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millwater bizbuzz
Bespoke touring holidays with small groups, away from tourist hotspots and in the safe hands of an experienced guide, are the dreams of many. Realising these dreams at an affordable cost is the passion of Millwater resident Doug Morland, owner of Aussie Outback Safaris. Doug entered teaching after leaving school, rising to be Principal of several schools before further promotion saw him become advisor to 80 rural schools in a wide area from Dargaville to Maramarua. “As time went on, I became disenchanted with the direction that education was heading, so I resigned after 10 years,” said Doug. “I had developed a passion for Australia during teacher exchanges there, and it was during a coach trip on one of those exchange trips that I was approached by a small group of people, asking if I would take them on a 4-wheel-drive trip from Cairns to Darwin.”
turned out in 1994 to be the birth of a successful new career as Aussie Outback Safaris. Doug never repeated the same route in any one year, some of which included long trips like the Adelaide-Alice Springs-Broome-Darwin safari. Meticulous planning naturally includes safety, but also making sure that the climate is conducive to each planned trip for the maximum of a dozen travellers. Several couples returned again and again – one couple enjoyed 14 return safaris with Doug. He continued, “My success relies upon repeat business through word-ofmouth, so my focus is always on delivering what the customer wants and having fun.” After 18 years of 4-wheel drive safaris, the last of which was a 7,800km east-west trip across the widest part of Australia in 2012, Doug has principally devoted his specialist experience into providing 4-night houseboat trips in South Australia and 18-night campervan safaris in Tasmania. Houseboats on the Murray River are usually 10-berth but Doug takes just 8 on each trip, to allow for maximum comfort and leisurely enjoyment. Camper van groups are small, too, with no more than 5 campervans and 10 people at any one time.
Doug focussed on essential planning, taking advice from ex- Doug is a natural and entertaining story-teller and can be conperts, and set out with the group on the 16-day tour, on what tacted on 021 912 990 or on doug@dougmorland.com and www.aussiesafaris.com
NEW! In Millwater and the wider Hibiscus Coast Reach us through Facebook, or call: Gwenda Holster-Dowler on 0210 847 3120, or Brian Mullan on 021 031 1232, or Email rotary.orewasatellite@gmail.com ‘Be Part of the Action, be Part of the Fun’