Testimonials
Vic,
Now that the dust has settled on our memorable trip to the Victorian high country I thought I would drop you a line to thank you and Neill.
Your knowledge of the high country was outstanding. Not only did you know the tracks intimately but you were able to pass on the history of the area which always makes a trip like this much more interesting.
I must say that I would not have attempted most of these tracks on my own or even with friends. The way you and Neill guided us through what at first seemed to be very difficult situations saw my confidence grow as the trip progressed. One of the rewards of course is the awesome views and spectacular countryside.
But for me the most impressive part of the trip was after I made a stupid mistake (in a carpark) and damaged my vehicle quite badly. You, Neill and I must say the rest of the group rallied to repair my vehicle in quite difficult circumstances. This was not easy and without you and Neill I would still be stuck half way up a mountain in very isolated country. You did this very professionally with regard for everyone's safety. You also managed to calm me down and keep the situation light hearted.
Once repairs were completed you saw to the needs of the group then escorted me of the mountain to safety where you had organised dinner and accommodation and a mechanic if required.
I can't praise you and your staff highly enough. You turned a potentially devastating situation for me into an experience that has left me wanting to return for more trips with Great Divide Tours. I have never experienced this level of customer service before.
Thanks again to you Neill and the rest of the group. And to anyone thinking of this type of adventure, you could not find a better way than to join Great Divide tours who offer exceptional customer service and support both on and of the tracks.
Paul Hutchinson
Testimony from Karen and Ian,
Wow, just wow! We have just completed the July/August Cape York Safari led by Dave and have to say that all of our expectations were met and then some.
The organization was great and the campsites were just right (including the bush camps) and even though the Great Divide team can’t take full credit for the amazing part of the world we live in, they can take the credit for making sure that our trip took in such a variety! It must have been good, we took over 3000 photos on the safari (all 19 nights of it) and are struggling to find too many ‘bad’ ones!
But overall, we wanted to let you know that Dave was the perfect leader for the safari. His knowledge of the Cape, his 4x4 expertise and his directions on the ‘tricky bits’ were exactly what was needed. We all made new friends on the trip and in no small measure this was due to Dave making sure everyone was included.
If you are looking for a very special experience, we recommend you sign up (early as they book out quickly!)
Good morning Vic and the Great Divide Tours team,
This is Wendy and Jamie Buckley who participated in your weekend course back in Oct 2015 and our home is in Ingleside. From your e-news it would seem you have all had an extremely busy and successful year, so congratulations!
Jamie and I moved to South Luangwa Zambia Feb 2016 and took up the role as Camp Managers at an incredible bush camp Flatdogs. Nearly one year on our experience here as far exceeded our expectations and we both love our new careers in hospitality and life in Zambia.
As for our 4 x 4 experiences, we assure you everything we learnt on your course has been put to the test and we both laugh a lot when we come to a flooded area and quick to say “you can walk through the water to check how deep it is” hahaha not as the chance of a croc or hippo is extremely high. The camp is located on the Luangwa River (elephant crossing photo is out front of our home) which has one of the highest populations of hippos and elephants anywhere in Africa. Our daily lives include dodging elephants in camp 24/7 and hippos at night. We eat lunch looking out of our windows at home to giraffes, vervet monkeys, baboons, elephants, bush buck, Puku and endless amounts of birds. The road block photo attached is our walk to work about 900 metres.
Our vehicle is an ex safari vehicle (as attached) which has no doors, no windscreen and no roof though we have a highly skilled team of mechanics on site to keep all the safari vehicles running. We take our selves on safari in the National Park and my drive to a small gym at a neighboring camp can be eventful now the green season has arrived. I have to make sure the wheels are locked and take my gum boots in case I get stuck. Attached are one of the current safari vehicles which both Jamie and I have access to on when needed, they are liking driving a lounge room on wheels.
So we both are very grateful for the course we participated in with you and please pass our thanks on the team.
Lots of love to you and wishing you a sensational 2017.
Wendy and Jamie Buckley
Hello Vic
Narelle & I have just returned from the Man from Snowy River Tour. We had a great time touring with Great Divide Tours.
