The Australia Holiday Resources Centre Newsletter Issue 001 - July 97 ================================================= Welcome to the first issue of the Australia Holiday Resources Centre (A.H.R.C.)Newsletter. If you are in the mailing list you are probably interested by tourism in Australia, as a traveller or as a company supplying such a services. If you receive this newsletter and you feel that you should not, please accept our apologies. You can remove your name from the list as explained at the end of this document or simply drop us an email at Aussieworld@usa.net In this Issue ============= - Introduction - Aussie World & A.H.R.C. - Future developments - Tip: Finding documentation . - Article: Shark Bay & The Dolphins - Registered Companies and `Special offers' - To be removed from the distribution list ===================================================== WE ARE ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR SPONSORS IF YOUR ARE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT US TO aussieworld@usa.net ===================================================== Introduction - Aussie World and A.H.R.C. --------------------------------------- The A.H.R.C. is an internet service integrated to Aussie World web site. The objective of A.H.R.C. is to provide some help to the future Aussie Traveller. The services provided to our visitors are free. *********************************** DO NOT HESITATE TO WRITE US TO SHARE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE aussieworld@usa.net *********************************** Aussie World and A.H.R.C. are already providing the following services: - Aussie travellers are sharing their experiences through travel logs, images, and stories - A database including contact information related to tourist information centres, accommodation, vehicle renting, tours, attractions, activities, . Some companies are also advertising their `Special Offers' - Presentation of Aussie related associations present in the world - Some useful links to other Aussie sites Other services are still under development and will soon be added. The origin: Aussie World internet site was created two years ago, first under the name ` Destination Australia, A Passion to Share'. As the name lets suppose it, the site was at its early stage a reflect of a passion for this country. My passion. (just the opportunity to tell you that I am from Belgium and that my mother language is French. So please excuse me for my imperfect English. I am trying to do my best :-) Internet is a fast moving world. Database integration is now becoming common. I have then decided to increase the service offered by Aussie World by adding the A.H.R.C. database facility. Future developments ------------------- Our Aussie World site is in permanent evolution. The last development was in April, the launch of the AHRC database. We still have to work on different aspects of this part. Improve the user interface and the layout. Beside this technical aspect, a big effort has been done to promote the service via email and fax. Our reward is to see that the growing number of registered companies. The next step is the speed increase. Very soon Aussie World and the AHRC database will move to a new home. All our visitors will feel an increase in the performance, specially for the database access. We are also preparing a new service called `Find a Travel Partner'. Quite often on the Net we are in contact with future Aussie travellers looking for a travel partner. Our database will be there to help them. Tip: Finding documentation to prepare a trip Down Under ------------------------------------------------------- Internet is great !!! Are you looking for information to prepare your next trip Dow Under? No problem, I am sure you will find a lot of useful information on the Net.(and not only on Aussie World :-) Yes, but . What about these nice color paper copies, with these nice photos, useful maps, . that you can read when your computer is switched off and take with you during your trip? For several years I am preparing holiday trips to Australia. Internet is a new complementary tool for me but certainly not the only source of information. Tourism in Australia is well promoted locally and internationally. The Australia Tourism Commission and other associated institutions (e.g. the local tourist information centres) are producing some good quality tourist information brochures and usually do not hesitate to sent you by mail several of them, even oversea. Here are few steps to build your documentation package. The first step is to contact the local Australian Embassy or the local Australian Tourism Commission and ask them for the folders they could have. A very interesting review is called `Australia' and is available at the Embassy. It is a general review presenting different aspects of tourism in Australia, and state by state overview. It is a good start. With the addresses included in this book, you can go deeper in your search, contact regional Tourist Information Centres (from the different states). When you receive this regional documentation, you will find other addresses and can request some local information.. .. Be ready to sort and file .. (If you are looking for Regional and Local Tourist Information Centres, you can already find quite a lot of them in the AHRC database.) Article: Australia - Shark Bay - Western Australia : by A. Saintpo -------------------------------------------------- A UNESCO World Heritage Site. During my last holiday I spent a few weeks in Western Australia, visiting some great places. Over 4 days I discovered Shark Bay. DAY 1 : Driving along the North West Coastal Hwy. {1}, at about 678 kms. north of Perth is The Overlander Roadhouse. Turn left onto the Denham Hamelin Road {353}. Turn left again after 29 kms. and in another 5kms. is the Hamelin Homestead, The Old Telegraph Station and The Stromatolites. At Hamelin Homestead you will see a sign on the left for the stromatolites, and the Old Telegraph Station. I suggest you visit the Telegraph Station first to receive the important, interesting explanation about the earth's oldest living fossils, stromatolites. Without the explanation you could be very disappointed when you see the stromatolites. Their view is nothing exceptional. They are exceptional by what they represent : the earth's oldest living fossils. The Old Telegraph Station is an interesting part of this regions' history too. Just a few hundred meters from the Homestead are the Stromatolites. It will not take you more than half an hour to three quarters of an hour to visit. But if you plan to have a picnic, think twice before doing it, the flies are very annoying. Also, just a short walk from the Homestead, is the Shell Block Quarry, where shell blocks where extracted for building purposes. Some houses, built from these types of blocks, are still existing in Denham today, (for example : The Old Pearler restaurant and the Church). Back on the Denham Hamelin Road, drive 55 kms. to reach The Shell Beach. In this amazing place shell dunes and shell beaches are formed by billions upon billions of tiny shells that stretch for miles. Park your car and DO NOT forget your sun glasses. The glare is really bright. >From Shell Beach it's still another 45 kms. to reach the little town of Denham. A Caravan park is available in town, but if the objective is to meet the Dolphins, it's better to end the day at the Monkey Mia Caravan Park. This caravan park is big, well organised, quite noisy, and quite expensive (AU$20.50/ night for a power site , 2 adults & 1 child). But it does offer the advantage to be ready to see the Dolphins the next morning. The National Park Ranger's office is located in the caravan park. In the evening, they organise a free information session (with slide show). They give explanations on the park's wildlife, the birds, snakes, and the flowers, and of course the dolphins. DAY 2 : In Monkey Mia, watch the ocean. The dolphins are wild and free. They can come near the shore at any moment. During my stay my daughter saw them around 7 o'clock in the evening, just before the information session began. You can 'Meet the Dolphins' two or three times a day. The first session is around 8 am (check with the Park Rangers) The Rangers answer questions such as : Q : "Can I swim with the dolphins ?" A : Swimming with the dolphins is possible. It will depend on their mood and your patience to wait for them to swim near you. Q : "Can I touch them ?" A : Probably not. You can damage their skin if you do not touch them correctly. Monkey Mia is an internationally well known tourist attraction. When the dolphin's feeding time arrives, people line up along the beach. Some Rangers will be half in the water and the dolphins arrive one after the other, usually on time ! The Ranger will call one person to feed a fish to the dolphin. Then another person will be 'elected' and so on. This is the moment all the children and also some adults, are waiting for : to be called on to feed the Dolphins. If your are unlucky, you will have to wait for the next feeding time. Feeding time is great fun for the family. For the rest of the day you can enjoy the beach (probably you have in mind a swim with the dolphins ;-), or choose a cruise on the glass-bottom boat (from the jetty). Or visit the pearling grounds. You may be lucky to see some rays, sharks, turtles and if you are really lucky, the occasional Dugong. DAY 3 : Do not forget to visit the Tourist Information Bureau. You can collect complementary information on the local attractions and buy the usual 'tourists gifts' (made in China). Also, while in Denham, visit St. Andrews Church (built of local Shell Blocks), and the Old Pearler restaurant, where you can stop for a seafood lunch. There is also a pearl farm and shops that sell pearls. If you find the local pearls expensive, the fresh water pearls are more affordable price. If your question is, "where are the fresh water pearls from"? The answer will most probably be "from Japan". But don't worry, they will put