Australian Natural AdventuresWildlife, Nature & Soft Adventure ToursCustom
Australia, New Zealand & Pacific tours and travel
THE NATURAL HISTORY & WILDLIFE OF AUSTRALIA
18 Days
Itinerary Day
1 - Los Angeles / Lost in Space Day
2 – Lost in Space Day
3 – Brisbane / Cairns
Day
4 – Atherton Tablelands
Day
5 – Atherton Tablelands / Kuranda / Cairns Day
6– Great Barrier Reef Day
7 – T Cairns / Alice Springs
Day
8 - Alice Springs / Uluru (Ayers Rock)
Day
9 - Uluru Late this afternoon
we see another aspect of this red desert. Not as well known outside
Australia as Ayers Rock, but also fascinating, is Kata Tjuta (the
Olgas). These rounded tors are hewn from the same subterranean mass
as Uluru itself, and present their own stories and mysteries
Day
10 - Sunday, Janaury 15: Uluru / Sydney
|
flight
176 dep
arting
at 11.55pm to Brisbane, Australia. Australia begins the moment you
step aboard your 
(*D)
arrival in Cairns at 12.20pm we are met by our guide for the next
few days. After loading our gear onto the luggage trailer of our small
bus we head south and west 
to
the Atherton Tablelands. We first travel through sugar cane fields,
the main agricultural product of the region, then turn inland to climb
onto the Tablelands, a rough plateau averaging 3000ft in altitude.
Once extensively covered by rainforests, it has been partially cleared
for crops and cattle, but much of the forest and its wildlife remain.
A significant portion of this remaining forest is part of the federally
protected Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, notable for rare and restricted
wildlife and plants. Considered to contain the 
most
significant occurrence of primitive flowering plants in the world,
these rainforests give scientists the ability to step back to the
origins of all flowering plants. These rainforests contain the highest
c
oncentration
of rare and restricted species in Australia, and the greatest diversity
of mammals. Our accommodation for the next two nights is The Chambers,
a lodge set in the rainforest, and visited by a wide range of birds
and mammals, right at our door. Dinner tonight is a barbecue at the
lodge, and we are sure to be visited by pademelons, a small rainforest
wallaby, and other locals.
(*B,*L,D)
Today we explore the Tablelands; our precise itinerary is determined
by the weather and our guide’s experience of current wildlife
occurrences. We visit Lake Barrine, formed in the cone of an extinct
volcano, and home to eels, turtles and rare fish. We often see pythons
as long as 14 ft basking on the side 
of
the lake, and waterbirds around the edge. Walks in the area’s
rainforest may reveal Musky Rat-kangaroos, the smallest and most primitive
of the kangaroo family. Either early this morning, this afternoon
or tomorrow morning we’ll spend time at a rainforest stream,
waiting for views of p
latypus
in the wild. This egg-laying mammals was thought to be a hoax when
first introduced to the scientific community. After dinner tonight
we go spotlighting at higher altitude to find some of the mammals
– most are nocturnal in Australia – including the black
and white Herbert River Ringtail Possum, Green Possum, Coppery Brushtail
and perhaps tree kangaroos, a true kangaroo which has taken to life
in the tree. Reptiles such as the 8 inch long and bizarrely shaped
Leaf-tailed Gecko may also be found, along with owls, frogs and even
pythons.
(B,D,)
country
at Granite Gorge. Here we look for Rock Wallabies among the huge boulders,
and may see the Great Bowerbird at its bower, complete with trinkets
to impress potential mates. We have lunch (own expense) while looking
around the country town of Mareeba - an opportunty to eat like a typical
Aussie and to get some insight into the life of rural Australians.
At nearby Kuranda we take the Skyrail down to the coast, a 1 hour
cable-car journey 
through
and across the top 
of
the rainforest, giving sweeping views across Trinity Inlet to the
Coral Sea, close-up looks at giant staghorn ferns in the treetops,
and waterfalls below. At end of this journey we transfer to our accommodation
near the Cairns waterfront. The evening is free to look around this
interesting small tropical city, or perhaps visit the Esplanade for
some shore-birding.
