Trip Dossier Specialist in nature tours since Day Lord Howe Island Tour with Ian Hutton

Transcription

1 Trip ossier Specialist in nature tours since ay Tour with Ian Hutton Accommodated Small Group Tour - Max 16 passengers Lord Howe Island 2-9 November 2019 Itinerary Highlights: Led by s resident expert and naturalist, Ian Hutton Walk to Malabar Hill for spectacular views and wildlife Reef walk at Neds Beach Walk to Transit Hill for panoramic views of the Island Glass bottom boat cruise for a close look at the coral and other marine life Boat cruises around the island and Balls Pyramid - haven for sea birds Boat Harbour visiting Masked Booby colony at Mutton Bird Point Boat Cruise to North Bay for swimming, snorkelling and beach combing Walk to Mt Eliza for Sooty Terns, Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Black Noddys nesting Optional walk to the top of Mount Gower

2 Ian Hutton, s resident expert, is a biologist, naturalist and photographer. He will show you this nature lover s paradise. He can show you in seven days what would take you weeks to discover on your own. is situated approximately 700 km north east of Sydney in the South Pacific Ocean. The island was inscribed on the World Heritage list in The listing was given for its natural heritage of universal value. The magnificent landscape is dominated by the twin peaks of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird, both of which tower above the central lowlands and the surrounding sea. This small island boasts tall rainforests, thronging seabird colonies and coral reefs with abundant marine life. Humans have had minimal impact here. A number of walks will allow us access to all of the island s land-based highlights. The seas around the island offer a great mix of tropical and temperate marine life. We ll spend time exploring these wonders with reef walks, beach combing, snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat cruise. Each day we will visit different parts of the island, learning about history, flora, fauna, marine life and geology. The walks range from easy to strenuous (the Mt. Gower walk is optional). There will be ample time and flexibility for individual and group interests to be enjoyed. Evening talks and slide shows will add to your experience, and reference books on the history and natural history of the island (mostly written by Ian Hutton) will be available for your use during the tour. Join Ian to discover this natural paradise for yourself.

3 Itinerary ay 1, Arrive Upon arrival at, we ll transfer to Somerset and check in to our accommodation. This afternoon we ll spend time walking around the settlement, learning about the local history. ay 2, This morning we set out on a morning walk to Malabar Hill (210m) for spectacular views, plant life and nesting sea birds. We ll spend the afternoon reef walking at Neds Beach. We ll learn about the interesting geology, fossils and marine life while exploring the rock platforms at low tide. Black-winged Petrels will have recently returned to the island. A highlight is watching their courting displays, as they circle around the rock faces. ay 3, Today we ll take a morning walk to Transit Hill for panoramic views of the island and an introduction to the bird and plant life. After lunch we will take a two hour glass-bottom boat cruise, for a close up look at the hard and soft coral, as well as the exquisite marine life. Masks, snorkels and flippers will be supplied free of charge for those who want to get an even closer look. ay 4, A visit to Balls Pyramid a spectacular volcanic spire rising 557m above the ocean is today s goal. This is a haven for sea birds and is the only breeding location in Australia for the Kermadec Petrel. On our return, our boat will circumnavigate, calling in to the Admiralty Islands and many small bays. This evening we will have dinner at Neds Beach where we will witness Shearwaters rafting up off shore before heading to the island where they nest overnight. Accom : Somerset ay 5 Today we undertake a full day walk to Boat Harbour, visiting the Masked Booby colony at Mutton Bird Point. We ll have lunch at sheltered Boat Harbour, where we ll have a chance for a swim or some beach combing. We ll return to Somerset via Smoking Tree Ridge. Accom Somerset ay 6, This morning we ll enjoy a boat trip to North Bay, where we will spend the day. The area offers plenty to do including swimming, snorkelling and beach combing. We will take a walk to Mt Eliza to see Sooty Terns, Redtailed Tropicbirds and Black Noddys nesting. Our boat will return us to the settlement at the end of a great day. ay 7 Today we ll have the option to take an all day walk to the top of Mount Gower. This is a strenuous climb (875 m), but we will take it in easy stages. The ever-changing scenery and vegetation, culminating in the unique mist forest on the summit, makes the effort worthwhile. Those not wanting to do the walk will have the opportunity to explore other parts of the island. ay 8 epart Before departing the island, we ll spend time looking at the lowland forest at Stevens Reserve and visit the palm nursery and visitor s centre. We ll be transferred to airport to depart this afternoon. NOTE: the above itinerary may be varied according to conditions and advice.

