The Tour Specialists Blog

Keith and Angie took a tour to Undara Lava Tubes last weekend . The self drive trip was interesting with the variance in landscape as you travel the 290km drive.  We booked into the carriages which on 1^st impression was adequate and cosy . We were a little disappointed when we realized there was no fridge to keep our drink cold and no tea or coffee making facility available in our room.  After a quick settle in we went for a dust off in the pool which was refreshing.  We spent time looking at the bird life until we went out on the sunset wildlife tour which was interesting and informative, Tim our Guide was excellent.  After we arrived back to the complex we had our evening meal which was really nice, well done chef!  After dinner we went to the campfire where one of the Savanah Guides holds talks on various topics. Off to bed after that for a night listening to the sounds of the bush from the carriage. In the morning we headed off to the bush breakfast, great choice, different but refreshing. Then off for our half day Lava Tubes Tour, Tim our Guide again didn’t let us down, amazing and interesting tour, by the end of the morning it was almost information overload, I never was much of a student.  Back to camp to check out and a swim in the pool before setting off back to the real world again .On reflection of our weekend we had a great time. I would definitely recommend staying at least overnight, but I would suggest stopping in the deluxe swag tent option as they provide a fridge and gas hot plate unlike the premium carriages.

Keith - Tour Specialists Consultant

I went out on a trip with the new and improved SEASTAR last Wed. with a friend of mine. We were welcomed aboard with hot coffee and fresh muffins before we set off at 8:15 for Michaelmas Cay. The boat is very comfortable and will only take a maximum of 40 guests on board. There is an indoor lounge area as well as a covered outdoor seating area upstairs.

In only 1 hour 15 min we arrived at the Cay before any of the other boats. The weather that day was absolutely perfect and so was Michaelmas. We saw stingrays, a shark, a turtle,Maori wrasse, a few GIANT puffer fish and of course plenty of Nemos and his cousins. The beach was ours for well over an hour before the other boats arrived. We went on the guided snorkel tour with Anna and she was very well informed and approachable.The dive site at Michaelmas is the “3 Sisters” which I have done previously and is a quality site.

After a very beautiful and relaxing 2 and a half hours we were back on board for our buffet lunch including prawns and Lasagna-YUM!!! While we made our way to the second, location Hastings Reef for another 2 and a half hours. There were only 2 of us certified divers on board, so the crew were more than happy to allow my friend to come along with us for her first ever Intro dive. She was quite nervous and was having a bit of trouble staying down but the instructor Takia was very patient and comforting. Eventually we all headed off to explore this amazing section of the reef. The dive was no deeper than 10m and visibility was perfect. This is a perfect location for intro diving because of the relatively shallow water and variety of different hard and soft corals. After 30 min my friend went back to the surface and we continued on for another 25 mins.(shallow water=longer dive time!)

By the time we got to the surface my friend was kitted out with another tank and was off with Anna for another intro dive! ( she had no trouble staying under the water this time!)

The entire crew were just so fun and friendly and genuinely wanted everyone to enjoy their experience on the great barrier reef.

This is a small family run company (mum,dad and son) and I think they have a fantastic product that is unique in these ways:

1. Fast travel times

2. First to arrive at Michaelmas and over an hour alone there.

3. Small numbers allows greater flexibility

4. Hastings reef is great for intro divers and the location is really quality snorkeling as well

5. 2 and a half hours at each location! no rushing

6. Glass bottom boat tours at Hastings Reef.

7. Licensed boat!!

So a big thank you to Peter and Bernadette for a very memorable day! 

Sonya McSweeney - The Tour Specialists Consultant