Message from the Editor

ABOUT THIS HANDBOOK: A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR

What it is, why we made it, and how it will help you – the fantastic Probus Tour Officers.

“Travel: it leaves you speechless, and then turns you into a storyteller.” So said 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta, and while we’re pretty certain he didn’t know about Probus when he spoke his words, his wisdom nonetheless rings true to Probians today. Whether it’s a day trip to a new museum in a neighbouring town, or a month-long tour to the far-flung reaches of the globe, travel enriches our lives, broadens our horizons, and connects us to each other. The role of the Probus Tour Officer is essential in facilitating these trips, which is why in this, the Probus Tour Officer Travel Handbook, we’ve sought to provide you with a handy resource to help bring together these wonderful trips.

Throughout the Handbook, we’ve sought to cover as wide a selection of Australia and New Zealand destinations as possible. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, Probus Clubs and members can be found in every corner of our two great countries. And secondly, there isn’t a corner of Australia and NZ that isn’t worth exploring. From the cities to the coast and the outback of Australia, and from the fiords to the mountains and geothermal hot springs of New Zealand, any group of Probians looking for a tour, outing or activity has an endless array of options from which to choose.

That said, we certainly won’t claim this Handbook is exhaustive – there’s simply too much to fit into one guide. We’d need a vast collection, not a handbook, to cover it all. Instead, we’ve aimed to present a variety of options to satisfy every touring need, from day trips close to populated centres to multi-day and even multi-week escapes that pack in as much value as possible. You’ll find history and heritage, art and culture, scenic landmarks, wildlife encounters, cruises, rail journeys, and so much more. Whichever kind of tour you and your Club members are looking for, we think you’ll find inspiration within these 140 pages.

Location-wise, we’ve ordered the states and territories of Australia by population, and each state section has been split into distinct regions. So, if your Club is looking to venture out locally, you should find plenty of ideas not too far from home. Alternatively, if you have in mind a new region you’d like to explore, all you have to do is flick to the relevant page (you can find a full list on page 29) and take in all of the options available. Meanwhile, the rest of the world begins on page 102, starting with 14 jam-packed pages for New Zealand – but certainly not ending there. International travel is only just now starting to become viable again, and as such our Travel Handbook includes a selection of ideas for inspiration in the Pacific Islands, Asia, Europe, the USA and Canada for any Probians looking to venture overseas. Throughout the history of Probus, there have been some absolutely wonderful and memorable Club trips to foreign destinations, and we’re excited at the prospect of seeing these trips unfold once again – with thanks, as always, to the planning and dedication of Probus Tour Officers.

Where possible, we’ve included website details and phone numbers for our chosen locations, to make it as easy as possible for you to get in touch with the business, venue or operator in question. On each spread you’ll find “At a Glance” breakout boxes with quick-access details to many of the locations mentioned, and there’s also a Directory on page 138 where you can see them all in one place. On page 14, we’ve provided a specific run-down on the role of the Probus Tour Officer, with a few hints and tips to keep in mind when organising your next outing, activity or tour. And to whet the appetite for the many destinations covered throughout the guide, we’ve put together a list of 30 must-see, must-do travel secrets in Australia and New Zealand – you’ll find that starting on page 20.

That’s enough from us for now – we’ll leave you to turn the page and begin discovering the inspiration that follows. After all, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ■