20 28 OCTOBER (8 NIGHTS) - Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg - International Park Tours
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Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg
20 – 28 OCTOBER (8 NIGHTS)
Highlights
• View majestic trees and quiet walks in Bunya Mountains South Burnett region
• Discover rugged Mt Walsh National Park with its spectacular exposed granite
outcrops and cliffs
• Visit Bundaberg’s Hinkler Hall of Aviation & the Bundaberg Rum Distillery
• Cruise to the Southern Great Barrier Reef, Lady Musgrave Island
• Walk amongst the eucalypts & subtropical rainforest of Kondalilla National Park
• Explore Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, a living museum of diverse plant life
The majestic Bunya Mountains, less than three hours west of Brisbane, is a
spectacular wilderness in an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range. We
begin with two nights here, amongst the cool eucalypt forests and woodlands,
home to the world’s largest forest of bunya pines. Walks feature panoramic
mountain scenery with views over the South Burnett region and southern
plains. Wallabies, pademelons as well as hundreds of colourful parrots, rosellas
and bowerbirds call this area home. Moving to the North Burnett Region, we
spend two nights in Biggenden, exploring the nearby Mount Walsh National
Park. This remote national park offers steep forested slopes, rugged ridge lines
and mountain areas with spectacular exposed granite outcrops and cliffs. Our
next two nights are spent in the Bundaberg Region, at the charming coastal
town of Bangarra. We stroll along the Burnett River and visit the lush botanical
gardens which include the Hinkler Hall of Aviation and the Bundaberg Rum
Distillery. A day cruise to Lady Musgrave, the jewel of the Southern Great
Barrier Reef, gives you a chance to snorkel over coral reefs, teeming with
marine life. The island is an important nesting site to diverse birdlife and is part
DETAILS
of the Capricornia Cays Important Bird Area. On our return to Brisbane, we stop Price: Twin share/person (starts Brisbane/
two nights in the Sunshine Hinterland town of Montville and stay at a tranquil ends Brisbane)
eco-retreat. Gentle walks include Kondalilla National Park in the scenic Blackall
Range, along with Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Regular: A$4150
Single Supplement: A$795
Note: For guests who request a single
room the single supplement will be
charged. For single people who prefer to
share, we will try to find a suitable room-
mate, but if this is not possible the single
supplement surcharge will apply.
Minimum Group Size: 8 guests
Special Interest: Wildlife, Botanical,
History, Geology, Birding
For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 1
Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg
20 – 28 OCTOBER (8 NIGHTS) FAQ
WALKING RATING What COVID-SAFE procedures are in place for tours?
During our walking holiday strict COVID SAFE hygiene
Easy to Moderate: 3-12km per walking day, on mostly well graded procedures will be in place. These include, but are not limited
tracks. There are some moderate to challenging walks with some steeper to:
sections on non-graded tracks. This tour is for anyone with a good level
of fitness, and bushwalking experience. We reserve the right to be flexible • Complimentary hand sanitiser will be available on tour
with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances including weather • Daily health checks will be undertaken by your guide,
conditions, track closures and group fitness. in line with Queensland Health requirements. More
information will be provided to you before the start of the
tour.
INCLUSIONS • Physical or social distancing will be practiced during our
daily activities. The current advice from the Department
• 8 nights twin share accommodation – Motel, homestead and B&B style
of Health is for everyone to keep at least 1.5 metres apart
accommodation with mostly private facilities from others (outside of their family unit) where possible.
• Meals include – 7 Breakfasts (B), 5 Lunches (L), 7 Dinners (D)
• All transfers as listed in itinerary • Additional cleaning will be undertaken as required
• National park, botanical gardens and museum entry fees Please note ParkTours will comply with new policies and
• Lady Musgrave day cruise procedures as they are made available through our industry
• Professional tour leader assisted when required by local tour guides authorities and Government to keep you safe and healthy
• Basic group tips where required whilst on tour.
• Pre-departure material How & when to book?
To place your booking, simply visit www.parktours.com.au
and select the “Bookings” page, or complete a Tour Booking
EXCLUSIONS form and return by post or email with your $A500 deposit.
Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact with
• Travel arrangements to start / from end of tour regular mailings (see below).
• Airport transfers
• Dive equipment hire What information and contact can I expect?
