Excursions & Social Events Programme Thursday, 28th, Kulturfabrik Hainburg Discover the Donau-Auen National Park and the Region surrounding Valuable wetlands stretch along the Danube from Vienna to Bratislava. This swath of precious land has been protected as a National Park since 1996. What makes the Donau- Auen National Park so unique? It's the richness and diversity of the natural habitats which are created and sustained by the constant rise and fall of the waters of the free-flowing Danube. The Danube wetlands boast a huge variety of flora and fauna. Sustaining and promoting the expansion of these diverse species is one essential mission of the National Park. Presentation of the Austrian National Parks and Donau-Auen National Park: information stands, roll ups, short movies, photo-box, where you can make your own photo with the Austrian National Parks in the back ground 6.00 6.30 p.m. Lecture about the Donau-Auen National Park by Director Carl Manzano: Habitats, animal and plant species, management and challenges of a river National Park between the twin cities of Vienna and Bratislava. 7.00 p.m. Welcome reception at the Kulturfabrik Get-together and enjoy the regional buffet and music! Live music by d`strohtroga, a local band from the National Park region and buffet with regional specialities, like venison, strawberries and vegetables from the Marchfeld region.
Morning walks, May 29 th 31 st Morning excursions in the Donau-Auen National Park: guided walking tours by National Park Rangers on different routes along the Danube and around Hainburg We will offer three different tours every day. Tour Overview: Beginning: 7.30 am, meeting point: Kulturfabrik, Donaulände. Duration: approx. 1 hour 1. Trail to the ruin of Rötelstein Only a few metres from the Kulturfabrik, the trail passes one of the most important points along the entire Danube River: through two tunnels carved out of the cliffs, the trail leads along the steep slope of the Braunsberg. The trail veers away from the river banks and follows the Hainburg "Kastln", or tranquil waters. At the Rötelstein ruin you have an amazing view of the Danube. Before the descent back to the Danube, there are more stunning panoramic views of the wetlands and the city of Hainburg. 2. Trail to the Braunsberg The trail leads over karst-like cliffs to the Danube Circular Trail above. The narrow path meanders through compact areas of dry grassland. Magnificent 360-degree views reward walkers after reaching the wide peak of the Braunsberg. After leaving the Braunsberg plateau in an easterly direction, the trail leads back down to the Danube. 3. Trail to the Schlossberg The trail leads along the Danube, passes through the medieval city of Hainburg. Then you walk uphill along dry grasslands to reach the Schlossberg, a medieval castle ruin. The castle complex consists of surrounding walls, the castle gate, the inner ward, a chapel, the palace and the tower. There you have a view of the city of Hainburg and the Danube.
Saturday, May 30 th : Excursions in the Donau-Auen National Park and the Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park On top of the usual morning walks, participants will have the opportunity to explore both the Donau-Auen National Park and the Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park. All tours are guided by specially trained National Park Rangers. Their aim is to explain the ecology of the ecosystems, give information about the species observed and about the management that is done by the National Park. Tour Overview: Beginning: 1.00 pm, meeting point: Kulturfabrik, Kulturplatz, transfer by bus, packed lunch Duration: 3 4 hours Equipment & Gear for all excursions: We highly recommend that you wear sturdy shoes, head covering, weatherproofed and/or rain gear and that you always carry mosquito repellent, sun screen and something to drink. In order to organize all tours, a registration system will be available on May 1 st, 2015. Save the date in your calendar and don t forget to visit: http://tiny.cc/littlesydney_excursions to register for excursions. Excursions at the Donau-Auen National Park Participants will have 2 programmes to choose from: a tour of the National Park Visitor Centre or a boat trip 1. Visit of schlossorth National Park Centre and Schlossinsel The four "DonAUräume" convey the essence and history of the Donau-Auen National Park in different ways. Learn how a wetlands habitat is formed in a "theatrical" way, and take a multimedia journey through time. Both a bird's-eye view of the Danube wetlands and the "Danube Mermaids" help make the story of the National Park come alive. Guided by our National Park rangers, the tour continues visiting the Schlossinsel wetlands gardens surrounding Schloss Orth - a great way to experience the Danube wetlands. Get an up-close look at the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) or glimpse one of the three colubrids, a native snake which excels at the art of camouflage. And at the heart of the Schlossinsel is the underwater observatory, the only one of its kind in all of Austria. It allows visitors a unique view into life in a Danube backwater, with all its inhabitants - it's like diving underwater yourself. Watch the pearl-like bubbles produced by aquatic plants as they "breathe" underwater. Participants: 50 persons maximum
