Archives for June, 2008
Posted on Jun 16, 2008 under Far North Queensland |
Kewarra Beach Resort is located a short distance north of the bustling city of Cairns in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is ten to fifteen minutes drive from the Resort to the airport, and perhaps twenty minutes drive to the heart of Cairns. Far enough away from the city to enjoy the tranquil seclusion and “get away from it all” atmosphere that envelopes this wonderful resort, but close enough to be convenient. All day tours will collect you from the resort and return you back at the end of the day.
Kewarra’s Private Beach
Kewarra is unusual in the area due to the fact it has its own private beachfront - beautiful sandy beach facing out onto the azure Coral Sea. Even in mid winter, the water temperature remains over 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius), with the ocean making a wonderful alternative to the resort’s swimming pools for a refreshing dip.
Water is very much a feature of Kewarra, with a lovely lagoon also serving as centre-piece for many of the private units.
In addition to Kewarra’s private beach frontage, there is also a tasteful recreational natural swimming pool area. No tasteless chlorinated “lap pool” here, just a lovely relaxing area, complete with waterfall and lots of area to lie in the sun on the pool edge. The resort is beautifully spread out over a 70 acre paradise of private beach frontage, brilliant gardens, and natural forest in a tasteful environment that reflects the region’s unique cultural heritage and ecology. The resort offers idyllic views of wonderful plants that gently surround you in this lovely natural paradise. With all the different plants, there are over 160 different species of birds to fill the area with color, and a multitude of different butterflies, including the magnificent Ulysses butterfly, to be found in a rich diversity of habitats.
The Accommodation at Kewarra
Kewarra offers a selection of accommodation styles to suit your taste. All units are, of course, beautifully furnished and appointed, and have the latest in quiet air conditioning and all modern conveniences for your total comfort.
Two main styles of units are available - what are known as “mouds” (a South Pacific islander term for bures or units).
The Koi mouds are semi-detached in small blocks, and face out onto a lovely setting featuring a crocquet lawn.
Most popular are the premium Waraka mouds. These are individually placed in lovely private settings, each with its own balcony where you can sit and relax in our unique ambience.
A variation on the Waraka moud is the Bhutu moud, designed for families with more than two people wishing to share one unit.
Lastly, for a priviledged few, there is the special Timara Suite. This is a restored Queenslander style cottage, with lovely balconies on three sides, set on a small island within our lagoon.
Posted on Jun 15, 2008 under Northern Territory |
Due to the fact that 85% of the Northern Territory’s most visited spots are accessible by sealed, all weather roads, and 85% of attractions in the NT are accessible by conventional (2 wheel drive) vehicles, campervans and caravans are familiar sight, with caravan parks plentiful and well equipped. Some attractions are only accessible by 4 wheel drive vehicles, and in some locations, seasonal conditions restrict access.
Fuel and food stops along these roads are no more than every 200 - 300km. Unless you particularly want to go off the beaten track, a fantastic Northern Territory driving holiday visiting all the best sites can be enjoyed in a standard family car with normal provisions and safety supplies.
Dangers
Dangers on the road include everything from kangaroos to cattle and roadtrains.
- Roadtrains are Prime Movers (trucks, lorries etc.) with three trailers hitched behind. The maximum length of these phenomenon is 50 metres!! Always give roadtrains plenty of room, and if overtaking, allow at least 1km of clear road ahead.
- Fatigue is a serious danger. Pull off the road and rest after a few hours driving.
- Floods Do not attempt to cross flooded bridges or causeways unless sure of the depth and any road damage. Most flash floods usually recede within 24 hours.
- Dust on Outback roads can obscure your vision. Do not take risks, stop and wait for it to settle.
- Lost or broken down? - do not leave your vehicle in any circumstances, a missing vehicle is easier to locate than missing people. Economise on water if you are on a less well used road.
