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Outback NSW is experiencing a surge in visitation, especially from groups keen to experience carefree trips to the region’s vast horizons, raw landscapes and big skies, with one of the biggest tourism businesses in far west NSW – Out of the Ordinary Outback – recording record tour group visits this year and releasing discounted package rates to maintain the demand.

As of June 1, group bookings of between 10 and 50 people for Out of the Ordinary Outback’s seven properties in outback NSW this year are already 13 per cent up on the total number of group bookings in 2019, with seven months of 2021 still to go. Dozens of group tour bookings for have also been lodged for 2022 as record numbers of Australians explore more of our vast continent while international borders remained closed.

Out of the Ordinary Outback owns seven properties in far west NSW – Broken Hill Outback Resort as well as The Argent Motel and The Tourist Lodge – both in Broken Hill, the Copper City Motel/Hotel in Cobar, the billabong-side cabins at Warrawong on the Darling at Wilcannia, the remote Ivanhoe Hotel Motel and the famous White Cliffs Underground Motel -Australia’s largest underground accommodation. The company also owns the award-winning tour company, Tri State Safaris.

Out of the Ordinary Outback Groups Reservation Manager, Mahaela Jackson, said travel agents, clubs, schools, tour and coach companies were all running tours through the NSW outback and benefitting from the one-stop-shop her company offered, with groups able to book up to seven properties through one contact.

“Right now, more Australians are wanting to explore the vast interiors they’ve never seen before so we’re seeing more group trips being organised and visiting our properties than ever before, which is helping our regional economy recover from the 2020 downturn,” Ms Jackson said. “The distances can be large so travelling in groups makes a trip here easier, safer, carefree and more rewarding, with the itinerary looked after and like-minded people able to enjoy fun, shared adventures together.”

James Cardwell, Manager of Cardwell Coaches, said his business was running more group tours to the NSW outback to cope with demand. “Booking so many contrasting properties through the one operator like Out of the Ordinary Outback makes it very easy and they’re also very easy to deal with,” Mr Cardwell said.

Fred Back from Federation Tour Coaches said: “Group tours that we’ve run that include Out of the Ordinary Outback’s properties have been very successful and efficient for us. It’s a win-win for us and our guests.”

And Stephen McKelvie from Rail Holidays said: “Out of the Ordinary Outback’s large underground property in White Cliffs is particularly popular with our guests. We feature the group’s properties in our group tours a lot.”

Discounted group rates released

Out of the Ordinary Outback has released its 2022/23 rates for dinner, bed and breakfast (DBB) for groups of between 10 and 50 people, available on the website.

DBB rates at the 32-room Copper City Motel start from $115 per person, twin-share (ts) and $185 for solo guests. DBB rates at Out of the Ordinary Outback’s flagship property, Broken Hill Outback Resort, with its 24 king and spa cabins overlooking the desert start at $135 per person, ts, or $225 for solos. And at the group’s world-famous, 48-room White Cliffs Underground Motel, DBB group rates start at $120 per person, ts, or $185 for solos.

Out of the Ordinary Outback can tailor packages to suit all clubs, groups and tour companies. Call Groups Reservations Manager, Mahaela Jackson on 0448 381 097 or 1300 679 688 email groups@ooto.com.au or visit www.outoftheordinaryoutback.com.au/group-travel