FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND 2010 ORCHID TOUR & THE TOWNSVILLE ORCHID SHOW
8 days / 7 nights commencing Cairns Sunday 06 June
Fully Escorted by Mr. Phil Spence
An opportunity to observe and photograph many Far North Queensland orchid species in their natural habitat.
Travel plans co-coordinated by Jo Williams, Niugini Holidays Cairns Office
Address: PO Box 296, Redlynch, Queensland 4870
Telephone: 07 4039 2251
Fax: 07 4039 2652
E-Mail: jo@nghols.com
Itinerary remains subject to change, according to flight schedules & local conditions at the time of travel
DAY 1 : Sunday 06 June Arrive Cairns Flight
Own arrangements for flight to Cairns / or contact Niugini Holidays for booking assistance if required
Airport Transfer
Own arrangements
Welcome to Cairns and Tropical North Queensland, where it's summer all year round!
Cairns provides access to the World Heritage listed wonders of the Wet Tropics Rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef.
Accommodation: Lakes Resort & Spa 3 night stay in self contained apartments
The Lakes Resort & Spa is located in North Cairns, within close proximity to the airport and Flecker Botanical Gardens. This is a premier resort offering a relaxed village atmosphere with spacious modern apartments, set amongst 11 acres of lush landscaped gardens, lakes and lagoon pools. Facilities include 4 large swimming pools, Rambutan Bistro, tennis court, BBQ areas, gymnasium, bar and resort store.
A regular shuttle service is available to Cairns Esplanade, town area and shops.
DAY 2 : Monday 07 June Cairns Gardens Tour Breakfast & dinner included
Tour
Visit Cairns Orchid Centre and Cairns Flecker Botanical Gardens.
The Gardens contain a multitude of tropical plant species with an impressive
array of orchids, primitive and carnivorous plants. In addition to the formal
Flecker Gardens, this area includes the informal Botanic Reserve, the twin
lake system of Centenary Lakes, the boardwalk through original Cairns rainforest
vegetation and Mt. Whitfield Conservation Park.
The Flecker Botanic Gardens were created in 1886, which means that many of the
large plants and trees are lush and well established. The extensive selection of
tropical flora includes some rare plants seldom found elsewhere in the world.
These include exotic species of palms, gingers, orchids, bamboos, vines, aroids
and tropical fruit trees.
Some of the rarest plants in the world can be found at Flecker Botanic Gardens,
including a tropical flower known as the Amorphophallus Titanum, which weighs up to
70 kg with a single leaf almost 7 meters across. The exotic rainforest plant is only one
of two found in Australia. Amazing arrays of orchids are spotted throughout the
gardens, boasting beautiful bright colours that contrast perfectly with the variegated
shades of greens. Tropical fruit trees such as the Durian, Purple Mangosteen,
Soursop and Black Sapote are star attractions of the Botanic Gardens.
DAY 3 : Tuesday 08 June Daintree Rainforest Tour Breakfast & dinner included
Tour
Visit the World Heritage listed Daintree Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest gained World Heritage Listing in December 1988, thereby declaring Australia's commitment to the area and recognition of its environmental values. There are few places in the world as significant and with such biodiversity as the Daintree. The Rainforest is the oldest in the world at over one hundred and thirty-five million years. A similar number of primitive families are found in all the rainforest of South America. This Rainforest is a unique area, finely balanced between the advances of development and the warnings of environmentalists. The Daintree is home to one of the highest populations of primitive flowering plants in the world. Of 19 primitive plant families on The primitive flowering plants Austrobaileya scandens and Idiospermum australiense are also endemic to the Daintree.
DAY 4 : Wednesday 09 June Cairns to Malanda via Kuranda Breakfast & dinner included
Tour
This morning depart Cairns and travel via the rainforest village of Kuranda to Malanda, situated on the Atherton Tablelands. En route to Malanda, visit Coleman's, Hubbards and Bruce Greys Orchids, plus Yuruga Nursery, housing Australia's largest tropical native plant selection.
