2018 Australian Association of Special Education National Conference

Great Adventures

Great Barrier Reef Adventure

The beauty of the Great Barrier Reef is yours to experience when you cruise from Cairns to our luxury 3 level pontoon on the Outer Reef. Escape into a world of surprises to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Outer Great Barrier Reef. From the comfort of the stable reef activity platform, this is the perfect base for swimmers and non-swimmers to explore. Snorkel and dive, visit the underwater observatory and cruise in a semi-sub, or just relax on the sundeck with a delicious buffet lunch.

The pontoon features undercover seating and tables, a sundeck, full bar facilities, swimming enclosure for children, change rooms with fresh water showers, and scuba diving facilities with a semi-submerged dive platform.

Further Details:

• Return luxury air-conditioned fast catamaran to Outer Reef
• Morning and afternoon tea & coffee
• Hot & cold buffet lunch
• Coral viewing from semi-submersible vessel
• Snorkelling equipment
• Use of buoyancy vests
• Underwater observatory
• Reef education presentation

Silverswift

*Outer Reef Cruise

Departing daily from Cairns... Silverswift is ready to whisk you away for a day of fun and adventure on the Great Barrier Reef. This is an active day all about being in the water for your snorkel adventure of a lifetime!

You'll explore spectacular coral formations and underwater gardens awash with vibrantly coloured marine creatures as you visit three different outer reef sites at Flynn, Pellowe, Milln and/or Thetford Reefs. Locations vary with the day's conditions however each site is chosen for visual impact, ecological diversity and the challenge of discovery!

Onboard, our friendly crew will encourage you to relax and enjoy Silverswift's comforts and in between water activities there's a delicious lunch for hungry adventurers. The spacious deck areas are great to bask in some sunshine or share a refreshing drink from the licensed bar and tales of your adventures.

Further Details:

• Scrumptious morning tea including focaccias and muffin cakes on boarding
• Afternoon tea cakes ~ cheese ~ biscuits
• Hot and cold tropical buffet lunch
• Reef Interpretation
• Snorkelling equipment (mask ~ snorkel ~ fins)
• Guided Snorkel Tour
• Snorkel brief at each site
• Qualified lifeguard supervision
• Hot freshwater showers
• Prescription masks available at no additional cost
• Lycra suits included

Ocean Spirit Cruises

*Michaelmas Cay Day Cruise

Set sail aboard the beautiful 32 metre sailing catamaran, Ocean Spirit, to experience Michaelmas Cay's unique reef environment - a pristine sand cay surrounded by fringing reef and a protected sanctuary for migratory seabirds. Your cruise will combine motor and sailing, depending on the day's conditions.

Be active and enjoy all the included activities - snorkel in the cay's protected shallow waters, cruise in the semi-sub for a diver's view of the reef, watch the fish feeding presentation and observe the island bird life. Throughout the day, the "beach buggy shuttle" will transfer you between Ocean Spirit and the beach. To protect this renowned bird sanctuary, access on the cay is limited to the roped beach area. If you prefer a more leisurely day on the Great Barrier Reef, relax on the beach or on board Ocean Spirit's spacious decks. The choice is yours!

Further Details:

• Return cruise to the Barrier Reef on luxury sailing vessel
• Morning & Afternoon Tea refreshments
• Superb hot & cold buffet with Seafood freshly prepared on board
• Snorkelling demonstrations & tuition
• Free use of all snorkelling equipment
• Free use of flotation vests
• Informative ecological presentations by qualified Marine Biologists
• Informative tours on our air-conditioned semi-submersible
• Guided nature tours of the island & bird sanctuary

Extras:

An additional $7.00 per person Environmental Management Charge is payable at the time of check in.

Value Day Tours

Kuranda, Skyrail & Train (VSQ1)

Our driver will meet you at your accommodation and check you in for your tour using our Kuranda Boarding Pass. The pass includes a detailed itinerary, pre-allocated preferential Kuranda Scenic Rail seating, map of Kuranda and discounted entry into selected attractions.

Transfer to Smithfield to board Skyrail Rainforest Cableway for your journey to Kuranda. Be amazed as you glide silently over and through the rainforest. There are two stations en route where you can alight and enjoy a walk through the rainforest; visit the Rainforest Discovery Zone at Red Peak Station, and take in the amazing views of Barron Falls from The Edge Lookout.

Upon arrival in Kuranda, free time is allowed to do your own exploring in the village and markets - why not take advantage of the exclusive Kuranda discounts on your Kuranda Boarding Pass!

