I recently had the wonderful opportunity to be invited on the AAT Kings A listers Famil and what an experience it was!
This year’s famil showcased the Top End and Kimberley region, giving us the chance to experience firsthand some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes, rich Indigenous culture and unforgettable adventures.
From incredible rivers and lakes and ancient rock art to spectacular sunsets and unique wildlife encounters, the journey highlighted exactly why this part of Australia is a bucket-list destination for so many travellers.
It was incredibly difficult to choose just one favourite moment, as the entire experience was unforgettable.
However, the Ord River Cruise was definitely a highlight for me. I was stunned by the river, with its untouched surrounding landscapes and vast wildlife.
As the sun began to set and the colours reflected across the water, I found myself feeling quite emotional. It was one of those moments where you pause, take it all in, and feel truly grateful to be experiencing such a remarkable part of Australia.
There is this feeling about travelling in Australia that you just cannot experience anywhere else. The feeling cannot be explained until you experience it yourself.
The combination of the unique scenery, peaceful atmosphere and spectacular sunset made it an experience I will never forget.
Another really memorable experience for me was the Katherine Outback Experience. I loved that we were able to experience and support a local, family-run business and you could immediately see the genuine connection Tom Curtain and his crew have with the country and their animals.
What fascinated me most was watching the way they interacted with and trained their horses and working dogs.
Everything seemed to be built around patience, communication and trust, and it was incredible to see those techniques demonstrated right in front of us.
I was particularly fascinated by the liberty training, where the horse is trained and communicated with while completely loose in an area such as a round pen or arena, without ropes or other physical connections.
Watching that bond and trust between the trainer and horse was absolutely incredible.
It was such an authentic experience and gave me a real appreciation for the skill, dedication and connection involved in working with these animals. Definitely another standout moment from the trip!
The most surprising experience on the trip was definitely the Gourmet Camp Oven Experience in Kununurra. It is something I had not heard of previously but an experience that I have not stopped talking about since.
The Gourmet Camp Oven Experience is a four- course culinary adventure which was crowned the BEST Tourism Restaurant in all of Australia in 2025. The food was outstanding and the location picturesque.
Josh, our host and Chef, really made the experience so memorable. Their passion, personality and hospitality added so much to the evening and made the whole experience feel incredibly special.
You could tell how much care had gone into creating the night and it was so much more than just an amazing meal.
With my own travels I will typically choose to travel on a tour as I believe the information you gain from tour guides is invaluable.
Jess, Our Driver guide, was absolutely amazing. Her knowledge of the Top End was exceptional and she seemed to have an answer for every question we threw her way.
She brought each destination to life with fascinating stories, local insights and a genuine passion for the region that was infectious. Her enthusiasm, expertise and warm personality made a lasting impression and she was undoubtedly another one of the highlights of the trip for me.
Having a small group of only 20 people, while travelling on a spacious 54-seat luxury coach, made the longer driving days incredibly comfortable. There was so much room to spread out, relax and enjoy the scenery without ever feeling cramped.
The smaller group also made the experience feel much more personal and relaxed, and it was a great way to get to know everyone along the journey.
For a trip that involved some big distances, the comfort of the coach made such a difference.
This was my first time travelling with AAT Kings and I cannot recommend them enough for group travel in Australia.