4 Tour Information Naturalist Guide: Ian Hutton. Accommodation: Twin share units at Somerset Apartments. A single room supplement applies. Somerset Apartments are self contained units and do not provide room service. They are centrally located on the lowlands, just a short walk from Neds Beach and the village area. The units are spacious with individual balconies and bedrooms are separate from the living area. Meals: Evening meals will be at restaurants on the island and Neds Beach. Breakfast and lunch are to be purchased at the passengers own expense, with lunch stops being made during the day. Breakfast supplies can be purchased upon your arrival at the island. Thompson s Store stocks a range of bakery, takeaway food, groceries and news agency products. The local bakery also provides a range of fresh breads, rolls, pies, pastries and sweet treats that are baked daily (apart from Saturdays). Trek Grading: The walks range from easy to strenuous (the Mt. Gower walk (strenuous) is optional). The majority of the walks would be classified as medium grade bushwalking. There will be hill walks on most days. All walks are optional and can be conducted at your own pace. Some rock scrambling is required on a few of the walks. Birdlife: is Australia s premier bird watching destination, with 14 bird species breeding here in the hundreds of thousands. Rare Flora: The majority of is covered in thick forests of the native Kentia palms and other endemic species. The range of altitude on this tiny volcanic outcrop - rising from sea level almost vertically to 875 metres has resulted in the evolution of a spectacular diversity of unusual plant life. From the beautiful wedding lily to the red mountain rose, there are over 100 species found nowhere else. Weather: Usually fine and mild. Average daytime temperatures range from 23 to 28 degrees Celsius. Clothing: A suggested list of items to bring on tour will be included with your pre-departure information. This will be sent to you approximately one month before departure. Comfortable, casual clothing is recommended. Light shirts and T-shirts and light trousers and shorts are most appropriate. on t forget your bathers. Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes are essential.

5 Tour Costs Cost: $3, Per Person Twin Share $ Single Supplement Starts: 2 November 2019 Ends: 9 November 2019 Tour Payments eposit: At time of booking $ per person Final Payment: On or before 2 October 2019 Note: The final payment is non refundable if canceled within 30 days of the departure date. Travel Insurance covering all payments is available and is strongly recommended. Special Offers Early Bird Bookings Save $ per person if booked and deposited by 15 January 2019 Group Booking Save 7.5% per person for a group of 4 or more Book Multiple Tours Save 5% per person on the second and subsequent tours if more that one tour is booked in the same year. Applies to the cheaper tours. Please note: iscounts cannot be combined; iscounts are only available on bookings made directly with Coates. Included Ian Hutton, Naturalist leader; Transfers to and from the airport to Somerset ApartmentsMeals as per itinerary; Twin share accommodation with private facilities; Meals as per itinerary All national park entrance fees. Boat cruises as per the itinerary Not Included Alcoholic & carbonated drinks; Airfares to and from ; Pre and post tour accommodation; Breakfast and lunches; rinks at restaurants; Bicycle and snorkeling equipment (can be hired); Travel insurance (strongly recommended); All other private expenses

6 To make a booking or further information please contact Tom or Sylvia Grove at Coates Wildlife Tours P.O. Box 4502 Myaree BC, Myaree, WA 6960 Phone: Free Call Country & Interstate: coates@iinet.net.au Web:

7 Terms and Conditions Adina Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN ) as trustee for the Grove Family Trust trading as Coates Wildlife Tours (hereinafter referred to as the tour operator) shall not be liable for any accident injury sickness delay irregularity or damage however caused or arising during any tour under its management or otherwise. Tours are often safari trips to isolated areas, they may include off road driving, bushwalking, snorkelling, swimming and other activities. These along with wildlife interactions, planned or otherwise involve a certain degree of risk. All travel involves some measure of personal risk that each passenger has to determine and accept. Tour participants should be in reasonable health and fitness and be carrying all required medications in ample quantities. A medical clearance from a registered medical practitioner may be required for participants wishing to join some tours. Scenic flights, boat cruises, helicopter flights etc. These activities are not operated by the tour operator, nor by persons or companies associated with the tour operator. These activities involve inherent risk of injury, death, accident and loss. Passengers assume all risks with regard to any misadventure death, injury or loss which occurs during or as a result of any such activity. Should the tour operator deem it desirable for climatic or other reasons whatsoever to amend or vary any itinerary it may do so by shortening or varying the trip in which case no objection or claim for compensation will be made by the participant. The tour operator and its employees are unable to guarantee exact arrival and departure times, and are not liable for any failure to make connections with any other services. The tour operator does not own or operate any third party suppliers of air transportation, hotels, restaurants, cruise craft or local sightseeing companies. The tour operator is not responsible for any loss or expense due to overbooking of flights, accommodations, default of any third parties or any other cause beyond its control. The tour operator takes all reasonable care in selecting these operators, it cannot accept responsibility for the operators conduct or the conduct of their employees or agents or for any ramifications of that conduct. Whilst all care is taken, The tour operator do not accept liability for loss or damage to baggage, sickness or injury, or additional expenses caused by factors beyond their control. All care has been taken to ensure this brochure is correct at the time of printing. Prices and services as shown in this brochure are however subject to change or withdrawal without notice. BOOKING ETAILS EPOSIT: See the relevant trip dossiers for the amount required. FINAL PAYMENT: In most cases, final payment is required at least 30 days prior to departure. However some tours may requirement payment up to 4 months prior to departure. Please refer to the tour s trip dossier for exact details. CANCELLATIONS Coates Wildlife Tours reserves the right to cancel any tour in the event of minimum numbers not being reached, in which case all moneys will be refunded in full. In respect of cancellations by a passenger, some tours have specified cancellation times and penalties, this specific information is available on the respective tours, trip dossier. Where no specific cancellation time or penalties are in place the following levies plus any costs charged by other parties involved with the tour will apply:- Where written notice is received 61 days or more prior to departure; $ days prior to departure; $ days or less prior to departure 100% No refunds are considered from the day the tour starts. INSURANCE We strongly recommend that travel insurance against imposition of cancellation fees, loss or damage to baggage and extra costs arising from injury or illness be effected. GENERAL INFORMATION EQUIPMENT:- Transport by an air-conditioned custom built 4W tour coach or mini bus which ever is appropriate for the tour. Camping equipment suitable for each tour (except Sleeping bags and pillows) is provided. A second vehicle may accompany the group on tours to remote areas. In the case of breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances effecting the vehicle or guide, the operator reserves the right to substitute vehicles and guides other than those specified, to ensure the operation of a tour. GENERAL INFORMATION CONT. SEAT ALLOCATION:- Seats on tour vehicle are not pre allocated. To ensure all participants get to enjoy forward positioned and window seats we have incorporated a daily seat rotation system. LUGGAGE:- Please note that due to health and safety requirements luggage on tour is limited to one medium sized, soft sided bag per person. The sum of its length, width and height is not to exceed 140 cm. The maximum weight of the bag should not to exceed 15 kilograms. A small day pack is also permitted. International tours, some island tours and the Kimberley Coastal Cruises luggage limits may vary, please see the respective tours trip dossier for specific weight maximums. WILLIFE:- Sighting of birds, or animals mentioned in the itineraries can not be guaranteed as they are wild and therefore free to come and go as they please. WILFLOWER ISPLAYS:- Can not be guaranteed as they are dependent on seasonal rains. MEAL SYMBOLS:- B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, = inner GROUP SIZES Minimum and maximum numbers apply to all tours. Generally tours have a maximum of 12 passengers. A camp cook and a naturalist leader will accompany camping groups with more than 6 passengers.