(B) 
oday
you are introduced to one of the natural wonders of the world—Australia’s
Great Barrier Reef, a series of reefs extending for about 1,250 miles
along the coast of Queensland, nearly 
to
Papua New Guinea. Our destination today is the outer edge of the reef,
where the coral formations present a barrier to the open sea. We anchor
in the calm water immediately inside this edge for our first experience
of this world marvel. As soon as we look underwater we see 
of fish, invertebr
ates
and coral on a single reef of the Great Barrier Reef than in all the
Caribbean. Both snorkelers and certified divers are catered for (divers
will need to bring their cards), and new or inexperienced snorkelers
will be show the ropes by the experienced staff. We move to several
locations for variety, and may see several species of seabirds during
our day. We return to Cairns late afternoon, and the evening is free
to look around this small tropical city. (L)
Qantas flight 1949 to the center of Australia, Alice Springs, arriving
at about 1.55pm. We are met and begin our exploration of this small
city and surrounds, the heart of the Red Centre. Originally established
as a telegraph station to serve the line running from Adelaide to
Darwin to Asia, and hence to Europe, The Alice, as the town is referred
to, has grown into a comfortable small city. The surrounding McDonnell
Ranges and desert, and the clear and brilliant
blue skies, provide a
stunning setting. The Todd River runs through the city, but like most
rivers west of the Great Dividing Range, it is dry most of the time.
However, this doesn’t stop the locals from arranging boat races
– they simply knock the bottoms out, and run the course holding
their craft. As it is quite hot at this time of the year, our time
spent outdoors is mostly late afternoon, and tomorrow morning. (B,*L),
ssing
the dry bed of the Ross River, we stop under the shade of as giant
river red gum to contemplate the ancient landscape and have breakfast.
Our morning will continue with short walks into some of the East MacDonnell
Ranges most picturesque gorges, providing viewing of Aboriginal rock
art and carvings. Later another short walk into Trephina Gorge provides
spectacular views of this very special place that will live long in
your memory of our visit to Central Australia. We return to Alice
Springs in time for our short lunchtime flight (Qantas 1941 at 12.30pm)
south to Ayer’s Rock, now mostly know by its Aboriginal name
of Uluru. We arrive at 1.25pm, and check into our accommodation. We
have some time to freshen up before heading off to Uluru itself. One
of the most famous sights in Australia is the mystical vision of Uluru
changing from red to purple to black as the sun sets in the outback.
From our vantage point we watch this transformation, an event that
has occurred unchanged for millions of years, watched by us today
just as 40,000 years ago the ancestors of the Pitjantjatjara &
Anangu people did. Most amazingly, these people are still living here
today, in an unbroken chain, as we shall see. (B)
nd
fauna of Uluru. Our guides introduce the geology of Uluru and describe
how plants and wildlife have adapted and survived in such a forbidding
environment. They also describe deep the relationship of the Anangu
people to Uluru. This place was shelter, provided water and is a tangible
link with their creation ancestors. As we walk at the base we hear
and see the creation time stories of these ancient people unfold,
and see where the people lived and carried out ceremonies. Here the
beliefs of the local people are embodied in one of the great places
of this world. From a distance Uluru is spectacular; from close up
it is powerful and deeply moving, and presents its exquisite and dramatic
sculpturing. After our time at the base of Uluru we visit the nearby
Aboriginal-operated Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, to continue
our understanding of Uluru and its people. We then return to the hotel
in time for lunch (own expense). B 
.
At Olga Gorge our guide describes the geology of the area and how
it has evolved over millions of years. As we walk through Olga Gorge
we learn how the Aboriginal people used the plants of the area in
their daily life. As the sun sets the domes change color, just like
the larger Uluru – same say the event is equal to Uluru’s
own sunset show. Regardless, the clefts and shadows, and our special
perspective, make this a unique event.
(B)
he
first part of the morning is free for a final look at this desert
landscape. There are short walks to platforms in the nearby dunes
where a longer perspective on the sunrise on Uluru can be had, and
desert birds and lizards may be active. Also a short walk away is
another cultural center, with a good range of souvenirs. Or the opportunity
may be taken for a lie-in after several early morning. At lunchtime
we fly east to Sydney, arriving late afternoon. After transferring,
via a short city sights tour, to our downtown hotel we have to for
an initial look at this famous harborside city. (L)