Friday 21 October 2016

GETTING DOWN WITH DOWN UNDER CRUISE & DIVE


I'M ON A BOAT......ON THE GREAT BARRIER REEF!

So I was feeling very special last Wednesday when I boarded the super swanky, new Australian built reef boat THE EVOLUTION. I really did want to break out my own personal version of Lonely Island's, "I'm on a boat"!


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 Yup.... that was the feeling all right!

After we had checked in at the Reef Fleet Terminal and boarded the vessel we were greeted by a plethora of friendly smiley staff. Smiley skipper at boarding, smiley service staff at the bar, smiley customer service officers, smiley deck hands... it goes on and on. I wonder if the sunny glassy forecast has anything to do with staff morale!

After filling out the usual paperwork I raced upstairs to choose a primo position. I want to get the full on proper Evolution experience and that meant front row seats on the upper deck! This boat has many different spaces for you to enjoy throughout the day. 2 large indoor saloon areas with air-conditioning and booth seating. Large outdoor undercover top deck with seating AND bean bags! Sunny outdoor seating at the front of the boat and the usual dive deck space towards the back. Let's just say she's a very swanky sexy beast!


Professional service... professional boat! Photo's on my iphone.

I have all my own snorkel equipment so my friend was the only one who needed to collect hers on board. The (smiley) staff help you with fin and snorkel sizes and you have an allocated shelf area to keep your gear when not in use. I really liked this idea, stops unnecessary clutter and tripping hazards throughout the boat.

As we depart the shores of Cairns it's time for the usual safety briefing. Thankfully, the staff members in charge of this task are lively jokers and make it fun. I have heard similar safety spiels many times over so it's always a joy and refreshing when it's a good laugh and gets you pumped and totally sets the tone of the day!

I thoroughly enjoyed our front row seats up top on the smooth cruise out to the Outer Reef taking in the glorious sun bathed deep blue sea, a gentle breeze keeping us cool and engaging in pleasant conversation. It felt as though we were on a balcony of a ritzy hotel room! Just as we were totally settled we were needed downstairs for the mandatory snorkel briefing before we arrived at site 1. My friend is unlike me and hasn't snorkeled many times over (like the majority of people on this boat) so this snorkel briefing (more like tuition) is perfect if you need a little extra help and advice about snorkeling.   

We arrived to a beautiful Reef site!
Amazing day! Photo from my iphone.

It was very hectic on the dive deck when everyone was trying to get in the water, both snorkelers and divers. My advise is to hang back a little, take some photo's, chillax and take it all in. You then have an easier more comfortable entry into the water. Some passengers also don't stay out too long so my friend and I had the majority of the time on our own to explore the site. 
Finding Nemo's cousins, giant clams, a puffer fish and more. Photo's on a Lumix camera hired from Calypso camera's Cairns.

The stomach growling is a good indication that it's lunch time, one of my favourite times of the day (I do enjoy a good included lunch on the boat trips!!!). Today's menu was an Aussie BBQ with steak, sausages, reef fish & fresh prawns accompanied by an array of salads, bread & condiments. The staff cook all the meats on a huge hotplate on board so it's all hot and fresh. If you are vegetarian they have vege patties cooked separately for you (pre-ordered in the morning).

A lovely BBQ included lunch. Get in!!!!! Photo's on my iphone.

After lunch it's one final view of this site and on to the second site, minutes away. The view that greeted us was stunning on this day, due to a low tide revealing fantastic coral colours and aqua waters. Check out the link to my YouTube channel to see just how amazing the site looked on arrival from the top deck!




Time for another snorkel, a dive or semi-sub ride! Photo's on the Lumix.

This was a wide beautiful site. Due to the low tide and being very shallow the introduction divers on their second dive weren't at a very deep level so that situation is perfect for nervous beginners. We also partook in a 20 minute semi-submersible boat cruise, available for an additional $10 on the day. Elvis provided the commentary for the tour. He was very informative and funny (as he had been all day. What a machine!).

This site is where they also offer 10 minute scenic flights from a small pontoon. Check out the link for a short video I took of the helicopter from the water!




I see you watching me watching you! Calypso Camera's taking photo's of each other. You can purchase pics of yourself on the journey back to Cairns.

On this day there is plenty of time in the water across the 2 sites and also enough time to get some sun and relax on the boat before heading back to Cairns. On the return journey my man Elvis morphs into the entertainer and jams some reggae tunes in the main saloon. Passengers are also treated to a glass of red or white goon (wine in a box for all you non-Aussies) and cheese & Jatz. Who doesn't like a good glass of goon and cheese cruising on a million dollar boat?!?!
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The Evolution is fast, we fly pass many other boats heading back to Marlin Marina and park up by 4.30pm, back before the majority of the reef boats come in. If your travelling on by car it get's you out of the Cairns CBD before peak hour starts, which is nice! (Yes! Cairns has traffic at peak hour!) It also give you time before your holiday dinner reservations.

A lovely day out! If you don't like long boat rides and love a little comfort, Down Under Cruise & Dive's Evolution is the boat for you! Many thanks to the staff... you made my day and I am sure you will make many more people's day out on the reef.

Calypso Camera's hire out camera's for your day from their shop at the Reef Fleet Terminal (where you check in for Evolution). They also have professional photographers on board taking photo's of your day for sale.

LOVE the sound of this day trip? Contact me or the friendly staff at REEF INFORMATION CENTRE, located around the corner from the terminal. We can help book this amazing day for you!

