Tamborine Short Break 07–10 August 2020 (3 nights)

Highlights

• Discover Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area, with a short walk in this important wetland area • Wander through the Botanical Gardens, which are supported and maintained by volunteers • Spend 2 days exploring , following tracks to lookout points • Explore the Mountains many craft and antique shops, and art galleries • Enjoy a walk in - Green Mountains section • Learn about the conservation journey of these parks with the local pioneering Groom family • Visit one of the many wineries and sample local produce • Relax in the surrounds of our tranquil accommodation

Visit the green behind the Gold Coast, and 's oldest national parks with a short break in Tamborine Mountain at one of our favourite times of the year. Late Winter in the mountains gives us clear walking days, abundant wildlife and cool nights radiant with stars. Walks include subtropical rainforest with palm groves, open eucalypt woodlands with grassy understories and deep weathered gorges with quiet streams and waterfalls. We explore a network of nature trails throughout Tamborine National Park, and walk a section of Lamington National Park - Green Mountains. From we travel south to Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area, for a short walk in its 1200 hectares of wetland, eucalypt forest, salt marsh and mangrove habitat. We then continue to tabletop-shaped Tamborine Mountain National Park, our base for the next three nights. We spend our days exploring the many walks of the area, and also travelling to Lamington National Park - Green Mountains section and the nearby township of Canungra. We also take time to experience local wineries, local producers and artists of the area. We enjoy comfortable, central accommodation and a chance to enjoy the culinary delights of this region with two generations of the Groom family. At just an hour from Brisbane and 30 min from the Gold Coast – Tamborine Mountain is truly one of Queensland’s secret treasures. DETAILS

Price: Twinshare / person (ex Brisbane)

Price from 1/4/20: A$1,829 Single Supplement: A$220

Note: For single people who prefer to share, we will try to ind a suitable roommate, but if this is not possible the sole-use surcharge will apply. Minimum Group size: 6 guests Special Interest: Wildlife, Botanical, Art

For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email [email protected] | 1 Tamborine Short Break 07–10 August 2020 (3 nights)

WALK RATING FAQ

Easy to Moderate: Distances covered on walking days are between 4-12 How & when to book? km on graded tracks, with options for longer walks available. A moderate Our biggest message to you is BOOK EARLY!! Many tours fitness level and walking experience is an advantage. We reserve the book out very quickly so the moral of the story is the early right to be flexible with the itinerary to allow for unforeseen circumstances bird catches the worm! Please send your completed Tour including weather conditions and group fitness. Booking Form and a deposit of A$500 per person per tour. INCLUSIONS To place your booking, simply visit www.parktours.com. au and select the “Bookings” page, or complete a Tour • 3 nights twin share accommodation – B&B Style or cottage Booking form and return by post or email with your deposit. accommodation with some shared facilities Once you have booked on a tour, we will stay in contact • Meals include – 3 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, and 3 Dinners with regular mailings (see below). • All transfers as listed in itinerary What information and contact can I expect? • National park fees • Professional tour leaders / drivers When you send your initial deposit, we will contact you to • Pre-departure material including background & personalised A-Z tour confirm your booking. Please do not book any flights or information and destination tour companion travel arrangements until our office contacts you to advise that your tour has been confirmed to depart. Once the EXCLUSIONS tour has been confirmed to depart, a comprehensive pre- departure information pack will be sent to you, including a • Airfares & taxes to start / from end of tour Tour A-Z, suggested packing list, medical questionnaire, • Airport transfers balance of payment invoice, and pre / post accommodation • Heavy or excess baggage • Travel Insurance options. The final mailing is sent approximately three • Personal expenses e.g. drinks (water, alcohol, tea & coffee), laundry, weeks before departure and includes final tour information, telephone, or optional tours / excursions meeting points, accommodation and guest list, and a Tour Companion. TOUR LEADERS What is the group size? Tony Groom founded interNATIONAL PARKtours We specialise in small group travel with a tour size normally with wife Connie in 1975 inspired by a Churchill between 8 to 18 guests. Please refer to the front page for Fellowship visit to the National Parks of the details on the minimum group size for this particular tour. All US and Canada. 40 years later he continues tours need a minimum number of participants to operate at to find inspiration in the National Parks of the the price listed in the itinerary. If the minimum number is not 65 countries he has visited. He says “National reached, a tour may still operate with a surcharge. Parks are islands of hope which provide peace and inspiration in an increasingly frantic world.” How fit do I have to be? He is a published writer and photographer. When you are assessing your ability to participate, age Lisa Groom is the daughter of interNATIONAL PARKtours founders Tony is not necessarily as important as your fitness and recent & Connie Groom and grand-daughter of Mountain Lodge walking experience. Please read the tour walk rating and founder Arthur Groom. You could say the great outdoors is in Lisa’s blood. the day-by-day walking descriptions in the itinerary to Growing up with the business she commenced working as a tour leader determine if the tour is suitable for your fitness level. If you and co-ordinator with interNATIONAL PARKtours in 1991, and took over have any queries, we are happy to put you in touch with the helm of the company from her parents in 2001. Leading walking holidays in and Europe, her passion is for regional ecotourism, either the tour coordinator or tour leader to discuss your discovering local characters and showcasing nature from a different fitness in more detail. perspective. What gear and equipment do I need to take? Because we focus on half and full day walks, returning to Click map to view our accommodation in the afternoon, you don’t need to in Google Maps 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 support and grip. A detailed packing list is included with your tour’s information pack.

