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Platypus (Southbound) : Complete itinerary

Hiking in Kondalilla & Fraser Island National Parks · Surfing at 1770 · Horse Riding on an Outback Cattle Station · Hiking & Platypus Viewing in Eungella National Park · Caving at Capricorn Caves · Multi-Day option: Scuba Diving & Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef or Hiking & Kayaking Whitsunday Islands

Monday - Arrive in Mackay & Hiking in Eungella National Park

We'll pick you up at Mackay airport in the morning if you're arriving on the first day, or in town if you've already had a chance to settle in. We always have a gentle first day on our trips to ease the "jetlaggers" into the Aussie pace of doing things! (Depending on where you're coming from, you'll probably find jetlag is no big deal - it's a 13 hour direct overnight flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane, and there's only a 5 hour time difference between Australia and US Pacific time). If you have more time, by all means try to arrive in Australia day or so early. After meeting everyone, we'll have a short drive inland to Eungella National Park. Eungella is a unique rainforest that has been cut off from all other forests for around 30,000 years. As a result, it has at least 6 life forms that exist nowhere else in the world - including many species of birds, lizards, frogs and trees. This afternoon, we'll hike through the lowland parts of Eungella National Park, known as Finch Hatton Gorge, to the stunning waterfalls of Araluen Falls and The Wheel of Fire, which refers to the intensely red flowers of the Firewheel trees that surround the pools at the base of Araluen Falls. The steep climb up the rock steps to the Wheel of Fire should make you more than ready for a refreshing swim in the clear water of the pools. Then we'll drive up into the hinterland of Eungella National Park where we'll be spending the night.

ACCOMMODATION: Broken River Mountain Retreat, Eungella National Park (L,D)

Tuesday - Platypus Watching at Broken River & Start Multi-day Options

This morning we'll have an early start to look for the legendary, but elusive platypus! The platypus is a very shy native mammal that is very rarely seen by humans in the wild, but at dawn and dusk they come out of their underwater burrows to feed and play on the water's surface. Broken River is one of very few areas where, if you stay very quiet and still, you may be lucky enough to see one of these beautiful, playful creatures. From here, we'll set off on a great rainforest hike along the top of the Clarke Range for stunning views out over the coast.

At time of booking, you can choose between a 3-day Scuba diving/Snorkeling trip to the Great Barrier Reef and a 3-day hiking & sea kayaking trip in Conway & Whitsunday National Parks. The diving/snorkeling trip is on a live-aboard dive boat, while on the hiking & sea kayaking option you'll be staying in motel style accommodations. After lunch, it's a short drive north to Airlie Beach, a picturesque seaside town on the Whitsunday coast, where we'll split up for our chosen activities:

SCUBA AND SNORKELING OPTION ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Tuesday (Continued) If you enjoy being on and in the water, we've got just the thing! After arriving in Airlie Beach, you'll have the rest of the afternoon to pick up last minute supplies, and grab a bite to eat, before we board the Anaconda III this evening - a true Maxi designed to make for an unforgettable sailing experience. Overnight Maxi sailing is unique to the Whitsundays, and allows you the opportunity to participate by taking the wheel, hoisting the sails and grinding the winches on one of the most famous yachts in racing history, whilst visiting the very best destinations the Whitsundays have to offer. The Anaconda III is our home for the next three nights, and after a champagne toast, we depart the marina, cruising towards the Hook Island passage. The expert crew will brief you thoroughly on what to expect over the next few days, and if you are not a qualified diver but would like to experience the thrill of SCUBA diving, the expert instructors will be happy to introduce you to the amazing underwater world and its colourful inhabitants. (Optional AUD$55 per dive). If you prefer, there is some amazing snorkelling to be done in the region instead! ACCOMMODATION: "Anaconda III" live-aboard mega yacht, (B,L)	HIKING AND KAYAKING OPTION IN CONWAY & WHITSUNDAY NATIONAL PARKS Tuesday (Continued) If live-aboard boats aren't for you then we have just the thing! We'll spend the next two days hiking and sea kayaking amongst some of the most beautiful tropical National Parks in the area. You'll have some time this afternoon to relax and explore the seaside town of Airlie Beach, or go swimming in one of the many outdoor pools. Be sure to get lots of rest tonight, as the next couple of days are going to be very active! ACCOMMODATION: Whitsunday Terraces, Airlie Beach (B,L)
Wednesday SCUBA DIVING or SNORKELING OPTION This morning you will wake up at Whitehaven Beach, recognised as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Stretching over six miles, this pristine expanse of pure white silica sand fringed by brilliant blue water and lush Tropical Island, is one of the jewels of the Whitsundays. There is plenty of time for a game of beach cricket, a stroll along the beach or simply soak up the beauty of our surrounds as those who learn to SCUBA for the first time take their first Introductory dive. After returning to the boat, we lift anchor and it is time for another sumptuous meal as we head towards the protected waters of the Great Barrier Reef, with reef and still water as far as the eye can see. The Great Barrier Reef is the most extensive reef system in existence, with over 2000 individual reefs stretching from Papua New Guinea down the Queensland coast for over 1200 miles. The protected waters between the reef and the coast are home to at least 400 species of coral, 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of mollusks and 500 species of seaweed. There are also hundreds of uninhabited islands that 200 different species of birds call home. Luckily we're going to have time to see and explore a great deal of these islands! Scuba dives will be scheduled to maximize the amount of diving per day. If you decide to snorkel, your crew will let you know where you're going, what and who you might see, and you're away! ACCOMMODATION: "Anaconda III" live-aboard mega yacht, (B, L, D)	Wednesday HIKING AND KAYAKING OPTION Today we'll have an early start - we've got a big day ahead of us! The Great Whitsunday Walk is quite a new trail through tropical Conway National Park, and many people take a couple of relaxed days to walk the 30 km (20 miles) track, but we reckon it's best done as a day hike! If challenging day hikes aren't your thing, we have plenty of other options available for this day - simply let us know in advance. After a quic k breakfast, we have a short drive north to the start of the walk at Brandy Creek. We'll begin hiking amongst majestic tropical rainforest with towering palms, giant strangler figs, and Mackay tulip oaks decorated with basket ferns. Gradually the track steepens as we follow the ridge up towards the summit of Mount Hayward, our lunch spot for today. Upon reaching the summit you'll be rewarded by cool breezes and awesome views out to the Whitsunday Islands. Keep an eye out for the brilliant blue flash of the Ulysses butterfly or a glimpse of the little kingfisher, and l isten for the deep, resonating calls of wompoo fruit-doves. After lunch we'll descend to the rainforest once again to enjoy the shade provided by rainforest plants & the lush moss gardens . Then after conquering the last steep climb of the day, we'll begin our final descent through gum trees, grass trees and cycads back to civilization. ACCOMMODATION: Airlie Beach lodgings, Airlie Beach (B,L,D)
