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Raymond Island, Victoria
TRAVEL
raymond island,victoria
conservation tour
T HIS SPECIAL TRIP to Raymond
Island allows you to become
involved and provide assistance in
island. Data they collect will be collated
by the new koala conservation group
on the island – including tree species
a region that suffered horrendous
wildlife losses as a result of the 2019–20
bushfires. These fires destroyed nearly
2 million hectares of forest in the far
preference, behaviour, identification
of individuals and evidence of koalas
drinking stemflow (water moving down
the stem). They take walks through the
ray vic
southeastern corner of Australia and forest spotting koalas in the wild.
killed untold millions of wild animals. They may also see echidnas, swamp AG TRAVEL
Raymond Island itself was not burnt wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos
and has now become a significant island and many colourful parrots, honeyeaters Dates:
ark for many species of plants and and seabirds, which you can help record 8–12 april 2021
animals including koalas, kangaroos, for conservation purposes. 4–8 November 2021
wallabies, echidnas and many bird Conservation Travel is all about
species. Echidna Walkabout and their making a difference by getting out into email:
not-for-profit Koala Clancy Foundation, the bush and affecting real change. travel@australiangeographic.co
m
have teamed up with the local Landcare It’s about working with locals who phone: 0413 560 210
group and concerned residents to set know the area and how they can fix
up a wild koala research project on the the problems, but need help to do so. Itinerary
1
TRAVEL
Raymond Island, Victoria
Itinerary
Thursday on the island to care for koalas and the wider tion (plastic guards on very young trees) if
Day 1 biodiversity of this very important reserve. they have been damaged, mulching, watering
Arrival in Melbourne
(domestic airfare not included) You’ll also learn about what you will be and removing tree protection from older trees
doing on the next day to help conserve viable and ensuring they are in good health.
Make you own way to your hotel wildlife populations on the island including You should wear clothes that you would use
(Holiday Inn Express Southbank). tree planting and caring for trees that have for gardening for this day as you will get dirty.
Meeting with the guide in the evening. already been planted. For the rest of the day Gloves will be supplied as will lots of water
we’ll take walks through the forest spotting and some snacks. This work is lots of fun and
and recording koalas in the wild. We may very fulfilling!
Day 2Friday also see echidnas, swamp wallabies and Accommodation: same as previous night.
Melbourne to Raymond Island, eastern grey kangaroos and many colourful Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided
East Gippsland parrots, honeyeaters and seabirds, which you
can help record for conservation purposes.
Breakfast at hotel. Early pick up in the city by
Accommodation: The Abbey for 3 nights Tree planting helps
your wildlife guide to travel into East Gipps-
Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided provide food and
land. Travel past internationally acclaimed
shelter for wildlife
RAMSAR wetlands of the Lakes District be-
and it's fun!
fore travelling by ferry to an island sanctuary
Day 3 Saturday
in the wetlands with a thriving colony of wild
Down to business: tree plant-
koalas. We’ll arrive late in the morning and
ing, tree care, koala research
go directly to our accommodation to settle in
before having lunch. Your guide will describe After an early breakfast we head out to start
the conservation program set up between working on our tree project. Today you’ll be
the Raymond Island community, the Koala working with the local Landcare group to
Clancy Foundation and Echidna Walkabout help plant new trees and nurture trees that
and how you, as a tourist, can fit into this have already been planted. This second task
project. We’ll meet with the local Landcare is vitally important to the success of any tree
group who will explain what they are doing planting and involves resetting tree protec- Itinerary cont.
2
TRAVEL
Raymond Island, Victoria
Broadwalk at
Raymond Island.
A local Indigenous guide interprets
the stories of the ancestors at the
Injalak Hill rock art sites.
"Fortunately, Raymond Island
was not burnt in the 2020 fires.
You can help protect its wildlife,
while you enjoy the island."
ROGER SMITH, ECHIDNA WALKABOUT
Sunday is weather dependent. If we cannot travel on
Day 4
Explore The Lakes the water we have other options on Raymond
National Park Island and in the surrounding region that are
very similar to those described above but in
The Lakes National Park protects the linear land-based vehicles. Dinner tonight is at your
waterways and coast along Ninety Mile own expense in one of the many restaurants
Beach in East Gippsland. The inland side of or the pub in the coastal town of Paynesville.
the lakes system is well populated, but the After dinner we’ll catch the ferry across to
coastal section is remote and very beautiful Raymond Island.
with lots of wildlife. We’ll take a boat from Accommodation: same as previous night
Raymond Island for a short cruise across Breakfast and lunch provided
Lake Victoria towards the coast. We’ll visit
Rotamah Island, a famous bird-watching
location, and walk across that island to
Wildlife highlights Ninety Mile Beach that curves in a huge, White-bellied
sea-eagle hunting for
There are many wildlife highlights virtually untouched arc from horizon to
fish over The Lakes
to be seen on this trip including: horizon. There is a chance that we will see National Park.
the newly described Burranan dolphin that
Koalas cruises these lakes in small pods. We’ll see
many species of birds of both the inland
Echidnas
waterways and the ocean including possible
Eastern-grey kangaroos migratory visitors from the northern hemi-
sphere. We’ll document all these sightings
Black wallabies and help you to learn how to find and
Burranan dolphins identify birds. N.B. Boat travel on this day
Itinerary cont.