Our tour leader was Tony Davys. Vic, you are lucky to have Tony in your company. He brings a wealth of knowledge on 4x4 driving coupled with excellent people management skills. All participants were given individual advice and encouragement when required and their questions answered sincerely. I classify Tony a master of his craft, a AAA Plus rating.
A couple of highlights on our trip for me were firstly, helping him out of a spot of bother at Native Dog Flat (pic attached) and secondly sharing the fly rod at Buckwong Hut.
This was our second tour with Great Divide Tours in six weeks. Australia has many fine places to visit and I can't suggest a better way to see our country by travelling with your company.
We will certainly keep Great Divide Tours in mind for future travel plans.
Regards
Narelle and Tony Day
"Hi Jenny
Thanks to you and Wayne for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend course.
We really enjoyed ourselves and can now contemplate how to get the best from the Hilux and Camper trailer.
The tuition was great with the lessons in trailer reversing and jack knife points worth attending on their own.
Whipped the trailer into our carport at the end of our cul-de-sac on return with no worries -( and no filling for an AVO ).
The rest of the course was great too - venue food staff and company all first rate.
Will be in touch re future trips"
Regards
Mark Nealon
"Hi Vic
Kerry & I have just returned from the trip to Pajinka and Cape York on the Great Divide tour led by Dave.
Firstly I would like to thank you again for allowing us to join this year's trip after Kerry's accident on last year's trip. As I said at the time we didn't expect it and certainly didn't think we were entitled to it, and were very grateful for your kind and generous offer. After now completing the trip, we appreciate it even more.
The trip was absolutely fabulous in every way. The itinerary was excellent and well thought out. We experienced as much of the Cape as could comfortable be done in the 19 days. There were so many highs - from seeing a cassowary and it's chick near Cape Tribulation; to driving most of the Old Telegraph Track; to standing at the tip of the continent. An unexpected highlight was watching my NRL team (Brisbane Broncos) play Dave's team (Dragons) on TV whilst at Loyalty Beach with some locals. That was fun....and my team won!
I have a lot of family history on the Cape, so visiting Coen where my father taught in the early 1950's; visiting Laura Station where my uncles worked as very young men; driving past Battle Camp Station where my great great grandfather worked in the 1880's and my uncles later owned till the late 1970's; visiting Cooktown where many of my ancestors have lived and still have family there; to visiting Thursday Island which was a base when my family lived on one of the Torres Straight Islands. These were the most important parts of the trip for me.
It was so good to actually use my vehicle in conditions for which it was designed and built for. I learned so much about driving my 4WD vehicle from Dave and feel much more confident (but not over-confident) and can't wait till we can do another trip with Great Divide Tours. We won't be looking anywhere else for a tag-a-long trip. Unfortunately work will get in the way for a while.
The group we travelled with proved to be a great bunch of people and we have made some strong friendships. I'm sure we will be seeing them again.
In particular, I would like to pay tribute to Dave. The success of the trip was entirely due to his leadership, knowledge and people management skills and he certainly represents Great Divide very well. We now class Dave as one of our good friends.
So thanks again Vic, we look forward to joining a Great Divide tour again."
Regards
Graeme & Kerry Polkinghorne
"Hi Vic,
We have just returned from our Cape York trip.
Dave told us all to email you and tell you what a great trip we had and what a great guide he was.
Sorry, we can't say that.
What we can say is that we had the most amazing, exciting adventurous time of our lives. We saw stunning scenery, camped in beautiful bush settings, met some amazing people, took awesome photos and pretty much had the time of our lives.
Put simply, Dave was amazing. A bundle of knowledge, a great organiser, witty, charming, and a natural leader. His expertise and guidance, along with his cool calm manner, gave me the courage to do something I would never ordinarily have done, drive through Cockatoo Creek.
We will be forever grateful that we stumbled upon your website when researching our trip to the Cape.
We are seriously considering a Simpson Desert tour and will most certainly do it with your company. After doing a tag along tour we know it is the best fit for us.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to travel with your company and most especially to meet Dave."
Kind regards,
Lyn and Phil Ross
