Shark Bay Fraser Island Great Sandy Island Bega
Shark Bay Fraser Island (Great Sandy Island) Bega Valley The Twelve Apostles Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
Fraser Island (Great Sandy END Island) START Shark Bay Bega Valley The Twelve Apostles = Road Route = Water travel = Destinations Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens
We will be spending 4 nights at Shark Bay. We will be leaving on the 5 th day. Two of the days will have partial day activities that are include with the tour. One day will have a whole day activity and the rest of the stay is free for the guests to do what ever they please. Accommodation must be organized by the guest. Although we would recommend one of the various commercial camping or national park camping offered in the nearby area.
Activities (included as part of tour) Snorkelling and SCUBA diving: One activity that is popular at Shark Bay is snorkelling and SCUBA diving. The three points that the tour group will have to option to swim at are surf Point, Gregories, Gudrun Shipwreck and Sandy Point. You will find a little more information on each below. • • Sea-Kayaking: Another activity that will take place is sea-kayaking in the inner gulfs of the island, which are almost fully protected from the ocean swells. Therefore can be great for sea-kayaking. With scenery including rich red sand dunes, huge sea grass beds, limestone islands and abundant wildlife Shark Bay is a perfect spot for sea -kayaking. Surf Point –good coral cover and abundant fish in shallow water making it good for snorkelling. Gregories –a shallow coral wall just offshore which is perfect for a drift snorkel. Gudrun Shipwreck – lying in about 6 metres of water this wreck is in a sanctuary zone and home to many types of marine life. Those including: spotted groper, lionfish, pilot fish, batfish, sweetlip, trevally and mackerel. Sandy Point –some of the best coral in the bay is found here. -Scuba diving at the Gudrun Shipwreck.
Marine Life Tour: We have also organized a marine wildlife tour of the island. This tour will consist of visiting three places on the island known as great observing spots. The first place will be Skipjack Point where two viewing platforms are perched atop the cliffs. These give a spectacular bird’seye view of the marine life below , which include Giant rays, turtles, cormorants, sharks and schools of fish and further offshore you occasionally see dugongs and dolphins. From there we will be travelling to a similar spot called Eagle’s Bluff. From this spot Sharks, rays, schools of fish and even dugongs can be seen from this perfectly placed boardwalk high above Henri Freycinet Harbour. A lunch break will occurred at this spot. Then to finish off the tour we will be visiting the bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia and keep up close when they come to shore to feed. Then we will be taking one of the islands wildlife cruise out to get up close to the dugongs, rays, turtles and more, just offshore.
Geographical Features of Shark Bay : Shark Bay features beautiful landscapes and colourful seascapes. The area is very diverse with red and whites sands, soaring dunes, glimmering turquoise lagoons and plunging cliffs. There are three different sections to Shark Bay. The shoreline is formed by two peninsulas creating a “w’ shape. Dirk Hartog , Dorre and Bernier Islands are limestone islands with warm sheltered waters only the average of 9 metres deep and are dotted with seagrass meadows. To the seaward side of the Bay’s islands the water is deeper and the surf crashes against the rocky reef and cliffs. The scenery changes at the Peron Peninsula that has red sand hills and plains interspersed with salty gypsum hollows, know as birridas. Then it changes again at Edel Land covered in white sand dunes ending abruptly with stunning cliffs. Then there is also Shell Beach. Named for a reason Shell Beach is not made up of sand but thousand of tiny shells. Cape Peron
Other geographical facts: • Shark Bay , despite its name, is home to a large pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins. • Shark Bay has the largest known area of seagrass, with seagrass meadows covering over 4, 800 km² of the bay • 3, 000 years ago cyanobacteria began building up stromatolitesin Hamelin Pool in the southern part of the bay and it is hypothesized that some stromatolites contain a new form of chlorophyll. • Shark Bay has many peninsulas and islands. • The coastline is over 1, 500 km long. • home to about 10, 000 dugongs (manatees) • Of great zoological importance • The area supports 26 threatened Australian mammal species, nearly 150 species of reptile and over 230 birds • The endangered green and loggerhead turtles nest on the bay's beaches • The largest fish in the world, the whale shark, gathers in the bay during the April and May full moons • Humpback and Southern Right whales use the waters of the bay as migratory staging post • There are over 323 fish species, including many sharks and rays
Subtropical, Grassland, Desert Climate: semi-arid, hot dry summers and mild winters Average Annual Temp: 26. 5 c Min. : 10 c Max. : 20 -25 c February (the hottest month) : Min. : 23 c Max. : 35 c The recommended time to visit Shark Bay would be April and August through to December ( or February if you prefer hot weather) for nice warm weather and the lessened chance of rain. Around this time the water is warmer as well so swimming will be more enjoyable. Also the marine life around that same time prefers the weather and warm water as well so they are seen more often. This is around the seasons of spring and summer so there is also a chance the newborn sea life will be around, including the hatching of the turtle species that live in the bay.