For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email [email protected] | 2 Tamborine Short Break

ITINERARY TOUR ITINERARY 07–10 August 2020 (3 nights)

Day 1 - Fri 07 Aug | Travel via Coombabah to Tamborine Mountain We depart from the Mercure Hotel Brisbane at 9.30am and travel to the northern end of the Gold Coast. We enjoy a short walk in the Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area near the . The area protects more than 1200 hectares of wetland, eucalypt forest, salt marsh and mangrove habitat. Lake Coombabah and its estuarine system are important coastal wetlands and migratory water bird habitat. The Conservation Area is home to 274 species of animals, with seven species listed as ‘vulnerable’ or ‘near threatened’, including the koala, powerful owl and grey-headed flying fox, along with 24 internationally protected migratory bird species. We then continue to tabletop-shaped Tamborine Mountain National Park, our base for the next three nights. While many years ago it was a dairy farming centre, it is now a popular destination for rainforest walks, artisan galleries, local food and wine. We enjoy a picnic lunch at the Tamborine Mountain Botanic Gardens and a short walk on the eastern side of the mountain before settling into our accommodation. Tonight at our welcome dinner we have the chance to sample some local wines. Meals: L, D Walks: Easy morning walk at Coombabah wetlands. Afternoon walk at MacDonald rainforest circuit (1.4km return – 30min) + short walks at botanic gardens

Day 2 - Sat 08 Aug | Tamborine National Park We spend today experiencing the essence of Tamborine Mountain, the “Green behind the Gold”. There is a vast network of easily accessible nature trails, and we begin with a few of our favourites. Walking options include Sandy Creek/Cameron Falls circuit and the Palm Grove Circuit. After lunch at a local café, the afternoon includes the option to visit some of the local wineries, producers and artists before returning to our accommodation. After a short siesta, we gather to enjoy sunset drinks from a beautiful vantage point, before dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B, L, D Walks: Sandy Creek circuit 2.6km return, 1hr. Palm Grove circuit (2.7km circuit - 1hr). Both are easy walks.

Day 3 - Sun 09 Aug | Lamington National Park - Green Mountains / Canungra Today after breakfast, we drive via the historic township of Canungra to the Green Mountains section of Lamington National Park. Our walks will be chosen by our experienced guides depending on park conditions, weather and taking into account group fitness. The most likely option will include the Python Rock and/or the track which give us views to the west of the Lost World and Fassifern Valleys. We will enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the many beautiful spots on offer before travelling back to Canungra. Time permitting we browse the delightful shops of this small community sitting between Lamington Plateau and Tamborine Mountain before returning to the mountain in the afternoon. Meals: B, L, D Walks: Python Rock (3.1km return, 1hr); Moran’s Falls (6.2km return, 2hr)

Day 4 - Mon 10 Aug | Tamborine National Park / Travel to Brisbane Today after breakfast, we enjoy our last walks in Tamborine National Park, firstly at the Joalah section and the popular short walk to Curtis Falls. Driving down the north-west access road, we come to the largest section of Tamborine National Park, Cedar Creek. We take a short walk to Cedar Creek Falls lookout and rock-pools then enjoy a picnic lunch beside the creek. Depending on time and interest, we can continue with a visit to the nearby Albert River Winery. Its cellar door and tasting rooms are located in the former Auchenflower House, a famous Brisbane landmark and iconic Queenslander. After a tasting session we continue our return to Brisbane, with an expected arrival of mid-afternoon. Meals: B, L Walks: Curtis Falls track (1.1km return – 30min); Cedar Creek Falls (1.1km return, 30 min).

For bookings call 1300 197 201 | visit www.parktours.com.au | or email [email protected] | 3