The Tour Specialists Blog

On Thursday night I, along with the team at The Tour Specialists, got to enjoy Tjapukai By Night.  Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park is an enthralling experience by day, but by night there is something a little more special about it.  On arrival at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park I was greeted at the flamelit entrance by Tjapukai performers who applied traditional face paint on me.  As I walked up the torchlit path to the entrance, two young Tjapukai men were waiting to take a souvenir photograph with me.  There was time for plenty of laughs, and the anticipation of the night ahead began to swell.

Once inside the courtyard at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park I met the rest of the Tour Specialists team and was offered a welcoming glass of wine.  We enjoyed the fresh Tropical North Queensland air and mingled underneath the vast Australian night sky.  After a short while we were ushered into the Magic Space – a large cavernous room adorned with Australian Aboriginal artworks and artefacts.  The Magic Space is the beginning of the Tjapukai By Night experience, and exudes an atmospheric ambiance.  After a short while admiring the Aboriginal artworks, the lights begin to dim and the show begins…

The Tjapukai By Night performance in the Magic Space is incredibly intimate.  In the centre of the room is a small circular stage where the enthralled audience gathers around to enjoy the Tjapukai performers tell a traditional Dreamtime through the use of dance and didgeridoo music.  As the traditional dance ends the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo reverberates off the hallowed walls of the Magic Space creating a powerful experience for the audience.  I was amazed at how clear the sounds of native Australian animals were in the poignant didgeridoo music.  I could clearly hear the sounds of dingos and birds being expertly teased out of the authentic Aboriginal instrument.  As the audience is being captivated by the spectacular performance, it comes as a pleasant surprise when doors burst open and lights begins to penetrate the darkness of the Magic Space. 

The Tjapukai performers beckon the audience to follow into the mysterious corridor.  As we follow the alluring sounds of the didgeridoo we are led to a large outdoor grass area nestled by Tjapukai lake.  I, along with the rest of the audience were handed tapsticks, and immediately became part of a traditional Australian Aboriginal corroboree.  The Tjapukai performers begin the corroboree with song and dance which the audience enthusiastically participates in, and climaxes with the creation of fire.  The audience gathers closer and ‘gives wind’ to the fire – blowing on the smouldering fire to ignite the flames.  It doesn’t take long for the flames to burn brightly, and a traditional campfire is started.

Out of the shadows a Tjapukai performer appears, lights his spear in the campfire and hurtles the firespear into the lake.  When the spear makes contact with the tribal land it explodes into a mushrooming fireball that magically illuminates the dark night sky.  The audience erupts into cheers and applause as the fire begins to dim.  As we look out towards the lake we see something begin to emerge from the deep dark forest.  A flamelit canoe materializes out of the darkness carrying Tjapukai performers.  As the canoe meets the shoreline the performers lead the audience along a mysterious path that follows the shoreline of the lake, and this short journey through Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park ends at the delightful Boomerang Restaurant. 

The Boomerang Restaurant is a large open-aired restaurant that overlooks the calm still waters of the lake and the rainforest clad mountains in the distance.  The Boomerang Restaurant features a gourmet hot and cold buffet dinner.  The dishes have been inspired by Indigenous Aboriginal ingredients such as Lilly Pilly, Wattleseed, Pepperberry and Rosella.  Being vegetarian I particularly enjoyed the buffet dinner as there was an abundance of fresh seasonal vegetables, vegetarian soups, lasagne and pasta dishes.  The carnivores were impressed with the fine array of seafood and meat dishes.  The bread was fresh and delicious, traditionally prepared by chefs at Tjapukai.  As we were enjoying our delicious desserts, the final Tjapukai performance began.   

The final Tjapukai performance is enthralling.  Tjapukai performers take to the stage, and through dance and song tell traditional dreamtime stories.  There is plenty of audience interaction and we get to really feel part of the show!  There is a good deal of humour in this last performance, and audience members are called to the stage to take part in traditional dance and fire making.  As the Tjapukai performance comes to a close a camp fire is lit on the grassy lawn outside the restaurant, and we have a chance to enjoy a glass of fine Australian wine or chilled Australian ale by the fire and meet the talented Tjapukai performers. 

As the night comes to a close there is plenty of time to explore the retail gallery.  This is not just another gift shop – it sells a range of fine Australian artwork, didgeridoos, boomerangs and other authentic handmade creations.  I highly recommend the Tjapukai By Night experience.  Not only was it fun and entertaining, but also provided me with a wonderful insight into traditional Aboriginal culture.  I got to experience first-hand rituals and traditions that date back over 40,000 years, which is truly awe-inspiring and remarkable.  Tjapukai By Night is an unforgettable cultural experience, and a ‘must do’ activity for those on a Tropical North Queensland vacation!