them in a box with the Denham logo on, so you can tell everyone that you visited Shark Bay ! Well, that's tourism ... !!! DAY 4 : If you have a 4WD, you can dedicate a full day to the Fran‡ois Peron National Park. The park entrance is only 5 kms from Denham. If you don't you will only be able to drive to the Peron Homestead to get a glimpse of the pioneering history of the area. A feature of the Homestead is the hot artesian bore now used for a 'hot tub'. If you are driving a 4WD, or on an organised tour, you will be able to penetrate further into the Park to enjoy the beauty of the natural environment. The National Park covers 52,000 hectares, and is under the care of the Department of Conservation and Land Management. It is one of the most important natural areas in Australia. The Wildlife Park at Nanga is located on the Denham Hamelin road. (45 kms south of Denham). Before leaving the region, just a word about the town of, Useless Loop. Useless Loop is a company town. There is a solar salt mine but it is closed to visitors except with prior arrangement. For more information and photos see my Web site : http://www.aussieworld.com/ahrc/ or email asaintpo@innet.be A.H.R.C. Registered Companies & `Special Offers' ----------------------------------------------- ******************************************************************* TYPE OF SERVICE OFFERED: TOUR OPERATORS, ACTIVITIES, SPORT, LEISURE ******************************************************************* COMPANY: Akarma Waters Join our friendly and efficient captain and cres for an exciting adventure with the whales on one of our excellent cruises. CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=392 OPERATING IN: QLD, --- Promotion(s)--- *** Special Offer - Take all the family on a cruise for just $200.00 for a day. Includes Lunch, 2 Adults and 2 Children.) =================================== COMPANY: Australian Eco Adventures Tours all over Australia. Specialist guiding. Remote, wilderness, Aboriginal Culture, 4WD, Whitewater rafting, accommodation, treks, safaris. CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=373 OPERATING IN: QLD, NSW, SA, NT, WA, TAS, --- Promotion(s)--- *** 16 Day Australian Itinerary, Day 1 Arrive Cairns, Day 2 rafting, day 3 bushwalking, day 4,5,6, 3 day trek, day 7 rainforest, day 8 free, day 9 to Darwin, day 10, 11, 12 - 3 day Aboriginal, day 13, 14 Ayers Rock, day 15 Sydney, Day 16 home: $1,895 =================================== COMPANY: Australian Wild Escapes Join our fantastic, small group ecotours to areas in and around Sydney and learn about Australia's history,culture, environment and wildlife. All tours include morning tea, gourmet lunch, comfortable vehicles, our expert guides and hotel transfers. CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=385 OPERATING IN: NSW, =================================== COMPANY: Australian Wilderness Adventures One way tours between Adelaide and Melbourne in a Four Wheel Drive CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=382 OPERATING IN: =================================== COMPANY: Broken Hill's Outback Tours Broken Hill's Outback Tours - The Outback Specialists CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=395 OPERATING IN: NSW, VIC, SA, =================================== COMPANY: Broken Hill's Outback Tours BROKEN HILL'S OUTBACK TOURS - THE PREMIER OPERATOR IN THE REGION CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=374 OPERATING IN: NSW, VIC, SA, =================================== COMPANY: BTG Queensland Australia Holidays Everything you need for a wonderful holiday in sunny Queensland's Hervey Bay/ Tin Can Bay/ Maryborough/ Bundaberg region CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=377 OPERATING IN: QLD, =================================== COMPANY: Destination Whitsundays Destination Whitsundays is a leading authority on the tous, sailing adventures and all facets the Whitsundays Region. A company with many years local knowlegde and great number of very satisfied customers. Great Barrier Reef specialists CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=375 OPERATING IN: QLD, --- Promotion(s)--- *** SPECIAL!!!! Book any tour through the Net and recieve 2 hours free internet at our internet cafe at Airlie Beach. *** Book any three day/ two night sailing trip and recieve a 50% discount on a day trip to the Outer Barrier Reef on a leading dive boat 'Whitsunday Diver' or a free trip through the rainforrest on Fawltys 4wd Rainforrest Tours =================================== COMPANY: DIVErsion Dive Travel & Training DIVErsion Dive Travel & Training offers complete destination Packages for Dive Travelers to North Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Choose from over 50 Dive Cruises, Dive Resorts. Special Services for Handicapped Travelers. All Info on-line! CONTACT DETAILS: http://195.174.22.201/gcs/ahrc/display.cfm?Id=399 OPERATING IN: QLD, --- Promotion(s)--- *** Save USD 700.- on two special Exploratory Cruises in Northern New Guinea waters on board of