route The Twelve Apostles will not be as long a stop as Shark Bay was. We will only be there for the day. We will be at the actual site of the Twelve Apostles for only 45 minutes to and hour before we move up the coast a bit ( following the Great Ocean Road), until we get to where our boat will take us to the next destination, stopping at the sites along the away. Those sites will be Cape Otway via Great Otway National Park, Johanna Beach for a swim and Apollo Bay. This whole journey will take around 2 days. The Accommodation will stay the bus.
Activities (included as part of tour) The destination/experience is the main activity. Driving along the Great Ocean Road will be the focus and most interesting activity. The view from this road is positively spectacular, the presence of the ocean never disappearing. On the other side of the road is lush green forest rolling down the cliffs. We will be literally driving along the edge of Australia. We will start the first day at The Twelve Apostles and drive until we reach Apollo Bay. The stops will also be activities. The first will be The Twelve Apostles in the morning of the first day in this destination. We will have a nice breakfast on the bus, parked correctly so we have a lovely view. The next activity will be our stop at Cape Otway. Although for a change of scenery we will be driving through the Great Otway National Park. If the weather is nice, we will leave the bus and walk through the park. We will have a picnic lunch there before moving on. After that we will take a brief stop at Johanna Beach for some swimming and dinner. Our final stop of this destination will be Apollo Bay. Here the Great Ocean Walk will offered to those who wish to walk along the beach. Swimming can also be participated in. If any guests want to , there is a few shops and restaurants close by.
Geographical features of The Twelve Apostles and the Coastline : The Twelve Apostles are a collection of limestone stacks off the shore of the Port Campbell National Park. The apostles were formed by erosion and the extreme weather from the Southern Ocean gradually eroded the limestone to form caves in the cliffs, then they turned into arches which eventually collapsed leaving the rocks stacks. The stacks reach up to 45 metres in height. A brief history, the Twelve Apostles were originally named ‘Sow and Piglets’ until 1922. But then the name was changed for tourism purposes, even though there have only even been 9 in total. Over the years the stacks have been continuously open to erosion and in July 2005 a 50 metre high stack collapsed leaving only eight. The erosion rate at the base of the limestone pillars is approximately 2 cm each year.
Temperate • Victoria is wettest state after Tasmania. • The area has a varied climate, but along the coast it is mainly temperate and cool. Climate- Warm summers, mild autumns and crisp winters Warmest months- January and February Coldest Months- June and July Wettest month- October Average Temperature Max. : 19 c Average Temperature Min. : 10. 2 c The best time to visit the southern coastline of Victoria (The Twelve Apostles and other stops) would probably be December, January –March (for warmer weather) or November. This is just based off of rainfall and temperature. If you wish to go when its colder then I would recommend the months April. October. Average Rainfall: 54 mm
Map of the Gardens can be found on the official website: www. rtbg. tas. gov. au To reach our Tasmanian destination we will be boarding the Spirit of Tasmania for a 9 hour voyage. The voyage will take 9 -11 hours and further information will be given after booking. Meals swill be provided on the ship as well as many different on-board activities, such as a cinema, gaming lounge, play room for the kids and more. Once arriving in Tasmania we will be staying for only 2 nights.
