AUSTRALIA B FIELD COURSE

LENGTH: 13 Days/12 Nights

FIXED DEPARTURE DATES: Jun 15-27.

*Other dates for individuals, families and groups, including WINTER INTERIM BREAK and SPRING BREAK, available upon request.

*Our standard AUSTRALIA C FIELD COURSE itinerary can be modified in content and length for SPECIAL INTERESTS and NEEDS.

S.C.U.B.A. DIVING is available before, during or after our AUSTRALIA C FIELD COURSE upon request.

*WHITE-WATER RAFTING on the Tully River is also available upon request.

*Affordable extensions including an ABORIGINAL CULTURAL EXPERIENCE; KANGAROO ISLAND; DARWIN/KAKADU NATIONAL PARK; TASMANIA and NEW ZEALAND are available upon request before or after our AUSTRALIA B FIELD COURSE. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

*FIELD COURSES for those with SPECIAL INTERESTS, such as BIRDING and GARDEN GROUPS are available upon request. Sample itineraries can be seen at http://www.birdingtours.org (being updated), http://www.gardentours.org (being updated) and also http://www.rainforestandreef.org. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

FIELD COURSE COST: Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

Notes:
As of July 25, 2006, 1 Australian dollar = 1.3235 U.S. dollars/1 U.S. dollar = 0.7556 Australian dollars. PAYMENTS for our AUSTRALIA B FIELD COURSE must be made in Australian dollars. Groups and individuals must assume bank costs for currency exchanges and any currency value fluctuations.

Group Leaders, please contact Rainforest and Reef for details about STIPENDS for bringing 15 or more full-paying participants.

For individuals, families or groups of less than 15 full-paying participants please contact Rainforest and Reef for pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

Includes: All INSTRUCTION and GUIDE SERVICES; all MEALS and LODGING as stated in the itinerary; all GROUND and WATER TRANSPORTATION within Australia; all ENTRANCE FEES to NATIONAL PARKS and OTHER SITES.

Does Not Include: ROUND-TRIP INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE to Australia; AUSTRALIAN VISA (ETA); GRATUITIES and PERSONAL ITEMS.

Note: Australian Visas (ETA) can be obtained along with your international airline tickets through Rainforest and Reef or on-line at: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au.

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE: Rainforest and Reef uses consolidators/wholesalers for all of our GROUP and INDIVIDUAL airfares. We are therefore able to offer the LOWEST RATES available. Please contact Rainforest and Reef for details and pricing by e-mail: info@rainforestandreef.org or call toll-free: 1.877.255.3721.

ITINERARY:

MEAL CODES: B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Note: On the MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM that you will be receiving shortly after registration, please make us aware of any special meal requests and/or dietary restrictions….vegan, vegetarian, etc., that you or members of your group may have. We will be pleased to fulfill your requests/needs.

DAY 1 LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO. Following your arrival in Los Angeles/San Francisco, we will connect with our regularly scheduled flight to Australia. D

Note: Because of the flight departure time from Los Angeles/San Francisco, length of the flight to Australia and crossing of the International Date Line, ADD TWO DAYS to your arrival date (example: a group departing on Jun 19 will arrive Australia Jun 21). On your return, you will arrive in the U.S. on the same date that you depart Australia.



DAY 2 ARRIVAL CAIRNS-FIELD COURSE ORIENTATION-WALKING TOUR of CAIRNS. Following our arrival in Cairns, Australia, we will be met by Australia B Field Course Staff and transfer to our Cairns hotel. After settling-in, we will have an orientation session to our Australia B Field Course and spend the afternoon doing a walking tour of Cairns. Dinner and overnight Cairns. B L D

Note: You will be met outside of Im migration and Customs by Rainforest and Reef Staff.

DAY 3 SKYRAIL–RAINFOREST INTERPRETATION CENTER-KURANDA–BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY-BIRD AVIARY-NOCTARIUM-KURANDA MARKET-TJABUKAI ABORIGINAL CENTER. After breakfast this morning, we will depart for the Caravonica Terminal of the Skyrail Cable Car Station, 15 minutes from Cairns. The Skyrail Rainforest Cableway spans ~5 miles over Australia’s pristine tropical Daintree Rainforest of north Queensland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are two stops en route to our final stop at Kuranda, the Red Peak and Barron Falls stations. At each stop participants will have an opportunity to go on Guided hikes in the rainforest with the Skyrail’s qualified Rangers. At Red Barron Falls, our group will have spectacular views of the Barron Gorge, a deep chasm lined with dense rainforest vegetation and also visit the state-of-the-art Rainforest Interpretation Center. At the Kuranda Station, we will be only a short walk from Kuranda, the famous “Village in the Rainforest”. It is home to many attractions including Australia’s largest Butterfly Sanctuary, a lively Bird Aviary and a Noctarium. One of the main attractions at Kuranda is its Market, which has locally handcrafted souvenirs, clothing, paintings by local artists and much, much more. After exploring Kuranda and having lunch, we will return via the Skyrail to the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park for the afternoon. Situated on 25 acres of land owned by the Tjapukai people at Caravonica, the Park is a stunning theatrical interpretation of Aboriginal culture. Seven separate arenas allow visitors to experience every facet of the Tjapukai, including their history, music and dance. Late this afternoon, our group will return to Cairns for dinner and overnight. B L D