When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to
• Heavy or excess baggage
confirm your booking. Please do not book any flights or travel
• Travel insurance arrangements until our office contacts you to advise that
• Personal expenses e.g., alcoholic drinks, speciality teas and coffees, your tour has been confirmed to depart. Once the tour has
laundry, or optional tours been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive pre-departure
• General tips outside of basic group tips information pack will be sent to you, including a Tour A-Z,
suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, balance of
payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation options.
TOUR LEADER The final mailing is sent approximately two weeks before
departure and includes final tour information, meeting points,
Twice-named ‘Eco Guide of the Year’ by Ecotourism accommodation and guest list. This will also include any
Australia, Barry Davies is one of the most experienced additional documentation required under new Covid-Safe
nature tour leaders within Australia and New Zealand, procedures.
with a particular passion for birds and wildlife. Since
2008 Barry has been a naturalist and lecturer aboard What is the group size?
an expedition vessel visiting islands from Fiji to We specialise in small group travel with a tour size normally
between 8 to 18 guests. Consideration will be given for
Papua New Guinea and has lead tours in Papua
physical distancing regulations for bus travel. Please refer
New Guinea, Borneo, Vietnam, Cambodia, Australia
to the front page for details on the minimum group size for
and New Zealand. His work background, previously as naturalist guide this particular tour. All tours need a minimum number of
and activities manager at Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, coupled with participants to operate at the price listed in the itinerary. If the
independent guiding explorations with his own specialist touring company, minimum number is not reached, a tour may still operate with
Gondwana Guides, provide him with considerable cumulative knowledge a surcharge.
of the ecological and biological nature of all regions within Australia, New
Zealand and the South Pacific Rim. How fit do I have to be?
When you are assessing your ability to participate, age is not
necessarily as important as your fitness and recent walking
experience. Please read the tour walk rating and the day-
by-day walking descriptions in the itinerary to determine if
the tour is suitable for your fitness level. If you have any
queries, we are happy to put you in touch with either the tour
coordinator or tour leader to discuss your fitness in more
detail.
What gear and equipment do I need to take?
Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to
our accommodation in the afternoon, you don’t need to carry
any more than a daypack with rain wear, sunscreen, drinking
water, camera and lunch. We recommend walking poles and
hiking boots on most of our tours as they offer good ankle
Click map to view support and grip. A detailed packing list is included with your
in Google Maps tour’s information pack.
For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 2
Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg TOUR ITINERARY 20 – 28 OCTOBER (8 NIGHTS) Day 1 – Wed 20 Oct | Toowoomba / Bunya Mountains After group introductions we depart at 10.00am from Brisbane Roma Street Coach Terminal. Heading to the Darling Downs we stop at the Garden City of Toowoomba, with panoramic views of the Great Dividing Range and an opportunity to stroll the inspiring State Heritage listed Queens Park and Botanic Garden. At this time of year, we are surrounded by the beginnings of spring colour as we enjoy a tasty picnic lunch in the gardens. We continue to Bunya Mountains National Park where we spend two nights accommodated in holiday homes (private rooms with own facilities). Our welcome dinner will be at ‘The Bunya’, a popular local restaurant, showcasing a unique paddock to plate menu selection. Meals: L, D Walks: garden strolls Day 2 – Thu 21 Oct | Bunya Mountains National Park Breakfast is served at Poppies café this morning. Rising abruptly from the surrounding plains, the Bunya Mountains National Park is a spectacular wilderness forming an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range, in the South Burnett region. Declared in 1908, it is Queensland second oldest national park and protects the world’s largest stand of ancient bunya pines (Araucaria bidwillii). Your tour leader will offer shorter and extended guided walks to explore the mountain scenery, views and abundant wildlife of the park. Trails weave in and out of diverse grasslands, eucalypt forest, rainforest and vine scrubs. Walks may include the Scenic circuit passing through bunya pine forest and a variety of mountain scenery and delightful rock pools; Barker Creek circuit which shows the biodiversity of the park with side tracks to waterfalls; or the western cliff walks that offers clear views over the open plains of the Darling Downs. Meals: B, L, D Walks: 4-12km (1.5hr / 4hr) easy to moderate options on well-defined track, with few steps or steep