Activities (included as part of tour) Our major activity of this destination will be the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens. We will be taking a walking-tour of the entire Gardens guided by one of the volunteer guides present at the Gardens. The places we will be visiting include: Japanese Gardens, Chinese Collection ; , The Conservatory ( where will be having a rest near the lovely sandstone fountain ) , The Lily Pond, Subantarctic Plant House, The Veggie Patch, Herb Garden, Historic Walls, Cactus Houser, The Friends’ Mixed Border, Anniversary Arch, Tasmanian Fernery, several native gardens, Epacrib Garden, French Memorial Garden and Fountain, Salvia Collection, Rain Garden, Fuchsia House and plenty more sites. At the end of the tour we will be going to the on- site restaurant for afternoon tea out on the deck that over looks part of the gardens. On our second and last day, guests will be given the chance to explore other parts of the Gardens for themselves or revisit places they found enjoyable the day before on our tour. The day will start with a lovely breakfast at the Botanical Gardens Restaurant, where afternoon tea was held the day before, then each will go there own way. Everyone will then meet at Arthur Wall, then we shall depart.
Geographical features of The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens: On of the most interesting geographical features of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens would the numerous plant species it contains. Many rare and ancient species. The gardens contains various plant collections including entire gardens dedicated to plants found in and around Hobart , plants known on the Tasmanian East Coast and plants grown in both Japan and China. There also historic plant collections found in the gardens borders. Another interesting feature is the significant number of large tree, many dating back to the nineteenth century. The garden are also home to the world’s only Subantarctic Plant House where plants coming from subantarctic islands in high southern latitudes are displayed for all in a climatically-controlled environment that mirrors their original home. These plants have been collected by Gardens staff and scientists when visiting Macquarie Island. On site there is a cactus house that contains cacti from all around the world. Historic walls can also be found here, many built by convicts. One of theses walls was ordered to be built in 1829 by Governor George Arthur to protect frost tender plants and extend growing periods for fruits near the boundary of the Colonial Gardens. Years later Governor Sir John Eardley-Wilmot also ordered the construction of a massive wall on the eastern boundary of the gardens. This was told to be 280 metres long.
Temperate Warmest months- January and February Coldest Months- June – August Wettest month- October Average Temperature Max. : 16. 9 c Average Temperature Min. : 8. 3 c Average Rainfall: 54 mm The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens are beautiful all year round. But if you prefer to have warmer weather the time we would recommend would be January or February. But if you don’t mind weather cooler than that any month besides June thought to August and maybe May, then you should enjoy your visit.
After returning from Tasmania our next stop will be The Bega Valley Shire in New South Wales. This will be a long stop lasting 5 nights and leaving on the 6 th afternoon. Accommodation will be in Tathra and can be either beach front camping at Tathra Beach Family Park. Meals will be provided on days were activities will be taking place, other days guests will have to find dinning for themselves.
Activities (included as part of tour) The first activity planned will be on the 2 nd day, the 1 st being the arrival day. The activity will be a walk along the coast from Tathra to Bournda National Park. This walk will take around five hours, but rest stops will be made along the ways. Starting the day we will be having breakfast at the Tathra Beach Café, overlooking g the beach itself. Then we will set off. The first rest stop will be for lunch on the beach, a picnic lunch will be packed. Once reaching the national park the bus will pick us up. On the 3 rd day there will also be another activity planned. This activity will be a beach swimming tour. This will involve visits to some of the best beaches and lagoons in the area, including: Kianinny Bay (where you can swim with a stingray if your brave) and Mogareeka Lagoon, both beautiful inlets around Tathra, as well as popular beaches such as Pambula Beach and Tathra Beach plus less known places like Nelson’s Bay , Mimosa Rocks and Moon Bay. Not all of these places will be acceptable on the day, but we can enjoy the sites and natural beauty. Lunch will be held at 12: 30 pm where ever we are at the time. On the other day guests will have the option to explore the area for themselves or return to some of the beaches we visited as a group.
Geographical features of The Bega Valley Shire (And surrounding areas. ): The Bega Valley Shire is a truly beautiful area, changing from rolling green hills to sapphire beaches. the area extends from Bermagui On the north to the south, the Victorian border. The Bega Valley Shire is also know as the Sapphire Coast (for tourism purposes) and contains the townships of Bega, Merimbula, Tura Beach, Wolumla, Cobargo, Bemboka , Pambula, Towamba and Eden. The Shire happens to be the largest local government area in coastal NSW. Its area of 6, 279 square kilometres and has a very long coastline, longer than any local government area in the state. 75% of this area belongs to state forests and national parks, causing it to be sparsely populated. The Beg Valley is well know for its dairy industry but the tourism industry is ever expanding. Changing to the topic of animals an wildlife, local site Mogareeka Inlet (lagoon) , is home to a protected shorebird nesting site. In Kianinny Bay, a stingray / manta ray has become accustomed to visiting this spot to be feed by the fisherman, who throw there fish scraps into the shallow water. Whales and Dolphins are not uncommon in the area and whales can often be seen jumping out at sea from the higher points around Tathra.
