Mountain Biking Destinations In Australia

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If you like mountain biking and traveling, why don’t you combine the two for your upcoming holiday? There are mountain bike Cairns Tours for every skill level of biker. All you have to do is choose one.

Mountain bike tours are simple to find all over the world. An organized mountain bike tour is wonderful for many different reasons. The first reason is that it will offer you the opportunity to visit places in a manner that you never have. It will also provide you with a way to physical exercise, have adventure, and have a lot of fun.

The family style mountain bicycle tours are geared towards the kids. Many of these tours are located in national parks and areas which families want to go into the back country and explore. Family mountain bike tours are designed to teach and be fun. The companies will often bring along video games, coloring books and entertainment for that kids during the actual evening hours. Camping with the tours is additionally an option. Kids can ride their own bikes, ride a trail-along or be taken in a Burley trailer. The day features a ride for the entire family and then the kids can be taken to the camp site for scavenger hunts, games and other kid oriented routines. The parents may take additional biking travels or can get back to camp with the youngsters. This type of mountain bike tours is family centered and a great way to incorporate an out-of-doors adventure for the kids and your mother and father.

There will also be mountain bike tours that are for the much more adventurous people. These tours are offered in many areas and journey into off road experiences. They can also be set up with camping or even include additional adventures such as white water rafting. The entire package can be put together to represent a vacationers interests and result in an unique and amazing experience. For those that truly enjoy the sport of mountain biking, these can be a memorable experience as a vacation. Mountain bike tours are a booming business, and can be located almost anywhere. Many places even rent bikes for the day and help select routes that will interest the mountain bikers. Mountain bike tours are definitely a fun alternative to the everyday vacation and can bring a whole new perspective to a family trip..

Well, I Recently Bought A Seakayak

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Six years after being employed by a kayaking touring and sales company I’ve finally got around to aquiring myself one. I have spent the last few years learning the areas rivers in an older style whitewater kayak, but this just wasn’t suitable for the coast.
This was getting super frustrative as I live 100 metres from the waterfront at Holloways Beach, a seaside area inside the Great Barrier Reef .
I’d already explored the Mulgrave River numerous times, the Upper Barron River was getting a bit boring also, so I had to get into that ocean.
As Cairns is a smaller country center the buying of a seakayak and the assorted accessories is not the easiest task. You can either go with internet auction sites, wait for somebody to sell it used or just work with what you can get in your area.
Thats what had to do. I made the most of what I could find, with the notion of then turning it into what I need. I found a reasonably affordable chinease made sea kayak brand new. Now I knew that the fittings would be inferior quality, I also knew it probably wouldn’t be totally watertight. Luckily I was pleasantly surprised.
The only things that will need replacing are the shock cord deck lines and shock cord rudder lines. I may substitute the inner rudder lines with stainless wire as soon as needed.
As for setting up the boat with safety equipment my list is as follows
* V Flag for attratring attention
* Emergency tool containing whistle, mini compass, match striker, signalling mirror and small watertight storage for matches.
* Distress flares
* extra paddle (cut into 3 sections for storage)
* Another signalling mirror ( I don’t trust only having one of something that sinks)
* 3 x 1.5 liter containers of water
* 4 snap flouro glow sticks
* small 1st aid kit
* thermal blanket

I already own some Marine charts as I’m a yachtie, but I figure I’ll just photocopy relevant sections and laminate the individual pages. I have a compass ready to be fitted.

The expeditions I have planned in the short term to test everything out are The Frankland Islands, Fitzroy Island for the Fitzroy Island New Years Eve Party, Low Isles Dunk Island and Snapper Island.

In the future I want to do Hinchinbrook Island and paddle all the way the island. This is all leading up to the big journey of Cape York. I can fit approximately 100 kg of camping gear and supplies without becoming too unseaworthy, so this should get me a fair way. And I can always tow a fishing line to replace my boring freeze dried diet with some fresh fish. I’ll also be stopping and camping so the lure casting gear will get a good work out too.

A Selection Of Cairns Diving and Snorkelling Trips

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The Great Barrier Reef, best visited from Cairns Australia is the world’s largest living thing and home to an amazing variety of marine life. There are a large number of tour operators that depart from Cairns, below is a short selection.

Reef Encounter is an unique floating hotel offering 1 night or several nights surronded by the crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef in style snorkelling, scuba diving and learn to dive packages are all available

Compass Cruises is Cairns best value budget trip to the Great Barrier Reef price is $60.00 plus $20.00 for levies, cruise includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, afternoon tea, boomnetting, 2 spectacular reef locations Local Family Owned and Operated.