3
TRAVEL
Raymond Island, Victoria
c
Spotting a rare Burranan dolphin from the
boardwalk may be a highlight of your day!
Day 5Monday
Aboriginal Cultural experience Conservation component on this tour
before heading back to Melbourne
We’ll take an early morning stroll along the The Echidna Walkabout’s tours include opportunities to help with the conservation of
foreshore near our accommodation looking wildlife and in ensuring the natural environment that supports wildlife remains healthy.
out for wildlife, followed by breakfast, then They also work tirelessly to improve human understanding of the impacts of climate
check out and pack up before taking one last change and other human induced changes to our environment. Leading by example they
koala walk to see if we can rediscover some aim to ensure that wildlife continues to thrive in Australia and elsewhere in the world.
of the koalas we identified on day 2. Citizen science is playing a significant role in helping scientists and others to understand
Depending on availability we may say good- the major changes that are occurring in the world and that work such as theirs is bringing
bye to our Landcare support group before about changes that help wildlife. This tour offers significant opportunities to experience
leaving Raymond Island. East Gippsland has and document wildlife in a near-pristine environment doing the following:
a rich Aboriginal history that still flourishes
through the Gunaikurnai people. Much of
the land that we have travelled through is
jointly managed by Indigenous people.
To understand more about them we will
visit the Kroathunkooloong Keeping Place
in Bairnsdale where we will be introduced
to the history of the region and have the
opportunity to walk through this incredible
building learning about the Creator
Ancestors of Gunaikurnai Country,
Boran the Pelican and Tuk the Musk Duck. Koala conservation & Tree planting & tree care Bird & wildlife surveys
You will gain a new understanding of the research You will plant trees for For the whole trip, you
lands you have been visiting. We then return In collaboration with locals koalas and other wildlife are helping wildlife – your
to Melbourne arriving late afternoon and the Koala Clancy on the island and help with Wildlife Guide records all
Accommodation: not included. Foundation we will identify the maintenance of current species seen and uploads
You can book additional nights in and map the movements plantations to ensure they this data to online atlases for
Melbourne through us. and health of wild koalas. grow to healthy mature trees. conservation purposes.
Breakfast and lunch provided
4TRAVEL
Raymond Island, Victoria
Maintaining young trees
is vital to their survival
and very therapeutic.
cost
$1848/person twin share. $378 single supplement
Costs include the following services COVID-19 cleanliness. Hand sanitiser will be available in many
locations and in all land-based vehicles. Social
as per itinerary As this itinerary goes public there are still distancing will always be an issue on board vehicles
restrictions with borders, flights, accommo- and boats; it would be sensible for you to bring your
Four nights accommodation as per itinerary dation, numbers of people allowed in a group, own face masks and hand sanitiser. We may not fill
Local wildlife guides throughout days 2–5 restaurants, pubs and social distancing rules in all seats in a vehicle to allow for social distancing.
Sightseeing as per itinerary by private air-conditioned place. These restrictions can be local, regional, This itinerary is subject to change without
charter vehicle, boat cruise state wide and national. notice and is dependent on weather, road and sea
Meals as per itinerary We realise that with these rules in place it’s conditions, fire and on the regulatory requirements
difficult to plan ahead. Here are few things that of Government(s) and/or its Agencies, e.g. National
we suggest you do to ensure that any bookings Parks Service. Activities may also be modified or
Costs do not include you make are refundable or can curtailed dependent on the health of participants
be used later: and the ability or otherwise of sub-contractors to
Domestic or international airfares 1. Your booking with us: We guarantee that if provide activities. We will not provide compensa-
Pre-registration, late check-out or day use at hotels a trip cannot run as a result of government- tion to participants who are unable to undertake
other than specified above imposed restrictions we will refund or credit activities described in this itinerary or who become
Guide services other than specified all monies that you have paid us (we will NOT injured or sick during the journey. Nor will Echidna
Meals/beverages other than specified, alcohol make any booking or payment on your behalf Walkabout reimburse monies for any activities that
Tips and gratuities that have non-refundable components before are modified or cancelled as a result of all or any of
Optional tours/services getting your permission) the above. The same proviso is in place if, due to
2. Accommodation and meals: vehicle or boat breakdown or for any other reason,
Strict hygiene conditions apply to the way we are unable to meet your scheduled flights or
Packing list and other information accommodation is prepared for your stay and other ongoing activities.
in the serving of meals. We highly recommend you have a total travel
We will supply you with a detailed packing list and 3. Vehicles, hygiene & social distancing: insurance package that covers any of these
other information when you make your booking. All activities will involve careful adherence to eventualities.
Minimum pax number: 8.
Maximum pax number: 20 Lakes Entrance 22km
o int
le P
Eag ay
B
Bairnsdale
Eagle Point
15km Raymond Island
Paynesville
VIC Ferry
Newlands Arm Lake Victoria
Melbourne The Lakes
250km NP
Rotomah Island Ninety Mile
Banksia (boat trip)
Peninsula Beach
email: travel@australiangeographic.com phone: 0413 560 210
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