2012 solar eclipse tour operators by Mark Sukhija

I'm slowly gathering some information on tour operators who are planning to head to the 2012 eclipse in Queensland, Australia. As I become aware of more, I will be publishing their details on this page.

Given that Australia is an advanced first-world country with infrastructure to support a tourist industry, I do not believe that a tour operator will be necessary for this tour. However, I do expect accomodation to be booked out many years in advance and it may be necessary to book accomodation through a travel agency or tour operator.

Tour operators are invited to submit their current plans to me as I will be keeping a record of whos going where and when. A strong preference is given to operators giving a link back to this site.

• Journeys Worldwide - Recommended For the 2012 eclipse, I will be travelling with Journeys Worldwide. I travelled with Journeys Worldwide to the eclipses in China and Libya and have found them to be very professional, well organised. As a result, I can't recommend them enough.

• A Classic Tour Collection - a veteran of the 2009 eclipse has an eclipse tour for the 2012 eclipse which will include talks by Prof Jay Pasachoff

• Northern Explorer Tours is offering the most comprehensive North Queensland Solar Eclipse tour on the market. The 10 day itinerary is planned in such way that they avoid the masses of visitors at the coast, and it includes a great diversity of contrasting experiences and places such as Cairns, Kuranda, the Barrier Reef, Atherton Tablelands with rainforest and waterfalls, Undara, Chillagoe, Laura, Quinkan Rock Paintings, Cooktown and Daintree crocodiles.
  Their guests view the Eclipse in the dry Outback from Palmer River Roadhouse, which Northern Explorer have secured exclusively, only a few kilometres away from the ideal viewing line but far away from the possible coastal clouds and rain. There will be only two buses on this extraordinary Eclipse tour with each max 20 participants, one bus with German and one with English speaking driver/guides, and professional Eclipse advisors throughout the tour.

• Tropical Sails - Tropical Sails have some interesting cruises for the 2012 eclipse.

Further reading