inclines, track maybe partially uneven and overgrown Day 3 – Fri 22 Oct | Kingaroy / Coalstoun Lakes National Park / Biggenden Departing on State Route 49 we stop in Kingaroy surrounded by farmlands and low rolling hills. Famous for peanuts and a former Qld premier, the town has a growing arts scene and we visit the Arts and Heritage Precinct. Further north, we take time to acknowledge the sacred site of Ban Ban Springs, a meeting place for the Wakka Wakka and other tribes as they made their way on traditional pathways to Bunya Bunya gatherings. These gatherings occurred triennially or when a message stick was sent out inviting Aboriginal groups to attend. Nearby the remarkable geological site of Coalstoun Lakes National Park is one of the youngest volcanic formations in Australia. We enjoy excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife and bush walks at the crater lakes before checking into our accommodation in Biggenden for two nights. Meals: B, D Walks: short orientation strolls to 4.4km walk on rocky formed track Day 4 – Sat 23 Oct | Mount Walsh National Park Rising to 703m above sea level in the coastal ranges, Mount Walsh National Park is a rugged park with spectacularly exposed granite outcrops, cliffs and rock pools. This rocky landscape supports diverse vegetation including dry rainforest, open forest and heath country. The Bluff area of Mount Walsh, at the park’s northern end, is a prominent landmark in the Biggenden area. Today we take advantage of walking with a local who has spent many years exploring trails in and around the park. Walks will likely include the waterfall creek section, sometimes referred to as Utopia and to prominent lookout points. Meals: B, L, D Walks: 3.5km off track walk; 3km walk to rock pools Day 5 – Sun 24 Oct | Childers / Bundaberg / Bargara Before departing Biggenden, we take time to wander the Wall of Fame and Pioneer Walk in Beiers Park, honouring the early settlers who came to the district from the 1800s. Stopping for morning tea in Childers, we step back in time and explore the main street boasting more than 25 spectacular heritage-listed buildings. On arrival into Bundaberg, we For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 3
Bunya Mountains to Bundaberg TOUR ITINERARY 20 – 28 OCTOBER (8 NIGHTS) uncover the adventurous life of aviation extraordinaire, Bert Hinkler, at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation located in the lush Bundaberg Botanic Gardens. Nearby at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, our senses explode on a tour as we visit the molasses well, fermentation tanks, barrel aging room and finish at the tasting bar to sample their top shelf rums. Your guide will transfer you to our resort accommodation at Bargara Beach, our base for the next two nights. Meals: B, D Walks: garden & beach strolls Day 6 – Mon 25 Oct | Lady Musgrave Island / Southern Great Barrier Reef An early start this morning, as we check-in at 6.50am, picnic breakfast in hand, for our full day cruise to magical Lady Musgrave Island, lagoon and reef. Part of the Bunker group in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, this area is teeming bird life above the water and giant marine life below the water. We have a chance for a short walk on Lady Musgrave island, World Heritage listed due to its cultural, scientific and educational significance. Besides the view in a glass bottom boat, you can also snorkel the reef, swim with the turtles and witness migrating whales at play in the open water. Our vessel returns to Bundaberg Port Marina at 5.00pm. This evening, stroll along the waterfront to choose dinner from one of the local cafes on offer. Why not finish the day with a refreshing Bundaberg ginger beer or lime and bitters to go with your favourite tipple. Meals: B, L Walks: beach strolls, snorkelling options Day 7 – Tue 25 Oct | Mon Repos / Kondalilla National Park Breakfast is at your leisure - try the Windmill café along the foreshore. Before departing Bundaberg, we visit the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, dedicated to marine turtle research, protection and education. The centre offers a state-of-the-art experience, with interactive displays, immersive theatre room, outdoor trails and access to the beach. Turning south again, our next destination is Kondalilla National Park, in the scenic Blackall Range situated behind the Sunshine Coast. We stay two nights at a tranquil rainforest eco retreat. Meals: D Walks: local strolls Day 8 – Wed 27 Oct | Kondalilla NP Today we walk sections of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, in Kondalilla National Park, following the Picnic Creek circuit which passes through tall eucalypt forest with patches of wet sclerophyll forest. Enjoy views over the valley from a lookout point and return to the main picnic area to relax. Alternatively, you can continue on the Kondalilla Falls circuit to the base of the waterfall, a heart starter with over 300 stairs (return). It is worth it to view the rainforest, 90m falls and the emergent bunya pines with their distinctive symmetrical dome shapes, dense stands of piccabeen palms and pink ash. Longer walk options are on