She says the popularity of both trips provides encouragement for the full 2022 Australia programme the company is set to release in the next couple of weeks.

‘We haven’t officially released 2022 yet, but we’ve already got some bookings. Agents should keep a watch out for coming trade promotions.’

Newrick says next year’s tours will include a return to Tasmania in March, followed by a Murray River cruise the same month. Away for the Winter will be repeated and there will be a couple of Australia rail trips (The Ghan and Indian-Pacific), Queensland tours and more.

Meantime Maher Escorted Tours continues to see demand for its domestic New Zealand itineraries with many of the coming trips fully booked.

‘We still have a bit of room in the Taranaki Gardens Tour at the end of October and on the third Lower South Island tour that we added due to demand.’

Space is also available on the Fiordland – Stewart Island tour leaving 18 November and on the two Christmas trips (North and South Islands).

‘We’re happy with the way things are going considering the circumstances. We’re getting  a lot of repeat busness – people just want to get out.’