HARD FACTS…

The Tour:
Full day trip 

Times:
08:15am - 4.30pm (Check in Reef Fleet Terminal)

Suitable for: 
  • Families (competitive family price)
  • Budget travelers (very good intro dive price)
  • Nervous first time divers 
  • Those wanting a little luxury
Fitness level (out of 5):
  •  ðŸ’ª 💪
Time of year:
  • All year round
  • Stinger suits worn October to May
Price:

  • $169.00 AUD Adult (including $20 reef levy)
  • $80.00 AUD Child (including $20 levy)
  • $438.00 AUD Family (including levys)
  • $209.00 AUD Intro or Cert dive (including $20 Levy)

Friday 14 October 2016

A DIVERSE DAY AT RAINFORESTATION & A DIAMOND SKYRAIL



RAINFORESTATION, KURANDA & SKYRAIL WITH TROPIC WINGS

Want a different way to see the rainforest that surrounds the beautiful city of Cairns, Tropical North Queensland? Perhaps you only have 1 day to spare in the region and would like to get up close and personal with a kangaroo! Oh... AND you wouldn't mind learning about Indigenous culture and see a show as well. How on earth can you do this in such limited time?!?!

Never fear, it is all possible in a day with the reputable family owned and run, Tropic Wings experience to Rainforestation and Kuranda Rainforest Village returning by Skyrail.

How does it work?

On this particular day trip we started our journey meeting at the Skyrail Station at Smithfield. Usually you would get collected from your hotel (transfers included). The comfortable coach transported us up the windy Great Dividing Range through lush rainforest to our first stop of the day, Rainforestation. On the way we were given information about the day and general information on the region by our driver.
The comfortable coach to Rainforestation. Photo by Tara Reynolds. 

Rainforestation is a Cultural & Nature park located in tropical rainforest around 1/2 an hour from Cairns just outside the village of Kuranda. You can visit the park on your own or in a tour with Tropic Wings. You can just visit and pay for one experience in the park or see it in it's entirety. 

This day we were to see all sections of the park. First up, a walk through the Koala & Wildlife Park. We met with famous baby Koala Bon Bon (a social media star!) and were able to hand feed the Wallabies and Kangaroos. 
Time for a Roo selfie! Photo on my iphone.

Afterwards we moved to the Rainforest Amphitheater to begin the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience. The Pamagirri People are custodians of this land and have lived in this region for thousands of years. This experience is to show us about themselves and share their story. Their dance, their music, their food and their culture.

This kicked off with a fun 20 minute dance by several dancers depicting animals, food gathering and other cultural stories. Of course it was also crowd interactive as they encouraged some audience members to participate in a dance on stage, which is always a lot of fun! It isn't pretty trying to be an Emu... it turns out looking like you're in the 80's Bangles video for Walk Like an Egyptian!

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The Pamagirri Dance show. Photo from Rainforestations website. 

If you pay an additional cost you can join the dancers on Rainforestation's new Bush Tucker Walk. On this day I did the walk in it's final developmental stages and it wasn't open to the public. Over time, the plants they planted for the walk will be lush and fruiting making for an excellent experience if you are interested in Indigenous foods/uses and medicines and how they once lived off the land. This also includes how they create paints from different clays and rocks.

Following this it was time to watch them use a Woomera (spear throwing hand carved device). Let's just say if they allowed them to enter the Olympics they would win gold hands down... they get some wicked air!!! We also tried our hand at Boomerang throwing and had 3 chances to prove ourselves in front of the group. Was I worthy? NOPE! It turns out I am crap at throwing Boomerangs (no surprise there, I was crap at Javellen, discus and shot put back in high school)but I did get a little curve and return on my 3rd throw which wasn't too shameful. Following this we were treated to the amazing skills and circular breathing from our guide with his Didgeridoo. All of this was fun and very interesting, even for an Aussie like me. Even better if you are from overseas!

If your program allows, make sure you include the sumptuous BBQ buffet lunch served in the Treehouse Restaurant. There was a bounty to choose from, hot BBQ items of meats, chicken and fish, plenty of fresh salads, desserts and cheeses. On this day for entrée we could try the Crocodile & Corn Soup... just like chicken & corn in flavour and mouthfeel and very delicious! This could be your one and only chance to try crocodile!

Next on the agenda was a 45 minute army duk ride through rainforest and the man made water way (it doesn't look man made!). The park has a collection of around 12 Amphibious Vehicles used by the USA in WW2 with 6 gears, propeller and rudder. This is a wildlife cruise with an informative driver/guide who points out all the fascinating plants and animals. Look carefully at the logs and branches sticking up out of the water as this is a popular resting spot for small fresh water turtles.
The Army Duk. Photo from Rainforestation's website.

We departed Rainforestation shortly after to make the 10 minute drive into the heart of the rainforest village, Kuranda. We were here to check out the Butterfly Sanctuary for half an hour before a stroll through Kuranda for our Skyrail experience back down the Range. The Butterfly Sanctuary can be pre-booked or you can pay on arrival anytime for a small fee.

Beautiful!

Today's Skyrail journey (I've been on Skyrail before) was to be a little more "thrilling" as we had been upgraded to "Diamond View".

So... what's that?

Amazing Canopy view with the Diamond View. Photo on my iphone.

It's a see through floor so not only do you have amazing 360 degree views out the gondola windows you can see directly on top of the rainforest canopy. Yes, there was moments when vertigo washed over me in the beginning (if only brief) which didn't tarnish the experience at all. I feel this view only enhanced the Skyrail experience for a small cost per person. You have your own VIP line at the stations and the Diamond View gondola's are every few carriages so you're not waiting for long.
Beautiful views from your gondola. Photo from Skyrail's website.

At 2 stations there are short rainforest walks and spectacular views. The journey took no more than 1 1/2 hours back to Smithfield. Your transfer will take you back to your hotel.

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Overall, a relaxing day with plenty of variety. You can pretty much switch off and just enjoy it. A great taste of our beautiful Cairns.