Maria Island Archives - Australia 2000 Travel

February 2, 2018

Thank you from Dawn and Phil Minch

Thank you, Australia 2000. Our trip and wedding that was orchestrated by your team was everything we could have dreamed and more. From the moment we landed in Sydney, every detail of our travel was exquisite. The escort company that Australia 2000 selected, met us at the airport, took us on our tour of Sydney and transported us to airports were professional, friendly and informative. The owner, Karen, made sure that our accommodations were top notch. Radisson Blue was within walking distance of the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Gardens, the Rocks and so much more in Sydney. She extended our trip in Australia to include Tasmania, where we stayed at a transformed cannery, The Henry Jones, located on the bay. The d?cor was old world charm with contemporary room accommodations. It was one of the many highlights of our visit to Australia.

Karen knew that we have a passion for wine and opera and incorporated this into our vacation. She arranged a backstage tour of the Sydney Opera House and tickets to an outdoor stage performance of ?Turandot?. The evening included dinner at the Platinum Club, a moving performance and fireworks during the opera. They were many more delightful experiences in Sydney but I must move on to Tasmania and share that portion of our trip also. This is where Karen and Australia 2000 fused our love of wine and our wedding during our trip.

My husband and I had a fleeting thought of the possibility of eloping during our trip to Australia and shared this with Karen. From that thought a beautiful wedding was created and performed at a winery in Tasmania, Frogmore Creek, by a celebrant that was handpicked from many interviewed, Bridget. This was all done by the expert minds at Australia 2000. The vineyard wedding was followed a 14-course luncheon at the winery.

The next day we departed for our memorable rustic honeymoon on Maria Island, a beautiful National Park, for 4 days and 3 nights. I must explain that Maria Island has been reborn as a well-maintained haven for hikers and campers. Accessible only by boat, my husband and I comfortably experienced the wilds of Australia as we were chaperoned by guides that cooked, nursed and shared their knowledge of the island while we trekked.? If you have ever heard the term or dreamed of ?glamping? you must experience this part of our trip.? Everything was 5-star from the guides, meals, rugged huts and evenings with candelabras and wine. ??By the way, we did ?see the southern cross for the first time? while on the island!? The boat picked us up after our last breakfast on Maria and whisked us off to the Hobart airport for a quick flight back to Sydney.

We had one more night at the Radisson Blue and spent the evening relaxing and discussing how soon we could come back. ?We were saddened when our driver arrived at the hotel in the morning to take us to the airport and send us home. I will finish with, ?of all trips we?ve ever taken, this trip of two weeks in Australia is the only one that we still remember every single moment?. I could not include them all in this letter.

Thank you, Karen and Australia 2000 team, for all the efforts that went into the arrangements and ensuring that every detail of our trip was 5-star plus.

April 14, 2014

Thank you from Sandy

Good day Karen,

It was lovely meeting with you and sharing our adventures ‘down under’.? My brilliant stories are the result of experiencing a brilliant trip.

Walking Maria Island was a highlight in our trip, only outdone, by our experience on the “Tongariro Crossing”.

Tongariro to you.

Sandy

February 11, 2013

Thank you from Dave & Nona Church

Hi Karen,

We wanted to send you a note to bring you up to date on the progress of our trip. We arrived in Hobart this morning (Sat., Feb. 9) and had the good fortune of this being the town’s Market Day with lots of activities in the town center. It is also the occasion of the World Wooden Ship Festival in Hobart Harbor (3 days every two years).

We received your wonderful fruit basket upon our arrival in Sydney after our cruises to New Zealand and New Caledonia Islands. We have enjoyed some of the fruit each day. Your thoughtfulness is most appreciated.?? (Our tour guide) Suzanne was a most delightful, informative and personable guide on our tours of the environs of Sydney and the Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park north of Sydney. She sends you her greetings.

Each link of our trip has flowed perfectly, thanks to your planning and arrangements. An unexpected delight has been the friendliness and helpfulness of strangers asking if there is anything they can do to help us when we look confused or lost.

We really appreciate having the Grace Hotel as our center of operations in Sydney. This Hotel is first class in every way….great staff people, available laundry, wonderful breakfasts, luxurious atmosphere, walking distance to places of interest. We really enjoyed our tours of the Sydney Opera House yesterday morning and attending the Verdi opera last night.

We look forward to our 3 day walk on Maria Island beginning tomorrow, and the experiences waiting for us at Port Arthur and Adelaide. We are grateful for this adventure you have organized for us.

Best regards,

Dave & Nona Church

June 8, 2011

Australian Islands

ORPHEUS ISLAND

Orpheus Island is a true Great Barrier Reef island, located fifty miles north of Townsville, one hundred and twenty? miles south of Cairns and fifteen? miles offshore. ?It is fringed by sheltered bays and seven unspoiled sandy beaches, wreathed in spectacular coral gardens and invigorated with native flora and fauna. While snorkeling guests will view giant clams in their natural environment and? look for over a thousand species of tropical fish and more than three hundred varieties of reef coral in the underwater gardens surrounding the island.

