The Tour Specialists Blog

I was very lucky to experience an extraordinary tour yesterday.

I was looking for a trip in the Rainforest, but not for a full day and for something a bit different.
So Louise (one of my friend) and I decided to try this new tour with Australian Wilderness Tours.

Doris, our experienced tour guide for the day, met us at the Skyrail in Caravonica at 8.15 am in order for us to travel by Skyrail to Kuranda.

Kuranda is one of the most visited places in Far North Queensland alongside the Great Barrier Reef.
The Skyrail is a 7.5km cableway journey through Australia’s Tropical Rainforests and to maximize this experience you should allow one and half hours, as this allows time to visit the two stops Red Peak Station and Barron Fall Station.

The canopy was just amazing so early in the morning, lots of birds, and the weather was just perfect, not cloudy at all.

Once we got to Kuranda we had a look at Koala Gardens. This park is excellent as you are able to see some kangaroos as well as snakes, lizards and a wombat.

Doris met us in front of the markets and our journey on the 4WD begun. I am not a specialist in this type of vehicle but this one was so comfortable and can take up to 6 persons (I do like small numbers!). We went to Jacques Coffee plantation (approx. 35km away from Kuranda) to experience an excellent morning tea (coffee and scones, very nice!) as well as a short documentary about the history of this plantation and how to grow coffee.
Jacques also specializes in microlight flights - so if you are tempted….

We then took the Clohesy River Road and this is when our real off road 4WD adventure started! I was feeling really privileged to experience this journey through this kind of Savannah bush, crossing these little creeks!  We stopped to have a look at the giant fig tree.

Suddenly the vegetation changed and we were back in the Tropical Rainforest again. I need to mention something important: AWT is one of the very few operators to have a permit to access this road, so it was so nice to be away from the crowd in the middle of the forest!

We then arrived at Copperlode Dam/Lake Morris. This lake is Cairns water supply and the scenery was just amazing from the Tea house/lookout.
This was our place for lunch so I choose to have a chicken, bacon and avocado filo – very nice.

On our way back to Cairns I could admire the city of Cairns (This city is growing so fast…) and the views from the mountain.

Doris, our guide is so knowledgeable and always makes sure everybody is comfortable on her tour. Thank you Doris for your kindness and such a wonderful day! To enquire about this tour.

Florence
The Tour Specialists Consultant

What is better than a weekend off and a beautiful sun shining day for a trip to Green Island? So here we go, my fiancée and I got ready last Saturday for a relaxing yet fun day in this little corner of Eden. We checked in at 10.30am at the Big Cat counter which was nice and fast then after a short wait we were all ready to board the Reef Rocket. The sea was a little rough on the way out, the passengers who chose not to sit outside the boat and get some fresh air got a bit sick. During our boat ride to our destination we collected our snorkeling equipment and enjoyed the salty breeze while getting more and more excited for the day that was awaiting us. I even met up with my colleague Sharon on the same boat. After about a 45 minutes boat trip we were at Green Island! We had perfect conditions there, no wind, no clouds and at least 10 metres of visibility underwater. We couldn’t ask for anything better! Soon after we arrived, we hired a couple of lockers for our backpacks and equipment and we headed for lunch. There were a lot of delicious choices (we tried them all of course), but my fiancée absolutely loved the beef and my favourite was no doubt the vegetable lasagna. And I, being Italian, know something about lasagna and definitely give thumbs up!! Full and satisfied, we still had some time before our semi-submersible tour so we decided to take a quick look at Marineland Melanesia, a nice habitat park right in the centre of the island and nested in the lush vegetation. There are a few crocodiles in there (one, Cassius, is an impressive 5.5 metres long!), aquariums, 2 giant sea turtles, fish and beautiful artifacts from Papua New Guinea and other exotic Islands. Soon after, we were ready for the semi-submersible tour, the “Yellow Submarine”. We boarded this special boat and headed downstairs where we took our seats and got ready with our cameras. The semi-sub it’s just perfect for pictures: if you place the camera very close to the glass and do not use the flash, there is neither glare nor reflection and the result is impressive. The commentary during the tour was interesting and accurate and I learnt a lot about this extraordinary ecosystem. My favourite part of the trip was the “sucker” fish, which gets a free ride while sticking to the external windows of the semi-sub. Very funny to see! Just towards the end of our tour, it was fish feeding time. They dispense special food (which has to be approved by marine park laws of course) and hundreds of fish came right close and literally surrounded the semi-sub. Such a nice experience. After the semi-sub, we decided to go for some snorkelling. We had less than two hours left on the island and we wanted to take advantage of this perfect day. I wanted to try the amazing Seawalker Helmet, but I do have a few problems with my ears and pressure changes so I just opted for the “quick and easy” option. Snorkelling was great. Out of the two beaches, we picked the non-supervised one (less crowded) and off we went. Visibility was very good; we saw quite a lot of fish, it was totally worth it. About half an hour before boarding time, we decided to take a shower and have a well-deserved ice cream after such a big day. There is a souvenir shop as well and a nice pool. The pool is part of the luxurious resort located on the island, but visitors can use it at their leisure. We were really tired to do anything else though, so we gave that a miss. The trip back to Cairns was much smoother as the wind was very low, we enjoyed a drink in the air-conditioned comfort of the catamaran (we had enough sun for the day!) and 45 minutes after we were greeting the shores of Cairns. Very tired but happy, we drove home almost ready for bed. Thank you to the Big Cat crew for a great day and great memories! What is better than a weekend off and a beautiful sun shining day for a trip to Green Island? So here we go, my fiancée and I got ready last Saturday for a relaxing yet fun day in this little corner of Eden. We checked in at 10.30am at the Big Cat counter which was nice and fast then after a short wait we were all ready to board the Reef Rocket. The sea was a little rough on the way out, the passengers who chose not to sit outside the boat and get some fresh air got a bit sick. During our boat ride to our destination we collected our snorkeling equipment and enjoyed the salty breeze while getting more and more excited for the day that was awaiting us. I even met up with my colleague Sharon on the same boat. After about a 45 minutes boat trip we were at Green Island! We had perfect conditions there, no wind, no clouds and at least 10 metres of visibility underwater. We couldn’t ask for anything better! Soon after we arrived, we hired a couple of lockers for our backpacks and equipment and we headed for lunch. There were a lot of delicious choices (we tried them all of course), but my fiancée absolutely loved the beef and my favourite was no doubt the vegetable lasagna. And I, being Italian, know something about lasagna and definitely give thumbs up!! Full and satisfied, we still had some time before our semi-submersible tour so we decided to take a quick look at Marineland Melanesia, a nice habitat park right in the centre of the island and nested in the lush vegetation. There are a few crocodiles in there (one, Cassius, is an impressive 5.5 metres long!), aquariums, 2 giant sea turtles, fish and beautiful artifacts from Papua New Guinea and other exotic Islands. Soon after, we were ready for the semi-submersible tour, the “Yellow Submarine”. We boarded this special boat and headed downstairs where we took our seats and got ready with our cameras. The semi-sub it’s just perfect for pictures: if you place the camera very close to the glass and do not use the flash, there is neither glare nor reflection and the result is impressive. The commentary during the tour was interesting and accurate and I learnt a lot about this extraordinary ecosystem. My favourite part of the trip was the “sucker” fish, which gets a free ride while sticking to the external windows of the semi-sub. Very funny to see! Just towards the end of our tour, it was fish feeding time. They dispense special food (which has to be approved by marine park laws of course) and hundreds of fish came right close and literally surrounded the semi-sub. Such a nice experience. After the semi-sub, we decided to go for some snorkelling. We had less than two hours left on the island and we wanted to take advantage of this perfect day. I wanted to try the amazing Seawalker Helmet, but I do have a few problems with my ears and pressure changes so I just opted for the “quick and easy” option. Snorkelling was great. Out of the two beaches, we picked the non-supervised one (less crowded) and off we went. Visibility was very good; we saw quite a lot of fish, it was totally worth it. About half an hour before boarding time, we decided to take a shower and have a well-deserved ice cream after such a big day. There is a souvenir shop as well and a nice pool. The pool is part of the luxurious resort located on the island, but visitors can use it at their leisure. We were really tired to do anything else though, so we gave that a miss. The trip back to Cairns was much smoother as the wind was very low, we enjoyed a drink in the air-conditioned comfort of the catamaran (we had enough sun for the day!) and 45 minutes after we were greeting the shores of Cairns. Very tired but happy, we drove home almost ready for bed. Thank you to the Big Cat crew for a great day and great memories! Big Cat Information

