Aussie World - Australia Holiday Resources Centre (AHRC) Newsletter - Issue 5

Welcome to this issue of the Australia Holiday Resources Centre (A.H.R.C.) Newsletter.
Sorry to be late for this edition. The main reason is my trip Down Under. Five wonderful weeks spent in Queensland. The itinerary was Cairns, Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation, South Mission Beach, Atherton Tableland, Mt. Surprise (Undara), Townsville, Airlie Beach and the Withsunday Is., Blackdown Tableland N.P., the Gem Fields, Carnarvon N.P., Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

So be sure that I am coming back with a lot of travel logs and photos to share with you. I am already starting to share this information in this issue with the articles on the Undara Experience and a five days itinerary in Far North Queensland.

Well as promised in the previous issue, Aussie World Screensaver 1 is available since the month of July. Not far from 600 downloads have already been recorded. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the AHRC members who sponsored this screensaver:

Another important improvement added to Aussie World and to the AHRC database is the addition of a real search engine connected to the database. This new feature makes the search in the AHRC database easier and more powerful. The search engine is accessible from the home page.

The AHRC members (Australian companies working in the tourism industry such as accommodation, vehicle rental, tour and leisure activities) have the opportunity to post some 'Special Offers and Discounts' on Aussie World. These offers are now directly accessible from the home page via the Notice Board. There are currently 196 AHRC members in the database, each of them could give you some special discounts, so do not forget to talk about Aussie World when you contact or meet them !!!

For those who like the sunset views, I have added few pictures in the Travel Logs and Photos section (QLD, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane). The sections Aussie Links and Aussie Travellers have been also recently updated.

Last point, few weeks ago, Sofcom elected Aussie World as one of the Australia's best web sites!

If like me you are attracted by Australia landscapes I would like to share a web site I discovered few months ago and where I love to go back from time to time.

I am talking about Ken Duncan web site (http://www.kenduncan.com).

Ken Duncan is an Australian photographer specialized in breathtaking Australia nature panoramic photographs.

Few months ago I received from my best Australian friends a CD called 'Spirit of Australia'. This CD EXTRA features a full music album playable on any CD player, as well as an interactive multimedia adventure (PC and Mac) featuring stunning Australian landscapes by award winning photographer Ken Duncan. The interactive adventure features 100 panoramic photographs of exotic Australian locations, screensavers, photorealistic wallpapers and slideshows.

Everyday I am enjoying the screensavers and desktop backgrounds. I simply would like to invite you to visit Ken's web site. There you will have the opportunity to download screensavers and other freebies. You also have the possibility to select a beautiful postcards and send it to one of your friends.

And finally, if you are interested in photography, do not miss the section called 'Photographic Notes by Ken Ducan'.

If you are planning to visit Perth, Western Australia, then don't forget to include Mandurah in your itinerary. Mandurah is an ideal holiday spot for all the family. Just 75 km south of Perth on an easy to drive highway. This coastal town has it all. The calm waterways of the Harvey Estuary & Peel Inlet make ideal conditions for fishing or boating. Plus the lovely white sand beaches of the Indian Ocean for surfing, swimming or a romantic sunset
stroll along the beach. It is all there waiting in Mandurah.

Don't know where to stay. Don't worry. Mandurah has lots of accommodation choices. Choose from the lovely 4 star Atrium Resort Hotel (fax : 61-8-9581-4151) or the Peninsular Caravan Park ( fax : 61-8-9535-2792) on the
water front & including a swimming pool. It even has caravans you can rent if you don't have your own. Or if those two choices don't inspire you, try one of the many motels in and around town.

Raymond

Golf holiday on the Gold Coast

Golf and Holiday

A near perfect climate, magnificent beaches, warm, welcoming people, world-class attractions and themes parks, some of the country’s most amazing shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The Gold Coast is Australia’s most popular vacation center.

For the golfing enthusiast, however, the Gold Coast’s attraction is even stronger. Leave the white sandy beaches and you will soon discover a patchwork of rolling fairways and manicured greens. The Gold Coast is host to literally dozen of resorts and championship courses.

Australasian Golf Academy

The Australasia Golf Academy (AGA) programs are designed to challenge and produce highly motivated, low-handicap amateur golfers and touring professional. Founded in 1994, the AGA is one of the only two organisations in Australia with full accreditation by state and federal authorities. AGA programs enjoy full government approval under the student visa system.

Students at the AGA have of course the opportunity to develop their golf skills and to learn to play great golf. They also have the opportunity to study English language and Sport Management by attending courses at the
Bond University English Language or other fully accredited colleges.

For more information on the different programs, please contact Alan Wilson (info@agagolf.com) or visit the AGA web site ( http://www.agagolf.com )

If you just arrived in Port Douglas and you still have few hours before the end of the day, I propose to first go for a walk in the main street and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. After that you must of course go to the Four Mile Beach, even if it is only for a walk. This place is known as one of the best beach in Australia.

I am sure that after such a long day you will be hungry. Let's then have dinner at the Yacht Club. If you are lucky to be there on a Wednesday you can participate to a handicap race (check with locals for the time). Tourists are welcome on board for free, … they only have to pay a drink to the skipper after the race.