DAY 4 SNORKELING GREAT BARRIER REEF-GLASS BOTTOM BOAT TOUR. Following breakfast today, our group will depart for the Pier Complex and the Great Adventures Ferry Terminal. From here, we will travel by boat to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for a day of Guided snorkeling. The Great Barrier Reef, found off the east coast of Australia, is the World’s largest coral reef ecosystem, over 1430 miles long, stretching from Cape York in the north to Bundaberg in southern Queensland. Like the Daintree Rainforest of North Queensland, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Great Barrier Reef is composed of beautiful islands and idyllic coral cays, covering more than 186,000 square miles. The entire system consists of more than 3000 reefs which range in size from 3 to over 24,000 acres in surface area. The waters in and around The Great Barrier Reef area abound with wildlife, including Dugong and Green Sea Turtles, varieties of Dolphins and Whales, more than 200 species of Birds, over 1500 species of Fish and 4000 types of Mollusks. Most of the Reef is part of The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and is protected in a variety of ways. Aside from snorkeling, our day-trip on the Reef will include lunch and a glass-bottom boat tour. Late this afternoon, we will return to Cairns for dinner and overnight. B L D

DAY 5 PINEAPPLE PLANTATION-MOSSMAN SUGAR MILL-MOSSMAN GORGE-DAINTREE RIVER CRUISE-THE RAINFOREST HABITAT-ALEXANDER RANGE LOOKOUT-CAPE TRIBULATION-DAINTREE RAINFOREST HIKE-PORT DOUGLAS. Early today, we will travel north to Cape Tribulation and the Daintree River. En route, we will enjoy postcard views of the Coral Sea against a backdrop of dense rainforest-clad mountains, considered one of Australia’s most spectacular coastal drives. Our group will first stop and tour a Pineapple Plantation and the Mossman Sugar Mill. We will then travel to the village of Daintree, where participants will embark on a cruise along the Daintree River. The Daintree is home to a wide variety of habitats and hopefully we will be able to spot wildlife including Birds, Snakes, Frogs and Flying Fox Bats. In cooler months, Crocodiles can be seen basking on the River’s banks. After our cruise, we will have the opportunity to visit “The Rainforest Habitat”, a Rainforest and Wildlife Park, where participants can hand-feed Kangaroos and see Koala Bears, Cassowaries and Crocodiles. Our group will then travel to the spectacular Alexander Range Lookout, where we will see rare and primitive King Ferns growing in abundance. Our group will then have lunch in a tropical orchard, where participants can swim, hike and taste some of the wide variety of fruits grown here. After Lunch, we will travel further north to isolated Cape Tribulation. Here, participants will hike in Cape Tribulation National Park and the Daintree Rainforest. By visiting this area, we will get an introduction to rainforest ecology and learn why the Daintree Rainforest has been declared a UNESCO Would Heritage Site. Late this afternoon, our group will be driven back to Cairns. En route, we will stop in the Village of Port Douglas, where we will visit 4 Mile Beach, Island Point Lookout and learn about some of the unique geographic and historic features of the region. This evening, return to Cairns for dinner and overnight. B L D



DAY 6 PORT DOUGLAS-DAY-TRIP to AGINCOURT OUTER REEF-VISIT the LOW ISLES. Following breakfast, our group will drive to Port Douglas, along the coast. From here, we will travel by boat to Agincourt Reef, which is situated on the very edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. Less than 2 miles beyond this outer edge, identified by a line of breakers, the sea floor drops away and the water is more than 1650 feet deep. The clean, clear water from the deep ocean washing over these outer reefs helps promote the prolific growth of marine life for which they are famous. Agincourt Reef, a magnificent ribbon reef, will provide us with an underwater world that is a dazzling kaleidoscope of color and brilliance. Participants will have several options to explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef today. These will include, snorkeling, diving or for those whose choose to stay dry, explore the stunning reef from a “semi-submersible” vehicle that travels ~4 feet under the water’s surface. The “semi-submersibles” cruise slowly through the colorful coral gardens giving passengers the opportunity to experience a snorkeler’s eye-view of the abundant marine life found here. There will also be a chance to watch fish feeding from our boat’s unique underwater viewing platform and observatory. This afternoon, we will also visit the Low Isles, which are situated ~9 miles northeast of Port Douglas. Low Isles is a 4 acre coral cay surrounded by 55 acres of reef. The corals are very close to the island which makes snorkeling an easy and enjoyable experience. Low Isles is actually made up of two separate islands, the larger of the two, Woody Island, is covered by mangroves and inhabited by a large sea-bird population. The smaller island is a coral cay with a lighthouse that has been operating for over 100 years. Time permitting, there will be a Guided beach-walk, showing participants the unique marine life living at the waters edge. Our group will also learn about the flora and fauna inhabiting the island along with the history of Low Isles as an important place of marine research. Late this afternoon, we will return to Port Douglas and then drive to Cairns for dinner and overnight. B L D

