11 Feb 09 Help the Victorian Bushfire Appeal

The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by devastating bushfires in Victoria has been launched by the Premier John Brumby in partnership with Red Cross and the Federal Government.

Make your donation through the Red Cross Website
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13 Dec 08 Dunk Island

The spectacular north Queensland island, known as Dunk Island, is found approximately 120 kilometers south of Cairns and 160 kilometers north of Townsville. Located just four kilometers off the coast of Mission Beach, Dunk Island measures in at six kilometers long and two kilometers wide. The island also has a beautiful tropical climate spawning an average year round temperature of roughly 29 degrees Celsius.

As history goes, Dunk Island was originally known as Coonangleba, meaning ‘Island of Peace and Plenty’, by the local indigenous Australians that inhabited the area. Only in 1770, when James Cook was exploring the Queensland coastline, did Dunk Island acquire its European name after the Earl of Halifax, George Montagu Dunk. From its historical beginnings to the present day, many people have since visited the island to enjoy its unique majestic nature.

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13 Dec 08 Camping near Mission Beach

Mission Beach has great weather, 14 kilometers of stunning beaches, lush tropical rainforests and a welcoming local community. Also surrounded by hectares of National Parks and featuring Dunk Island just off the coast, Mission Beach is an ideal location for camping enthusiasts. This form of accommodation is the best way to truly experience Mission Beach’s natural surroundings.

Privately owed caravan parks in town are the most common place to set up a tent. For a minimal fee, campers can enjoy their own space, whilst taking advantage of the caravan parks facilities. Other popular camping locations in Mission Beach can be located at any of the National Parks. After obtaining a permit from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, campers are free to camp at any designated camping ground, providing they follow the rules and regulations outlined by the Park.

Just a short water taxi ride off the Mission Beach coast is Dunk Island, a campers dream. There are public and private campsites scattered along the beaches, but once again a permit is required. This fantastic island is covered in natural splendour, which campers usually enjoy to a greater extent.

13 Dec 08 Island Work

The Whitsunday Islands are thought to be one of Queensland’s top travel destinations. International and national travellers alike visit the islands, which enjoy fantastic weather all year round, the Great Barrier Reef on their doorstep and the mainland beaches just minutes away. Hence, the main source of island work is generated largely by the tourism and hospitality sector.

Travellers looking for work on the islands will find that wait persons, cleaners, chefs, dive instructors, kitchen staff, sailing hosts, lifeguards and tour operators are always in demand. Although holding a hospitality operations or retail certificate helps, there are a number of specific island jobs that don’t need qualifications.

On the mainland, employment opportunities are more readily available, with accommodation establishments, cafes and restaurants providing around 20% of the local job positions for the region’s employed workforce. This is closely followed by retail outlets that offer around 13% employment and the sugar cane industry. Employment rates on the Whitsunday mainland are high, and there is a good chance that travellers holding a current working holiday visa or valid tax file number will either find full-time, part-time or casual work quite easily.

Whether planning to work amongst the Whitsundays’ resort islands or on the mainland, there are plenty of working opportunities available for those with the will and enthusiasm to work amid paradise.

28 Nov 08 Undara Lava Tubes

Undara Volcanic National Park is a pleasant four hour drive (275 kilometers) south west of Cairns (also accessible by train and coach).  Undara boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine each year with little humidity and cool evenings, but the main attraction for visitors found here is not the climate but the Undara Lava Tubes.

The Lava Tubes were formed about 190,000 years ago when Mt. Undara erupted and oozed an estimated 23 billion cubic meters of lava over the plains of the Atherton Tablelands.  The molten lava traveled along the river bed for about 2 or 3 weeks where it formed a large cylindrical tunnel 100 kilometers long.  One continuous branch is up to 28 kilometers long, possibly the longest tube in the world and similar to the lunar ridges on the moon.  Time has seen weaker sections collapse and become covered with heavy vegetation and deciduous rain forest.  This, in turn, has left huge caves, some 21 meters wide and 10 meters high – heaven on earth for bats.

Undara captures the spirit and the essence of the ancient Australian outback, dwarfed by its magnitude it wraps itself around you and fills you full of wonder.

Old railway carriage accommodation, a lodge, a camping village and places to eat and have a drink, plus picnic areas and toilets all go to make a stay at Undara inviting.  Visitors can climb the volcano, bush walk and bird watch (over 120 species of birds including the endangered Red Goshawk).  However, a guided tour must be taken to inspect the lava tube.  A one day, or half day trek here is fun, participants are allowed to climb down into the tubes and take a glimpse at vulcanology, ecology, botany and bat life.  This is a fantastic experience, one of the wonders of Australia.

28 Nov 08 Backpacker Hostels and Budget Accommodation

Ranging from the busy Mackay City to the seclusion of Pioneer Valley, backpacker hostels and budget accommodation can be found almost anywhere in the Mackay region. From the small family operated businesses to the larger youth hostel establishments, each form of budget accommodation prides itself on the comfort and cleanliness of the entire building.