Amy Jennings
The Tour Specialist. 
  

GREEN ISLAND WITH BIG CAT

What a relaxing day, we chose to go over on the 11:00am departure on the Reef Rocket so that way in true Sunday morning style I still got my sleep in. We had to be down at the Fleet Terminal at 10:30am for check in and soon after boarding we were off. The day was quiet windy however still enjoyable. Once arriving to the Island we went straight to the Big Cat for our buffet lunch and off to explore the Island. First we went for a bit of a walk around the outside of the Island and had a look at the beaches and then we discovered  Marineland Melanasia the nautical and croc museum on Green Island, it was so interesting and the Crocs are huge.
After our croc adventure we then got an Ice Cream and then off to our semi – sub tour. There was such an abundance of beautiful fish and marine life it was truly fantastic. Whilst on the tour we they feed the fish and went through and pointed out and gave us a bit of information on each type of fish which was really interesting.
After our tour we headed back to Marineland Melanesia to watch the Turtle and Croc feeding and to hold the baby croc. It was absolutely fantastic, the Turtles were exquisite, I wanted to steal one and take it home as a pet. The Croc feeding was unreal; they get a four metre Croc jumping up out the water to the point that the water splashes you over the fence.
We then decided to retreat to the pool and relax before departing the Island. 

Erin - The Tour Specialists

Cairns Catch a Crab Tours are a very informative fun company to have a half day adventure with. My two sons and I went on the afternoon cruise up Trinity Inlet with Tony, a colourful local with a real passion for his job and a mischievous sense of humour! The cruise is onboard a spacious, twin hulled boat which takes you down the beautiful calm waters of the Inlet.  This area showcases the abundance of bird life in the Tropical North. We were even treated with a rare sighting of a 2 metre plus crocodile sunning itself on the banks of the river!! We located the crab pots and hauled in the prized bounty! Plenty of crab for everybody! While Tony set to preparing the meal, we were all given our fishing gear and began our own hunt. There were plenty of Toad (Puffer) Fish which are always fun to have a look at. The prize catch of the day was the Mangrove Jack, and Trevally as well as my catch and release Grunter (well below legal size unfortunately, so back he went)! The Mangrove Jack and Trevally were then cute sashimi style and presented along with the beautiful and oh so fresh Mud Crabs, salad and fresh fruit! A Delicious meal fit for a King!

This was a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon sure to be enjoyed by all!

Sonja - The Tour Specialists

  My boys croc spotting

What a fantastic way to spend a day! I was absolutely delighted to drive my way up the Kuranda range through the amazing rainforest before entering the more arid, temperate region known as the Tablelands. A quick trip from Palm Cove to Mareeba then on to the Australian Coffee Centre aka Skybury, took approx. 1hr 30 mins. If self driving look out for the iron sculpture of the farmer with his wheelbarrow to indicate entry on to the “Wheelbarrow Way” which takes you through lychee ,coffee, papaya, banana and more plantations before arriving at Skybury.
My mother in-law and I were greeted by friendly welcoming staff. We walked out to the dining room deck area to breathe in the amazing 180degree views. There are rolling hills in the distance as well as native eucalypt trees and plantations of many varieties of crops.  Julye made us an amazing coffee that we enjoyed while absorbing the relaxed quiet atmosphere.
Next it was time for our plantation tour. Our guide was Andrew, a true Aussie Cowboy who has spent a lifetime working in the Australian bush. We learned all there is to know about growing, harvesting and maintaining the oldest running coffee plantation in Australia. It was also fascinating to learn that although a relatively new coffee producing country, Australia’s coffee is very highly regarded in the coffee growing world, second only to the quality of Jamaica’s coffee. Skybury is the major producer of this export coffee, which is sent all over the world. Well done! We watched an 8 minute IMAX type video in the media room summarizing all that we had learned. Very First Class!
After our tour we were famished so headed back to our favourite spot on the balcony for lunch and a refreshing glass of wine. The barramundi was exceptional! (Steaks, Pastas, Vegetarian and Kids meals are also available) To top off a truly spectacular meal, cappuccino ice cream was for dessert! Yum!!( they also offer a selection of decadent cakes, biscuits and cheese cakes!)
At the gift shop they offer everything coffee related from bean grinders and Percolators to different varieties of chocolate covered beans and fruits and of course a selection of the freshest coffee to take home.
Skybury coffee Plantation is for anybody who enjoys coffee and is of course very child friendly. They even have a native animal rehabilitation centre to care for sick or injured wallabies, kangaroos and birds from the area. It is easy to see why The Australian Coffee Centre is a winner of Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards!
Thank you to everybody at The Australian Coffee Centre for a very memorable and educational day!

