Japan is an intriguing blend of ancient traditions and modern imperatives. It is the world's third biggest economy with 125 million very proud and nationalistic inhabitants occupying a spectacularly beautiful country about half the size of New South Wales. Our tour will introduce us to an amazingly polite and hospitable population and an extremely orderly and industrious economy. Japan is one of our 'top 3' trading partners and imports around $3 to $4 billion worth of Australian farm products each year while its agricultural sector enjoys some of the highest levels of government assistance and tariff protection on the planet.
Agriculture in Australia's north is booming. New developments in dryland and irrigated cotton and other crops; large horticulture developments finding ready markets in Asia and, of course, the beef success story of recent years. And there is no more beautiful place on Earth. We will visit successful farmers in the Northern Territory, the Ord irrigation area and the Pilbara. There will be plenty of opportunity to sample the best scenery, landscapes and activities the north has to offer.
After two fantastic (sold-out) tours in 2023 & 24, we are heading back to East Africa again in 2025. The scenery and wildlife in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania is spectacular and the accommodation superb. We will also call in on some great farms and meet enterprising farmers as the work around the challenges and opportunities unique to eastern Africa. But the real stars of the show are the animals we get to meet in their magnificent natural habitats. It is highly likely that this tour will again fill up quickly, so please get in early to avoid disappointment.
For many of us – and not too many generations ago – it was from the shores of Ireland and Britain that our ancestors stepped aboard ship to begin new lives on the other side of the world. This tour is a great opportunity to retrace some of their steps. But you don’t have to be able to trace your heritage to the British Isles to take advantage of this farm tour. Despite the fierce rivalry between Australia and the “Old Country” on the sporting field, you will find the people of Ireland and Britain to be warm and welcoming to their colonial cousins. And we will be visiting during their “summer,” when the inhabitants are more likely to be in a good mood.
From the country music capital of the world to the Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone National Park, the United States has much to offer in scenic attractions and cultural and agricultural diversity. Much of our agricultural technology has its roots in the US and we will visit some of the centres of that development, as well as the biggest outdoor farm show in the country. Along the way, we’ll take in the Blue Ridge mountains, the relaxed southern lifestyle of Savannah, barge down the Mississippi for a few hours and explore the iconic Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The tour culminates with our exploration of the spectacular Palouse region of the Pacific North-West on our way to Seattle. And Seattle is a great jumping-off point for further optional adventures to places such as Vancouver Island, the Canadian Rockies or an Inside Passage cruise.
There is probably no other part of the world with the same rich mix of incredible farming combined with magnificent scenery along with diverse culture and history. South America is simply one of the most rewarding places on the planet to explore. Since Greenmount’s first foray into South America 27 years ago, this continent has, with very good reason, been one of our most popular destinations. From breathtaking Machu Pichu, the sands of Copacabana, the glaciers and soaring peaks of Patagonia and the vastness of the Brazilian and Argentinean farmlands – South America has it all.