Malanda lies at the centre of the crater lakes and waterfalls district of the Atherton Tablelands, abounding in natural attractions. Lush rainforests, rolling green hills, a wealth of wildlife, stunning waterfalls, and forest fringed crater lakes are icons of this region. It is believed that Lakes Eacham and Barrine were formed some 12,000 years ago during the most recent period of volcanic activity on the Tablelands, and are explosion craters known as maars. Located just 15 minutes from Malanda the clear deep waters of the
lakes surrounded by lush tropical rainforest are stunningly beautiful. Lake Barrine is also home to the magnificent Twin Kauri Pines. These living fossils are estimated to be 1,000 years old.
To the south of Malanda, the famous Tablelands 'waterfalls circuit" starts at Millaa Millaa, whilst towards Yungaburra, is the Curtain Fig Tree with its gigantic curtain of aerial roots. Mt. Hypipamee, The Crater and Dinner Falls are also fascinating geological features of the area.
Accommodation: Malanda Lodge Motel 2 night stay in standard rooms
Malanda Lodge Motel is set amidst 11 acres of lush tropical gardens and rolling lawns, with facilities including licensed restaurant,
bar, swimming pool with waterfall, creek with Platypus viewing, guest laundry and internet access in all rooms.
DAY 5 : Thursday 10 June Atherton Tablelands Breakfast & dinner included
Tour
Enjoy a full day touring the beautiful Tablelands, including a visit to Stockers' Nursery to view orchids, bromeliads and other rare and unusual plants.
DAY 6 : Friday 11 June Atherton Tablelands to Townsville Breakfast included
Tour
Depart the Atherton Tablelands, heading south to Townsville along the Palmerston Highway via Millaa Millaa and the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk, a stunning, elevated tree-top trail through lush rainforest, with spectacular views of rivers and gorges. Continue through historic South Johnstone, towards the sugar town of Tully along the Great Green Way. Surrounded by banana and sugar cane plantations,
Tully is one of the wettest towns in Australia and proud home to the Golden Gumboot,
standing almost 8 metres tall. Onwards to Cardwell, situated midway between Cairns and Townsville, and the only town where the highway meets the sea north of Bowen. Late afternoon arrival into Townsville, surrounded by a rich hinterland of tropical rainforests and waterfalls. Townsville has a relaxed feel and an eclectic mix of rainforest, reef, sandy beaches, outback bush and city life.
Accommodation - Grand Mercure Apts. 2 night stay in studio rooms
DAY 7 : Saturday 12 June Townsville Orchid Show Breakfast included
Transfers
Private bus transfers will be provided to and from The Townsville Orchid Show.
For those who prefer an alternative program, optional tours can be arranged to various sights and attractions. Stroll along The Strand with magnificent views across Cleveland bay towards Magnetic Island.
Learn about the Pandora, one of Queensland's great shipwrecks, at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.
Visit Reef HQ, the largest living coral reef aquarium in the world. Try your luck at Jupiters Casino.
Take in panoramic city views from Castle Hill.
DAYS 8 : Sunday 13 June Depart Townsville Breakfast included
Airport Transfer
Own arrangements
Flights
Own arrangements for departure flight from Townsville / or contact Niugini Holidays for booking assistance if required
COST INCLUSIONS / OPTIONS
Cost subject to change according to final group number and any adjustment to costs outside the control of Niugini Holidays.
A single room surcharge by circumstance, may apply according to gender mix based on final number of tour participants.
Conditions apply.
Tour cost includes :
* Touring and transport as specified in the itinerary
* 7 nights accommodation at hotels specified in the itinerary
* Daily breakfasts, plus 4 Set Menu Dinners
* Entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
* Visit to Townsville Orchid Show
Travel plans co-coordinated by Jo Williams, Niugini Holidays Cairns Office
Address: PO Box 296, Redlynch, Queensland 4870
Telephone: 07 4039 2251
Fax: 07 4039 2652
E-Mail: jo@nghols.com