Thursday SCUBA DIVING or SNORKELING OPTION Being on a live-aboard boat means we have the flexibility to move whenever we like - so this morning we'll relocate to Bait Reef (weather permitting) ready for you to explore first thing.  Bait Reef is located on the Outer Great Barrier Reef near the Whitsunday Island Chain. It is one of the most pristine scuba diving locations in the world and benefits from protection under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The crew has numerous sites at their fingertips, and will choose the best one depending on the conditions. Scuba divers will also be able to do one or two night dives during the trip if you're keen to see who comes out at night! ACCOMMODATION: "Anaconda III" live-aboard mega yacht, (B, L, D)	Thursday HIKING AND KAYAKING OPTION This morning we'll head to Shute Harbour where we'll be fitted with modern double sea kayaks and all the appropriate safety equipment. We'll launch from here and paddle out to explore a select few of the 70 or more islands that make up the Whitsunday group. Absolute beginners and seasoned veterans alike will find this a wonderful trip! We'll pay a visit the tiny White Rock Island National Park, where we'll take a break on our own private beach. You'll have the chance to take a dip and cool off in the warm tropical waters, and we'll also have snorkeling gear on hand so you can explore the island's soft coral fringing reefs if you like. This afternoon we'll make our way across to South Molle Island, the largest of the Molle Island group, and our home for the night, keeping an eye out for the magnificent humpback whales which migrate up the coastline between June and September. ACCOMMODATION: South Molle Island Resort, South Molle Island (B,L,D)
Friday SCUBA DIVING or SNORKELING OPTION This morning we cruise back through the Whitsunday Passage, to Blue Pearl Bay on Hayman Island. Whether you choose to snorkel or scuba dive, you will be stunned at the range and diversity of the coral at Blue Pearl.  As is typical of fringing reefs, the range of coral is extensive, with all sorts of hard and soft corals waiting for you to explore their fragile beauty -- not to mention the Giant Clam. Watching and being part of the fish feeding at Blue Pearl Bay is an absolute highlight of any trip to the Whitsundays.  You will be surrounded by hundreds of fish ranging in size from the smaller Sergeant Majors and brilliantly coloured Fusiliers right up to our own metre long Giant Wrasse, called "Mick Jagger " for obvious reasons!! Here we'll have one last morning of diving and snorkeling. Then it's time to lift the anchor and return to Airlie Beach. After 3 days in the water, you'll appreciate a chance to relax on the deck as we sail through the Whitsunday Islands and back to the mainland. By late afternoon, we'll be on shore again and saying goodbye to the Anaconda III crew. We'll then meet up with the rest of the group for our final dinner together. ACCOMMODATION: Whitsunday Terraces, Airlie Beach (B, L, D)	Friday HIKING AND KAYAKING OPTION This morning we'll head out to explore the picturesque South Molle Island on foot. The island is very hilly with undulating grasslands, lush pockets of rainforest, secluded bays and fringing reefs. If you like y ou can hike to the summit for incredible views of the Coral Sea and surrounding islands, or wander across to Mid Molle Island, which is virtually joined to South Molle. After lunch we'll take to the kayaks once more and start to make our way back to the mainland. Along the way we'll stop at Cane Cocky's Beach to look for one of the many turtles that call this area home. By late afternoon, we'll be back on shore to meet up with the rest of the group for our final dinner together. ACCOMMODATION: Whitsunday Terraces, Airlie Beach (B, L,D) NOTE: We recommend the Great Whitsunday Walk during April-October. Outside of these times, walking is not as comfortable due to high humidity, strong seasonal rainfall and average temperatures of 70-90°F (20-30°C).