Sonja McSweeney - The Tour Specialists Palm Cove

Dear Tour desk

Just a short note to say how much we enjoyed Brett Quinn’s Northern Experience eco tour, which included many interesting things.  Lush rainforest, spectacular waterfalls and the historic Spanish castle ruins of Paronella Park.
We were looking forward to this tour and certainly weren’t disappointed, in fact we saw and did so much more than we anticipated.  Brett’s knowledge of the area is incredible and with his friendly jovial manner makes your day interesting and memorable.  He went out of his way to help everyone on the bus.
After a lovely cruise on Lake Barrine, we enjoyed our Devonshire morning tea (best scones in Cairns I believe) and later after cheese tasting at Mungalli Creek Dairy had a delicious 2 course home cooked lunch.
Afternoon Tea was also provided at Babinda Boulders, where we swam in the most beautiful, cool crystal clear water.
Everyone had a great day and we would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting this part of our beautiful country.
 Thank you

John and Karen Vuki

Saturday 26 April

On Saturday I decided to take my family to Skybury Coffee Plantation.  I had heard rumors that Skybury was a hidden treasure, and I was thrilled that after a year and a half living in Cairns there were still unexplored areas to discover and activities yet to do!  The scenic hour and a half journey west of Cairns to Mareeba was stunning.  We watched as tropical rainforest turned into native Australian bushland, which slowly melted into rolling green agricultural paddocks.  Skybury Coffee Plantation is located 10 kilometers outside the rural township of Mareeba but felt as if it was literally a million miles from anywhere.  When we stepped out of the car at the end of our journey we were greeted by crisp fresh country air and the vast Australian landscape that stretched to the distant azure horizon.     

We were greeted at the entrance of Skybury Coffee Plantation by ‘Squaky’ the resident Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo.  He didn’t feel like talking to me, but really seemed to warm to my partner Terry, much to Terry’s delight!  After our journey we were famished, and headed inside in anticipation of lunch.  As soon as we entered the Australian Coffee Centre we were greeted by spectacular views and charming, elegant surrounds.  The Coffee Centre features polished wooden floorboards, spacious timber furnishings and large comfortable chairs.  The aroma of coffee was hanging in the air, and we quickly made our way to the reception area.  Greeted by Skybury’s warm friendly staff, we discussed our options for the day and decided to purchase the ‘Complete Package’.  This entitled us to a meal, coffee, beer, wine or soft drink, cappuccino ice-cream, guided tour and discounts at the gift shop.  We were really looking forward to the day! 

We took a seat on the large outdoor timber wrap-around veranda that overlooks acres of coffee plantation, green rolling fields, dams and native Australian forest.  The day was perfect with warm sun shinning and a cool breeze rustling though the trees.  Birds were flittering and fluttering in the trees surrounding the veranda, providing a little entertainment before our meal.  The menu was divine, and we were pleasantly surprised when our huge meals arrived!  Terry enjoyed the fresh Barramundi with a garden salad and hot potato chips, my mother enjoyed a slow roasted rib fillet with gravy and baked potatoes and I had a Mediterranean vegetarian pasta dish that featured the freshest seasonal produce such as button mushrooms, artichoke hearts and sundried capsicum and tomatoes.  The meals were sensational – they were massive, and prepared with exceptional care.  We all enjoyed every last bite.   

After lunch it was time for the coffee tour.  If you have an interest in how coffee is grown and harvested, this coffee tour is for you!  We were taken into the fields of coffee plants and tasted coffee beans directly from the tree.  We learnt about the fascinating history of the coffee bean and about the coffee industry in Australia and around the world!  The coffee tour is great if you have a thirst for knowledge regarding coffee, however may be a little long if you’re not interested in the subject matter.  Luckily enough we are avid coffee connoisseurs and thought the tour was excellent!  The tour concludes with a short screening of a DVD that really highlights the passion that everyone – from the owners of the company through to the farm hands - has for Skybury.

On completion of the tour we decided we simply must taste the coffee!  Once settled back on the large wrap-around veranda we sampled the most delectable smooth cups of coffee with a new found appreciation for the effort that goes into every cup!  While enjoying the coffees we were treated to the most decadent cappuccino ice-cream with large wafer biscuits, cream and strawberries.  The dessert was simply delicious!  The afternoon was divine.  We appreciated the perfect soft tropical weather, we relaxed in the comfortable chairs, enjoyed each others company, the coffee and the breathtaking views.  My partner finished the day with an exotic affogato, a splendid combination of coffee and ice-cream served in a tall martini glass.  Just perfect!

Before leaving we purchased some Skybury coffee and postcards from the gift shop with our complimentary gift vouchers (available only with the ‘complete package’).  We had a lovely day that featured beautiful coffee and sumptuous meals.  We all decided that Skybury coffee was an absolute ‘must do’ for visitors to Tropical North Queensland, and I know that we will be returning soon …. we might just see you there!