Valentina The Tour Specialists Hilton Cairns

 Ladies and gentlemen, something new and exciting is happening in Cairns! The Velvet Underground at the Casino has opened its doors to a new and truly entertaining magic show called Xtreme Illusions. It is one hour filled with fun, great tricks and modern choreographies. Yesterday it was my fiancées birthday, so I decided to celebrate by doing something a little different (as it was also a rainy Monday night and staying at home was not exactly fun) so I took him there for a bit of a look.
After reaching our seats, the waitresses asked us if we wanted something to drink and here we go, what we requested appeared in our hands! Just joking… but the service was really fast. Just a few minutes after the scheduled time, it was show time. After a nice opening routine performed by very nice dancers (at that point, my fiancée did thank me for taking him there…), our illusionist Sam Powers made his appearance. He was really catchy from the very first instant, charming and funny, a real entertainer. Sam performed some “old fashioned” tricks to start with, such as long threads and white doves appearing from his hands, but I must say, they have not lost their appeal. We were literally speechless and it was just the beginning! He did involve the audience for a few illusions, even inviting some people from the audience onto the stage. One trick that I was truly amazed by was a simple yet incredible one: he turned normal pieces of white paper into money just in front of our eyes! Like that! He did a lot in one hour, but I don’t want to spoil anything… it’s a must-see! And in between the different numbers, more dancing routines were performed. Also, I must say, the ladies will truly love Sam Powers!!
The show ended with the reproduction of a Houdini number: Sam, tied up with real handcuffs, had to escape from a locked big and solid box and… hey, I am not revealing the final! Whether you are a local or you are just visiting Cairns, this show is perfect for one easy hour of pure entertainment. And children are welcome too. Enjoy!! 

