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 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.