Saturday - Hiking in Conway National Park and Rockhampton

We'll have a relaxing start today. After a leisurely breakfast we'll head off for our last activity in the area - a hike up Mt Rooper in Conway National Park, with views out over the Whitsunday Island group. From here we'll head south into Cattle Country, a different landscape altogether. Tonight we'll have some "tucker" at a true blue Aussie pub where you'll have a chance to meet some of the locals and perhaps try a local beer or two.

ACCOMMODATION: Capricorn Cabins, Capricorn Caves. (B,L,D)

Sunday - Caving & Outback Cattle Ranch

Today we'll be going dry caving (a.k.a. spelunking) ! You have two options here. For the more adventurous, you can explore the "zig zag" cave, or try and squeeze through the "rebirth" or "superman" caves. You won't need any special gear - just some clothes you don't mind getting dusty! If dry caving is not really your thing, you can explore the dry rock formations & enjoy the amazing natural acoustics of the Cathedral Chamber in a less challenging manner. After a quick dust off we'll head drive south into the Outback, where we're going to stay at the Myella Outback Cattle Ranch, or "Station" as it's known down here. Here you'll be welcomed with open arms by the ranchers, Peter and Olive Eather. This charming couple are "fair dinkum" Aussie cattle ranchers who've lived in the endless sun burnt plains of outback Queensland their whole lives. They have turned over part of their 2600-acre cattle ranch to allow us to have fun with the more enjoyable parts of the Australian farming lifestyle - while they still do the hard work! There's always heaps to do at Myella - from milking cows and cracking whips, to spotting koalas asleep in the gum trees and horseback riding. but a favorite is always hanging out with the baby kangaroos! Olive acts as a foster mother for orphaned baby kangaroos and wallabies, so there are often a few of the little fellas lurking around. In the evening, we'll head out to a quiet spot overlooking the plains where we can watch the sun set over the bottle trees and settle down for a good yarn around the campfire. Tonight is also an excellent opportunity to check out the clear southern skies - we're a long way from the city here, so the views of the Southern Cross and other celestial landmarks are unbeatable.

ACCOMMODATION: Myella Outback Cattle Station (B,L,D)

Monday - Horse & Motor Bike Riding at Outback Cattle Ranch

This morning we'll be exploring the ranch on horseback. Myella caters to all riding abilities, so whether you're an experienced rider or have never even seen a horse up close and personal, you'll be well taken care of. After saddling up your horse, or learning if you don't know how, we'll head out across the red-earthed landscape. If you're keen to explore the farm in a different way, you can take a motorbike or four-wheeler lesson from Peter. Once you earn your "Myella Driver's License", you can head out on your own across the fields or "paddocks" . After lunch we'll bid a fond farewell to Peter, Olive and the crew before a short drive back towards the coast to the historic town of 1770, which is an on idyllic stretch of coastline famous as the first landing point of Captain Cook in his discovery of Australia. The tropical paradise they discovered remains virtually untouched to this day and features pristine shorelines.

ACCOMMODATION: Edge on Beaches Villas, Town of 1770 (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Coastal hiking and sea kayaking in the Town of 1770

This morning we'll be exploring the coastal headland discovered by Captain Cook on foot. If you feel like stretching your legs, then there are miles of remote coastline on offer, and if you simply feel like strolling for sea shells then that's okay too! After some lunch, we'll be heading out to explore this beautiful coastline in a different way - by sea kayak! After pairing up, we'll be fitted with modern sea kayaks and all the necessary safety equipment. We'll have the afternoon to explore, and if the wind's blowing our way we even might try a bit of kayak sailing too! Then we'll head back to watch the sunset from our beachside accommodation before we head into the Outback tomorrow.

A unique option today is to visit Lady Musgrave Island National Park. Lady Musgrave is a unique coral cay surrounded by 3000 acres of living reef, only about 30 nautical miles from the Town of 1770. Your vessel will moor in the calm waters of the island's coral lagoon, a feature unique to the entire Great Barrier Reef region, and from here you'll have entire day to explore. You can snorkel or scuba dive on the surrounding reef, or take to the land to explore the pisonia forest and the immense variety of native birdlife. Between November and February, Green Turtles nest on the island with the hatchlings emerging 8 to 12 weeks later. If you're keen to do this option let us know when we meet you in Brisbane and we'll make it happen! (Lady Musgrave Option including meals, transport and snorkeling gear approx US$100pp).

ACCOMMODATION: Edge on Beaches Villas, Town of 1770 (B,L,D)

Wednesday - Surfing at 1770 & Ferry to Fraser Island

This morning we'll be trying our hand at the true blue Aussie sport of surfing! On 1770's secluded beaches there are plenty of ideal learn-to-surf spots, and with all the gear you need supplied, it's always a fun morning! Absolute beginners are the norm here, so don't worry if you haven't tried surfing before - give us a morning and we'll have you "hanging ten" with the best of them! If you prefer to do something else, you can lounge about on the beach or explore the coast on foot.