4WD & Outback Driving
Part of the attraction of the Northern Territory to many people is the ability to visit many natural and unspoilt locations, with normally very few other people, if any. It also affords the chance to utilise a 4 wheel drive (4WD) vehicle (either their own, or rented) to gain access to these remoter places, as well as try out their off-road driving skills.
Whilst most attractions are available to all vehicle, the Northern Territory government sees the value of keeping a number of its attractions available only to 4WD vehicles. The reason is two fold; it helps reduce the impact of visitation of an area and it gives visitors the chance to experience our great outdoors, following in the footsteps of some of Australia’s greatest explorers - some which passed through just over one hundred years ago.
Information about these tracks and roads are available from quite a number of different sources, Including, the Conservation Commission of the NT, local Regional Tourist Associations the Automobile Association of the NT (AANT), the Department of Transport & Works, or Police Stations in the area.
Important! When travelling “off the beaten track”, you should advise the nearest police station of the number of passengers travelling, your proposed route, estimated time of arrival, and advise on arrival. Prepare your vehicle for the long distances and ensure you have all the basic equipment: jack, spare tyres, fan belt, radiator hoses and a tow rope. Plan ahead for fuel stops. You may need to carry fuel. Carry a map of the area, especially if travelling off the main roads. Always carry water (20 litres minimum).
Posted on Jun 15, 2008 under Far North Queensland |
A unique way to experience the Tropical Rainforest region in Cairns is to travel to Kuranda and enjoy the Tjapukai Aboriginal Theme Park with Skyrail.
Open since mid 1995, the new Skyrail Rainforest Cableway takes you between their two stations, one located at Smithfield, just a short distance north of Cairns on the coast, and the other in the quaint little market town of Kuranda, just opposite the famous Railway Station.
You can choose from either riding the Skyrail roundtrip to and from Kuranda, or just taking it one way and either using a coach transfer or the Scenic Commentary Train for the other half of your journey.
The Skyrail Experience
The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway is unique in the world. Not only is it the longest aerial cableway anywhere in the world, but it presents as an entirely new, convenient and environmentally friendly way of experiencing the amazing Wet Tropics Rainforest to be found north of Cairns.
There are three lengths of cableway stretching some 7.5 km (4.5 miles) going up the sides of the rainforest up to Kuranda in the Atherton Tablelands. Six passenger gondolas glide silently, just above the rainforest. You can not only see the rainforest, you can hear it (and even smell it) too!
From start to finish, it takes 30 minutes to travel the entire length of the cableway. However, most people choose to stop at either or both of the two transfer stations. At these intermediate points, there are boardwalk paths taking you into the rainforest, allowing you to get up close and personal with this incredible natural resource.
The Barron Falls stop also offers both views out over the Barron Gorge to the famous Barron Falls (although there is seldom much water going over the top, most being diverted through the hydroelectric power station except in rainy weather) and also the Rainforest Interpretive Centre, developed in conjunction with Australia’s national science organisation, the CSIRO.
You should probably plan on allowing at least 90 minutes for a complete journey one way on Skyrail, including time at the two intermediate stops.
About the Rainforest
The World Heritage Rainforest north of Cairns is the second largest stand of rainforest in the world (after the Amazon basin). It is also the oldest rainforest in the world, having uniquely survived the last ice age. This gives it an incredible diversity of different types of vegetation, making it a veritable living museum as a result of its isolation from the rest of the world for millions of years. There are over 1100 higher plant species that can be found, of which only 5% are considered common.
Animals too are unique and special in this area - over twenty five different vertebrate animals on the rare, threatened or endangered list make this area truly very precious. There are birds galore and many other types of animals too, even snakes that you may see curled up in the tops of trees as you glide silently and safely past.
Best of all, Skyrail presents as a clean, quiet, and low impact way to allow visitors such as yourself to experience and enjoy the beauty of the rainforest.
Pricing
Although you can make your own way to the Skyrail station and buy a ticket for the Skyrail ride only, most people choose to purchase a tour - eg, from Downunder Tours that will include convenient transfers to and from your hotel, and possibly other things as well like admission to the new Tjapukai Theme Park situated next to the Skyrail station at Smithfield.