DAY 7 UNDARA SAVANNAH-SUNSET HIKE-BARKER’S TUBE BAT EMERGENCE. Early this morning, participants will travel west through the beautiful Atherton Tablelands to tropical north Queensland's Outback region, known as the Gulf Savannah. Following our arrival at the Undara Lava Lodge, we will have lunch and then go for a bush-walk on one of the many local trails. There will also be some time to relax by the Lava Lodge pool. Late this afternoon, participants will join our Savannah Guide for a magnificent sunset hike, where the savannah life-zone found in this region, along with its flora and fauna will be discussed. We will hope for a magnificent sunset, as the sun descends behind the rugged Newcastle Mountain Range. After dinner and as dusk settles, our group will drive to the entrance of Barker's Tube and witness the amazing bat emergence as literally thousands of micro-bats leave to feed for the night. Due to breeding season fluctuations, the bat emergence is most prolific from mid-October to mid-March. Overnight at Swags Tent Village. B L D

DAY 8 UNDARA LAVA TUBES. Following an early breakfast at the Ringers Camp, we will join our Savannah Guide for a lava tube hike. The Undara Lava Tubes were formed some 190,000 years ago when a major crater in the McBride Volcanic Province erupted, its molten lava then flowed down a dry river bed. As the top layer quickly cooled and crusted, the fiery magma below continued to flow through the tubes taking it further and further from the crater. As the eruption slowed, and then stopped, the lava drained out of the tubes leaving a series of long, hollow tunnels. Ancient roof collapses created deep, dark and moist depressions, where fertile pockets of rainforest can now be seen. Rainforest plants and animals thrive in this environment, where each tube offers an insight into this rare geological wonder. The word "Undara" is an Aboriginal word meaning "a long way", and one of the lava flows from Undara extends for 100 miles, making it the longest lava flow from a single crater on Earth. After an enjoyable day in the field, we will return to Swags Tent Village and overnight. B L D

DAY 9 UNDARA-MUNGALLI CREEK RAINFOREST VILLAGE-DISCUSS AUSTRALIA’S WET TROPICS-RAINFOREST HIKE-DISCUSS PLANTS and ANIMALS of the WET TROPICS. After breakfast today, our group will pack up and depart for Mungalli Creek Rainforest Village. Mungalli Creek is nestled in the tropical rainforest of the Atherton tablelands and borders on Bellenden-Kerr and Wooroonooran National Parks. Mungalli Creek, a beautiful fresh-water stream, flows through the property, and cascades over the well known Mungalli Falls. The Rainforest village is an ideal base for our exploration of Australia’s Wet Tropics. Following lunch, there will be a brief introduction to Australia’s Wet Tropics by our Australia Terrestrial Staff. The afternoon will be spent hiking in the rainforest near Mungalli Creek Rainforest Village, including a stop at the waterfall. Our group will then return to Mungalli Creek for dinner. This evening, we will take a night hike, looking for rainforest reptiles and mammals. Overnight Mungalli Creek. B L D

DAY 10 BIRDING-BIRD CENSUS TECHNIQUES-REPTILES-REPTILE CENSUS TECHNIQUES-DISCUSS ECOLOGICAL PROCESSES in the WET TROPICS-HIKE WATERFALL CIRCUIT-OBSERVATION of PLATYPUS-FROGGING-FROG CENSUS TECHNIQUES. Early this morning, we will hike looking and listening for birds found in the region. Participants will also be on the lookout for amphibians and reptiles found here. Census techniques for both will also be discussed and observed. After lunch at Mungalli Creek, we will discuss Various Ecological Processes in the Wet Tropics of Australia. This afternoon will be spent hiking the “waterfall circuit” that includes Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Elinjaa Falls. Platypus sightings are common at several of these sites. Late this afternoon, participants will return to Mungalli Creek for dinner. This evening, we will go frogging and discuss various frog census techniques. Overnight Mungalli Creek. B L D

DAY 11 CAIRNS-FAREWELL DINNER. Today, our group will travel back to Cairns. The remainder of the day will be spent at leisure in Cairns. This evening, we will have our “Farewell Dinner” and overnight Cairns. B L

DAY 12 DEPARTURE. After an early breakfast and farewells to our Australia B Field Course Staff, you will be transferred to the airport in Cairns for your return flight home. B

DAY 13 ARRIVE LOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO. Following our mid-day arrival in Los Angeles/San Francisco group members will board their connecting flight for home.

Note: Due to weather conditions and circumstances beyond the control of Field Course Staff, certain activities may be changed or done on different days in the best interest of the group.