The entire island, 3380 acres was declared a National Park in 1960.? ?Guests are likely to see echidnas and bandicoots, harmless brown and green tree snakes and green tree frogs in the rainforest, woodland and around the resort.? Many native birds can be found on the island including the orange-footed scrub fowl, brilliant yellow-bellied sunbirds, friar birds, boobook owls, sulfur crested cockatoos, ospreys, spangled drongo, brahminy kite, reef heron and rainbow lorikeets.

KANGAROO ISLAND

One of Australias true wilderness areas, Kangaroo Island is a place of rugged cliffs, roaring surf, pristine beaches, vivid blue ocean waters, dramatic caves, beautiful bush land, national parks and home to an abundance of wildlife.?Its natures paradise with unique flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.

To derive the greatest pleasure and value from any visit to KI we always suggest?exploring the island with one of our specialist guides who know just where to find the timid Aussie wildlife and where best to observe the?spectacular scenery along the South Coast.

LIZARD ISLAND

Situated right on the famed Great Barrier Reef, Lizard Island is an exclusive island; with 24 soft white beaches and fringed with coral reefs. Guests are limited to just 80 at any one time. This is an island where you can enjoy a wide choice of activities or simply take a break and luxuriate in the peace and solitude of the islands delightful natural environment.

LORD HOWE ISLAND

After flying over 370 miles of empty ocean from Sydney you will be in awe as you approach the breathtaking World Heritage listed Lord Howe Island, formed when a volcano erupted 6 million years ago. Snorkeling on the most southern coral reef in the world that teems with marine life of over 500 species of fish and 90 species of coral is a popular past time. World-class bush walks through the natural forests of spectacular Banyan trees and Kentia palm range from easy level-ground walks to challenging hikes to the peak of Mt Gower. In order to maintain the islands pristine environment and uniqueness the number of visitors is limited to 400 at any time.

MARIA ISLAND

Get off the beaten path on an award winning four day guided walk on historic Maria Island where peak hour traffic is a line of little blue penguins emerging from the sea.

During your four day hike you?ll see world-rated fossil cliffs and tread softly through a refuge of rare wildlife and plants.? You?ll trace the history from the era of convicts back to the ancient supercontinent of Gondwana.? The entire island is a national park, surrounded by pristine beaches and secluded coves.

Maria Island is a wildlife haven for mammals, birds and marine creatures and home to many rare and endangered species found nowhere else on earth.? The meeting of the warm and cold ocean currents surrounding the island provides a rich source of food for bait fish, seals and sea birds.?? The island lies on one of the great whale migration paths.? Maria Island has long been a prized destination for the keen birdwatcher with 11 of Tasmania?s 12 endemics and over 130 recorded species.? There are almost too many animals to take in.? Rare Tasmanian mammals that hop, climb trees, burrow underground or even lay eggs, seals and dolphins splashing happily in the sea are all to be found during your adventure on? Maria Island.

June 8, 2011

Australian Wildlife

KOALAS

Koala, Queensland ~ Photo Credit to Tourism Australia

Often referred to as koala ?bears? they are not bears at all but rather marsupials.? These cuddly, gentle creatures live in Eastern Australia rarely leaving their beloved eucalyptus trees.? When not nuzzled up in the crook of a gumtree sleeping for up to 18 hours a day, these adorable creatures get their nutrition and moisture from the two and a half pounds of gum leaves eaten each day.? Younger females give birth to one offspring per year while older females only reproduce every two or three years.? After giving birth, Joeys (baby koalas) while blind and furless, measuring only 2 inches long, make the extraordinary journey to the mother?s pouch.? From the safety of its mother?s pouch a Joey drinks milk for 6-7 months until it can tolerate the delicacy of koalas? favorite food, gum leaves.

KANGAROOS

When you think of Australia you may naturally think of our iconic kangaroo.? Belonging to the Macropus family that literally means ?big foot? these nocturnal, timid creatures make their homes in Eastern Australia. Possessing very powerful hind legs and large feet kangaroos can leap 30 feet in a single bound and run more than 30 miles per hour.? If threatened kangaroos pound their feet as a warning to predators. They use their tail as a means of balance giving them the ability to station themselves while boxing with their front legs and to raise up their hind legs delivering powerful thrusts.? While most people know that baby kangaroos (Joeys) are cradled safely in their mother?s pouch many don?t know that if the mother feels in danger she will throw her joey out of the pouch to provide a chance to for it to survive.? Did you know that kangaroo mothers produce two types of milk, one for a newborn and one for the baby as it grows?? Females also have the remarkable ability to shut down their reproductive system completely in times of drought.? When the joey is about 4 months old it will leave its mother?s pouch making short outings to graze on grass and shrubs.? Around 10 months the joey is mature enough to leave its mother?s pouch to head out into the world.? Kangaroos have few natural threats other than dingos (wild dogs) and humans.

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Thank you from Dawn and Phil Minch

Thank you from Sandy

Thank you from Dave & Nona Church