This afternoon we'll head south to the whale-watching town of Hervey Bay. Here we'll hop on the ferry to Fraser Island. Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, is an absolutely beautiful place with World Heritage Park status. Its unique position on the edge of the 2000-foot oceanic continental shelf means it attracts an incredibly diverse range of marine and wild life. You'll see all sorts of birds while you're here - possibly including the electric-blue plumaged kingfisher! We'll be spending two nights on the island amongst the gum trees at the luxurious Kingfisher Bay Eco-Resort.

ACCOMMODATION: Kingfisher Bay Eco-Resort, Fraser Island (B,L,D)

Thursday - Free Day on Fraser Island

Today you'll have free reign to discover what gives Fraser Island its World Heritage Park status. Unique rain forest & wildlife, beautiful fresh water lakes, mighty sand dunes and the shipwrecks along Seventy-Five Mile Beach are a few things that make this island special. The hike inland to pristine Lake McKenzie is well worth the effort, and there are also ranger-guided ecotours, self guided 4WD trips and scenic flights available for those that choose to explore. Alternatively, you can take to the ocean for marine cruises or canoe paddles to see whales, dolphins, dugong and sea birds. From August to October you may even see the great Humpback Whale's migration, as mothers and calves cruise north to warmer waters. Or if you prefer, you can relax and enjoy the swimming pools and beach, or indulge at the natural therapy and beauty clinic. It's completely up to you! Our guides will tell you about all the options before you arrive & make any bookings you need in advance.

ACCOMMODATION: Kingfisher Bay Eco-Resort, Fraser Island (B)

Friday - Ferry & Hiking in Kondalilla National Park

After catching the early ferry back to the mainland, we'll be heading south to Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Here we'll be hiking in some of the beautiful sub-tropical rainforests of the hinterland known as the Blackall Range. We'll visit Kondalilla National Park and Kondalilla Falls, whose aboriginal name translates as "rushing waters". We'll hike down through the rainforest, past amazingly intricate fig tree formations, to the base of the seasonal 270-foot falls. You'll have a chance to take a cool dip in the rock pools before we head through to the quaint town of Montville, where we'll be serving up a fair dinkum Aussie BBQ for our last night's dinner together.

ACCOMMODATION: Clouds of Montville B&B, Montville (L,D)

Saturday - Visit Australia Zoo & Goodbyes at Brisbane

This is the last day of your two-week trip to this fabulous country. We'll have a short drive south to Beerwah and the Australia Zoo, home of Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter"! Now Australia Zoo isn't a traditional zoo, as its name implies, it's more like a center for rescued or endangered animals. These guys are the leaders of crocodile rescue so they know a thing or two about crocs, and we'll also meet many of the other curious characters native to Australia. They will keep you well entertained for the afternoon, since they can be hard to spot in the wild.

We'll leave in the afternoon for the one-hour drive to Brisbane Airport, where we'll arrive in time for afternoon international flights. You'll arrive in North America on the same day, ready to go back to the office recharged on Monday. In your two weeks with ACTIVE AUSTRALIA, you'll have experienced an incredible variety of activities, met a bunch of great people, and enjoyed the best of what Australia has to offer! If you'd like to see more of Australia talk to us about adding on an Ayers Rock extension, or check out our ACTIVE NEW ZEALAND itineraries if you've got lots of time and want to visit New Zealand, just a short hop across the ditch! (B)

IMPORTANT DETAILS

ACCOMMODATIONS: The Platypus is an activity-oriented trip along the Queensland coast. We've chosen interesting and comfortable accommodation throughout. In some places it's quite luxurious. But many of the other places we stay are off-the-beaten-track, and don't have many accommodation options - but are really, really spectacular. Some accommodations have separate bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and others have two bedroom apartments with shared bathrooms. Our clients often say a real highlight of the trip is meeting their Aussie hosts, and you'll love the places we stay!