Amy Jennings
The Tour Specialists

Last Saturday I had the most wonderful experience of traveling up to Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Railway.  All the feedback I had heard back about this delightful journey was all excellent, but having lived in Sydney for a few years and commuting from Cronulla to Sydney City every day I was very put off by all forms of train travel for a few years!
We decided on the 9.45 am departure as it was a Saturday and after waking up early all week a little sleep in was in order.  We arrived at the picturesque Freshwater Station.  The train starts in Cairns then makes its way to Freshwater Station which is closer for those people who are based on the Northern Beaches.  Freshwater Station has a lovely little gift shop and a fantastic café which I believe serves a fantastic breakfast before your journey begins.  The station also provides a few historic buildings such as a Railway Construction workers hut and a Museum.

Well all aboard and at 9.45 am the train departs for Kuranda. We traveled up standard fare and were impressed.  Our carriage was very quiet this enabled us to both sit near the window and enjoy the view.  On arrival at the station we were provided with and information card and this pointed out various points of interest throughout the journey, along with a running audio commentary provided in the carriage.  The train traveled out though Redlynch then started to climb up the Freshwater Valley to Kuranda traveling through many hand carved tunnels and areas where you are able to capture spectacular views of the Coral Sea and Cairns City.  On a clear day you can even see Green Island on the horizon.  Towards the end of the journey a stop is made at Barron Falls Waterfall this Waterfall is 329 metres above sea level the falls drop is 265 metres.  Back in the early days a Flying Fox provided a view of the falls and a method of commuting to work!
In the wet season this waterfall is just amazing and leaves many a jaw dropped.
The stop at the falls is for around 10 minutes and this allows for plenty of time to take photos.  Once the whistle blew it was all aboard and onto Kuranda Station. 

The Kuranda Station is very impressive, this federation style station is heritage listed.  The building was completed in 1915 and is the only remaining example of a railway station of precast concrete construction.  The station is home to many local and introduced tropical plants and flowers making it one of the most beautiful railway stations in Australia.

We arrived at Kuranda just after 11.00 am so we had three hours to filling in which I think was about the perfect time to have a look around.  I have a fascination for butterflies so I new the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary was on my radar!  So after a quick coffee at one of the many coffee shops dotted along our walk we arrived at the Butterfly Sanctuary.

The butterfly sanctuary was fantastic and we happened to arrive at perfect timing as they had a tour about to start.  Our guide was Tina and she was brilliant her enthusiasm and passion really shined through!  I learnt so much about the life of a butterfly through Tina’s commentary.  Such as most butterflies live for several weeks while some can live as long as 9 months or even a year!  How butterflies feed! How butterflies protect themselves!  The cycle of a butterfly!  Which I am not going of course to tell you as you will have to go and find out for yourself!!!!
The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary is one of the largest butterfly farms in the world in terms of enclosed space.  The main aviary is a large all weather glass house it has an average height of 25 feet.  The Sanctuary itself is seven acres and some of the three acres are used for the cultivation of butterfly food plants whilst the remaining four acres are rainforest. 

We were extremely lucky as on the day we went as it was mating season!! The very large moth, Hercules Moth was mating this was a great chance to get up close and take a picture of this amazing moth as they stay very still whilst mating and this is not a very regular occurrence!  After walking through this lovely environment you then come to a room that has a display of all the types of butterflies throughout the world.  This was amazing as there were hundreds of butterflies on display some with fantastic brilliant iridescent colours.

The camouflage butterflies where incredible such as having two snake heads on there wings to discourage predators to taking on the appearance of a leaf  even down to the fine details of having markings that depict water drops…….absolutely incredible!!!

After the butterflies it was time for a look around the shops and markets then off for some lunch!  Well it was getting on to around 2.00 pm and time for our Journey back!
This time we were traveling Gold Class.  Gold Class is a special exclusive section of the train where two special railway carriages have been restored to former grandeur.  Gold class has free seating so it is best to get there a little early so you can obtain a window seat.  The seats are not fixed so are very comfortable and easy to move near the window.  Once settled in you take in you surrounds of this premier carriage.  The Gold Class attendant then came around and introduces himself and asked what type of beverage we would like.  Beer, wine, juice and sparkling wine were all on offer.  I opted for a lovely glass of sparkling so I could sit back and enjoy the surrounds.  Once the train was off it was then time for the canapés to come out and this was in the form of an individual cheese & biscuits and dried fruit plate for all which was the perfect companion to my glass of sparkling!!  Gold Class still also provides the running commentary at the end of you journey you are presented with a souvenir pack of a gold class pen, postcard and pin something to take home and remind you of you day!  It was lovely to come home in a bit of luxury and style.