Tusa Dive are a specialist dive boat, but also take snorkellers. They take a small number of guests to the two best dive sites depending on the day’s weather. If you’re a qualified diver, they come highly recommended.

Ocean Spirit have two vessels – one that goes to Michaelmas Cay and one that goes to Upolu Cay. If you’re looking for an inexpensive snorkelling day cruise, the Upolu Cay tour is good value for money.
Michaelmas Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $179, Child (4-14yrs) – $87.50. Introductory dive: $98 (additional).
Upolu Cay Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $119, Child (4-14yrs) – $75.50. Introductory dive: $9 (additional).

Passions of Paradise is a modern catamaran that goes to the reef and Michaelmas Cay and is another inexpensive option. This company recently won the Cairns Tourism Award for Adventure Tourism. Traveling to two different uncrowded destinations you can be sure of a high quality experience.
Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – $169, Child (4-14yrs) – $89, Family (2A & 2C) – $407. Introductory or Certified dive: $70 (additional). These prices include $10 reef levy.

Pro Dive Cairns has boats departing tours non-stop to various places on the reef, catering to divers of all experience levels. They have 3 boats running 3D/2N liveaboard cruises to the Great Barrier reef, as well as expeditions from 3-7 days in various combinations visiting other famous GBR sites such as Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Outer Barrier Reef 3D/2N (leaves every day except Tuesday) prices are $604 for certified divers / $507 snorkelling only. This includes all gear hire, accommodation and food/drinks while at sea. Dive courses are available from introductory diving to professional level training, and run on the liveaboard trips, check the website for further information.

Deep Blue Divers Den This is an overnight vessel that can best be decribed an a floating 4 star hotel. she is surprisingly spacious. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three sites a day. There are daily transfers to and from the vessel every day so you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you want. A perfect boat for both divers and snorkelers .

A Cairns New Years Eve

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Pub Crawls have started in all the top tourist destinations lately. And so they should. They make a great night a sure thing. Both party tours happen twice weekly. I’m sure they operate the same in other places such as the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide, but I have only done the Cairns one so I’ll tell you about that one.

There’s pizza and party games and most importantly, the operators try to keep the numbers of sexes the same. Lots of people have found the love of their lives on a party tour. It may only last until the sun rises, but as long as everybody has fun it’s all OK isn’t it?

Fun for both tourists and locals, these tours also attract Hens parties, football teams and army and navy groups.

Basically the evening runs this way; Participants meet at the first venue at a preorganised time, this is where tickets and money is collected and the all important ID bracelet is handed out. This identifying wristband is what gets you in to the evenings pubs & clubs as all cover charges are included in your tour cost, both on the tour and for the rest of the night. This usually saves you $$$ on cover charges alone, without including all the other inclusions. You get special treatment at all the top clubs, pubs and bars. There are also prizes and giveaways including reef trips and skydives. Fun and games are the emphasis of the evening, with the operators experts at how to get the party going.

Pub Crawls also run on big nights like Cairns New Years Eve. They’re the only to avoid the crowds and prevent having to pay entry to the Bars. You are guided between each nightspot by bus and if you are lucky it may even be in an roofless double decker bus. We are lucky enough to have 2 popular Party Tours in Cairns,who are doing specdial New Years Eve Parties, Ultimate Party New Years Eve and Fitzroy Island New Years Beach Party.

So why not experience a little bit different this New Years Eve. It’s Fun and simple and you’ll meet some like minded travellers. It’s perfect for single tourists.

Some Valuable Oceania Tourist Recommendations

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I thought I might to write an a few travel tips that I picked up from my last trip around Australia and the Pacific.

In my mind Cairns is the all round best destination to learn how to scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef taking value, quality and safety into consideration.
Don’t think that you can hold off until you arrive to sort out your Great Barrier Reef Cruise , in the dry season they all get fully booked

Australia’s most used beaches can hold hard to see dangers in the form of strong currents called rips. Avoid them by always staying between the red and yellow flags – they mark the best place to swim on the beach. Surf Patrols wearing red and yellow uniforms generally patrol beaches during the months November to March, but some of the most busy beaches are patrolled all-year round. Never swim alone, at night, under the influence of alcohol or directly after a meal. Always check water depth before diving in and never run and dive into the water from the beach.

There is a lot of variance in the quality of kava around the Pacific. A bowl is unlikely to produce anything other than a minor tingling feeling in the mouth, so fear is misplaced. The exception is Pohnpei where it is called “sakua” is approximately five times as strong as your normal, and is known among expats as “liquid quaalude”.

