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Day 1 - Queensland
Hinterland, Tyrconnell Gold Mine, 2 nights
Your hosts will meet you on arrival in Cairns. Andrew
Bell and Cate Harley are the owners of Tyrconnell Mine, a
unique Australian heritage site about 150km west of
Cairns. In the 1870s, settlers streamed into this region
to find their fortunes and the visual reminders of their
presence remain to this day.
Andrew’s family worked a number of mines in the region
until he and Cate started restoration on Tyrconnell. They
have renovated the manager’s cottage and constructed new
guest cottages very much in tune with the mine’s heritage.
Their innovative use of wood and corrugated iron, with
polished timber floors and antique items, make your stay
an unexpected delight. The rooms have en suite bathrooms
and verandahs looking out across the bush country.
Arrive in time for sundowner drinks and sunset behind Mt.
Mulligan before joining Cate and Andrew for dinner in
their cottage.
Day 2 -
Tyrconnell Mine
Wake to the sounds of the bush, as the Friarbirds and
parrots come to life. Breakfast can be brought to you in
your cottage; otherwise join Andrew and Cate for the
full-cooked version.
With the savannah bush country reclaiming the land that
miners once poured over, your stay at Tyrconnell is a
fascinating insight into the times when Australia was
being opened up by brave, and sometimes foolhardy,
pioneers.
Take your pick of activities - a picnic lunch beside a
waterhole taking in the variety of bird life; a walk along
the now abandoned and overgrown access road; time with
Andrew learning of the regions history, or relax on your
verandah with a glass of Australian wine and enjoy bush
tranquility.
Day 3 - Cape Tribulation
National Park, Bloomfield Lodge, 2 nights
Cate or Andrew will drive you to Cairns Airport where
you begin the journey to Bloomfield Lodge. It begins with
a 30-minute scenic flight along the dazzling Queensland
coastline over the fringing reefs and tiny islands of the
Coral Sea. Landing at an outback airstrip you are met by
staff from the lodge and escorted on a short trip by
unsealed road to the banks of the Bloomfield River. From
here, the launch cruises downriver to the sea and across
Weary Bay to the Lodge, nestling almost unseen in the
rainforest.
The final touch in this little adventure comes as the boat
lets down wheels and is pulled ashore for the driest of
landings while you take in the magic of the area.
Arrive in time for lunch at the lodge and then spend the
afternoon acclimating yourself to the area and the lodge’s
facilities, perhaps take a dip in the pool. Accommodation
is in one of 16 cabins, each is fully screened and has
ceiling fans, mosquito netting around the bed.
Meals are taken in the central area overlooking the pool.
Guests join together at dinner although two gazebos cater
for those wanting privacy.
Day 4 - Bloomfield Lodge
The Bloomfield River, lined with mangroves and rainforest,
is ideal habitat for estuarine crocodiles, which are often
viewed (in safety from the lodge boat!) basking on the
riverbank. This is also an excellent trip for spotting a
huge variety of rainforest bird species, waders and
Ospreys, Kingfishers and Sea Eagles, to name a few.
You have the choice of a guided rainforest walk, a cruise
on the Bloomfield river learning about the ecology of the
area, perhaps do a bit of fishing. Optional activities
include full and half day trips to some of the spectacular
waterfalls in the region or a trip into historic Cook town.
If you want to really get away, visit Kangaji Bay with
beautifully rugged beach that stretches for nearly 2km.
Although the swimming is seasonal there is no need for a 'cossie'
and the only footprints will be yours. Timings for the
boat are dependent on the tide but the chef will prepare a
deluxe picnic lunch and a cool box for any drinks to while
away the time.
Day 5 - Haggerstone Island,
4 nights
A charter flight will whisk you further north to
Haggerstone Island. This stunning flight takes you over
tropical rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. If you are
lucky you may be able to spot a crocodile sunning itself
on the beach, perhaps the shadow of a shark in the
shallows, or a turtle or manta ray wallowing in the waters
just off the coastline.
On Hick Island, Roy Turner will meet you for the boat trip
across the channel to Haggerstone Island. After a long
morning’s journey you will quickly relax into the rhythm
of this remote island oasis.
Accommodation ranges in style from the Robinson Crusoe
Beach House to the Tree House built amongst the forest
canopy. Each is uniquely decorated with local artifacts,
shells, driftwood, and each has a wooden deck with views
to the ocean. The main living area is a large timber room,
with open kitchen, dining area and library. The garden is
a pleasure and much of the produce is home grown. Combined
with fresh caught fish each meal is refreshingly simple
and totally delicious.
Day 6 to 8 - Haggerstone
Island
Lose yourself in island life, Haggerstone is a unique
wilderness site and offers unparalleled remoteness and
exclusivity. Roy and Anna Turner have made it their home
since 1985 and it is one of Australia’s greatest natural
experiences.
Roy’s knowledge of the reef, its fish, birds and other
marine inhabitants is second to none and a series of day
trips will include visits to nearby reefs for snorkeling
and catching lobsters, trips to the outer reef where the
coral formations finally drop into the deep blue abyss of
the Pacific ocean, journeys up the coastal rivers to see
rainforest and the land based wildlife and visits to the
magnificent silica dunes of Cape Greenville.
Along the way there will be stops to swim amongst pristine
coral reefs, fish for your lunch and picnic on freshly
caught lobster on uninhabited sand cays.
Day 9 - Return to Cairns,
After breakfast, Roy will transfer you to Hick Island for
your private charter flight to Cairns.
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Options & Up-grade
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Take a hire car and
drive to Tyrconnell, exploring along the way
- Up-grade to a
Queenslander or Deluxe room at Bloomfield Lodge
- Stay a little longer
all round!
- Ask us for details
- No children under 12
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