Valentina
The Tour Specialists - Hilton

Wooroonooran Safaris Canopy Skywalk Tour -  7th. September

If I could remember how to say ‘Wooroonooran’ I’d be recommending their safari tours to all my friends. 
Travelling with Wooroonooran safaris on the new MaMu canopy skywalk tour, was a wonderfully enjoyable day. Naturally we all wanted to see the amazing new construction but there were plenty of other interesting stops along the way. Oliver was keen to stress that his tour was taking the shorter Coast road route, saving 120 kms of travelling time for those who don’t like sitting in a bus all day.
Well, we had a plenty of time for a swim at the picturesque Josephine falls and a few brave souls took the plunge and revelled in the water slide. I thought I’d hang on for the sunshine (I hoped) later in the day when we visited Babinda Boulders.
Our next port of call was the Johnson River Crocodile Farm which is now under new management and is increasing the tourism side of its venture. Its many years since I was here last and I really liked the new additions – especially the gorgeous Dingo pups – well, I couldn’t resist a cuddle with those bundles of mischief. There are some impressive salt water crocodiles here now and they obligingly did their trick of trying to take the keepers arm off whilst being fed. Sorry, bad joke. The keepers were very entertaining with their stories of the floods and social life amongst the crocs. They brought forth snakes and lizards and parrots for close inspection or even to hold if it took your fancy. The most impressive thing to someone who thinks they’ve seen everything though, was a huge crocodile ‘hairball’ made from pig hairs and goodness know what else. Honestly, it was the size of a honeydew melon.
Speaking of which - our lunch stop at Roscoe’s Piazza in Innisfail is most definitely worth a mention. It’s a real Italian family venture and the pizza was as you’d expect – thin, crusty and delicious. Roscoes puts on a buffet of Pasta, Pizza, Roast meats, Chicken, Meat loaves (which were very special) Mediterranean veggies, Salads ,a myriad of desserts and much, much more.
Full and contented, we were excited to get to MaMu skywalk to walk some of it off. What a fantastic structure this is. They’ve catered for everyone and the whole skywalk is wheelchair and pram friendly. There are even several routes down to the forest walk (which runs amongst the trees alongside the canopy walk) in case people are tired or suffer with vertigo – as indeed one of our group did. There is also a buggy to transport those who need extra help.
The walkway was excellent, providing birds eye views of the surrounding forest. The cyclone damage is noted in the information placards, as there are some hefty fallen tree trunks around. It’s quite amazing to see some 20metre ‘new growth’. Throughout the tour Oliver, the owner of Wooroonooran Safaris was a fountain of knowledge and made it all especially interesting
The one place that is not suitable for wheelchairs and prams is the Viewing Tower. It climbs through a series of stairways to 37 metres above the forest floor. Yikes, from here you can see to Babinda and beyond. The scary thing though, is that the Tower is not such a fixed structure as the canopy walkway seemed to be. It sways just a little. There was no wind at all on the day of our visit so I did wonder how thrilling it would be on a blustery day.  Of course it is designed and built with this flexibility in order to withstand cyclonic winds, but as the brochure notes ’be aware of your response to heights’. As the sky darkened we hastily returned to our vehicle. By the side of the pathway we spotted a pile of cassowary poo, but alas no cassowaries.
At this point the weather decided to live up to its ‘Wet Tropics ‘tag so at Babinda Boulders we had to get out the brollies for our walk. It was interesting to hear the full Aboriginal legend of the Boulders. I seemed to have only heard the condensed version in previous visits. It’s a beautiful spot though and reminds me why I live in this tropical wonderland. The rain stopped long enough for a dip in the surprising warm, shallow pool near the picnic ground and the turtles came for a visit so that really completed my day. Thanks to Oliver and the crew for making it special.

Lesley – The Tour Specialists, Clifton Beach.
 

On a perfect balmy night I boarded the Cairns Habitat Sunset Cruise catamaran which leaves Cairns from the Reef Fleet Terminal at 5-30 pm every night except Sunday and Wednesday. I was welcomed aboard, and invited to use my voucher for a free drink (which the friendly girls at the Reef Fleet Terminal had given me). It was too perfect a night to stay indoors on the main deck, so I made my way up to the top deck to enjoy the views as we glided along the Trinity Inlet. Most of the other guests had the same idea and so I met some lovely couples and families who wanted something interesting and interactive, yet still relaxing
It is a perfect pre-dinner outing, and the Captain provides us with an interesting commentary, pointing out the area where the new pier redevelopment will take place, the Naval ships that usually patrol the area between Papua New Guinea and North Queensland, the Ferry that was transferred from Manly NSW and was supposed to be refurbished, but now sits in the front yard of a house as a garden ornament facing the river. We passed many houseboats with friendly, waving occupants while we marvelled at how some of them stay afloat given their designs.
With the mountains changing colour through the sunset on one side, and the lush green foliage of the mangroves on the other, it was a magnificent sight. The Captain pointed out the various mountains and you could clearly see Walsh’s Pyramid which is nearly 1000 metres high. It is said to be the highest natural pyramid in the world and very popular with Hikers.
By the time the sun had descended, we were headed back to the Reef Fleet Terminal and the bright lights of Cairns City coming to life. The new, completed wharf area with the riverside restaurants filling up looked beautiful, and we were treated to a light show when all the lights on the small cruise ship in port suddenly came on.
At 7pm we ended our Sunset Cruise, said farewell to our new acquaintances, were so relaxed, and ready to go for dinner at our favourite restaurant, I can honestly say I felt totally spoilt.
A big thank you to Cairns habitat Cruises for both the Day Cruise and the Sunset Cruise.
From the wonderful staff, to the great amenities and comfortable cruise, I believe these cruises are ideal for people of all ages ,and really suited to those looking for something pleasant for a half day or a few hours.

