cannon Hill where Bill Nedjie grew up and lived. He was known as Kakadu man and once said ” our story is in the land….. it is written in those sacred places, that’s the law. Dreaming place….you can’t change it, no matter who you are.” All the people who are lucky enough to go to places like Cannon Hill feel that message whilst they are there. In Arnhem Land we spent five nights at Smith Point as Wiligi was closed for sorry business. This allowed us to really appreciate the special place this is. Beach walking, wetland bird watching, the history of the Victoria Settlement and we chartered a boat for a day to explore and fish. People saw coral, sharks, turtles, crocodiles and we even caught a few big black jewfish that made a delicious camp dinner.
“Thanks for making my first trip to the NT such an amazing experience. There were so many highlights - swimming in Motor Car Falls, Hawk Dreaming and the boat trips to Yellow Waters and with Travis. I am in awe at how organised you are, how well fed we all were and how everyone in the group got on so well.”
“A great trip Ian, David & Genine. Loved the way you accepted changes of plans thrust upon you and turned the replacement activities into such fascinating days that you wouldn’t believe hadn’t been long planned. Great food! Very helpful and friendly attention to all us travelers and impressed with your interest and respect shown for the indigenous people”
“Thanks Ian, David & Genine for a great trip. I thoroughly enjoyed everything and highly recommend travelling with your company. The bonus was meeting the other 18 fellow travelers.”
“Thanks Ian, David & Genine. My first trip with Exploranges and it has been great. I love the format, the organisation, the food ..... To re-jig the itinerary with such a great result was amazing. Smith Point is my highlight, we were so lucky to get there.”
The Kimberley - June 2025
Our tour to the Kimberley was a little different this year due to unseasonal rain across the top end. While road closures required us to adapt our itinerary we still managed to work out a way to fit everything in. On the upside, the country looked fantastic and an abundance of water filled some of the normally dry creeks and waterholes. One of the changes we made was to visit Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge where we had the opportunity to experience this rugged landscape from the air. Our helicopter flight to Walcott Inlet explored picturesque gorges, waterfalls and cascading rivers with breathtaking views. Purnululu National was also special with a lot more water than normal in the creeks and river. There was also water in the Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. Of course, we saw endless starry skies, extraordinary Wandjina rock art, a golden sunset in Broome and all of the other wonders of the Kimberley region.
“ Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy little treasures in an amazing part of our country, such a wonderful way to experience this area. You are a special team.”
“Just about finished my 23 day camping and bushwalking trip through the Kimberley. Helicoptered over the gorges of Mount Hart area, float planed out over the Horizontal Falls and helicoptered over the Bungle Bungles.
Walked up creeks, explored chasms and gorges, slept out under the stars.
Watched sunrises and sunsets and skies chock full of stars. And this afternoon I’ll be dropped off in Darwin to say goodbye to the most fabulous group of people I’ve ever had the pleasure to spend time with. Thank you each and every one of you. Travel well. ”
“With thanks to Ian, Dave and Genine who together make a great team. They take us everywhere to fulfill our every dream. The drives, walks and swims where all memorable events. With birds, plants and crocodiles there was excitement wherever we went. I absolutely loved every minute of it.
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The Pilbara - May 2025
For twenty years we have traditionally programmed our Pilbara tour in the Spring to take advantage of the seasonal wildflowers and the pleasant weather. This year we decided to change it up and for the first time we did the tour in May. At this time of the year the Pilbara proved to be as spectacular as always. However, touring in May coincided with the opportunity to swim with the biggest fish in the sea, the majestic Whale Shark. During their migration, Whale Sharks visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ningaloo Marine Park between March and June each year. During this four-month period, the Whale Sharks inhabit Australian waters due to the reef’s annual coral spawning. Ningaloo Reef is a beautiful coral garden, where we also encountered turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and huge schools or reef fish. It was an amazing experience that will remain etched in our memories forever.
“My deepest appreciation is for the opportunity to experience the diversity and ancient stillness of the Pilbara. You have taken us to places that provide glimpses of the geological bones, the climates, plant and animal responses, as well as contemporary and distant-past human responses to the region. My own response is one of amazement, thought, curiosity and concern for the future of this unique region. Your considered choices of place appear to reveal your own sense of connection to these locations. Other than that I reckon that the unique Exploranges combination of travelling, camping and walking is just perfect. ”
“Thanks once again for a fabulous tour. All of the sights were amazing and the range of experiences on offer - mind blowing! Swimming with whale sharks and in gorgeous water holes, viewing ‘off the track’ indigenous art, learning about mining, climbing Mt Bruce (thanks for your encouragement), taking time to soak up small town history, all mixed in with fantastic bush/gorge walks, made for a varied, jam packed and very enjoyable tour. Simply-a great touring programme. We were all impressed with the delicious meals you, Janine and Dave seemed to whip up in no time! Thank you for acknowledging my Birthday (and Janet’s and Peggy’s too); it’s those little things that made the holiday extra special and bonded the group. Upon reflection, and what I find myself telling people about my holiday now, is this. When I am away on your tour I know I am safe and in very capable hands-your crew is professional, experienced, very knowledgeable about all things touring, personable, caring, fun….just A grade peeps! All I have to do is ‘turn up’, and the rest is taken care of; this allows me to relax and just enjoy what it is I came to see and experience. Having the space to do that is golden, given my busy lifestyle. So sincere thanks to you, Janine and Dave for a brilliant tour, you have delivered, once again, in spades! ”
“We recently completed the trip to the Pilbara and thoroughly enjoyed our time. The crew led by Ian and supported by Dave and Genine was professional while at the same time friendly and supportive. Janet particularly thanks them for the adjustments they made to include her in all the activities. The little extras, and with his extensive knowledge of flora and fauna Ian was able to include in the walks was appreciated. We have no hesitation in recommending their trips to anyone interested in seeing Australia outside the cities.