A view of the splendid Kuranda Scenic Commentary Train, which takes people on a ninety minute journey to or from Cairns and/or Kuranda. It is very popular for people to combine a Skyrail journey one way with the Train ride the other direction. Skyrail’s Kuranda Terminal is right next to the Train Station.
A scene from the theatrical presentation that forms part of the new Tjapukai Aboriginal Theme Park, conveniently located immediately adjacent to Skyrail’s Smithfield Terminal.
For people wishing to purchase only the Skyrail tickets, a one way ticket is A$40 for adults and A$20 for children (prices valid through March 31 2009). Your travel agency can assist you with choosing a combination tour with transfers from your accommodation that is best suited for you.
Posted on Jun 12, 2008 under Far North Queensland |
Surrounding landscaped gardens and tropical swimming pools, Palm Royale Resort Cairns is a 150 room boutique resort-style hotel which is Mediterranean at heart - a harmonious blend of Australian and international influences.
Combining the contemporary design elements of wrought iron, terracotta tiles and exquisite fabrics, Palm Royale Resort Cairns offers a totally unique atmosphere, not featured elsewhere in Far North Queensland. Using the region’s bounty of fresh produce and delicious seafood, the restaurants and bars serve international cuisine and refreshing drinks to satisfy all tastes and even the heartiest of appetites.
It is a hotel with a difference, a home away from home. While respecting your privacy, the staff are always friendly and our service always outstanding. The overall aim is to provide excellence, and in so doing, ensure you have holiday you will remember for a life time.
After a long day it is not hard to picture yourself dining alfresco on your private balcony overlooking the gardens, the balmy night air relaxing you in readiness for the next day.
Location
Nestled in the foothills of the rainforest covered hillsides surrounding Cairns, Palm Royale is located just 6km (3.5m) from Cairns city and 8km (5m) from Cairns Airport.
As one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, it offers so much, from its idyllic climate and relaxing lifestyle to the extraordinary beauty of its many natural attractions.
Accommodation
To ensure you have a comfortable stay, the rooms feature air-conditioning, ceiling fans, king size beds, private balconies and facilities which include a bedside clock, video, radio, in-room safe, refrigerator and tea and coffee making facilities.
The resort offers a choice of both 134 Deluxe Rooms and 16 Executive Suites. Deluxe Rooms have a choice of bedding configuration - King, Family, Twin, Triple, or Disabled rooms. All feature air-conditioning and private balconies.
Executive Suites are designed with an emphasis on luxury and space. Their main features include a bath shower, King size bed, and sofa.
Guest Services
If there is anything the Palm Royale can do to make your stay more idyllic, you have only to ask any of their friendly staff at any time. They’re all here to help.
Palm Royale Resort Cairns offers you the special opportunity to master the arts of snorkelling and Scuba Diving in the convenience of their own dedicated Dive Training Pool. Operated by Australia’s leading dive training company, Quicksilver Diving Services, you can be taught the sport of Scuba by professional Dive Instructors who offer the highest international standards of diving education.
Get to choose a selection of beautiful pools, and with the wonderful weather that Cairns provides, you’re sure to enjoy a few hours alongside, or in, one of these pools most days!
Courtesy coach transfers take you to the airport to meet your flight into Cairns and to take you back at the end of your stay. A return city shuttle service also operates during the day and is complimentary. All major tour operators pick up and drop off at the hotel.
Palm Royale Resort Cairns also offers two interconnecting meeting rooms which combine to provide theatre style seating for 150 people. when planning an event you are not limited at Palm Royale Cairns. The hotel offers a selection of venues from poolside in the tropical landscaped gardens to the balconies of Parthenon and Colossus.
The combined boutique and tour office, called “Looks Royale”, gives you the opportunity to purchase a quality range of souvenirs and essentials, and gives assistance in booking any day touring you might wish to enjoy.