FITNESS : You must have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy yourself on the Platypus . You don't have to be young and extremely fit (although if you are, you won't be bored) but you should be in the habit of doing at least some exercise. Age and experience are not important. We would rather have a person in her 50s who hikes every couple of weeks than a 22-year-old couch potato! If you're concerned about your fitness level, have a chat with us so we can help you choose between the Platypus and our other trips.

EXPERIENCE : You don't have to have any outdoor experience at all to take our trips because we help you make the most of Australia's amazing outdoor environment. Our staff are highly trained and very experienced outdoor guides, and we will look after you! You don't need to have ever done any snorkeling , kayaking, surfing, caving or horse riding to enjoy these activities with us. All we ask is that you are energetic, enthusiastic, and in reasonable shape, and we guarantee you'll have an incredible time. We manage the level of commitment to suit your experience, and we have an impeccable safety record. We hold all relevant government licenses.

DIRECTION OF TRAVEL : To keep our group sizes down, we sometimes run the Platypus in two different directions - Northbound (starting in Brisbane) and Southbound (starting in Mackay). This itinerary happens to be written up in the southbound format. Whichever trip you take, you'll do all the activities we've mentioned, just in a different order. The Platypus is a product of years of evolution and fine-tuning - it works well whichever way you do it!

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS: If you're flying in on the first day of the trip, or out on the last day, we recommend arriving in Mackay by approximately 10am or earlier on Monday, and departing from Brisbane after 3 - 4pm on Saturday. Other flight times may also be possible - if you are considering alternative flight times please let us know.

PICK-UP INFORMATION: On the first day of the trip we can either pick you up from the Mackay Airport in front of the café at 10.30am, or at our downtown pick up location in Mackay at 11am.

DROP-OFF INFORMATION: On the last day of the trip we can drop you at Brisbane Airport for domestic flights after 4pm, or 3pm if need be.

FLEXIBILITY : Because of the off-the-beaten-path and non-commercial nature of the places we stay, we may need to change a night stop. We try to make as few changes as possible, but retain the flexibility to make sure your trip is as good as it can be. Some of our activities are weather dependent and if it's a choice between safety and an activity, your safety will always come first. In these cases we'll have a suitable alternate activity. We only recommend walking the Great Whitsunday Walk during April-October - at other times of year this walk is not as comfortable, mainly due to high humidity, strong seasonal rainfall and average temperatures of 70°F to 90°F (20°C to 90°C).

INCLUDED : The trip fare is US$3499 + applicable taxes and fees. We quote all prices in US dollars, so our guests from all over the world can more easily relate prices to their own currencies. You can also join for shorter periods of time, at a pro-rated price. The trip fare includes just about everything, specifically:

•  All guiding services. We generally have two guides per trip, a lead guide/driver, and a co-guide who is responsible for meals and accommodations. This means we can really make sure you have a great time! We operate with small groups, and we don't hesitate to offer a second departure when our trips start getting full. (Click here to read what our previous clients have said about their guides)

•  Comfortable accommodations for the entire period you are with us (see "Accommodations" above). We can organize extra accommodation for you, if you want to arrive earlier or leave later.

•  All your meals (as indicated), except where we've found people prefer to check out the wide range of local restaurants. (B,L,D) means breakfast, lunch & dinner included. Alcohol is not generally included, although we do spring for a few drinks here and there!

•  All hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, caving or horse riding activities as described in the itinerary, except optional extra activities, such as the whale watching tour on Fraser Island. We have estimated the rates for optional extra activities run by local operators in US dollars, but these rates may vary according to the USD/AUD exchange rate of the day. There are many optional activities available at extra cost along the way - just ask your guide. None of these activities are compulsory, and nor will your trip seem less awesome if you do the more budget options. Although some people enjoy sampling the optional extras , others prefer to focus more on the hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, caving or horse riding which is of course the reason you've chosen the Platypus in the first place!

•  All specialized equipment required for all activities - please refer to our gear list for further details.

We'll see you soon!

Itinerary valid though April 2007