Freycinet Paddle - half day tour

The Freycinet paddle is a 3 hour experience (not just an activity!) kayaking through the (hopefully) still waters of Oyster Bay. The views are stunning, the guides informative and very helpful, and although a basic level of coordination is needed, not a great level of fitness is. 

This is not the kind of activity I would pick for myself on a holiday, and I was blown away by it. The serenity on the water while the mountains loom before you ominously; the satisfaction of completing an activity that you find a challenge; and sharing it with your boat mate and the rest of the tour group is a surprisingly bonding experience.

I would recommend this to anyone wanting to see a different side of Tasmania, and maybe themselves. 

Hollybank Treetops Adventure

Located about a 30 minute drive from Launceston, this is a really exciting experience (particularly if you are a little afraid of heights as you will feel a seriously satisfying sense of achievement completing this tour). 

Soaring through the forest from 3 metres to 50 metres above the ground, on lengths of track running from 20 metres to 400 metres, this is both a thrill for the senses and a delight for the eyes. 

The guides are informative and safety is paramount on this zip line tour through the Hollybank forest. This is a tour for literally anyone (over the age of 3 and upwards) with a sense of adventure or a desire to see Australia’s forests up close.   

Tram Car Dinner (Melbourne) with Bec!

The Colonial Tram Car dinner exceeded every expectation I had!!

 

I took my mum and boyfriend to Melbourne for a long weekend and thought it would be fun to do something touristy and experience something totally different. I was unsure of what would be in store for us, but was delighted to find the night fun and delicious!!

 

The Tram departs just near the Crown Casino complex, so a very easy walk or taxi ride from any Melbourne CBD hotel.

 

You can choose from an early dinner, a late dinner or lunch. Based on which you choose determines how much food you will receive.

 

Early Dinner is 3 courses, Lunch is 4 courses and the Late Dinner is 5 courses.

You may question how good the food can be on a tram - well let me assure you it's DELICIOUS! Not only is the food delicious, but the price includes all your Alcholoic and non alcoholic drinks.

 

The staff were AMAZING and the tram takes you on a gorgeous tour of Melbourne. We chose the Early Dinner which meant the sun was still out and we had gorgeous views of the St Kilda Esplanade in Beach.

 

All in all a fantastic tour to do or sell for anyone travelling to Melbourne. With prices starting from just $77pp (including drinks), this one really can't be missed!

Sky Dive Cairns with Sharni

SKYDIVE CAIRNS

We sell two options from Cairns and guests can choose to dive over Cairns or Mission Beach about 1hr south, to land on the beach. I did the 14000ft Skydive in Cairns which we sell at $299 in the system, and loved every moment of it. This was my 3^rd skydive and the flight was probably the most beautiful and scenic I have experienced. 

                       

As we flew up my instructor was passionately pointing out the sights and having me look here and there, at the rainforest and the reef.  You couldn’t ask for a more breathtaking place to jump out of a plane, or a better view for a 60second freefall!! 

Pro Dive, Cairns with Sharni

PRO DIVE CAIRNS 

The 3 guys I went up to see were doing a PADI learn to dive course with PRO DIVE CAIRNS and I went out to join them for one day. Scuba diving is AMAZING. The Reef is AMAZING. No one should go to Cairns or anywhere in TNQ without doing a Reef trip. EVER.

There are about 100 different companies to choose from but if you have people looking at getting their certified diving qualifications then I can confidently recommend Pro Dive, they are fantastic! You get the chance to sleep out on the reef too :) If you have people who are just looking at a day trip then we have LOTS of options to choose from.. Whether they want to scuba or snorkel or sit in a glass bottom boat, they need to experience the beauty and magic of the reef!!!! Ask us which one we think is best for your clients…

Gilligans Backpacker, Cairns with Sharni

Cairns, a backpackers Paradise..

I (Sharni!) have just come back from a quick 3 days break in Cairns and had an AMAZING time!!! I have a group of friends who I used to live with in Ireland who are backpacking around Australia so I met them up there for a few days. 

Although normally I’m a bit of a hotel snob I decided to join them at Gilligans and can honestly say I loved it. The deluxe dorm rooms were everything you could ask for, with air-conditioning, a fridge and a balcony and comfy beds. I honestly couldn’t fault the place, especially for $12 per night ;)  The hostel itself is great too, with a tour desk, a kitchen, a gym, a fantastic lagoon style pool and a restaurant. Then there is the Bar/nightclub with its crazy drink specials and delightfully accented internationals, good times!!

I spent most of my time nursing my poor hungover self, BUT did manage to squeeze in a few awesome activities too ;)

My suggestion..

The best place to be in Cairns is at the southern end, near the lagoon and Casino. There are lots of restaurants to choose from and it’s an easy walk to everything you could ever need, including the Marina (so you can get on your boat and head to the reef ;)) Mantra Esplanade is a good 4* that super central and I really like…

Bay of Fires Lodge and Cradle Mountain Huts Walks

These are fully escorted and full board walking tours that leave from Launceston between the months of October and May. They are loaded in the system as MODS out of LST. 

Cradle Mtn Huts Walk

This is a 5 night/6 day walk that operates from Launceston daily during their peak times (based on booking numbers) and 2 – 3 times a week during their slightly slower periods.

This walk is the more challenging of the 2, covering 60 kms over the 5 days and the terrain itself is more varied and steep, but the pay off is the incredible views and the absolute wilderness experienced in this heritage listed National Park.

Their group sizes hit a maximum at 10 with 2 guides, there are private huts, 3 course dinners, and Tasmanian wines offered at the end of each day to relax while you take in your surroundings.

Picking up from Peppers Seaport, you travel to their orientation and checkin centre at Quamby estates then get bussed to Cradle Mountain for the start of your adventure. 

This is a truly unique experience and varied levels of fitness are catered for (with additional side trips off the tracks offered), but certainly something to prepare for. The maximum walking day is 12kms with and the terrain steep in some places, so get stair walking!

Bay of Fires Lodge Walk

This is the shorter and less strenuous option! 4 days/ 3 nights, 23kms and primarily flat! Sounds delightful doesn’t it? Throw in some stunning coastal views, beautiful lodge style accommodation (shared facilities), and you have yourself a gorgeous walking holiday.