Experience Fraser Island Tour: Pristine Forests, Clear Blue Lakes, QLD, Australia
March 20th, 2011 by Bailey Jamieson, under Vacations. No Comments
Fraser Island, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, is a beautiful, sand island, noted for its great scientific interest and natural beauty. Visitors to the area often find that a Fraser Island tour is a very convenient way to see the unique landscapes, and fascinating plants and animals, in this remarkable, unspoiled wilderness.
Fraser Island is one of several sand islands off the coast of south-east Queensland. It is in fact the largest of these islands, and with a length of about 120 kilometres and a width of 24 kilometres it is the largest sand island in the world. It is located off the coast, about 300 kilometres to the north of Brisbane.
Plant life on the island is extremely varied, and ranges from rain and eucalyptus forests, to coastal heathlands and sand dunes. It is believed that the island has formed recently in geological time (over the last 750,000 years). Strong ocean currents move northwards along the coast of Queensland, depositing sand on the bedrock beneath the sand islands.
Unlike many other sand dune areas, the plant life on Fraser Island is abundant and diverse, and a wide range of animals (mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds) make their home here. The area is protected by the Great Sandy National Park. Humans (aboriginal Australians) have lived on the island for at least 5000 years. The first European to see the island was Captain James Cook in 1770. Matthew Flinders was the first explorer to set foot on the island in 1799.
Some of the clearest, and the cleanest, fresh water on the planet can be found in Fraser Island’s dune lakes. There are over 100 of these lakes. One of them, Lake McKenzie, is probably the best known as a tour destination. The beaches around Lake McKenzie are almost pure silica, and are therefore pure white in appearance.
Several tour operators serve Fraser Island. Tours can last between one and six days, or they can be part of a larger tour of Queensland. Goanna Adventure Tours is a specialized operator, covering Fraser Island and Moreton Island (to the south). Goanna’s two day tours of Fraser Island depart from Noosa, Rainbow Beach and Brisbane.
All ages are welcome on Goanna tours, although the majority of travellers are under 25. The overall level of fitness required is low. Transport on the island is by four wheel drive, off-road vehicle. The tour group have the services of an expert guide. Activities including hiking through pristine, tropical forests, swimming in a dune lake, and (in season) whale watching. Expect also to see wild dolphin, sharks and many other animals. As well as touring and sight seeing there is type for relaxation on Fraser Island 75 mile beach.
Goanna’s is a family owned and managed business, and has extensive experience and local knowledge. Starting from Brisbane Transit Centre the Fraser Island tour departure is at about 6 am, returning the following day at about 6/7 pm. On the island free time and accommodation is at the Eurong Beach Resort on Eastern Beach. Amenities here include two bars, two pools and a convenience store.
Jacque Claire is a comparative newcomer to the Southern Hemisphere but in the course of his life has travelled broadly and at present is employed by the the Gold Coast Accommodation web site as an editor
The Greatest in Sydney Harbour
March 17th, 2011 by Bailey Jamieson, under Vacations. No Comments
It probably goes without stating that several of the regions most identified symbols are the Sydney Harbour Bridge and also the Sydney Opera House both positioned proudly alongside this famous body of water. Two of Sydney’s most eye-catching architectural symbols. Still never be fooled into imagining the Harbour ends at the Harbour Bridge it is actually considerably more substantial than that, stretching out of the Sydney Heads and then all the way up Parramatta River.
Technically identified as Port Jackson, Sydney Harbour is definitely a central part of life with regards to a wide range of Sydneysiders. The locale surrounding Circular Quay is the center hub of the Sydney ferry system which is observed on as equally a holiday maker facility and a vital transportation network for local residents. The harbour is equally an unique sporting location with private yachts plus pleasure craft routinely making the most of the waters. Sydney Harbour was on top of that the physical place for the boating leg of a number of events during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
It will come as no surprise that this is one of the most extravagant regions of New South Wales land with the properties that run either side of Sydney Harbour with the inclusion of a lot of billionaires homes, high end lodgings as well as incredible condominiums with all offering exceptional sights. Certainly the harbour boasts many different unique things to do, a variety of which are natural to the harbour in addition to others which are synthetic. Fort Denison is almost certainly the very first spot you shall come to on any cruise east of Circular Quay its fantastic natural stone buttress is located elegantly in the middle of the Harbour. It is assumed to have been fabricated around 1778 and for a number of years was utilised as an establishment of remoteness for really difficult convicts.
Together with the well known Sydney Opera House there are at the same time various of additional regional sights best witnessed from the harbour. Nielsen Park is undoubtedly a much-loved eastern suburbs family picnic spot. It offers a scenic beach defended with a shark net all through the summer season. Immediately after your swim, you might relax on the beach or perhaps below the shade of a tree, or maybe take joy in a light meal at the fashionable Nielsen Park kiosk.
At Vaucluse, further along Port Jackson, is the very popular Vaucluse House, an attractive historic property erected in 1803,in addition to Parsly, a relaxing, attractive inlet endowed with rock walls, abundant plants and also transparent, blue water. At South Head, look out for stunning Watson’s Bay, which is home to beach side eateries, high cliff walks throughout the Gap, as well as the significant Hornsby Light house, established in 1858 right after the heartbreaking shipwreck of the Dunbar, with all on board apart from one, losing their lives in the perilous deep ocean.
Additionally there is also Middle Harbour, which in turn winds is path to the north west of Sydney along the spit with its raising bridge permitting vessel traffic through to the Roseville Bridge plus the upper ends. Taronga Zoo is the city zoo of Sydney and might quickly be reached by a Sydney Harbour boat. The Zoo was officially launched on October 7, 1916 and is based in the district of Mosman.
One of the most noteworthy annual points of interest of the New South Wales oceans is the annual whale migration while they progress from the cooler southern oceanic masses to the warmer northern waters. There are quite a few months whereby you may observe a whale within Sydney Harbour however in all probability it will be between June and August. People may also get an opportunity to look at the whales on their return, from September and November.
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service reveals that about 2000 of these majestic beasts make the voyage within view of the shoreline annually with the greater number being humpback whales. Minke whales, southern right whales and pygmy killer whales are also common travellers to these rich waters. During the height of the move, a person are able to position themselves on a practical outlook position and view up to four whales pass every hour. It has been noted that the most whales seen in 1 day appeared to be sixty eight at Cape Solander in Southern Sydney.
One of the greatest approaches to see Sydney Harbour is actually by boarding a cruiser and heading out on to the water. The well recognised Captain Cook Cruises present in excess of 20 harbour trips every day among them the popular two and a half hours tour to the pretty Middle Harbour along with the Sydney Harbour Explorer Cruise, incorporating the convenience of a ferry along with all the ease and comfort of a cruise. Get off at all of the six harbour side attractions that comprise Taronga Zoo, Watson s Bay, Shark Island, Luna Park and Darling Harbour. MV Sydney 2000 is simply the most prestigious touring eating venue on Sydney Harbour along with being the pride of Captain Cook Cruises. It may also be chartered for specific events. An extensive assortment of Lunch time and supper selections usually are available from taking in the sights ” seafood buffet lunch to the chic seven course degustation selections.
Howard Rudd is actually a expert author who is really a Sydney Accommodation consultant and is also recognised for working on Sydney holidays and information projects