Restaurants and Bars
Inside or out, overlooking the Barrumundi pond, Cafe Royale Resort is the perfect place to unwind and chat with friends with an ice cold beer or one of our very own tropical cocktails.
Colossus offers an international standard of a la carte cuisine in truly elegant surroundings. Situated on the second floor, the restaurant’s Mediterranean design provides the perfect compliment to the chef’s creative selection of dishes which incorporate fresh tropical fruits, locally grown vegetables and delicious seafood. Colossus provides indoor and outdoor dining for up to 120 people.
Posted on Jun 12, 2008 under Sydney |
There is no better way to get to know the many harbourside bays and inlets and their surrounding suburbs than by exploring the multi-sectioned Sydney Harbour National Park.
Sydney Harbour National Park, which protects several islands and foreshore areas around Sydney Harbour, contains remnants of bushland common before white settlement, and many cultural and heritage attractions. You can visit convict-built buildings, historic maritime and military installations, and recreational islands. The Quarantine Station (>101) at North Head, which isolated new arrivals with infectious diseases from Sydneysiders, has night-time ghost walks. At Middle Head are the remains of a network of forts that were built around the harbour for protection from, among others, the Russians in the nineteenth century, and the Japanese in the 1940s.
Other park highlights include ferry tours to the tiny colonial penal relic, Fort Denison, Australia’s only Martello Tower. Here an audio-visual presentation highlights its history, including its time as a high security prison. Enjoy a relaxing ferry trip to tiny Shark Island, spectacularly set in the middle of Sydney Harbour. This is the perfect destination for a picnic, with its shady trees and picnic shelters – there is even a small beach where you can enjoy a harbour swim. There are many harbour walks, including the Manly Scenic Walkway, with its native coastal heath and subtropical rainforest remnants. On the south side of the harbour, the 1.5 km, easy Hermitage Foreshore Track starts in Nielsen Park at Vaucluse and takes you through a strip of protected bushland, winding along the western edge of Vaucluse and finishing at Bayview Hill Road. A swim at Nielsen Park beach is a welcome treat on a summer’s day. The harbourside suburb of Watsons Bay was a fishing hamlet and naval base. Today this charming suburb retains its village atmosphere and you can swim at Camp Cove or explore South Head National Park.
Posted on Jun 12, 2008 under Northern Territory |
The wilderness of Kakadu National Park is a bewildering variety of distinct yet harmonious environments ranging from the rivers and billabongs of the wetlands to woodlands, forests, coastal mud flats and stone escarpment country.
Nature at its Best
Kakadu is nature at its most dramatic. Rock escarpment towering 400 metres above dense rainforest, winding waterways and in the summer, cascading waterfalls. Teeming bird life wheeling above saltwater crocodiles lurking watchfully on the river banks below. Silvered barramundi breaking the placid surface of waterlily-accented billabongs. Rock faces bearing a painted record of a continuing Aboriginal culture stretching back more than 60,000 years.
Little wonder then that Kakadu National Park is World Heritage listed and one of the essential destinations for visitors to the Northern Territory. Untouched natural beauty on such a massive scale tends to make a lasting impression. So it’s more than likely that memories of Kakadu will linger long after you have returned home and left the whisper of pandanus leaves and soothing choruses of birds far behind.
Kakadu Tours
Tours to Kakadu range from a half day flying tour to 1, 2, 3 days and extended tours. There are regular departures and private charters with personalised itineraries. Time spent in the Park with a Tour guide or Ranger means exploring art sites and learning about Aboriginal Dreamtime and culture. Observing the indigenous flora and fauna. Bushwalking on well placed walking tracks through a variety of habitats and landscapes from stone country to monsoon forest. Relaxing and swimming at the waterfalls or fishing at Yellow Waters, Jim Jim Creek and other locations. Cruises on the South Alligator River and Yellow Waters will reveal many of the 275 species of birds found in the Park and estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles in their natural environment. In Kakadu you can join a 4WD tour and travel into Arnhem Land. The Bowali Visitor Centre is a must for all visitors - it’s a one stop mine of information. When you are there, make sure you pick up a copy of the Visitor Guide to Kakadu National Park. Self drivers also can obtain a schedule of Ranger guided walks and talks. These will help you get the most out of the Park.