Sharon
The Tour Specialists Cairns Habitat Sunset Cruise Information and Bookings

Bright and early, (but not too early), on Saturday morning, I and my companions headed for Breakfast at the Cairns Tropical Zoo. Breakfast starts at 8-30 am and is a truly wonderful experience for people of all ages. To all the parents out there, the Zoo caters for any fussy eater with a fantastic choice of cereals, breads, muffins, pancakes, cooked breakfasts, juices and tea and coffee.
While breakfasting you are surrounded by an enclosure of funny, cute little cotton top tamarin monkeys skittering about. Next to them are some sleepy Koalas hugging their trees, and there is a lake behind us where dozens of little heads pop up out of the water to greet you. They are beautiful little tortoises that are hoping a few scraps might fall their way.
The staff at the Zoo are full of great information, friendly and very accommodating and you can tell they love their jobs and the animals.
In the restaurant is also a glass cage with a very healthy looking python and a Stumpy tailed Lizard. The young man that introduced these creatures was asked very politely by me to skip that introduction, given that I am not a reptile friendly person. We were able to pat a furry little koala however, which is much more to my liking.
Breakfast finished, we had just enough time to catch the Red Pandas at feeding time. These incredible and very pretty creatures look like a cross between a cat and a bear. Here we learn that the Red Panda lives in the forests of South Asia and are considered endangered, as the forests are being destroyed. With their habitat dwindling, so is their population. Then it was off to feed the wallabies and Kangaroos in the walk through enclosure. Lucky we thought to buy them some food at the gate as they were very interested in our bags and pockets.
The Zoo is beautifully maintained with lush greenery along every path, seats you can stop and have a rest on, and easy paths to negotiate with great signage. We still got lost, though others probably won’t! There are bird enclosures that house birds of prey, birds of the rainforest and flightless birds. Yes Cassowaries- our own endangered species.
We saw the crocodiles, both fresh and saltwater, alligators, visited the koala nursery to see the new additions, walked through the bird enclosures and found the ring tailed Lemurs whilst my companions were fascinated by the biggest snake; it looked more like an Anaconda than a python.
There is a gorgeous little Chapel at the Zoo where they are now holding weddings, and I did in fact spy a cute Japanese couple in their wedding finery holding a koala for their wedding photos. The chapel holds about 50 people and can be booked for any time. The Chapel sits on the edge of a lake with butterflies everywhere, beautiful flowers and a little bridge and tiny gate.
Not far from there is where the Free Flight Bird Show is held. This was fascinating. We sat on a small grandstand and the birds were flying over us to their handler and back again so close you could feel the wave of cool air as they missed us by that much!! We saw cheeky cockys, macaws, magpies, and the crown jewel, the Wedge tailed Eagle.
The children in the audience were enthralled when the eagle took off into the sky way above us and yet could see the handler hold out the food. She swooped down so fast and yet lighted on the tree with so much grace. Truly amazing.
From there we visited with the waterbirds, the dingoes and??? What, no elephants!!! Well, they seemed to have everything else! Yes, I did avoid the snake show, the reptile house but sent my companions in for a report. They loved it and it must have been good as they spent so much time in there. Personally, I was fascinated with the birds of prey. I was in the enclosure and it was almost impossible to spot the owls, their camouflage is just so incredible that I nearly missed the one sitting right above me. I know, never stand underneath a bird!
This zoo is able to keep any child (or child at heart) amused. It teaches them so many things, and introduces people to wildlife they might otherwise never see, appreciate or even understand why they are so important to the ecosystem.
Come on parents-what a fun way to educate yourself and your children. Also, they can ask the wildlife carers any where, why, how question that used to be directed at you! This zoo is so well worth a visit and congratulations to all the staff for the happy, energetic and knowledgeable environment they preserve. A beautiful day was had by all.
Sharon Vogel
The Tour Specialists Cairns Tropical Zoo Information & Bookings

Yesterday I went on the Daintree Explorer tour with Trek North. It was an early start – 7.10am – well I am not a morning person but it was totally worth it! Mario, our guide and driver, picked me up from the Hilton hotel and after collecting a few more people from other locations we started heading north. It took about one hour drive to Mossman Gorge, during this time Mario gave us an overview of our day while explaining to us a few curious things about Cairns and surroundings.
First stop: Mossman Gorge. What a beautiful place! We did not get to swim in the Mossman River because the time was a little limited, but if you are not a local it is one of those places that really makes you want to come back to Tropical North Queensland! Big boulders, crystal clear water and luscious rainforest: very inviting! We also had a walk on the swing-bridge for a few good pictures.
Next: Daintree River Cruise. After a simple yet replenishing Morning Tea (and such friendly staff), we headed towards the river for our 1-hour cruise. Our cruise conductor welcomed us with a true blue Aussie charm. He was great, he knew a lot about all the river wildlife and his explanations about plants and aquatic fauna were interactive and interesting, never boring. We saw quite a few amazing birds (so it is great for birdwatchers!) but we did not spot any crocodiles unfortunately. We have been a bit unlucky though, tide was high and water was very warm (about 26^C) so with these conditions crocodiles normally are quite comfortable underwater and have no reasons to merge and say hi!
After the cruise it was lunchtime already, so we headed towards the Daintree Tea House were the friendly and very efficient staff welcomed us. I found the Tea House very cozy and the presentation about the varieties of tropical fruit was extremely interesting. I didn’t know that certain types of fruit even existed!
Some people had chicken for lunch, but I chose barramundi of course. The food was fresh and delicious, served with salad, chips and a taste of tropical fruits. After lunch we headed towards The Rainforest Habitat Park which is in Port Douglas, one of the highlights of the tour. Everybody (me included, I admit!) was looking forward to feed the kangaroos and take a picture with the koalas. But there is more: the park is divided in different sectors, each recreating the different environments found in our area – and in Australia (grassland, rainforest, wetland, etc.). It is very interesting and I am sure that bird lovers and overseas travelers would truly enjoy it. The park offers a bit of everything: emus, lots of different species of birds all flying free around you (there are no cages!), kangaroos, wallabies, crocodiles, koalas, etc.
Also, I had my picture taken while holding a koala. What an amazing experience! Also you can have your photo taken while holding a little crocodile or a python.
After 1 hour at the Park (which was bigger than what I thought!), we headed towards Port Douglas for the last stop of our tour. Mario took us to the lookout where we admired a great view of the famous Four Miles Beach, and then we stopped quickly in town to take a look at a nice little chapel and at the Marina Mirage just to buy some refreshments for our trip back to Cairns.
I had a very nice time and I believe this tour is perfect if you wish to have a nice, relaxing day. Thank you Trek North for such a lovely day! Daintree Explorer Information and Bookings

Valentina - The Tour Specialists Hilton

Being a special birthday weekend I decided a treat was in order, so where better than to treat oneself but a weekend away at Elandra at Mission Beach!  After finally getting on the road we ended up at Mission Beach which took about three hours from the Northern Beaches of Cairns as we had quite a few hold ups with a number of different road works. 

