Far Out Adventures
Tailormade Journeys into Space
As a youngster Mike Keighley loved wildlife, the bush – and hanging out with his Aboriginal mates. While his schoolmates were playing football or that other funny English game called cricket Mike was out looking for snakes, riding horses on the family farm in North Queensland and wandering along riverbanks looking for whatever might pop it’s head up.
As Mike grew up he started exploring further afield and Australia became his ‘backyard’.
In 1994 FAR OUT ADVENTURES was conceived after Mike took some friends to one of his ‘secret’ spots in the Northern Territory and they gasped ‘FAR OUT’
Since then FAR OUT ADVENTURES has developed into one of Australia’s leading niche’ market tour operations – and Mike has taken hundreds of people from all over the World to unique, remote and stunningly beautiful locations around Australia featuring wildlife, Aboriginal culture and vast landscapes.
Mike is proud of his status of ‘Senior’ Savannah Guide as he has the distinction of being the first Savannah Guide in the Northern Territory.
AREAS OF OPERATION
FAR OUT ADVENTURES has a base in Darwin – and another in Katherine, Northern Territory. From here Mike conducts tours into Kakadu, the Kimberley , Alice region and across to Cairns. The head office for FAR OUT ADVENTURES is Forster, NSW – a quiet seaside town nestled between lakes and the ocean 4 hours drive north of Sydney.
Most tours focus on the Top End of Australia however two or three times a year Mike is asked to take tours right across Australia – last year this included Darwin to Melbourne right through the Centre and across the Great Ocean Road and another trip was Sydney right up to Darwin through the outback regions.
UNIQUE FEATURES
All FAR OUT ADVENTURE tours are tailor- made by Mike to suit what clients are looking for. Prospective clients are encouraged to email Mike with their ideas, time frames and interests and then an itinerary is worked on together to ensure the best possible experience. Some itineraries are built up over months of emailing to and fro – others can be worked out in a couple of days.
What is important is that Mike guides the tour he has designed - it is not passed on to sub contractors or staff unless there is a specific reason for doing so.
FAR OUT ADVENTURES have been recognised by winning major tourism awards however word of mouth referral and repeat business from all over the world is what matters as the ultimate recognition for a job well done.
Here’s some examples of past ‘tours’ and adventures:
- A 5 day heli – safari from Broome to Darwin in the vast Kimberley wilderness in the awesome Wet Season with a couple from London.
- A 6 day camping tour into Aboriginal lands – fishing, hunting and walking with the Indigenous people with a family from Sydney.
- A trans Australia crossing for 2 weeks with one lady from USA
- Alice Springs to Halls Creek WA via the Tanami Desert with two Swiss ladies.
- A 5 day meditation tour with 40 people into the Northern Territory outback.
- A 21 day expedition deep into Arnhemland with a USA client.
- 3 week fasting tour into wilderness with a Buddhist monk using helicopter for transport.
- 1 week camp out with 3 High Court judges and their wives with Aboriginal elders.
- Filming TV shows GETAWAY and AUSSIE TOP SPOTS with Australian TV crews.
- Filming TV documentaries for the BBC with Michael Palin, TV 1 MALAYSIA and a number of Japanese programs – including SURVIVOR.
Regular trips of 4 - 5 days touring Kakadu , Katherine and Never Never Land are sought after by small groups during the Northern Territory Dry Season (June – October)
ACCOMMODATION
As all tours are tailor-made accommodation is based on what guests ask for and what fits the areas we are going to.
We use 3 - 5 star hotels when requested and on camping safaris use very comfortable tents, mattresses and sleeping bags. On many tours it is a combination of both so guests get a good feel for the country.
Some places we use are FARAWAY BAY or EL QUESTRO in the Kimberley, MT BORRAIDAILE in Arnhemland, THE CROCODILE HOTEL in Kakadu, HAGGERSTONE ISLAND in North Qld or the DALY WATERS PUB in the NT.
Sometimes there is nothing better than staying at an outback pub to get a real taste of Aussie characters.
MEALS
Good Aussie food and wine are served when we camp out – often a chance to catch your supper from a river – and selected eating houses when on accommodated tours.
TRANSPORT
We primarily use Toyota Landcruiser 4 wheel drives that seat up to 7 – but at times use 20 and 40 seat coaches for the occasional group booking. Kayaks and Canoes are used in some itineraries as are quad bikes, helicopters and light aircraft.
BOOKINGS/COST
At peak times of the year Mike is booked out 12 months in advance – so advance booking/enquiries are encouraged. Mike runs around 12 trips each year.
Cost is obviously based on the inclusions in the itinerary and this is quoted with the itinerary. These types of trips are not targeted at the budget traveller but at the niche’ market discerning traveller who wants to get the best out their experience and usually in a small group.
CONTACT
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