The visitors who enjoy Kakadu the most are those who stay the longest. Those that only allow a day in their itinerary can leave disappointed at not seeing all the attributes of the Park, if possible plan to spend at least two, but preferably three days in the Park.
Posted on Jun 11, 2008 under Uncategorized |
Australia is the only country that is also a continent. It is often referred to as being “down under”, because it lies completely within the Southern Hemisphere.
Australia is a dry, thinly populated country. Most people live in the southeast coastal region. Australia is famous for bright sunshine, vast open spaces, enormous numbers of sheep and cattle, and unusual wildlife, including kangaroos, wombats, and platypuses.
The climate is sunny and warm, therefore most people like to be outdoors. Outdoor sports are extremely popular: golf, tennis, skin diving, surfing are great here, just to name a few. Team sports are very popular, such as cricket, rugby and soccer.
English is the official language, with many terms being quite British: such as a lift or elevator, and a tavern is called a pub.
Australia is divided into three main land regions: The Eastern Highlands, the Central Lowlands, and the Western Plateau. Ayers Rock, in central Australia, is a popular tourist attraction. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef and also quite popular. It is actually a chain of more than 2,500 reefs, including many small islands. The warm waters and the beauty of the coral reef, attract swimmers and skin divers. There are a number of nice resorts in this area. Deserts cover about one third of Australia, and rivers are a main resource, as they provide water for irrigation and drinking. Interestingly though, these rivers are dry for a part of the year, and then they fill during the rainy season. The outback is the interior, and the countryside is called the bush.
Most of the country lies south of the tropics and has warm summers and mild or cool winters. Most of the moisture falls as rain, but in the Alps and interior of Tasmania are the only areas it might snow. The snow in winter in the Alps attracts skiers, Mount Kosciusko being very popular.
Forests grow only in very moist places, and the trees and shrubs are very beautiful and different from those in North America. Australia sells great quantities of wheat to China, Japan, and other Asian countries. Beef cattle and sheep are raised throughout the country, except in the deserts. Fishing and mining are thriving industries. Sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, and wheat, barley, potatoes are major farm products.
There is much to see and do here: museums, symphony concerts, modern high-rise buildings, and of course the wonderful countryside!
Getting around Australia
Cheap domestic flights have become a possibility in Australia now due to the increase of competition entering the domestic airlines market. Australian domestic airlines include the oldest carrier Qantas (which also do international flights) and budget airlines Virgin Blue, Jetstar, and Tiger Airways.
Railroads and shipyards carry most intercity freight. Automobiles are the chief form of transportation in Australia. Paved highways link the state capitals and the largest inland cities. Unpaved roads are largely found in the outback.
Posted on Jun 11, 2008 under Northern Territory |
Rising from the flat, red expanse of the landscape, Ayers Rock / Uluru and nearby Mt. Olga / Kata Tjuta appear to be the visible parts of some great submerged creature. They are the major draw card for visitors to Central Australia.
Ayers Rock, aka Uluru, is situated in Kata Tjuta National Park (Uluru) and rising 348 metres with a circumference of 8 kilometres, is considered by many to be one of the great natural wonders of the world. Visitors from around Australia and the world simply stand in awe and marvel at its very existence. The more courageous attempt a climb to its summit, no easy task when the ascent is 1.6 kilometres and particularly steep in parts. It might be noted that the local Aboriginal people prefer visitors to enjoy Ayers Rock / Uluru in other ways. There are many sacred and significant sites associated with Uluru, so a walking tour around its base with a guide is rewarding.