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Heysen Trail - April 2025
Our first Australian tour in 2025 was private charter organised by a group of walkers, predominately from Melbourne. They wanted to experience of walking sections at each end of the iconic 1200 km Heysen Trail, which passes through some of South Australia’s most diverse landscapes. From our base in Pt Elliot we spent five days walking southern sections of the trail between Cape Jervis and Victor Harbor. Then we moved north to Edeowie Station in the Flinders Ranges where we walked in Wilpena Pound and Edeowie Gorge. We had perfect weather and walked a total of 120kms. Highlights included the magnificent costal scenery in the south, climbing Rawnsley Bluff in the North, Yellow-footed rock-wallabies and of course the scenic flight over Wilpena for some.
“Greatest trip ever. Great walks, food, company and only two swag rolls! Heaven! Thanks Ian, David and Genine for giving us a wonderful trip.”
“Fantastic scenery, fantastic food, fantastic company. All in all a Ripper.”
“Thank you Ian for taking on this Heysen Trail Charter tour. A long time goal achieved to climb Rawnsley Bluff and see the terrain at the Cape Jervis end. Thanks as always for the input from Dave and Genine, great teamwork from you all”
“What an amazing trip. I loved the whole concept of a bushwalking trip like this. It did not disappoint. The swags were so warm, the food was always so good and the constant work by the team made for a brilliant trip. ”
Indochina - March 2025
Our small group of 12 set out in March to explore the highlights of Cambodia and Vietnam, a region colloquially known as French Indochina. We spent seven days in Cambodia based in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. In addition to visiting the magnificent Angkor Wat, the group favorite was our day visiting the Tonle Sap UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the floating lake village of Prek Toal. After crossing into Vietnam by boat we then spent another eight days exploring the Mekong Delta based from Chau Doc, Can Tho and finally Ho Chi Mihn City. With the help of our wonderful local guide, Miss San, we saw the best of local markets, floating fish farms, traditional village food production, bustling river life and so much more. The colourful and humorous Vietnamese water puppet show was a definite highlight of the entire tour.
“Thank you for a wonderful trip. We seem to have seen so much but it never felt like too much. Your expertise in herding cats is exemplary - you managed not to lose any of us , despite our best efforts. So many times you went above and beyond what would normally be expected of tour guides”
Western Tasmania - November 2024
Our Western Tasmania tour was originally programmed in March. However, due to challenges with ferry bookings it had to be rescheduled to November. Western Tasmania is well known for its wild and changeable weather. That is what makes it such a great wilderness area. This year the weather was no exception, but with good planning we were prepared for it. We were blessed with some fabulous days on our mountain walks and had good shelter when the weather was bad. Our group certainly didn’t let the few patches of rain dampen their enthusiasm. It seemed they were ready to take every opportunity to break into a party. In particular, they put together a ‘spirited’ Christmas party which was a great way to finish off what was a great 2024 season.
“Thank you for this excellent trip. I have enjoyed it enormously. The OKAs are comfortable, the swags are cozy and you guys do such a wonderful job of feeding me. We have seen so many beautiful things, on very interesting walks. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to do them. ”
“What and awesome way to experience Tassie for the first time. Loved it all. Thanks”
“Each experience of our wonderful country is special. Thank you for taking us to places we would never see without your planning and the OKAs. Thanks to a great team for the food, fun and fabulous walks.”
“I have seen things, experienced things and done things that I wouldn’t have done alone. Together we have. Thank you.”
Sri Lanka - November 2024
In addition to our Australian tour program, in 2024 we sought expressions of interest for another Exploranges led tour of Sri Lanka. This was our 5th tour to Sri Lanka and our first since 2018. Our itinerary included all of the highlights of the UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Triangle, the tea plantation regions of the high country and some wonderful wildlife safari experiences. This country is beautiful and is steeped in history and culture, the people are warm and friendly and to be able to get up close and personal with so many wild elephants is truly a special experience.
“Thankyou for a very enjoyable, well organised trip to Sri Lanka. Thanks also for your card of magnificent photos I thought my photos were pretty good until I saw the clarity of your shots which really captured the trip. (a better quality camera and slick operators doing the trick) I have a few different pictures especially of the local people. Thankyou again We may meet again on one of your other trips. ”
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