Flights To Fancy

Travelling the world in luxury for less a week at a time

Australia is a haven for tourists who like variety in their experience. From natural attractions, culinary adventure, and culture - you can find it here!

Daintree River Cruises: Crocodile Spotting in TNQ

Bruce Belchers Daintree River Cruises - Daintree Tours & Croc Spotting In Tropical North Queensland

The Daintree in Tropical North Queensland is one of Australia’s most stunning natural wonders. The World Heritage listed Wet Tropics area contains some of the most pristine rainforest on the planet and there are various Daintree tours for visitors to experience the untouched beauty. But there is another attraction in these parts that draws visitors in droves; saltwater crocodiles. Salties, as they are colloquially known, are rather elusive creatures and the best way to see them in the wild without ending up as lunch is with Bruce Belcher’s Daintree River Cruises. There are a number of cruises to choose from but Bruce Belcher’s is the best Daintree crocodile cruise by far. Read on for all the details …

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Silky Oaks Lodge: Daintree Luxury Accommodation

Flights To Fancy: Silky Oaks Lodge Mossman Queensland - Cabin

Every now and then you come across a place that is very special. A place all in a league of its own that you put on your bucket list while you figure out how to make it happen. I first discovered Silky Oaks Lodge in Tropical North Queensland many years ago. At the time my travel was infrequent as my meagre pay packet went towards such fanciful pursuits as paying the mortgage, ensuring my children were well fed and making sure the car had fuel. It didn’t stop me dreaming. Although I was in the thick of domestic life, I longed to escape to the ultimate in Daintree luxury accommodation where I could spend a night in a tree house amid the world heritage listed Daintree Rainforest. As many parents of young children do, I put my own wants and needs firmly on the back burner and set about raising the next generation to the best of my ability. We travelled with the kids as much as funds would allow but our destinations were always geared towards pleasing our rugrats on the premises that if they were happy we were happy. The lure of Silky Oaks Lodge never diminished. In a very selfish move, I decided that this was an experience that I didn’t want to share with my two boisterous boys. I wanted to totally relax with The Hubs without fear that every minute would be peppered with cries of ‘What are we going to do now?’, ‘I’m bored’, ‘He touched me’, and ‘Mum you’re not watching me!!!!’ They say patience is a virtue and mine has certainly been rewarded as I was recently able to tick this off my bucket list. It was all I had hoped it would be and more. Read on for all the details …

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Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class: Step Back In Time

Flights To Fancy: Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class - Train On Bridge

There is something very special about travelling by train. No I’m not talking about the mind numbing daily commute that most of us are forced to endure to get to the office and back. I’m talking about something altogether different. There are a relatively small number of iconic rail journeys on the planet but they usually have astronomical price tags that put them out of reach of many. What if I told you there is a way to recapture the glory of yesteryear on one of Australia’s most iconic heritage rail journeys for less than $50? For a little extra, the Kuranda Scenic Railway Gold Class experience includes comfy chairs, delicious nibbles, stunning views and champagne. You in? Read on for all the details …

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The Abbott Boutique Hotel Cairns: Contemporary Chic

Flights To Fancy: The Abbott Boutique Hotel Cairns - Bedroom

It’s been over 10 years since I last visited Cairns. This much loved Aussie city in Queensland’s Tropical North is the gateway to The Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. With two stunning natural wonders on the doorstep, it’s no surprise that visitors flock to this beautiful part of the world in their thousands. Whether they are heading to the reef, or the rainforest, or both, they all have one thing in common; they need a comfortable place to lay their head each night. When I first started researching accommodation, I felt like I was caught in a time warp and nothing had changed in the decade since I was last there. All the ‘top end’ hotels that I generally gravitate towards had a mixed bag of comments on Trip Advisor that indicated they were all showing their age and in drastic need of a makeover. And they came with hefty price tags. At the other end of the scale, backpacker joints abound with varying degrees of cleanliness and horrific reviews. Neither of these options appealed. When I looked further into ‘the middle ground’, I despaired of ever finding something that would suit our needs until I found The Abbott Boutique Hotel Cairns. If you are looking for a contemporary hotel in the heart of all the action then this little gem is for you. Read on for all the details …

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Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Cairns: Above The Canopy

Flights To Fancy: Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Cairns - Cablecar over Barron River

I’ve been to Cairns many times and every visitor to this magical part of the world knows there are two big draws in Tropical North Queensland; the reef and the rainforest. Sure there are lots of other things to do in Cairns, but these are the big guns. All my previous trips to Cairns have revolved around exploring The Great Barrier Reef but this trip was all about the rainforest. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area stretches from Townsville to Cape Tribulation and is one of Mother Nature’s greatest achievements. This massive region is home to over 150 managed walks but there is only one way to see this natural wonder from above. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Cairns offers visitors the unique opportunity to view the magnificent canopy from a completely different angle and is not to be missed. Read on for all the details …

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Tasmanian Road Trip: 6 Days In The Spectacular East

Flights To Fancy: Tasmanian Road Trip - Bay Of Fires

*** Updated January 2020 ***

Growing up in the western suburbs of Sydney money didn’t grow on trees (according to my Mum anyway) and our annual family holiday usually meant a road trip in the trusty Kingswood. Fast forward 40 years and after enduring enjoying my fair share of road trips with my own kids, Low Cost Carriers (LCC’s) are changing the face of domestic travel. Australia is a huge country and going anywhere other than ‘just up the road’ means long hours behind the wheel so I can certainly understand the appeal of a quick, cheap flight. That said, the great Aussie road trip is the unfortunate victim of these bargain basement fares. We are raising a whole generation that may never know the joy of travelling in a car packed to the rafters on a scorching summer day with endless whines of ‘are we there yet’ coming from the back seat. Good times! Even with the advent of cheap flights, I’m not quite ready to put the road trip out to pasture just yet. On our recent Tasmanian road trip, The Hubs and I explored Hobart, The Freycinet Peninsula, The Bay Of Fires and Launceston, taking in some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever seen. Read on for all the details …

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Bicheno Tasmania: Freycinet’s Most Affordable Town

Flights To Fancy: Bicheno Tasmania: Freycinet's Most Affordable Town - Bicheno Beach

As an Aussie who travels regularly to SE Asia, I am always shocked by just how expensive it is to travel in my home country. Freycinet Tasmania has long been on my bucket list, but the cost has always held me back. I just couldn’t justify dropping $2k on a bed for the night, no matter how fabulous that bed was. I knew there had to be a way to see this magnificent part of the world without selling my first born and I was determined to find it. Bicheno Tasmania is a real gem. It’s about 18klms from the world famous Freycinet National Park and just as spectacular, but the prices are a world away. Read on for all the details …

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The Prickly Cactus Launceston: A Mexican Twist

Flights To Fancy: The Prickly Cactus Launceston A Twist On Mexican - Exterior

I’ve eaten lots of Mexican food in my time. From the famous Fajitas I make at home to the delight of my family and friends to a favorite Cantina we visit every time we go to Oahu, the appeal is strong. How can you resist the promise of hot and spicy dishes that you eat with your hands without being frowned on? The Prickly Cactus Launceston is in a central location and puts it own unique twist on a raft of Mexican classics. Read on for all the details …

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