Depending on the time of day, position of the sun and atmospheric conditions, Uluru’s vast bulk metamorphoses through various shades, from glowing reds and soft oranges to delicate lilacs. It is an unmatched spectacular light show. The white sails of the adjacent Ayers Rock Resort herald its existence, with colour and form designed to blend in as much as possible with the environment. Hugging the contours of the land, the Resort offers a variety of accommodation from camping to luxury hotels.
A mere 30km away, as the ‘crow fly’s’ (50km by road), Kata Tjuta seems overshadowed by Uluru. The tallest peak, Mt. Olga, is in fact, more than 200 metres taller than Uluru. The distinctive domes and striated, weathered surfaces of Kata Tjuta match Uluru in colour and are an excellent subject for photographers. Uluru - Kata Tjuta National Park with its famous landmarks is a special place and not to be missed.
Posted on Jun 11, 2008 under Adelaide |
The Barossa Valley is Australia’s best-known wine-growing district. It stretches as a shallow depression 29 km long by 8 km wide, just west of the Mount Lofty and Barossa Valley Ranges. A large wine area, it extends into the hills around the charming town of Angaston.
The valley was originally settled by German Lutherans who planted orchards, olive groves and vineyards and built charming towns and wineries very much in their native European style. The German cultural heritage is still evident in the shop-front names, German wursts, lovely fresh breads and the German influenced food in restaurants and wineries.
The wineries range from amongst the biggest in Australia (Penfold/Kaiser Stuhl/Jacob’s Creek) to the very tiny (Gnadenfrei), and the wines cover the whole range but are generally of a high quality.
To explore this area, particularly during the Vintage Festival every odd-numbered year, is to discover a region and lifestyle unique in Australia. Many wine lovers come from interstate and internationally to see what the fuss is all about with the Barossa Valley wines.
Posted on Jun 11, 2008 under Far North Queensland |
The Low Isles in the Great Barrier Reef is a three and three quarter acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef. A coral cay is formed when coral breaks the surface of the ocean, then over time dirt and debris accumulate forming a small sandy island. Coral cays are the best types of reef island locations because the reef typically surrounds the island and offers excellent snorkelling onshore.
Note that many islands described as “on the reef” are in fact “continental islands” formed by an uprising in the ocean bottom. While these islands may be in the general area of the Great Barrier Reef, it may actually be many miles from the island to the nearest coral areas.
In the case of Low Isles, good coral viewing can be enjoyed close on-shore making snorkelling a very enjoyable experience. On the island itself there is a lighthouse and some bush.
The Low Isles are located not far from beautiful Port Douglas. Getting to the Low Isles from Port Douglas is a very pleasant one hour sail on a luxury sailing catamaran.
Things to do around the Low Isles
Snorkelling
Just about everyone chooses to spend some time snorkelling in the crystal clear waters around Low Isles. The coral is only a short distance under the surface and you get beautiful clear views of the kaleidoscopically colored and extraordinarily varied coral, complete with fish swimming gently through the coral from time to time.
If you’ve never snorkelled before, then we there are skilled instructors who will carefully coach you in how to put on the fins, mask and snorkel (all of which are supplied at no extra charge) and then make sure you’re entirely comfortable and confident with snorkelling. There is just about no-one who is too old (or too young) to enjoy time in the warm water snorkelling around as they wish.
For those with greater experience and confidence, there are guided snorkelling tours where one of the Marine Biologists leads a small group around various coral concentrations, explaining the origin and different types of coral that you’ll see.
Glass Bottom Boat Viewing
This is a “must do” part of your day - indeed many people take two or more trips on the coral viewing boats. Take a tour around several of the different types of coral concentrations at Low Isles, with the captain providing an informative commentary, explaining all about the sights that you’ll be seeing.
As well as coral of all shapes, sizes, and colors, there are also many different types of fish swimming around, and some fascinating giant clams on the bottom.
Guided Beach Walks
Every afternoon, one of the Marine Biologist staff leads interested people on a guided tour around the Low Isles. They will show you all manner of interesting examples of the varied marine life that live at the water’s edge and explain some more about how coral cays are formed.