Elandra is situated at South Mission beach on a headland that looks over Dunk Island.  As we arrived at night I could not witness the view but at least it was something to look forward to the following morning.  On arrival we were greeted by the lovely receptionist and explained how to get to our rooms.  All the rooms at Elandra are connected by an elevated timber boardwalk.  Our room was light and airy, with a great bed a spacious balcony, 32 inch lcd flat screen TV, a treasure chest with an assortment of goodies to tempt you and a fantastic shower all equipped with the most amazing Kevin Murphy products which smelt absolutely beautiful.

Well it was off to dinner and this did not disappoint.  We firstly sat at the bar for a cocktail before we were seated at our table.  Just reading the menu left my mouth watering in eager anticipation of my meal.  Our choice was freshly shucked oysters for entrée and I must say the best I have had since three years ago at the Palm Cove Fiesta!
For main we both could not go past the twice cooked pork belly which was just melted in you mouth and unfortunately left no room for the dessert which looked equally amazing!

After dinner it was time to retire back to our room and await the sun to come up, so we could check out the view.   Again the view did not disappoint with glimpse to the right of Dunk Island.  After a lazy lounging morning it was time to claim a sunbed for the day.  The pool area is just jaw dropping with the most impressive view of Dunk Island in the back ground.  The pool is dotted with two day beds scattered with brightly coloured cushions and array of either individual or double sun beds.  Now I felt like a million dollars swimming around in the gorgeous pool and lounging reading Saturdays papers with a fresh sparkling mineral water in hand! 

The following day I had an in room massage organized which was the perfect way to top of my luxurious weekend away.  I must say this massage was sooooo relaxing I nearly fell asleep. 

Oh well with regret it was time to depart but with lasting memories of such a fantastic experience and a taste of service that was exceptional.  Thank you to all at Elandra for such a great time! Elandra Information and Rates

Tammy - The Tour Specialists Palm Cove

Ocean Spirit Dinner Cruise

I recently had a most enjoyable experience on the Ocean Spirit Dinner Cruise.  As my father was up here on holidays I thought this would be the perfect father’s day gift that we could all share in.  So we made our way down to the Marlin Marina in Cairns at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm departure.  On arrival we were greeted by the very friendly crew with a glass of bubbly to start the night off.  We were then shown to our table.

Before the boat had even left the marina we were offered a selection of two different soups.  Chicken and sweet corn or the classic pumpkin with some lovely soup rolls.
The two and half hour cruise was then underway cruising in the Calm Waters of the Trinity Inlet.  The inlet in Cairns is calm water so you can rest assured that your meal will stay on the table.  After the soup the full buffet was spread out, and there was a selection of prawns, oysters, salads, two types of roast meats with all the trimmings and plenty more to satisfy my hunger. This was all before the desserts which were equally impressive tiramisu, lemon meringue pie, fruit salad just to name a few!

The onboard entertainment was brilliant, they had a female vocalist with a fantastic voice and as we also had a hens night onboard she was happy to sing there Abba requests to get them all up grooving along!  After our meal it was time to check out the fabulous view outside as we cruised up and down the inlet!  It is really interesting checking out the shipping yards that are working around the clock and few the magical night city lights of Cairns! Dinner Cruise Information & Bookings
Tammy - The Tour Specialists Palm Cove

I drove up to the Tablelands on the weekend and stopped in at Lake Barrine for their famous Devonshire tea with there bottomless cups of tea or coffee, they did not disappoint.  The Lake itself was beautiful, we went for a short walk through the rainforest to the pair of massive Kauri Pines, a truly spectacular sight, they are 40-50 meters high and a girth about 5 meters in diameter you feel quite insignificant standing next to them.
After a short drive we get to Malanda, we stopped at the Malanda falls and did a short walk around the rainforest looking out for the Lumhotz’s Tree Kangaroo which we were told are regularly seen in this area, also spotted in this area is the platypus but only in the morning or  late afternoon.  Unfortunately we didn’t see either, the walk takes you to the falls which are nice with a nice man made swimming hole that looked very inviting if the weather was a bit warmer.
We then took a short drive through the historic township of Malanda and headed towards Atherton until you get to the Gallos Dairy land, a fully functional dairy farm, they have a range of had crafted chocolates that are divine and a huge selection of gourmet dairy products that are lactose free, you are able to taste all the cheese and purchase if you wish.  You can see how this gourmet cheese is made in their cheese viewing platform and they will also take the kiddies out to see the calves and see how the milk is made in the dairy farm.
We started our way home with a quick stop in at the  Mareeba Coffee Works, home to some of the finest coffee made in Australia to get our coffee for home and a quick takeaway to perk ourselves up after all that cheese and chocolate.
We headed on down the range and were back home by 1pm, so it was a great morning out and the weather was perfect in the Tablelands, we came home to grey sky’s and rain, so a great place to be when the weather is not so good here.

