Now that fall is on the way in Canada and the U.S. (sorry about that), it’s time to think about a trip to a hemisphere where spring is about to begin.
Not that one needs a reason to visit Australia or Tahiti, but both locations have something to celebrate in the coming months. It’s wildflower time in Western Australia. And time to celebrate the natural heritage of Tahiti.
Tahiti Tourisme launched a campaign in Canada this month to promote Tahitian Guesthouses in The Islands of Tahiti. Now through December 30, 2018, Tahiti Tourisme will share exciting reasons for Canadian travellers who prefer cultural and authentic experiences, and home-like accommodations, to visit the stunning destination. The nationwide campaign will highlight Tahitian Guesthouses’ varied offerings, from dormitory-style lodging to those featuring individual bungalows and villas, and they are available in a wide range of prices. These accommodations allow for a true immersion into Polynesian life, with locals sharing warm Tahitian hospitality with all their guests.
Canadians are able to learn how to book a trip for this unique way of travel through the campaign’s targeted outlets including TripAdvisor.ca, La Presse, Dreamscapes Magazine and Facebook.com/TahitiTourismCA
Canoeing near a Tahiti Guesthouse. PHOTO COURTESY TAHITI TOURISME
Tahitian Guesthouses provide a different way of experiencing The Islands of Tahiti. The Guesthouse owners offer a range of experiences on each property, and while each operate differently, these locals showcase their pride in their country and their envious lifestyle. Travellers will experience interacting with local hosts by sitting down to meals or having the host guide a local excursion, such as pearl diving, snorkeling, hiking and other island experiences in a personal setting that is different from a traditional hotel. Tahitian Guesthouses are incredibly boutique-style, typically with four or five bungalows on site, offering guests the chance to disconnect from the rest of the world and enjoy the destination’s hidden gems. The shared experiences with local hosts will leave travellers feeling like they are part of an extended family and truly immersed in the Polynesian way of life.
Spending time at a Tahiti Guesthouse is a great way to mix with locals and learn about Tahiti’s rich culture. PHOTO COURTESY TAHITI TOURISME
“Tahitians are renowned for their warm hospitality and Tahitian Guesthouses,” says Gina Bunton, Chief Operations Officer of Tahiti Tourisme. “These offer visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves into a more authentic way of travelling, a more personalized experience and to build long lasting connections with our people and our islands.
“The diverse range of Tahitian Guesthouses throughout our islands affords travellers a dynamic array of experiences. Through these intimate stays, travellers will grow closer to the Tahitian way of life, learn about the islands and their history, savour home-cooked food, revel in activities unique to each location, and much more.”
I spent a week or so in Tahiti some ten years ago and fell in love with the culture, the music and the people. Oh, yeah, those lagoons are kinda pretty, too.
WESTERN OZ IN BLOOM
If you’re a horticulture fan, then maybe Western Australia is the place for you. Australia’s Coral Coast is having a moment this year, welcoming one of its largest wildflower blooms ever. Wildflowers are already a staple in Western Australia, but due to an especially wet winter, blankets of pink, yellow, white, and more are dramatically defining the Coral Coast’s vast landscape.
Wildflowers in Western Australia. PHOTO COURTESY WESTERN AUSTRALIA TOURISM
Western Australia as a whole is home to 12,000 different species of wildflowers that can be found six months out of the year. With the Coral Coast seeing such an impressive bloom, we would like to share some of the best spots, months, and snapshots of the fields for travelers to see the natural wonder for themselves.
Coral Coast | July – November
• Where to go: Coalseam Conservation Park, Lesueur National Park, Cape Range National Park, and Kalbarri National Park
• Fun facts: home to three biodiversity hotspots, the world’s largest fringing reef and a UNESCO-listed world heritage site offering incredibly unique up-close swims with the world’s largest fish, luxury eco resorts, and recent accolades honoring the region’s dedication to coastal conservation
To take full advantage of Western Australia’s wildflower season, officials have outlined the best spots to view wildflowers in each of Western Australia’s additional four unique regions, as well as festivals, events, and wildflower tours.
Perth | September-October
• Where to go: Perth’s September Kings Park Festival
• Fun facts: WA’s capital city of Perth is home to Kings Park and Botanic Garden, one of the largest inner city parks in the world showcases an extraordinary display of more than 1,700 native species during wildflower season.
A leaping spider orchid in bloom. PHOTO COURTESY TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Australia’s Golden Outback | July-November
• Where to go: Fitzgerald National Park, the Wheatbelt
• Fun facts: Fitzgerald National Park is one of the largest national parks in Australia, and where visitors can see more than 1,800 species of wildflowers, many of which are rare and unique to the area.
Australia’s South West | August-November
• Where to go: Cape to Cape Track – an 84-mile coastal trek featuring spectacular oceanfront and forest panoramas dusted with wildflowers
• Fun facts: Almost 80 per cent of the plant species in the South West region are found nowhere else on earth, qualifying it as a biodiversity hotspot. The South West alone sees more than 8,000 flower species blooming in the region during the peak season.
Australia’s North West | July-September
• Where to go: wilderness camps, expansive home cattle stations, and even luxury safari-style glamping
• Fun facts: The rugged landscapes of Australia’s North West showcase more than 2,000 species of wildflowers. The heavy summer rains nourish the ground from which the beautiful flowers grow, and the rocky surfaces retain water during the dry months to sustain plant life.