Tammy - The Tour Specialists Palm Cove

Sunday, 20 April, 2008

On Sunday morning I was lucky enough to visit Cairns Wildlife Dome – the exotic wildlife park and rainforest habitat in the heart of Cairns city.  Cairns Wildlife Dome is an outstanding feature of the Cairns city skyline, and is a unique dome structure perched on top of the Cairns Reef Casino.  The dome itself is made of glass, is 20 meters high and is suitable to visit in all weather conditions.  I’ve always been impressed with the dome from the outside; the way it provides a nightly light show featuring all the neon colors of the rainbow.  I was intrigued about what Cairns Wildlife Dome would have to offer, and couldn’t wait to see what it was like inside.
    
Upon entering Cairns Wildlife Dome I was greeted with a myriad of sights and sounds.  There was a plethora of exotic rainforest creatures freely roaming around amongst the large, lush green rainforest habitat.  The sound of the vast variety of tropical birds singing was delightful and somewhat noisy, and every rainforest tree and bush in the dome seemed to be rustling and bustling with an excess of playful birds.  At the entrance of Cairns Wildlife Dome I was lucky enough to meet my first feathered friend, a Red Tailed Black Cockatoo.  This friendly bird was happy to have a chat with me, and even perch on my arm for a more indepth and intimate discussion.

The dome structure was bigger on the inside than I expected, and the lush tropical rainforest habitat was spectacular and unexpected in the heart of Cairns city.  I felt as though I had been transported into an exotic rainforest paradise in the blink of an eye.  Cairns Wildlife Dome features large pathways and a wooden boardwalk that leads you from the base of the dome toward the roof.  As I ascended the walkways I was treated to spectacular views of the entire dome structure, all the exotic animals in the dome and the city of Cairns and Coral Sea lying just outside the wildlife park.  As I meandered along the pathways at the base of the dome I spotted free roaming pademeloms.  These soft and furry rainforest creatures were absolutely adorable, and didn’t seem to mind all the attention they were getting from me!  I also spotted some turtles and freshwater crocodiles in a billabong, frogs in lush green rainforest trees and some slithery scaly pythons.
 
As I ascended the wooden boardwalk I was greeted by Goliath, an enormous 5 metre saltwater crocodile.  Goliath is an amazing creature and seeing him up close and personal gave me a newfound respect and appreciation for Estuarine Crocodiles that are typical of the Far North Queensland region.  Cairns Wildlife Dome features a unique underwater viewing platform, a welcome addition to the above-water view, which gave me a unique perspective of Goliath from both under and on top of the water.  As I got higher in the Wildlife Dome the birds changed from ground dwellers to colourful and exotic birds typically of the canopy of the tropical rainforests.  As they swooped and soared around me I decided I needed to know more about them, and decided to watch the bird presentation at 10:30 am.

The bird presentation was both educational and enjoyable.  The stars of the show included an Eclectus Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeets, Kookaburras, Red Tailed Black Cockatoos, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos and a Frogmouth.  Most of the birds swooped and soared – generally just inches above our heads, however the Kookaburra was in an especially bad mood and decided he didn’t want to play.  Instead, he flew to the other side of the dome and laughed at us, which resulted in an uproar of applause and laughter from the audience.  Cairns Wildlife Dome has a variety of animal shows and presentations throughout the day such as feeding tours, reptile rap, furry friends and dusk creatures.  Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to see all of these shows, however when purchasing tickets to the Cairns Wildlife Dome entry is valid for five days so I will get a chance to go back and catch the shows I missed.    
Cairns Wildlife Dome provides an intimate animal experience in the heart of the city of Cairns.  I recommend the Cairns Wildlife Dome to anyone who wants to experience native Australian animals and tropical rainforest without even leaving the city.  After leaving Cairns Wildlife Dome I enjoyed a cup of coffee in the Reef Casinos restaurant – Pacific Flavours – and marveled at the unique ability to transition from a tropical rainforest environment into decadent luxury in the blink of an eye.  Treat yourself and experience Cairns Wildlife Dome personally…

Amy Jennings
The Tour Specialist

It started out with an idea to play in the mud as big kids do and to ride a horse! On a fine Saturday approx 3 weeks ago, I was collected at 8am by Annie my host from Blazing Saddles.  As I was the only person to be collected from the Northern Beaches that morning, Annie let me on a little known secret that we are to stop at Trinity Beach Meats to collect  the hamburgers for lunch - more about this later.  

We arrived at Blazing Saddles at approx 8:30 am, on arrival I signed myself into the Visitors register, paid my $12 insurance levy and completed the necessary paperwork. Then I was advised to help myself to a complimentary beverage of coffee! 