Louise - The Tour Specialists

Cairns Amateurs 2008

The Cairns Amateurs is on once again on Friday 12 September & Saturday 13 September.  Thousand of highly fashioned fillies and fellows will flock to Cannon Park to enjoy the festivities. This year marks the 50th year of the Cairns Amateurs so if you are in town make sure you do not miss out on this event.

Tickets are $25.00 per person.

I recently holiday up in the far North and whilst there I went to the Night Zoo.
This was a fantastic Australian night out and well worth doing, we were greeted by Tas a sulpher crested cockatoo who doesn’t mind a chat.
Dinner was an  Aussie BBQ with the chef cooking up your steak to your likening and with plenty of other stuff for those who aren’t as carnivorous, like chicken, prawns, mackerel and sausages, and plenty of salads to go with it, complemented with some yummy Australian wine (De bortili I think it was) and plenty of soft drink for the kiddies.
 Once dinner is over you are issued with some torches and guided through the park to meet some unique Australian animals, the first being a glider who was as cute as a button, then Dusk a barn owl who flies softly over your head.
From here you are taken to the Koala enclosure where you can pat these cute little guys and also get your photo taken with them if you wish (at an extra cost).  From the cute and cuddly to the not so cute and slimy, you are taken through the reptile enclosure where you can see many of the different species indigenous to Australia and some overseas guests as well.
Marvel at the massive crocodiles and watch them get fed, we saw Zont who was a huge 4 meter Estuarine crocodile, watch him launch his massive body out of the water to get his dinner.
After a big Cooeee we wander off to share some Billy tea and Damper with the Eastern Grey  Kangaroos by a cozy campfire, you have the opportunity to feed and pat these cute mammals.
Then to finish off the evening more wine, live entertainment and a bit of bush dancing. They have many homemade Australian instruments ,like bottle tops on sticks, even a couple of double pluggers (thongs) to slap together and emerse yourself in  the fun.  So all in all it was a fantastic night the kids loved it and well worth doing.Cairns Tropical Zoo Information and Booking Page
 
Lou
 
 
 

Exciting new - Flames of the Forest have just relocated to a new and bigger rainforest location.  This new location is just a bit further down the road from there original site and it is more spectacular than the original site.  The new infrastructure they have in place now enables group sizes of up to 900 guests for sit down events!

Flames of the forest have a reputation as a world class attraction and recently won awards for innovation and food.  Flames of the forest were also recently listed in the Australian Traveler Magazine as one of the Top 100 thing to do in Australia.

Flames of the forest started operating in 2003 and have successfully hosted events to the likes of royalty, rock stars, major corporations to those romantically inclined requiring an ideal setting to propose!

Flames of the forest is an evening in the rainforest set among hundred of candles and flames.  The evening features an Aboriginal performance with story telling, music and song from local brothers who call this area home.  The food is spectacular and is set banquet style to the table. Offering the likes of Smoked crocodile red grape shaved fennel and Pomegranate, Salads of Thai style green paw paw with fresh local tiger prawns and nahm jim. Tropical spiced rubbed barramundi in banana leaf, grilled Mareeba coffee rubbed sirloin on wood roast beets with pesto and fried leek just to name a few.

Now I have your attention Flames of the forest operate Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights until 10 January 2009.
The tour includes transfers from you accommodation, the unique aboriginal performance, hors d’ouvers and sparkling wine on arrival, a sensational tropical banquet with wine and beer served to your table, Daintree tea and coffee.

Don’t worry this is an all weather event.

Cost is $199.00 per person all inclusive
and $130.00 per child ages 6-16.

Flames of the forest information & Bookings

One of the feature event of Festival Cairns is taking place this Sunday 07 September.  The Carnival on Collins which is situated along Collins Ave in Edge Hill.  The carnival commences at 9.00 am and finishes at 3.00 pm.  Originally the carnival started as a plant market so if you are interested in the wonderful tropical plant Far North Queensland has to offer this is the place to go! Fern, palms orchids, and butterfly plants plus many more. 

The carnival will also host live entertainment with more than 20 performances which will include folk singers and songwriters.  There will also be free interactive entertainment with face painting, story telling, rides and puppet shows, circus stilt walkers and buskers.  There will also be stalls with local arts & crafts and eco friendly products.

So come along there will also be plenty of food stalls with a wide variety to suit all tastes!

Our first stop is a lovely picnic area just 5 minutes away from the Ma Mu site where the friendly Tropical Horizon team serves us a nice Morning tea of coffee, tea and fresh muffins (the banana muffin is truly delicious!). I was already expecting a cooler temperature because we are on the edge of the tablelands, but it is a bit colder than what I thought as it was it overcast. A thicket jacket would have been nicer to wear! But the perspective of the day makes me forget the chill.

Shortly after we recharged, we are ready for the famous Ma Mu walk! At our arrival, the friendly team in charge welcomes us and starts explaining about the walkway. As they are still trying to complete the construction process (just a few details really as the walkway will be open shortly), we are given a fluorescent yellow vest for security purposes and we are ready to go! To knowing that we are almost the first people to walk along the walkway makes the experience even more special.