At the scheduled time, board the Kuranda Scenic Rail - your seats are pre-allocated. Your journey winds through 15 tunnels, across bridges and around curves to Freshwater Station where you will be transferred back to your accommodation.

*You have a choice of Skyrail & Train times. See booking options for times available.

Further Details:

• Return hotel transfers from Cairns & Cairns Beaches
• Kuranda Boarding Pass
• Express check-in at Skyrail Rainforest Cableway
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (one way)
• Free time in Kuranda
• Kuranda Scenic Rail (one way)

Value Day Tours

Kuranda Rail, Skyrail & Hartleys Crocodile Adventure

Start your day journeying to Kuranda via the historic Kuranda Scenic Rail where you have limited time to explore the village. Board Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to glide over and through the rainforest. Meet our driver for your scenic transfer to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures - the best place to see crocodiles & wildlife in Tropical North Queensland.

Board the famous train for an amazing journey, as you travel one of the world's most scenic rail routes, through handhewn tunnels and over bridges spanning spectacular gorges.

Upon arrival in Kuranda, limited free time is allowed to do your own exploring - why not take advantage of the exclusive Kuranda discounts on your Kuranda Boarding Pass!

Board Skyrail, an experience which takes you over & through the rainforest canopy with stops along the way to explore. On arrival at Smithfield Terminal, board the coach for your transfer to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

Hartley’s is the best place to see crocodiles in Tropical North Queensland! Highlights of the Park include the Wetlands Cruise, Crocodile Attack Show and Snake Show.

Further Details:

• Return hotel transfers to Cairns and Cairns Beaches
• Kuranda Boarding Pass
• Kuranda Scenic Rail (one way)
• Limited free time in Kuranda
• Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (one way)
• Coach transfer & entry to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
• Snake show at 2pm
• Wetslands Cruise at 2.30pm
• Croc Attack Show at 3pm
• Cassowary Feeding at 4.15pm
• Koala Feeding at 4.30pm

Spirit of Cairns

Buffet Dinner & Harbour Cruise (Sat-Wed)

A Cairns Dinner Cruise is the perfect way to end a perfect day in paradise. Set sail aboard our newly refurbished 26-metre catamaran on the calm waters of Trinity Inlet, for an evening of dining, entertainment, and panoramic mountain and city views.

The ultimate in waterfront dining, your cruise includes a gourmet buffet style dinner, complimentary beverage on arrival, live entertainment, and (optional) dancing after dinner. A selection of beverages and cocktails are available for purchase from our fully licensed bar.

Further Details:

• 2.5 hour calm water sunset / evening cruise
• Luxurious air-conditioned vessel with large outdoor decks
• Complimentary glass of sparkling wine beer or soft drink on arrival
• Delicious hot and cold buffet featuring fresh seafood and local produce
• Live entertainment

Hot Air Cairns

Cairns Hot Air Balloon Flight

Our region is the most popular place in Australia for hot air balloon rides. Hot Air's specially chosen location at Mareeba provides ideal weather and climate conditions for this gentle activity. Our beautiful region offers unrivaled panoramic views of our unique Australian landscape.

Your morning starts with a spectacular balloon inflation display. With so many colourful balloons in Hot Air's balloon fleet, it's just like a balloon fiesta! Then rise up and float over the scenic Atherton Tablelands with its rainforest fringed mountains and tranquil country landscapes. Breathe in the wide-open spaces and enjoy the picturesque vistas at sunrise with 40 minutes flying time. What a great way to start off your morning!

We will return you to your accommodation, or other places around town. Just let us know where you would like to go.

*Ballooning is not suitable for infants. Minimum age is 3 years. Proof of age will be required children under 5 years.

Further Details:

• Free Hotel Pickup
• Spectacular Hot Air balloon scenic flight over the Atherton Tablelands
• Expert interpretive commentary
• Cross Country Balloon Chase
• Return Hotel transfer

Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome

ZOOM (with Wildlife Entry)

The Cairns Wildlife Dome is a spectacular all-weather wildlife exhibit, encased by a 20-metre high glass dome on the rooftop of the prominent Reef Hotel Casino, right in the heart of Cairns. Visitors are immersed in a rainforest environment whilst parrots, cockatoos, lorikeets, and other birds native to the Wet Tropics region fly freely around, with the opportunity to observe free-roaming rainforest wallabies and bettongs, and curlews, frogmouths, kookaburras, frogs, turtles, pythons, crocodiles and lizards. The Wildlife Dome is an immersion exhibit, which means the birds and most of the animals can roam free within the confines of the large aviary enclosure. This allows more interaction between humans and the environment.