Around 9 am the remaining adventure seekers and my self were fitted with our helmets & made sure we have suitably enclosed shoes. One fellow only had thongs so he was given gum boots to wear!  Appropriate footwear on we were then lead over to the ATV (quad bike) area.   Here we were met by our ever jovial safety orientated hosts Mariah & Texas.   It was a bit daunting at first to be getting on an ATV for the first time.  However Texas gave us a thorough run down on these big boys toys (suitable for teens as well under his instruction of course.)  At exactly 9:20 am we were off in our group of seven to the training tracks, surrounded by rubber tyres and mini jumps etc. This obstacle course has been designed so you can become 1 with your ATV and have time to practice your driving skills.

At approx 9:45am we then started on a 2 hour journey over the fantastic 1200 hectare property that is Blazing Saddles. In the first stage for approx 20 mins we all rode along together, both Mariah & Texas both check your level of confidence and ability to ride the ATV, then the group is split in two with the more confident riders going with Texas into the deeper wilderness of the property.  After a further 20 mins of honing my ATV riding skills we stopped for a rest and much needed drink of water to wash the dirt/dust off our teeth.  After a short break as we continued our ride I was to join Texas in the more advanced riding group.

During this adventure I got bogged in creeks twice and  by the third bogging I was experienced enough to get myself out of trouble, I also became separated from the group at one stage as I was left in wake of their dust, so for approx 5 mins, I was lost in the depths of the vast property.  In my wisdom I turned around and back tracked however still managed to drive over the top of a small termite mound and took the top off it.  I can see why the ATV’s are fitted with a bull bar! 

At approx 11:45am we returned to base camp & parked the ATV’s and headed to the shed to wash up & then be served  a buffet barbecue lunch with the best juicy burgers. Well worth the wait after a full throttle morning. 

After lunch at 12:30 it was off to be saddled up, for our 2 hour horse ride.  My guide this time were Abigail & Alison, these ladies both love working with horses & are very passionate about what they do. They guide you in the correct ways of handling and riding horses.   On this occasion I had not sat on a horse since I was 8 yrs old.  So I did not have a lot of confidence.   However after riding Wattle (my horse) for 15 minutes it all came back and I felt really confident.  By the end of the afternoon I felt I could see no problems in getting on a horse next time and go for a more advanced riding experience. At one stage wattle insisted in standing in the creek and not moving. After a quick chat with her we were on our way once again.   Remember you will get dusty dirty & wet on these activities!!  Both activities are must do when visiting the Cairns region.  This is a  perfect start or finish to your day & you can add Hot Air Ballooning to you adventure in the morning or also combine either ATV or Horse Riding with the Kuranda Scenic Railway and Skyrail.
Lachie
The Tour Specialists Palm Cove.

My day at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary in Port Douglas was so much fun.  We woke up early Sunday morning to allow plenty of time for the hour-long drive to Port Douglas from Cairns.  The weather was perfect (as usual in Tropical North Queensland) and my family and I enjoyed the scenic costal drive.  The Coral Sea looked spectacular in the morning, with the warm sun glittering off the smooth sapphire surface of the Ocean and the palm trees gently swaying in the cool breeze. 

On arrival at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary we were greeted by happy, friendly staff and were given our complimentary map of the wildlife park.  We were all very hungry after our early morning drive, so we made our way immediately to the Wetlands Restaurant to enjoy our Breakfast with the Birds. 

At the Restaurant we were greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne (although I was driving so I opted for the fresh orange juice).  After being seated at a large comfortable table by friendly restaurant staff, we made our way to the large bay-mares.   The buffet breakfast was divine.  My partner (who is a big eater) especially enjoyed the all-you-can-eat gourmet breakfast and had bacon, eggs, sausages, beans, hash browns and freshly toasted bread.  Being vegetarian, buffet meals can be somewhat problematic for me, but this was just perfect!  I enjoyed a huge array of fresh (and dried) seasonal tropical fruits, muesli (with soy milk!), fresh locally baked bread and a great selection of fresh juices.  At the end of breakfast we sat in the tranquil surrounds (while enjoying a hot herbal tea) and enjoyed the vast array of birds.  My favourites were the noisy black cockatoo’s and the ducks in the pond nearby!   

The Rainforest Habitat has three distinct sections: the Grasslands, Rainforest and Wetlands.  In the Grasslands we saw wallabies, kangaroos (which we got to pet and hand feed), endangered tree kangaroos, emus and crocodiles.  At the Wetlands my partner held a baby crocodile!  We saw cuddly Koala bears, a plethora of tropical birds and an endangered Southern Cassowary.  My favourite section was the Rainforest environment.  It was simply breathtaking experiencing the rainforest from the dense forest floor to the top of the lush green canopy.  We watched turtles and eels frolic in the crystal clear waters, and an amazing array of tropical rainforest birds soar overhead.  There were plenty of seats and viewing platforms which allowed us to rest in the temperate milieu and experience the rainforest creatures in their natural environment. 

