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To contact me, email me at kevin@lionden.com Introduction of the ADVENTURE DOWN UNDER Friends, I’m excited to have offered this trip, customized for St. Charles Community College by International Expeditions. Since 1982 International Expeditions has explored Australia—from the tropical north to the mountain lakes of Tasmania. With this comprehensive knowledge they have developed superb expeditions, unmatched in their opportunities to experience unique wildlife, diverse habitats, and Australian color. This thirteen-day expedition was a culmination of their extensive expertise. From the Great Barrier Reef to the rainforests of the Daintree, this journey through the Island Continent reveals an amazing array of wildlife few people have seen. Shy platypus, inquisitive kangaroos, spectacular cockatoos and, of course, koalas—the special fauna found only in the wilds of Australia. This set of web pages gives you a glimpse of our adventure. The itinerary and other details are on this page, but don't miss Beth (Gnuse) Seals's journal and photos and my own Australia 2001 photo album. -kevin patton, ph.d. Study Tour Leader Brief
Itinerary of the ADVENTURE DOWN UNDER Days 1 and 2 - Wed. and Thurs., Jun.
20 and 21 Los Angeles /
In-flight / Sydney Uluru (Ayers Rock) Extension Day 1 - Mon., Jul. 2 - Cairns Uluru (Ayers Rock) ADVENTURE DOWN UNDER
Los Angeles / In-flight / Sydney We flew Qantas, known for its excellent food and in-flight service, arriving in Sydney midevening on Thursday. *M,*D Sydney
Map
We explored Sydney, including Cadman’s Cottage, the oldest building in Australia; the Harbour Bridge; and the Opera House. The nearby Botanic Gardens attract many birds, including lorikeets, honeyeaters and waterfowl. Late afternoon we transfered to the airport for our flight to Cairns. B,*D Cairns
Today we experienced the color and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef, which supports the greatest concentration of life on the planet, including 1,500 species of fish and 350 different corals. We visited magnificent sites where we snorkeled and dived, exploring shallow lagoons and spectacular drop-offs while viewing an unbelievable variety of underwater life. B,L
This morning we drove north to our lodge, set in a World Heritage rainforest, stopping for breakfast at the Rainforest Habitat Wildlife Park. The walk-through rainforest aviary and wetlands areas enable us to closely observe and photograph some of the animals we may see in the wild during our expedition, and some from elsewhere, such as the koala. Later, from our riverboat we searched the Daintree River for crocodiles, some over fourteen feet long, and birds, such as kingfishers and frogmouths. At Cape Tribulation the Dubuji boardwalk enabled us to walk into the beachside mangroves and forests. After dinner, we spotlighted for nocturnal animals. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 6 - Mon., Jun. 25 Cape Tribulation This morning we saw the forest from an Aboriginal perspective, including lifestyle, food, tools and medicine. Later, we visit a rainforest regeneration site to learn the dynamics and rationale of rainforest replacement; we plant a tree in the name of our college. At the Bat Research Centre, researchers shared their knowledge of these fascinating mammals and, in the late afternoon, our guide gave us an overview of coastal ecology on a secluded beach. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 7 - Tues., Jun. 26 - Cape Tribulation / Cooktown From Cape Tribulation we drove the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown, passing through scenic coastal ranges, homeland of the Kuku-yalangi Bama Aboriginal people. The drive is known for breathtaking scenery, and we avoided a swim in the beautiful but croc-infested waterfalls at Wujal Wujal along the way. We stopped for refreshments at the historic Lion’s Den pub. Near Cooktown we saw Black Mountain, a hill comprised of thousands of rounded, black granite boulders, considered taboo by local Aboriginal people. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 8 - Wed., Jun. 27 - Cooktown Lakefield National Park / Jowalbinna As we headed inland to Lakefield National Park, we noticed the transition from wet, forested coasts to the dry outback. We explored tranquil and beautiful rivers and lagoons, searching for crocodiles, dingoes and wallabies, and the abundant bird life. Birds, especially black-necked storks and brolgas, are featured in Aboriginal stories, and our guide explains their significance in these tales. We continue to our small bush camp, situated deep in the Outback. Comprised of large tents with solid floors and simple furniture, and with shared bush bathrooms, Jowalbinna provides an opportunity to be "in the bush." Here we experienced the changing ambiance of dusk and dawn, hear the thump of nearby wallabies, and woke in the morning to the loud laughter of kookaburras just outside our tent. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 9 - Thurs., Jun. 28 - Jowalbinna Today’s walks revealed nearby Aborigine rock art sites (among the best in Australia), including Wallaroo and Emu †Dreaming, each with important ochre and clay paintings of animals, mythical creatures and people. Our guide explains the significance and some of the stories of the artwork seen, beliefs still held today by many people. We have time for a relaxing swim in the cool waters of a billabong (lagoon) while lunch was prepared and the billy (bush kettle) boiled. Birds, lizards and other wildlife are our companions through the day. †Dreaming is the translated term for the Aborigine’s own explanation of Creation, and refers to not only a general world creation, but also the creation history of people, animals and spirits. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 10 - Fri., Jun. 29 - Jowalbinna / Atherton Tablelands We left our bush camp after breakfast and headed south, stopping at the Palmer River Roadhouse Museum, with its artifacts of the goldrush era, and the Mareeba Wetlands for excellent birdwatching. At Granite Gorge we sought out the resident population of rock wallabies. We continued through the Atherton Tablelands to our accommodation, The Chambers, an ecolodge in the rainforest. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 11 - Sat., Jun. 30 - Atherton Tablelands We started the day with a search for platypus, the strange egg-laying mammal found only in Australia. After breakfast we visited a forest regeneration project, and learn the importance of creek management and forest corridors. We enjoy a picnic lunch, and continue exploring this World Heritage area. After dinner, we spotlight in the rainforest for nocturnal animals, a highlight of our expedition. Some of Australia’s rarest mammals live here, including the black-and-white Herbert River and green ringtail possums, and the cheeky brushtail possum. With luck a tree-kangaroo may be seen. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 12 - Sun., Jul. 1 Atherton Tablelands / Cairns In the cones of extinct volcanoes, small lakes have formed, and this morning we visit one of these, Lake Barrine. Rainforest fringing the lake contains an often-noisy variety of birds, including colorful fruit pigeons, bowerbirds and, occasionally, a cassowary. Forest dragons may be found on tree trunks, and the musky rat-kangaroo, the smallest and most primitive of the kangaroo family, scurries about on the forest floor. We take a short cruise around the lake, where we see large freshwater eels and, often, pythons sunning on the bank. Afterward, we descended from the Tablelands to Cairns, where the afternoon was free to follow our own activities and interests. This evening we gathered for a special farewell dinner on our last evening in Australia, the Land Down Under. B,L,D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary Day 13 - Mon., Jul. 2 Cairns / Sydney / Los Angeles We had the morning available for last minute shopping, packing or other activities. We then flew to Sydney, and on to Los Angeles, arriving at 1:30 p.m. the same day. B,*L,*D Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary
Uluru (Ayers Rock) Extension During the 2001 expedition no one opted for this extension. Day 1 - Mon., Jul. 2 - Cairns Uluru (Ayers Rock) Fly to Ayers Rock, known now by its Aborigine name, Uluru. Tonight is special—enjoy cocktails and canapes in the desert, listening to the ancient Aboriginal instrument, the didgeridoo, while watching the sun set on Uluru. Then enjoy a unique outdoor dinner under the brilliant, starlit Australian sky. Afterward, we view the southern sky with an astronomer guide, learning the constellations of this hemisphere, including the Southern Cross. B,L,D Day 2 - Tues., Jul. 3 - Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park This morning, we watch the sun rise on Uluru, a beautiful sight. After breakfast explore Uluru itself. Uluru is an important site for the Yankunjatjara and Pitjantjatjara Aboriginal people, and some parts are sacred, where no uninitiated people can go. We spend several hours at this awe-inspiring site, and hear some of its Dreamtime stories. Afterward, we visit the Aborigine-run cultural center. In the afternoon we visit nearby Kata Tjuta National Park, also known as the Olgas. Though not as large as Uluru, this collection of rounded rock hills holds its own brooding mystery. B,L Day 3 - Wed., Jul. 4 - Uluru / Sydney / Los Angeles There is time this morning for a personal early morning walk in the desert and a visit to the nearby crafts center. A late morning flight, via Alice Springs, takes us to Sydney, where we connect with our flight home, arriving the same day. B,*L,*D,*B Detailed itineraries will be sent in your confirmation package. B-Breakfast; L-Lunch; D-Dinner; *In-flight Meal Back to top of page Back to Brief Itinerary
Wynyard Vista Hotel, Sydney - The Wynyard Vista Hotel is conveniently located in downtown Sydney. Renovated and refurbished in 1997, all rooms are air-conditioned with en suite facilities, telephone, TV and in-house videos, tea/coffee making appliances, and room service. It is very convenient to The Rocks historic and shopping district, Downtown and Darling Harbor. Rihga Cairns Colonial Club Resort, Cairns - The resort is located five minutes from the Esplanade and the downtown area of Cairns. It has won numerous awards for the gardens and landscaping that surround it. There are three swimming pools, four restaurants, laundries, a gift shop, a hairdresser, a full gym/sauna/spa, and tennis courts within the resort. There is twenty-four-hour reception, and the entire staff is very friendly and helpful. All rooms have private bathrooms, tea/coffee making facilities, direct dial telephones and other amenities. The Chambers Ecolodge, Atherton Tablelands - Located in twenty acres of private forest, surrounded by 1,200 acres of Lake Eacham National Park, The Chambers has walking tracks that wind through the forest to a creek that houses its own platypus. Pademelons, bowerbirds and other wildlife are common on the grounds. Each room has a large lounge area, complete with kitchenette; a separate bedroom with a queen bed; a separate bathroom; and a small balcony. One larger unit has two lower bedrooms, with smaller upstairs rooms; a larger kitchen; separate dining and lounge rooms; and both mid-level and treetop balconies. Gold, Cooktown - Heritage Lodge, Daintree - A boutique, cabin-style rainforest resort set on Cooper Creek, adjoining Cape Tribulation National Park. Cabins have en suite bathrooms, hair dryers and private verandahs. The rooms are naturally ventilated, with fully screened, timber-louvered windows; ceiling fans; and air-conditioning. This page was last edited on 05/22/07.
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3 - Fri., Jun. 22 - Sydney / Cairns
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4 - Sat., Jun. 23 - Great Barrier Reef
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5 - Sun., Jun. 24 - Cairns / Daintree / Cape Tribulation