Caution in Tonga: What you have heard is true: Tongans are notoriously light fingered, especially so in a culture where “permenent borrowing” is the norm. Be extra wary in Tongatapu and in Neifu in the Vava’u islands….. when you leave your hotel or hostel, lock your possessions!

New Zealand was a frustrating place to drive, and as a 29 year old male, not much scares me…but when there are constant U turns and the locals are trying to pass with 20m visibility… There were accidents observed on the sides of the roads, and some busses that had gone off the sides of the mountains.

Never, Ever take fruit into New Zealand. Check your suitcase before you leave to come to NZ to make sure you have not had an banana that you bought 3 days ago in your handbag and have forgotten about it, for when it is found you WILL get fined NZ$200 on the spot and not even be able to eat the culprit! This applies to any fruit, seeds or food.

I trust these help anyone going to New Zealand.

Chartering a Yacht

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Chartering a boat is a good way to experience cruising without the hassle of owning your own boat. If you can’t spend more than a few weeks a year sailing , then the idea of Cairns Charters is most definately worth serious consideration. It also gives you the opportunity to sample different boats in varied and spectacular settings.

With Cairns Reef Charters, all the drama is taken out of the yachting adventure, so you can savour the lifestyle yachting offers.

Charter yachts are available to suit all budgets from the most basic yacht to the luxury yachts that you can imagine. These luxury charter boats come with a full crew including chefs and food fit for a king.

With infinate beautiful places throughout the world to explore, charter boats offer the advantage of getting to sights that the everyday tourist could only imagine. Picture yourself visiting a different island in the Mediteranean everyday and then sailing off into the sunset for a new location each day.

When you compare the price of a boat charter with a resort offering similar levels of service you just may be in for a pleasant surprise at how cost effective boat charters have become in recent years.

There is a wide range of Cairns Charter Boats, from fishingboats to motor yachts and the waters that you will be sailing will have a bearing on the type of yacht that you will want to charter.

It is recommended to use a recognised charter yacht company as they have the knowledge to guide you.

If you are unsure it is always a safe bet to get a crewed yacht where you can safely trust the people who are familiar with the conditions.

Before your next holiday consider the costs and the advantages of a charter yacht vacation.

Thailand Diving

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Thailand means “the land of the loose”, it lies in the heart of Southeast Asia. It is one of the most exquisite places in the world and 1 can only experience the unique beauty of the place after you get there. The refreshing air kissing your face once you walk on the beach, the mouth watering dishes and the rush and insanity in the market is something you are going to perhaps not get to view anywhere else.

The waters in Thailand possess one of the richest and diverse marine life in the world on the grounds that conditions right here for coral development is almost ideal with an average temperature of 28C all year round and fantastic underwater visibility.

Because of this kind of virtually ideal scuba diving conditions and attractions, the scuba diving market in Thailand is thriving robustly with the proliferation of first class scuba diving facilities, services and diving schools.

Another major attraction in Thailand is Phuket known for its exotic island. The nightlife there is lively with its multicuisine restaurants and bars always stuffed with tourists. But of course if are searching for a quite meal you could do that by heading to the right place.

Chiang Mai is a further spot which is a combination of contemporary city life and the old village allure. There are elaborate temples and cultural relics some of which are quite old close to 700 years. On the top of the mountain is Doi Suthep monastery which overlooks the fertile valley embracing Chiang Mai.The native night bazaar is the favorite shopping location for tourists where you can purchase hand made local things, tribal wears and also newest contemporary junks for a good bargain.

You will have no concern communicating as most of the hotels, restaurants and tourist places speak English and other European languages.

Fantasy Rocks are yet another scuba-diving site consisting of numerous huge rocks completely covered with delicate corals, sea fans, and many species of fish. They are positioned to the west of Kohh Similan or Kohh Paed, and are one of the more popular diving sites.The beach right here is white like powder. Snorkeling is possible from right here. To the right is found the towering ‘Sailing Rock’, a symbol of Kohh Similan which could be climbed in order to get in a panoramic view of the bay.

Other island groups such as Koh Phi Phi are formed because of massive limestone and calcium carbonates since prehistoric time.

The only dilemma once you travel to Thailand for scuba diving is exactly where to begin your diving holiday as a result of there are so many amazing dive spots to pick out from and you are going to be spoilt for choice.