2. Rubber Dinghy Tour from Stopfenreuth to Hainburg After brief introductions, the National Park rangers will direct you to take up your paddles. Then you set off in dinghies and paddle across the calm waters of an idyllic Danube side arm in Stopfenreuth. Stopfenreuth is known as the birthplace of the National Park. It was here, in 1984, where protesters were able to put a stop to plans of a Danube power plant at Hainburg by occupying the wetlands. When water levels are as they should be, the waters are very clear. Fish can be observed swimming among the lush aquatic plants and floating lilies. Things get really exciting when the boats enter the free-flowing reaches of the Danube and are carried along down the river by the strong current. Learn interesting facts along the way about National Park renaturalisation projects aimed at restoring the Danube and river banks. At the mouth of the March River, with a view of the Devin ruins in Slovakia, the focus of guidance shifts to the difference of mountain rivers (the Danube) and lowland rivers (the March). The boat journey continues on to the so-called "Thebener Überfuhr". Participants: 100 persons (10 persons per boat) maximum
Excursion to the Neusiedlersee Seewinkel National Park Participants have another 3 programmes to choose from: a boat trip, a biking tour or a hiking tour. 3. Neusiedlersee lake tour by Solar Boat Right at the Austrian-Hungarian Boarder you can find one Europe s largest endorheic lake, the Neusiedlersee. The shallow steppe-lake has an average depth for only 1.5 meters. Its surrounding reedbelt is habitat to many bird species. On this tour you get to know more about the ecology of the lake and its animals. You will be on board of the solar-catamaran run by the Neusiedler See National Park. 4. Bike tour to the Zicklacke of Illmitz The Zicklacke near Illmitz is one of about 30 soda-lakes in the Seewinkel-region. Its shallow waters hold large numbers of bird species, some are breeding others are on migration. In the vicinity of the lake we find reedbeds and pastureland which is managed by the National Park to provide habitat for biodiversity matters. We are on our way with bicycles; the trip will be about 8 km. 5. Bike tour to the Sandeck Our bicycle trip starts at the Information Centre of the National Park and leads us through the village of Illmitz to Sandeck where White Donkeys and Hungarian Grey Cattles are grazing. From a former border-tower we get a good view of the reedbeds of Lake Neusiedl. On the way we pass pastures and partly flooded meadows. 6. Bike tour to the Hungarian grey cattle paddock Our bicycle trip starts at the Information Centre of the National Park and leads us through the village of Illmitz to the largest pasturing-project in the National Park. Hungarian Grey Cattles are grazing a fenced area of more than 600 ha. A birdwatch-tower provides a good view over pastures partly flooded by the waters of Lake Neusiedl with the reedbeds of the lake in the background.
7. Hiking tour to the Lange Lacke Lange Lacke near Apetlon is one of about 30 soda-lakes in the Seewinkel-region. Its shallow waters hold large numbers of bird species, some are breeding others are on migration. In the vicinity of the lake we find reedbeds and pastureland which is managed by the National Park to provide habitat for biodiversity matters. Participants: 40 persons maximum 8. Hiking tour to the Hölle The bus takes us to the area called Hölle where almost all of the different habitats of the National Park lie close at hand. Soadlakes, pastures, meadows, sand-habitats and Lake Neusiedl with its reedbelt can be seen from one vantage-point. Participants: 40 persons maximum Dinner at Schloss Eckartsau Evening Programme Originally used as a medieval fortress, Schloss Eckartsau was modified and turned into a baroque castle in the 18 th century. The Habsburg family used it as a summer residence. As Schloss Eckartsau served as a hunting lodge for the Austrian monarchs, it combines the magnificence of imperial baroque beauty and classy hunting decoration such as the precious hunting rifles of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. You have the possibility to join the Schlossfest (Castle Festival): For one day the gardens are turned into a big stage. Along the alleys, you find easels which offer you a completely unexpected and new view to the park. Just take a walk through the beautiful gardens of the castle accompanied by the sound of Jazz music and wait to be surprised. Regional organic specialties will be served for dinner at Schloss Eckartsau. Transportation will be provided to all participants, leaving at 7.00 pm.
Sunday, May 31 st Farewell Party Before leaving Hainburg, you have the possibility to get to know the town where you have been! Guided Tour through the medieval town of Hainburg Its huge walls of massive stone and fifteen towers made Hainburg one of the most fortified Austrian cities in the medieval. Especially the 20 meters high Wienertor, the former main entrance to the city, stands out impressively. Within the city s walls picturesque narrow streets and buildings of different architectural styles give distinction to Hainburg s townscape. Enjoy an unforgettable trip back to the medieval on your tour through this unique city at the eastern end of the Donau-Auen National Park. As this tour poses the end of your stay at the Donau-Auen National-Park, there will be a farewell party for you, including a delicious buffet lunch featuring regional specialities like the Heuriger.