The walk starts on a normal path through the forest and while we are leaving the car park behind us, we start hearing the sounds of nature rather than the noise of cars. After about 10 min walk we reach the first point of interest, a long balcony suspended about 15 metres from the ground. The view from here is amazing, what I can see is beautiful, luscious rainforest and a glimpse of the Johnston River. The balcony sways a little if we move quickly, but we are told that it is normal, it’s part of the structure and there is nothing to worry about (oh well, I trust them!). The next step is the proper walkway suspended (up to 10 metres) through the rainforest canopies. It all feels really peaceful; all you can see is forest all around you. We are told that there are some cassowary chicks hanging around the site and have been spotted recently, but no luck today… what a shame! After a short stroll we reach yet another balcony with an additional elevated tower on the top. We all start going up the stairs in order to reach the top of the tower and… the view is breathtaking! We are about 37 metres from the ground, we see the northern part of the Johnston River and the whole valley is at our feet. It’s truly amazing and it’s hard to explain with words.
If somebody is afraid of heights, they can still enjoy a great day walking through the paths in the rainforest. It will still be an exciting and enchanting experience amongst the scents and colours of the thick canopies!

What is amazing about these structures is that they are all made of recycled plastic (milk bottles) and steel. They are also resistant to a category 4 cyclone (that is why I am not worried about those light movements on the balcony!) and surprisingly, they really blend with all the surroundings.
After a few pictures of this spectacular panorama, we start heading back to the car park, where the local guides explain to us a few more details about Ma Mu and shortly after we are ready to go back to Cairns.

On the way back, our driver has been really nice and stopped at one of the banana plantations so we could buy some fruit to take home.
I really enjoyed my day at the Ma Mu walkway, the Tropical Horizons team has been fantastic and I have seen something truly spectacular that I would definitely recommend!Tropical Horizons Information & Bookings

Valentina - The Tour Specialists Hilton Hotel

Monday, 30 June, 2008

Last weekend I discovered a magical eco-friendly rainforest retreat hidden high in the hills of the Cairns Highlands - The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary.  This is an Australian wilderness eco-retreat like no other.  Nestled amongst an enchanted 100 acre rainforest, The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary provides luxurious and unique holiday accommodation positioned on the edge of a freshwater river.  The one hour journey from Cairns to The Canopy Rainforest Eco-Retreat and Wildlife Sanctuary was delightful.  The Gillies Range provides endless views of tropical rainforest, native Australian bushland, vast ravines and forest-clad valleys.  Once over the Gillies Range, the forest melts away and is replaced by picture-perfect rolling green agricultural paddocks.  The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary is nestled between the quaint country towns of Malanda and Millaa Millaa (roughly an hour west of Cairns), and after weaving our way through narrow country roads and undulating paddocks, we arrived at our destination!

The driveway to The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary is shrouded in tropical rainforest – a good indication of things to come!  We followed the narrow winding track through the pristine forest until we arrived at reception and were greeted by David - the owner (along with wife Sharon) of this spectacular wilderness retreat.  We were warmly welcomed and ushered into the office where he explained certain features of the property.  To our delight he let us know that we would meet a vast variety of the denizens of the forest – pademelons, possums, tree kangaroos, turtles, platypus and a exotic selection of forest birds including the endangered cassowary.  We were then led through the tropical jungle until we arrived at our treehouse – the Cassowary Treehouse.  Each luxurious eco-friendly treehouse is shrouded in ancient forest and nestled on the banks of a crystal clear freshwater creek and is simply the most unique rainforest sanctuary I have ever seen!

Our private timber treehouse was the ultimate in decadent rainforest luxury.  The two storey treehouse impressed us as soon as we entered.  The front of the luxurious treehouse featured wall to floor glass windows, allowing an abundance of natural light to penetrate.  The living area was large and spacious, with comfortable day beds and a wood burning fireplace.  The self contained kitchen was impressive and featured timber benches and state of the art appliances such as a dishwasher, full sized oven, stove and microwave.  Just off the lounge room is the first of two bedrooms which featured a lavish king size bed and quality linen and bedspreads.  The second bedroom was a loft style room on the second level and featured a king size bed and excellent views of the canopy of the forest trees.  Back downstairs was the luxurious bathroom featuring a decadent two person spa bath that hangs suspended over the lush green forest and provides endless tropical views, an exquisite large shower and toilet.  The views from the bathroom were impressive, and we were later to find out that a previous guest had spotted an endangered tree kangaroo while wallowing in the spa bath! 

One of the first things that struck us about our stay at The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary was the excellent attention to detail and the inclusion of life’s little luxurious.  The kitchen is stocked with tea and freshly ground coffee (and coffee plunger) and a range of animal food – bananas for the possums, bird seed and pellets for the turtles.  An oil burner was glowing on our arrival and filled the treehouse with delightful scents.  Slippers and plush bathrobes were provided (with a note indicating we were welcome to take the slippers with us on departure), and bubble bath and hand made rainforest soaps were available to us in the bathroom.  Heated blankets were on each bed, the perfect luxurious inclusion on a Cairns Highland’s winter retreat.  A large hammock was suspended on the timber veranda, as was outdoor dining furniture and a gas barbeque.  After thoroughly exploring our private rainforest sanctuary, we were more excited then ever about spending the entire weekend at the Canopy Rainforest and Wilderness Retreat!

The first thing we did was get the wood burning fireplace lit!  Winter on the Cairns Highlands can be quite cool, and the fireplace provides a beautiful cosy warmth that penetrated the entire treehouse.  There’s no chopping firewood either (much to the delight of my partner Terry!) – all the wood was provided pre-cut for our enjoyment.  We spent the day relaxing infront of the fire, on the veranda and in the sensational spa bath.  One of the most unique features of the rainforest treehouse is that spectacular views of the ancient rainforest are present in every room of the treehouse.  Large louvered windows open onto tropical rainforest that seems alive with the flittering and fluttering of forest birds and butterflies.  While relaxing on the veranda we were visited by many of these feathered forest creatures.  Parrots, honeyeaters, finches and many more birds came to dine from our birdfeeder – and some of the friendlier birds ate straight from our hands.