Australians Have A Funny Idea Of Humour

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People in Australia like to reassure visitors about the safety of the wildlife and landscape whilst at the exact same time warning of its dangers. It comes out sounding funny, leaving you unsure whether you should be relaxed or fearing for your life. Some Variations I have heard:

“Don’t worry while you’re snorkeling: reef sharks are pretty harmless. Unless you get between them and food”

“Don’t Worry There’s no sharks there………….the crocodiles finished them off”

“You’ll be OK if you stay inside the stinger enclosure, apart from the Irukandji’s, they can get through the mesh.

“Spiders? Ah, spiders won’t hurt you! They don’t even bite. Well, except for that one. But otherwise, harmless.”

“Hold this snake! It might bite, but it doesn’t look poisonous, so that’s okay.”

“No-ones ever been left behind while snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, except that American couple, but they faked it.”

“Cairns is a safe city……………..just don’t walk alone at night.

“Kangaroos can’t hurt you. Well, unless they rear up. Then you’re pretty much dog food.”

Oh, and did you know that koalas, despite their looks, aren’t the most cute and cuddly creatures. They can in fact get pretty nasty, which is why it’s more difficult than you might think to find a place that will let you pick them up.

I will either leave Australia with a healthy respect for animals or with plenty of food for bad dreams. Though seeing as how I have already gone swimming with reef sharks, stingrays and crocodiles, I think I’ll be okay. I even like holding snakes, though I do insist on reassurances that it won’t bite me, even in a non-fatal way. Spiders are where I draw the line. I’m fairly certain my arachnophobia is permanent.

Diving the Great Barrier Reef

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The Great Barrier Reef, best viewed from Cairns Australia is the planets largest living thing and home to an amazing variety of marine life. There are a large number of trip vessels that depart from Cairns, below is a short selection. Sunlover Reef Cruises offers the quickest travel time, longest free time at the Great Barrier Reef. Once tied up at their pontoon on Moore Reef, guests have over 4.5 hours to snorkel, take glass-bottom boat and/or semi-sub trips, enjoy a full hot and cold tropical lunch as well as afternoon tea on the cruise back to Cairns. Full day tour0/adult, /child or 5/family of 4. Compass Cruises is Cairns best value budget cruise to the Great Barrier Reef price is .00 plus .00 for levies, tour includes snorkelling equipment, lunch, afternoon tea, boomnetting, 2 spectacular reef locations Local Family Owned and Operated. Tusa Dive are a specialist dive boat, but also take snorkellers. They take a small number of passengers to the two best dive sites depending on the day’s weather. If you’re a certified diver, they come highly recommended. Reef Magic moors at a ponotoon on the Great reef with the lowest passenger numbers on the market, giving you 5 hours in which to spend doing what you like. Included in the trip is semi-submersible tripcruises, an underwater observatory, all snorkelling equipment included and offer scenic helipcopter joyflights and diving (not included in price). Prices: Snorkelling only: Adult – 5, Child (4-14yrs) – , Family (2A & 2C) – 5. Introductory dive: (additional). Great Adventures has a range of advanced ecotourism certified trips departing daily from Cairns to Green Island and the Outer Barrier reef. Guests travelling to Green Island can spend up to 7 hours on the island and choose from 3 departures daily. Guests can also combine a 2 hour stopover on Green Island with a half day at Great Adventures’ spacious pontoon at the Outer reef. The Outer Barrierreef trip include snorkelling, semi-submersible trips, underwater observatory, buffet lunch and reef interpretation. Diving, Scuba-doo scooter and helicopter trips are optional extras. Green Island Cruises: Prices from Adult – , Child (4-14yrs) .50. Introductory dive: 8 (additional). Outer Barrier Reef Cruises: Prices from Adult – 0, Child (4-14yrs) – . Introductory dive: 8 (additional). Family Fares available for all cruises. Pro Dive Cairns has boats running trips non-stop to various places on the reef, catering to divers of all experience levels. They have 3 boats running 3D/2N liveaboard cruises to the Great Barrier reef, as well as expeditions from 3-7 days in various combinations visiting other famous GBR sites such as Cod Hole, Ribbon Reefs and the Coral Sea. Outer Barrier Reef 3D/2N (leaves every day except Tuesday) prices are 0 for certified divers / 0 snorkelling only. Price includes all gear hire, accommodation and meals/drinks whilst at sea. Dive courses are available from introductory diving to professional level training, and run in conjunction with the liveaboard cruises, check the website for further information. Ocean Quest This is a live aboard vessel that can best be decribed a a floating 4 star hotel. she is surprisingly spacious. She moves around Norman, Saxon & Hastings Reefs; and visits three sites a day. There are daily transfers to and from the vessel every day so you can stay for as little as one night or as many as you {like|fancy|. A great boat for both divers and snorklers.