offer including Barron and Narrows Lookout tracks (additional 7km). Meals: B, L, D Walks: 2-13km, easy to moderate, falls walk steep 238 m ascent / descent on steps Day 9 – Thu 28 Oct | Montville / Maleny / Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve / Brisbane After breakfast, we stop for a taste of Montville Coffee, a social enterprise and award-winning local roaster setting high standards for the organic coffee scene in Qld. Sustaining the region’s dairying heritage, a visit to the family run Maleny Cheese offers a chance for us to sample dairy delights. Our final stop is Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, with a visit to the Rainforest Discovery Centre and cafe for lunch (own cost). We then take a short walk in this ecological island which preserves 55 hectares of remnant subtropical rainforest, overlooking the Glass House Mountains. The reserve is a living museum of diverse plant and animal life will delight with its tranquillity and beauty. We expect to return to Brisbane airport at 4.30pm where you can connect to onward travel. Meals: B Walks: 2km / 1.5hr, easy designated trails/boardwalks For bookings call 07 5533 3583 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email info@parktours.com.au | 4
WALKING HOLIDAYS & ADVENTURES
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
ParkTours have been leading small group walking holidays since
1975. Our like-minded guests bond easily and often create reunions,
celebrations and friendships, many of them life-long. Our tours are
active with regular half and full day walks. Aside from walking, we
also spend time meeting local people, tasting regional food and
immersing ourselves in the culture and history of a destination. Our
flexibility enables us to adapt to the likes, dislikes and agility of our Responsible Travel
travellers, and changing situations such as weather and unforeseen
For your protection, we are
circumstances. In most locations, we stay 2-3 nights and sometimes
member of the Australian
longer. This allows us to slow down, unpack our bags and enjoy
Federation of Travel Agents
the local atmosphere at different times of the day. Accommodation
(AFTA). Your payments are
is comfortable and unique plus locally owned and operated where
kept in a client account until
possible.
required for payment of your tour.
Our guides are dedicated, informative people who share their passion We are accredited with AFTA Travel
and knowledge on local history, culture, wildlife and topography. Accreditation Scheme (ATAS), a
Our journeys are designed to safeguard the ecosystems; benefit national accreditation scheme, endorsing travel
the communities we visit and contribute to the sustainability of agents who have met strict financial and customer
destinations. Travel is a chance to change your perspective. Nature service criteria. We also have advanced accreditation
always provides a new view if we take the time to look. with Ecotourism Australia, are members of the
Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and a Green
Circle member of Queensland Outdoor Recreation
“I find the organisation and attention to Federation (QORF).
detail is always good. Having travelled
quite a few times with ParkTours now I Serendipity of travel
would not consider a walking tour with Our Leader and local guides will continually work on
any other organization” your behalf to provide a memorable journey. We have
Catherine Eakin planned an intimate adventure, but adventure cannot
be guaranteed. If indeed it could then it would lose its
appeal.
Though we do the best we can to plan a smooth
“I have had a wonderful experience journey, sometimes things change at short notice.
on my ParkTours trips. I know the Some things may take longer than anticipated,
accommodation, meals, etc. will have transport and accommodation arrangements may alter,
the level of comfort I’m looking for” and you may experience occasional shortcomings and
be frustrated by the ‘manana’ attitude; at other times
Anne Stanfield
you will be amazed by local efficiency. Tour itineraries
may need to be modified but this is done so with your
needs in mind and to provide the best tour experience.
Disclaimer of Liability So, be flexible, surprised and delighted with the
Although Park Tours has prepared the Information contained in this itinerary with all due care and updates
serendipity that comes from being open to the
the Information regularly, Park Tours does not warrant or represent that the Information is free from errors or
omission. Whilst the Information is considered to be true and correct at the date of publication, changes in unexpected. Your enjoyment of this journey is
circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the Information. The Information ultimately up to you.
may change without notice and Park Tours is not in any way liable for the accuracy of any information printed
and stored or in any way interpreted and used by a user.
Itinerary Updated: August 12, 2021 7:32 AM
T +61 7 5533 3583
1069 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont QLD 4211 Australia
info@parktours.com.au | www.parktours.com.au
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