By early evening we decided to journey into the quaint village of Yungaburra for dinner.  Yunguburra is a 25 minute drive from The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Retreat, and is a heritage listed village that has changed very little since early colonial settlement.  We dined at Nick’s Place, a unique Swiss/Italian Restaurant complete with Yodeller’s Bar.  The meals were huge and exquisite, and the ambiance of Nick’s Place was comfortable and cosy.  After dinner we enjoyed the gorgeous country drive back to our hidden rainforest sanctuary, and the rolling green hills and paddocks were magically illuminated by moonlight.  On arrival back at our treehouse we were thrilled to be greeted by playful possums looking for a late night snack.  The possums greedily devoured our bananas before we retired for our first nights sleep in the heart of the Tropical North Queensland jungle. 

As warm morning sun began penetrating our luxurious treehouse we enjoyed the sounds of the forest coming to life.  Birds began their forest symphony and our two resident scrub turkeys began their busy and bustling nest building below our treehouse.  In the morning we busied ourselves with a trip to the Yungaburra Markets (these markets occur every fourth Saturday of the month) and we stocked up on fresh seasonal produce and a few decadent treats.  The rest of the day was spent exploring the myriad of walking tracks that wind through the ancient tropical rainforest at The Canopy Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary.  The bushwalking tracks were wide and well marked, and led us through the most exquisite rainforest I’ve ever seen.  ‘The Boulders’ bushwalking track was my favorite!  It twists and turns through pristine Australian forest and ends at the banks of the creek.  Turtles are in abundance at this secretive forest location so make sure you’ve bought your turtle food!  After trekking through the forest for the afternoon we decided to head back to our luxurious treehouse for a hot shower and bite to eat. 

Nightfall in the forest is one of the best opportunities to spot some of the more elusive creatures of the forest.  Dusk is the ideal time to spot the tree kangaroos and platypus, and the forest birds seem to be at their busiest just as the sun begins setting.  Each evening at 7:00pm, David – your host at The Canopy Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary, feeds the friendly Pademelons.  We loved seeing these friendly furry creatures enjoying their moonlit snack.  Back in the warmth of our luxurious treehouse we enjoyed our last night infront of the fire with a fine bottle of Australian wine.  The possums arrived at our veranda once again for a late night snack – and we were more than happy to oblige. 

Our last morning at The Canopy Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary was tinged with sadness – we didn’t want to leave!  We enjoyed our breakfast on the large timber veranda and it seemed the gorgeous birds of the forest came to wish us farewell.  After packing the car for our imminent departure we said farewell and thank you to our friendly hosts – David and Sharon.  We loved our stay at The Canopy Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary.  We felt relaxed and rejuvenated by the fresh country air and we encountered an abundance of Australian wildlife in its natural habitat.  We were attracted to The Canopy Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary initially because of its excellent eco-ethos and enchanted 100 acre forest, however once we arrived we discovered so much more – warm hospitality, luxurious accommodation and an intangible extra element that made our stay so magical.  This is the perfect holiday accommodation for couples who want to reconnect, families on a wilderness adventure or anyone who wants to escape the ‘real world’, even if just for a short time.  Thank you once again to David and Sharon for making this wonderful wilderness experience available for us to enjoy….

Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary Information and Bookings

Amy Jennings
The Tour Specialists                       

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!
Tjapukai Information & Bookings

Amy Jennings
The Tour Specialist. 
  

Cooktown is getting ready to celebrate it’s history with the annual Discovery Festival which is to be held over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend June 6 - 8.  The Dutch Tall Ship Duyfken will be in town at the wharf.  There will be Tourism expo and a tropical carnivale with rides, games and sideshows. 

This annual event will be opened officially by Federal Minister for Liechhardt Jim Turnour, State Member for Cook Jason O’Brien and Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott.
 
The main event of the festival is the re-enactment of the landing of Lt Cook and the Endeavour Crew.  The first performance of the re-enactment took place 189 years after Cook’s landing this year will the 49th re-enactment.

Events throughout the celebration also include a play called Farewell James My Darling which is an insight to how life was in the early days, live bands a finale fireworks display, billy cart races, belly dancers, fire artists and it promises to be a fun event for all!!

With so much happening this is a great weekend to discover Cooktown!

The famous Food, Wine and a Taste of Port is a sell-out tonight. All of the 2500 tickets were sold well in advance of the event.  The event organisers are holding only 40 more to sell at the gate specifically to tourists.  This event seems to be getting more popular every year!
Carnivale finishes tommorrow with the Seafood Extravanganza on the Marina Mirage Boardwalk on Sunday from 10.00 am till 2.30 pm, yacht racing the Audi Clipper Cup, Art & Craft Display in the Community Hall and a Poker Tournament at the Central Hotel.

 On Saturday 21 June the Sebel Reef House & Spa Palm Cove will host and evening of fine food from France’s Champagne region, accompanied by some of the country’s best champagnes by Mr Frank Wilden the owner of Oyster, a highly rewarded Melbourne restaurant.

The evening will commence with champagne on the magnificent Terrace, situated across from the spectacular palm fringed Palm Cove Beach then proceed with the culinary  delights of chef Phillip Mitchell’s  Taste of Champagne Menu!

This night of indulgence is not to be missed and costs $110.00 per person for dinner and champagne.  A night’s accommodation at the Sebel Reef House & Spa is the perfect companion to make the evening a memorable one.  

Please contact Palm Cove Accommodation 1300 799 004.