At the end of the day we sat at the open air Curlew Café (which is fully licensed) and enjoyed a cold drink and ice-cream.  One of the most impressive things about the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary is its commitment to eco-tourism which is evident by its Advanced Eco-Certification.  The passion of the staff to principles of education and preservation was obvious, and although we missed the formal presentations, we did meet the enthusiastic staff as we were wandering around the wildlife park who were happy to answer our questions and have a chat.

I highly recommend the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary to anyone who wants to have a unique and intimate experience with native Australian flora and fauna!  We all had a fantastic time, and enjoyed our trip back to Cairns as dusk fell over the crystal clear Coral ocean and tropical rainforest around us!       
 
Amy Jennings - The Tour Specialists Clifton Beach

Credit repair free letter
Lincoln long term care insurance
Credit score rating system
Debt consolidation facts
Insurance promote sexual health
Payday loan calculator
Gb home equity
Credit score ranges
Loan calculator auto
Bad credit student loan
Hawaii home loans
Credit repair report service
Trans union credit reports
Florida home equity loans
State farm auto insurance
Debt consolidation loan online
Credit score charts
Graduate student loans
Free consumer credit report
California refinance
Home loan refinance rates
Georgia home owner insurance
California refinance mortgage loan pay option arm home
Insurance sexual health clinic sydney
Employment credit report
Lower payment debt consolidation ma
In one credit report
Relief for tax debts
Self credit repair
Insurance sexual health questions
Government free credit reports
Guaranteed issue health insurance
Bank credit card offers
Free credit report
What are credit scores
Payday loan qualifications
Home equity loan source
Low fee payday loan
Mortgage credit scores
Non profit debt consolidation
Repairing credit score
Credit score tips
Life insurance agent
Consolidation debt home improvement loan mortgage refinance
Alternative student loan
Card credit disney offer
Burial insurance lead
Automotive warranty
Cost of long term care insurance
Life insurance rate
Instant experian credit report
Credit reporting agencys
Debt consolidation uk
Refinance home mortgage home equity loan
Refinance rates
Home equity rates
And credit score
Payday loan canada
Affordable life insurance
State farm homeowners insurance
Best term life insurance rate
How much interest is your home equity earning
Credit free improve score
Defaulted student loan
Student credit card uk
Credit report annual
Renters insurance arizona
Government free credit report
Mortgage disability insurance
National credit reporting
Dispute credit report
Extended automobile warranty
Equifax credit reports
Obtaining personal credit report
Homeowner insurance
Settlement and debt negotiation
Macys credit card application

Just a short note to say how much we enjoyed Brett Quinn’s Northern Experience Eco Tour which included among many other interesting things, lush rainforests, spectacular waterfalls and the historic spanish castle ruins of Paronella Park.

We were looking forward to this tour and certainly weren’t disappointed, in fact we saw and did so much more than we anticipated.  Brett’s knowledge of the area is incredible and with his friendly jovail manner, makes your day interesting and memorable.  He went our of his way to help everyone on the bus.

After a lovely cruise on Lake Barrine we enjoyed our Devonshire morning tea and later on, after cheese tasting at Mungalli Creek Dairy,  had a delicious two course home cooked lunch.  Afternoon tea was also provided at Babinda Boulders where we swam in the most beautiful, cool, crystal clear waters.

Everyone had a great day and we would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting this part of our beautiful country.  Thank you!

John &  Karen - from Sydney

Travel Date: 26-2-08

Guide: Ben  Host: Brianna

On commencing the tour I was greeted by Brianna & Ben and introduced to the rest of the guests already on the bus. The interior of the vehicle was very luxurious boasting leather seats for extra comfort and timber floors. Air-conditioning could be individually controlled and the windows were exceptionally large for capturing superior views of the surroundings. Our guide Ben was very friendly and was clearly passionate about ecology and rainforest preservation. He understood and explained the demographics of the region clearly as well as the history, including Aboriginal perspectives and beliefs about certain places. He was very informative, confident and educated in tour guiding. Brianna our host kept everyone amused and also provided us with beneficial information she was very friendly and such a pleasure to have on the trip.

