Luxury for less along Australia’s humpback highway

The 2009 whale watching season is gearing up to be a big one in Western Australia. Combine a trip to see these majestic giants and their newborn calves with a special luxury package that won’t cost the earth.

Every year humpback and southern right whales make their way from rich feeding grounds in Antarctica to calf and raise their young in warmer waters, off the Kimberley coast in Western Australia.

From September through to December the whales and their newborns swim close to the coast as they return south to the cooler seas to grow and mature, making it the perfect time for an encounter.

With as many as 21,000 Humpback whales hugging the coast, the west coast has been dubbed the Humpback Highway by whale experts.

Humpback Whales can grow to 16 metres and weigh as much 45 tonnes (the weight of 13 elephants or 680 people). But despite their size, they are said to be one of the most acrobatic of the species, playfully breaching and showing off their water-skills just offshore. The best time to observe these serene mammals is at midday, when the sun is directly overhead.

Exmouth is a top vantage point for spotting the whales and last month a baby humpback was spotted taking its first breath in nearby waters.

Discover the World has put together a special package for wildlife lovers, which offers 20% off a seven day adventure. This includes a stay at Sal Salis, an exclusive safari camp near Exmouth set among the dunes of Cape Range national park, just 50 yards from the Indian Ocean.

Made up of just five tents – each with a supremely comfortable bed, 100% cotton linen (500 threadcount) and an en suite bathroom – it also provides unrivalled access to the Ningaloo Reef, the world’s longest fringing reef. Ningaloo is home to 500 species of tropical fish and 220 species of coral as well as turtles, dugongs and manta rays, and the action start just metres from the beach.

Discover the World’s offer includes five nights at Sal Salis for the price of four and two nights for the price of one at Perth's leading luxury hotel, The Richardson Hotel & Spa. It also includes a whale watching tour in Perth with Rottnest Express. This two hour tour includes expert commentary by research assistants from the Centre for Whale Research and underwater equipment (hydrophone) to enable you to listen to whale songs.

Prices are from £1,499 per person (twin share) and include five nights at Sal Salis with three course dinners and sunset canapés, non-alcoholic beverages and guided activities, two nights in the Richardson, a whale watching tour in Perth with Rottnest Express Eco Tours. Excludes flights.

Must book by 30th September 2009. Offer valid from 1 October to 15 December 2009

Contact Discover the World for more information - discover-the-world.co.uk/en.

More luxury savings and accommodation deals in Western Australia can be found at westernaustralia.com .