Complimentary guided tours and animal presentations take place throughout the day, providing an interactive learning experience about rainforest wildlife and superb photo opportunities.

The Cairns ZOOM takes this to a higher level (pun intended) by having visitors experience a challenge Ropes Course at different heights within the Dome so that birds and tourists can interact, appreciate and be educated about our native fauna while having an exhilarating experience. Cairns ZOOM includes a number of different elements which challenge participants personally, physically and mentally. Challenge ropes courses encourage creative problem solving - thinking "outside the square"; teamwork and co-operation and also challenge the individual to push their own boundaries and comfort level. Ropes courses can create a great sense of achievement in the participant when they complete the course and is therefore a positive and fun experience.

At Cairns ZOOM, enjoy YOUR favourite activities. Each Activity ticket is valid for any of the Activities at the Cairns ZOOM, so you can choose to do any combination of activities, or repeat the same activity multiple times. It's completely up to you, and you don't have to decide which activities beforehand, simply buy as many Activity tickets as YOU want to, and use them however YOU want.

Hi-ZOOM
At a greater level of difficulty, consisting of more complex crossings and ziplines for the more adventurous, featuring three ziplines - on of which where you dangle over Goliath the Croc.

Mid-ZOOM
An easier level of difficulty, suitable for initial training and young people.

Dome Climb Adventure
An easy level of difficulty - walk along internal walkways with a unique birds-eye view of inside the Dome, and then, whilst still attached to the Saferoller belay system, along the external 60cm wide platform, with spectacular view of the city and surrounding land and seascapes.

Power Jump Extreme Adventure
This exhilarating component is a free fall adventure, where you jump off a 13m high tower attached by rope to make a rapid descent, with a fan device ensuring a gentle and smooth landing.

Open Daily 9:00am to 6:15pm (Closed Christmas Day)
*Height & Weight Restrictions: Must be over 120cm (3'9) tall & 140cm (4'6) tall for the Power Jump and less than 120kg
Minimum age 6 years

Further Details:

• Wildlife Entry
• Guided Tours & Animal Presentations (at scheduled times)
• ZOOM activity

Foaming Fury

*Barron River Rafting - Afternoon

The beautiful Barron Gorge National Park is only 20 minutes from the centre of Cairns (40 minutes from Port Douglas). It is known for its rugged rainforest mountains, steep ravines, the mighty Barron Falls and of course, Barron Gorge, which has been carved out over thousands of years by the Barron River.

This is where we do our half day white water rafting tour, on the ebb and flow of the Barron River, as it snakes its way down from the mountains and heads out to the Coral Sea. This is a scenic rafting / rainforest adventure which combines calm water floating with a series of white water rapids for adventure and action. The Barron River Half Day Tour is a fantastic introduction to White Water Rafting with no experience necessary. Enjoy up to two hours rafting, on up to grade three rapids. Let our guides entertain you on this spectacular river, offering guaranteed water levels year round!

Minimum age is 12 years.

Further Details:

• Return coach transfers from your hotel
• A fun filled two (2) hours of rafting grade three (3) rapids
• All Tuition (and safety equipment)
• Rafts carry up to seven (7) passengers plus your experienced river guide
• No experience necessary

Extras:

An additional $30 per person compulsory rafting levy is payable on day of travel.

Foaming Fury

River Tubing - Morning

Come play in natures theme park with this Half Day River Tubing adventure on the Mulgrave River. This fun and exciting tour is a safe water activity, which includes calm water drifting, small rapids and some beautiful scenery.

The Mulgrave River is part of the catchment system for Queensland’s highest mountains, Bellenden Ker and Bartle Frere, which is also Australia’s highest rainfall area. This freshwater river flows year round and is bordered by rainforest and tropical vegetation, creating a lovely natural backdrop for your river tubing tour.

Suitable for people of all experience levels, you’ll float on professional, high quality, twin chamber tubes down the river and across small, fun rapids. This tour is a great introduction to river tubing. It’s a hands on adventure and safe water activity, with beautiful scenery and surrounds. A great way to get out and explore natures theme park in Tropical North Queensland.

The Half Day River Tubing Tours are safe, fun and suitable for all the family. The minimum age to participate is 5 years.

Further Details:

• Return transfers (from Cairns and Northern Beaches)
• Two (2) hours River Tubing (small & fun rapids)
• All Tuition & safety equipment
• River Guides (professional & certified)
• Mulgrave River (calm freshwater river)
• Snack (fresh & tasty)

Extras:

An additional $15 per person or $60 per family (2ad/2ch) levy is payable on the day of travel.