(Looking for accommodation, a nice place to stay is the Mango Tree (http://www.ozemail.com.au/~pdbeyond)

Day 2 - Day trip on the Reef

The two main places from where you can go to the reef: Cairns and Port Douglas. During the last holiday we only took a day trip on Green Island from Cairns, but time was missing to visit the Reef from Port Douglas. There are several options to go to the Reef from Port Douglas and one of the most popular destinations is the beautiful Low Isles. (more information is available on the Great Barrier Reef Tourist Bureau (http://www.GreatBarrierReef.aus.net))

Day 3 - Day trip to Cape Tribulation

From Port Douglas you drive to Daintree where you take the barge to cross the Daintree river. The road between Daintree and Cape Tribulation, surrounded by the Tropical Rain Forest, is very nice. The road is suitable for conventional vehicles (we did it with a campervan), but in case of heavy rain, check with the local authorities.

Stop at The Heritage Lodge and have some tee or coffee. There you will also find some very nice wood hand craft souvenirs.

One of the walks on your way to the Cape is the Marrdja walk. It is a 800 m pathway and boardwalk through a complex lowland rainforest which leads to a mangrove forest. It is very interesting as it gives you access to a part of the forest that is usually very difficult to access. It really has to be appreciated for its ecological importance.

A short loop path with labeled plants allows you to view more of the forest.

After this walk you are not far from Cape Tribulation. When you arrive at the settlement of Cape Tribulation you want of course to see the 'Place where the Forest meets the See'. (This is how the place is called in a lot of tourist guides). You then have two solutions. The first one, is to take a short side road just before Jungle Village and opposite the store. This leads to a small car park where a short boardwalk leads through mangroves to Myall Beach, then to Cape Tribulation (+ /- 2 kms. One way, do it preferably at low tide).
The second option is to drive your car to the main car park. From there, a short walk and you arrive to the Cape Tribulation beach.

I must admit that I was a little bit disappointed by the place. It was perhaps due to the weather, no so nice this day, or perhaps I was expecting to much. I found it quite similar to other places saw along the way. But at least we did it, we saw the place.

You have a large choice for the accommodation . Between Daintree and Cape Tribulation you have many possibilities (resorts, lodges, caravan park). You can also go back to Daintree, cross the river back and find accommodation on this side of the river. If you are looking for a caravan park, I can recommend you the Pinnacle Village Holiday Park.

Day 4 - Daintree river cruise and Mossman gorges

The Daintree river is well known for its Crocs. You can try to see some of them by joining one of the several river cruise tours available. It can be also a good introduction to the Rainforest ecosystem and pristine mangrove.

By travelling 5 km. West from Mossman you arrive to the popular Mossman Gorges. The place is very popular and if you are looking to avoid crowds try to plan your visit not too late in the morning, when the busses did not yet arrived.

The gorges are beautiful and the walk tracks not too difficult but allow at least 2 hours for the visit. Along the walk the Aboriginal heritage is also recognized with signs which explain some of the Kuku Yalanji people's uses of this forest.
On your way back to Mossman you have the opportunity to stop to the Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal community and have a look to some of the local hand craft.

Day 5 - Day trip in the Outback

May I suggest you to take a rest today? Not to stay somewhere, doing nothing.

No, simply take an organized day trip (small group), leave the rainforest for a while and go inland. An opportunity to discover many hidden faces of the country, find animals and places that you will probably missed without your guide, enjoy a picnic on the banks of a river only accessible by 4WD, …

Do you really think this day will be a 'rest' day

:-))

My recommendation, based on a personal experience, is for:

De Luxe Safaris (contact Dick Eussen).
EMail : eussen@internetnorth.com.au
Web site : http://www.internetnorth.com.au/eussen

(More information, slides and map very soon on Aussie World in the Travel Logs and Photos section)

Something different - The Undara Experience

"One hundred and ninety thousand years ago the earth trembled, the sky darkened, flaming fountains of lava bathed the land in a fiery glow. Undara had awoken. …"

These are the first words of the brochure you will received after your visit to the Undara Lava Tubes.

If you are fed-up to drive along the sugar cane fields, if you want to see something else than the coast, the islands, … or if you only want to experience something different, then The Undara Experience is a good option.

Undara Lave Lodge

Located near Mount Surprise (west of Innisfail), there are only two main roads to reach the place (if you are coming from the east cost).
The first one is from Townsville via Charter Towers (6 hours) and the second one from Cairn via Ravenshoe and Mt. Garnet (4 hours).
The journey can be travelled safely by conventional vehicles and both roads give you the chance to experience the Outback roads.

The Undara Lava Lodge is a resort completely based on beautifully restored turn-of the -century Queensland rail carriages. The accommodation is going from simple camp and van sites, to very good single to family rooms.

Well that's great, but what can we see there?

A Lava Tube

Well the Lava Tubes of course. Created thousand years ago by the Undara volcano, part of this underground tube system can now be visited. Armed with a torch you will go down into these tubes and learn about these very special geological formations, their formation, their influence on the soil and vegetation, the similarity with such formations in Hawaii and on the Moon, and so many other interesting things.
The only way to visit them is by joining a guided tour. These tours are conducted by the Gulf Savana Guides and they are really great. You will not only learn a lot about the geological aspects of the region but also about its history and heritage.

Path to a tube

If you take a full day tour option I hope you will have the chance to take your lunch around a campfire and perhaps, if you are really lucky, enjoy making your own dampers.

(More information, slides and map very soon on Aussie World in the Travel Logs and Photos section)
(Visit also the Undara web site: http://www.undara-experience.com.au )

Special Offers and Discounts proposed by AHRC members are now accessible via the Notice Board.

	Introduction
	Ken Duncan - An Australian Photographer
	Mandurah - Western Australia
	Golf Holiday on the Gold Coast
	Itinerary - 5 days in Far North Queensland
	Something different - The Undara Experience
	'Special Offers' extracted from the AHRC database