Temperate Warmest months- January and February Coldest Month-July Wettest month-October Average Temperature Max. : 21. 7 c Average Temperature Min. : 8. 7 c The Bega Valley is lovely all year around, but if your interested in swimming and relaxing on the warm sand, then I would recommend going around January and February or November to December. If your the kind of the person who finds true beauty in a winter beach then I think visiting in July (the coldest month) would be better to see the best and chilly landscape. Average Rainfall: 54. 5 mm
Fraser Island will be the last stop on our journey. We will be staying for 2 nights and 3 full days. We will arrive in the morning on the 1 st day and leave the 3 rd evening. For this last destination we will be camping in the national park, but if you are uncomfortable with that the bus is available for those who need it. Food will be provided for all off our days here.
Activities (included as part of tour) Fraser Island is a stunning place, well known for its beach attractions. So the first activity we will be participating in will defiantly be involving the ocean. This activity will be diving at Hervey Bay, where we will see fantastically design artificial reef filled with blue parrotfish, schools of trevally, snapper, cod, coral trout, sweetlips, jacks, turtles, sharks, rays and possibly even a sea snake. We will also being visiting another dive site on the same day, after lunch and a rest. This will be Cochrane Reef , a couple hours from Hervey Bay, and it is the wreck of an aircraft that has become home to the sea life. On our 2 nd day we will be involving in a Fraser Island adventure tour. This tour will take us to iconic spots including Lake Mackenzie, the Historical heart of Central Station and Wanggoobla Creek. Travelling around this beautiful World Heritage Site we will see golden sand dunes, clear fresh water creeks (where will be able to drift down like a lazy river) and rusting shipwrecks. We will walk through the tall ancient rainforest growing in the sand. In the morning of the 3 rd day we will be up early to go out on to the ocean for a Whale Watch. Listen to he whales sing through the hydrophone abroad the luxurious 20 metre catamaran design special for whale watching. See the whales like you never have through the underwater viewing windows and clear viewing deck. As well as a unique viewing platform off the back of the ship. Once we return from the Whale Watching tour, lunch will be held then the bus will be packed. To conclude our marvellous tour we will be enjoying a sunset Island cruise. This will take 4 -hours and once we arrive back on shore we will be leaving. The cruise will highlight the perfectly picturesque waters of the Great Sandy Strait that glimmer in the setting sun. While watching this and keeping an eye out for dolphins, turtles , dugongs and even dingoes on the beach, we will be indulging in complimentary beverages and platters of hot and cold canapés.
Geographical features of Fraser Island: Fraser Island is a heritage-listed island located along the south coast of Queensland. It comprises of seven main vegetation types : closed forest including rainforest an tall eucalypt forest: Blackbutt forest; scribbly gum and wallum Banksia communities; communities of wet sites; coastal communities ; Callitris forest and woodlands; and mangrove and saltmarsh. Theses native plant communities support a diverse group fauna. The island is known for its low number of introduced species. Over 300 bird species have been recorded including black breasted button quail , beach stone curlew and the ground parrot. The island is also rich in reptile fauna. The island itself is about 120 kilometres long and around 24 kilometres wide. It is made up sand that has been accumulated for about 750, 00 years on a volcanic bedrock The island is part of the Fraser Coast Region and is protected in the Great Sandy National Park. Eli creek is the largest creek on the east coast of the island with a flow of 80 million litres per day. Fraser Island has over 100 freshwater lakes as well as the second highest concentration of lakes in Australia after Tasmania.
subtropical Average temperatures in Summer ( December): 22 -28 c Average Temperatures in winter (July): 14 -21 c Annual Rainfall: varies from 1200 mm on the coast and 1800 mm inland. Wettest months are January to March. The recommend time to visit Fraser Island for nice beach worthy weather would be in the Australian summer , which is December through to the sometimes even March. But you prefer mediocre weather such, less hot and just a nice warm, then I would say go in September – November fro average weather.
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