In Mackay budget accommodation the features and services may vary, but can include air-conditioned rooms, communal kitchen and lounge area with TV, games room, internet connections, luggage lockers and Laundromat. It can be expected that all linen is changed every day and beds re-made. Plus, all staff members are friendly, helpful and readily willing to share valuable local knowledge to enhance any travellers visit to Mackay.

Platypus Bush Camp
Gorge Rd Finch,
Hatton Queensland Australia 4756
Bookings: +617 4958 3204

Larrikin Lodge Backpackers
32 Peel St,
Mackay Queensland
Australia 4740
Freecall: 1800 611 953 (within Australia)
Phone +61 7 4951 3728 (from Overseas)

22 Nov 08 Mission Beach

Mission Beach is a small coastal town, located in the ‘Wet Tropics’ region of Northern Queensland. Known for its stunning natural beauty and as a perfect getaway point to some of the most elusive tropical islands off the Australian coast, Mission Beach is thought to be a haven for both international and national travelers.

In Australia, Mission Beach spans a tiny 22 kilometers and can be found approximately 150 kilometers south of Cairns and 230 kilometers north of Townsville, on the Cassowary Coast. Famous for its stunning beaches lined by World Heritage listed rainforest, Mission Beach also adjoins the Coral Sea, which encompasses island paradises like Dunk, Bedarra, Hinchinbrook and Orpheus, crystal clear waters and the most spectacular marine spectacle, The Great Barrier Reef.
Mission Beach is thriving with natural splendors and has everything necessary for an unimaginably magnificent travelers visit.

On the land, in the air and water, there is a fine selection of activities, attractions and entertainment opportunities awaiting Mission Beach visitors, both during the day and at night. A few popular enjoyment options, associated with Mission Beach and its surrounding areas include Tiger Moth scenic flights, white water rafting, fabulous fresh and saltwater fishing, the Babinda Boulders, National Park rainforest walks and a visit to Paronella Park.

Mission Beach is considered by many to be an appealingly quaint town, encompassing four welcoming communities. It  has a good variety of quality accommodation and terrific dining choices available to all travelers, on varying budgets.  Visitors to the area will also find public and private travel options are numerous and essential services, property information and employment facilities are readily available, in various locations throughout the township.

As one of Australia’s prime travel destinations, Mission Beach’s unique natural beauty has not been compromised due to its increasing popularity among visitors to Northern Queensland. Along with its surrounding mainland locations and exquisite collection of islands, Mission Beach has a lot to offer its visitors.

22 Nov 08 Diving and Snorkeling

The Great Barrier Reef right on the northern coast of Queensland. Diving and snorkelling off the coast provides every patron a truly unforgettable experience. Along with the spectacular reefs, snorkelling around the islands is fantastic and diving amongst a shipwreck is fascinatingly marvellous.

Novice and experienced divers or snorkelers can all revel in the under water beauty found anywhere along the Great Barrier Reef. There are a many professional dive operators in throughout the Great Barrier Reef region that rent appropriate equipment, take out dive tours and provide valuable training courses. Also, to find the best diving and snorkeling spots, talk with locals, inquire at the accommodation front desks and even try the Information Centers.

22 Nov 08 Mackay Coal Mine Tours

Located just 22 kilometres north of the well established Mackay town of Clermont, the first coal was discovered in Blair Athol, in 1864. Now, the western section of the Mackay region is known to lie over Australia’s largest coal seam and mining from the shire annually contributes over $1.6 billion into the regions economy. While visiting Mackay, head inland and participate in a coal mine tour, seeping with historical pioneering background.

Pre-booked coal mine tours launch from Clermont Tourist Office twice a week, at approximately nine in the morning. The two and a half hour tours take participants through the workings of the mine and help them comprehend how it’s Australia’s largest exporter of thermal coal. After the coal mine visit has concluded, the tour also includes a trip to the Clermont Museum and the Copperfield Store, for historical purposes.

22 Nov 08 4WD Adventures

Four wheel drive (4WD) adventures can take two forms. The first form is a trip with a 4WD adventure company, on a negotiated itinerary and around specific tracks located throughout the Great Barrier Reef region. The other form is individuals taking 4WD’s out on the tracks by themselves. With this option, either a personal or hire 4WD vehicle is needed and the driver has the added bonus of venturing along the Mackay tracks at any pace.

Firstly, the 4WD adventure company tours are an ideal way to explore the challenging and rugged Mackay terrain, with the comfort of a guide. Professional guides/drivers are usually Mackay locals and enjoy showing passengers true Australian beauty, that’s only accessed by 4WD. Adventure tours range in duration, depending on the chosen destination. Excellent 4WD tracks in Mackay can take people on a journey amongst untouched National Parks, across captivating beaches, between farmland and through superb countryside.

The second form of 4WD adventure allows individuals with private vehicles to venture tracks on their own. Ideal driving locations for 4WD enthusiasts can be found at any one of Mackay’s National Parks and along a selected amount of beaches during low tide. Individual 4WD adventures can be extremely rewarding but remember that during the wet season extreme caution must be taken and safety equipment is highly recommended.