I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! has been relocated to be filmed in Wales this year, due to Australia’s COVID-19 travel restrictions. Indeed, the North Welsh location of eerie Gwrych Castle (pronounced “Goo-reech” ) is quite a world away from the sunny climes of Aus.
I’m A Celeb Australia is usually filmed in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, on the East Coast near Byron Bay. Now, the I’m A Celeb Wales location will be in Abergele, North Wales, about an hour’s drive from our Contiki Welsh trip locations. Gwrych Castle will open its doors to the public in the New Year.
So Wales vs. Australia – which location will win? Here’s our roundup of the differences you’ll find on a Contiki trip!
Learn about bush medicine vs. forest foraging
Immerse yourself in learning all about the Aboriginal cultural heritage in Kakadu National Park, Northern Aus. Part of our Contiki Cares cultural tours, this trip is 100% owned and operated by a local indigenous couple. You’ll get to experience guided walks, didgeridoo demonstrations, spear-throwing, bush medicine and crafts, then refresh your taste buds with tea and damper (Australian soda bread).
Do it on: Outback Adventure
Mindfulness meets adventure! Get ready to sample nature’s bounty on a guided foraging walk, with hedgerows packed with yummy edible foods that your expert guide will point out. This is more than just a quick fix from the daily grind. This trip will arm you with a toolkit to take away so you can lead a more balanced lifestyle, and learn to reconnect with both nature and yourself.
Do it on: Wales Winter Escape
Image source:Contiki
Eco camp vs. glamping
One of Australia’s most exciting eco-tourism projects and Contiki’s Special Stays is the beautiful Noosa Everglades Eco-Lodge. Nestled just 25 minutes north of Noosa, in the heart of the Everglades, you’ll stroll along 65 acres of stunning greenery, glide down the glades on a cruise, and enjoy beer at the on-site Coothara Bar micro-brewery. Plus, there’ll be morning yoga and kangaroo spotting – a true Aussie experience.
Do it on: Beaches and Reefs with Sailing
Glamping in a site set atop an Iron Age hill fort, deep in the North Wales countryside, is a truly magnificent experience. We’ll arm you with copious blankets, cushions and a log burner to keep you cosy, no matter the weather. You’ll bond over tea and Welsh cakes before enjoying a traditional Welsh feast, home-cooked by our hospitable host, as local storyteller Fiona Collins regales tales of Welsh folklore around the campfire. Bliss.
Do it on: Wilderness Glamping in Wales
Image source:Contiki
Surfing vs. stand up paddle boarding
Learn to surf in Byron Bay and bask in the sun at the most easterly point of Australia. You can live out your bohemian dreams with a surfing lesson, and kickstart your morning with a spectacular sunrise surf. Now that’s what we call an Aussie dream.
Do it on: City to Surf
Experience the zen art of stand up paddle-boarding (SUP) in the serene setting of Llangollen’s waterways, North East Wales. You’ll master the tranquil waters and soak up the best of the beautiful Welsh scenery. What’s not to love?
Do it on: Wilderness Glamping in Wales
Image source:Contiki