The first stop was Mossman Gorge. We went for a short guided walk and learnt about certain rainforest techniques that were used by the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal tribes. This was very interesting. It was then only 25 minutes to the Daintree River for some morning tea which included tea/coffee, biscuits and fruit cake. Everyone boarded the boat for a 1 hour cruise along the Daintree River. We were each given binoculars and shown how to use them! Within 5 minutes a 3.5 metre female crocodile was spotted basking on the bank. It wasn’t long until 3 were spotted including a baby croc! They disguise very well. The cruise was very informative and the skipper happily answered any questions. The importance of estuarine mangrove habitats and other environmental concerns were also illustrated. After the boat cruise it was time for another guided rainforest walk, this time at Jindalba. This was the best rainforest walk. There were numerous species of wildlife including birds, insects and reptiles. Ben was able to explain the age of particular plants and trees, their significant attributes and uses. We were then off lunch Noah’s Valley. Everyone was hungry and looking forward to it. The lunch spot was very private and situated on an exotic fruit farm. There was steak (cooked to personal satisfaction), sausages, grilled fish, salads, warm damper and red/white wine. It was delicious. A tropical fruit platter with seasonal fruits was brought out to finish it off! Some guests went for a swim and others wondered around discovering its beauty. A truly unique and unforgettable place for lunch!  It was then time for some 4-wheel driving. StingrayBay was 30 minutes North. Everyone was very tired by this stage and so a quick nap ensured we would be ready for some exploring by the time we arrived. It started to rain but that didn’t deter anyone from chasing hundreds of crabs along the beach. Stingray Bay was definately a highlight of the trip!

The trip home was very relaxing. Ben and Brianna did a little bit more commentary and worked everyone up for an ice-cream at the Daintree Ice-cream Centre. The flavours of the day were raspberry, sour sop, wattle seed and mango. I’ll be back for more! 
A great trip that is personalized, educational and opulent. Definately a cut above the rest, and well worth the $199. I have no recommendations on improvement!

A big thank-you to Brianna & Ben for a great day…..

Ysanne - The Tour Specialists

Last Tuesday I went out to Rainforestation. My 2 boys and I arrived around 10:30 and were greeted by so many friendly faces. I was given a map and timetable and we set off exploring. Our first stop was the Koala and wildlife park. I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of animals on display. The elevated platforms in the koala viewing area is such an amazing concept as you become face to face with these beautiful animals regardless if they are asleep or not. My children especially loved the reptile enclosures. There were quite a few different varieties of the cold blooded locals on display here. Lizards and snakes and of course the crocodiles were all displayed in a very visible and safe environment. The cassowary enclosure was also a very up close experience. There are kangaroos and wallabies roaming the grounds as well.

Next it was off for our Amphibious Army Duck Tour of the Rainforest. Our Army duck driver/guide’s name was Darren. He is a true passionate local with all the knowledge you could ask for. We had German and Korean tourists on board with us and he was fluent in both these languages and really gave the impression he would converse with tourists from any country! The commentary and information was really interesting, funny and educational. We made our way through the World Heritage Listed Rainforest stopping to learn facts about different plants and animals before driving in to the lake for a look around. We spotted water dragons, turtles, termite mounds at the top of trees and birds of many varieties. We continued through the rainforest and into the tropical fruit orchard. To see the variety of exotic fruits I had never heard of actually on the trees it was fascinating. Also I did not know the dragon fruit grow on a type of cactus! Amazing!

Our next stop was to the Aboriginal theatre to watch the cultural display by Pamagirri dancers. My eldest son was given a lesson on stage with a couple of others and did his best to try to learn some of the moves. It really is harder than it looks! Very entertaining-to watch, thank you!

After the show we were greeted by one of the performers, Henry. He was our guide for our Dreamtime Walk. He showed us how and why aborigines throw boomerangs for hunting. We each were given a chance to throw the boomerangs - again harder than it looks! We then moved on to the Didgeridoo area and learned how to make and play this amazing musical instrument. Henry then displayed his spear throwing ability. We selected targets for him to hit, and he was successful on each one. Well done Henry!

The day was really fun and educational. We topped it all of with a gelato ice cream made locally, I had exotic sour sop and my boys opted for the ever popular mango gelato. Yum!

I would like to say a big thank you to Rainforestation for the chance to learn more about our diverse country in your fun, friendly and highly educational Nature Park.

Sonja McSweeney - The Tour Specialists Palm Cove

Last Thursday I had the opportunity to join the sunrise morning tour.  The day was perfect and the experience memorable. The tour guide really has a way of making everybody feel relaxed and comfortable. I really enjoyed the easy paddle across to Double Island and all the interesting little known facts the guide shared with us. I learned alot! The Island itself is intriguing in its own right with stories of movie stars and the rich and famous or (just plain rich!), but the bird and sea life on and around Double Island is amazing. The inquisitive turtles, the many stingrays as well as the fascinating shovelnose sharks are like icing on the cake! I would imagine it must be a different experience/adventure each time you paddle across! This tour really gives visitors to our region an in-depth and personal insight into what makes this region so special.

Kayaking to Double Island should be on everybody’s TO DO checklist while in Palm Cove!

Sonja

Tour Specialists Consultant