Port Douglas Tourism News

Management system implemented by the Great Barrier Reef Mari

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

ONE of the world's leading experts on coral reef conservation has described the Agincourt system off Port Douglas on the Great Barrier Reef as the best reef he has ever seen.

Dr Rod Salm, director of Transforming Coral Reef Conservation, visited Agincourt last week and said it had bounced back remarkably since his last visit nearly 40 years ago.

“As a conservation scientist, my focus is discovering aspects that demonstrate resilience to climate change and I found a great deal of evidence that the coral at Agincourt are in a very positive state,” Dr Salm said.

“In fact, the corals from the top of the reef down to a depth of five metres were as healthy and vibrant as I’ve seen anywhere with good colour, no disease and active growth.”

Dr Salm, who was in Port Douglas last week for a major meeting on coral reef conservation, said the last time he saw Agincourt it had been damaged by Crown of Thorns starfish.

“In 1973, I worked with a group studying the COTS phenomenon,” he said.

“My strong memories of Agincourt during that trip were a great deal of dead corals in the wake of the starfish plague.

“It is hard to say why the reef is so healthy based on a quick visit of the mass tourism kind, but two things were very clear.

“The water quality seemed very good and there were good quantities of herbivores, like parrotfishes and surgeon fishes, that were browsing and scraping away the bare rock surfaces, keeping down the algae (which compete with corals) and conditioning the substrate for coral settlement.”

Dr Salm said the management system implemented by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority was working well.

“The GBR is very well managed compared to most other places, but I do understand from informed colleagues that the inshore reefs are really suffering badly from agricultural run-off.,” he said.

“The Agincourt reef is a clear indication that ’no take’ or green zones work to protect reef fishes.

“We saw an impressive number of fishes, particularly those that are normally rare because they are fished out, like the red or bohar snapper, parrotfishes and groupers.”

Dr Salm said the Quicksilver pontoon was an impressive demonstration of mass tourism.

“I have seen mass tourism but none anywhere near the quantity at Agincourt managed by Quicksilver,” he said.

“I thought the Quicksilver management of the people they took out and the whole concept of the platform was really an effective way to manage the many people wanting to get out there and focus the effort on one area.”

Good News for Teens

Aristocat - Aristocat News Feed

We are delighted to introduce our new fare category of ‘Teen Fare’ for 15 to 19 year olds of $160 plus EMC of $5.50
which you will see in our new Brochure which is being delivered from today .
 
We believe that this is the first time a Teen Fare has been offered for Port Douglas reef products and represents great value for families with older teenagers.

Our Teen Fare is a price reduction from the Adult Fare which would have applied to this age category.

The new fares are effective from 1st July 2010 now but we are happy to accept bookings for the Teen Fare from today

Poseidon Adventure - Dwarf Minke Whale Experience!

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

Saturday June 12th was a great day to be out in the Agincourt Reefs, with multiple sightings of Minke Whales on board POSEIDON.  The first encounter
was with a solitary whale while at the dive site on Light Reef, and most of the passengers were able to enjoy an in-water experience with the curious
animal while it circled the snorkellers close up, enabling Poseidon's photographer to obtain several great shots. See image below.

When Poseidon reluctantly left the whale and moved on to the next site, passengers and crew were rewarded by having three more whales circle the
boat during lunch, resulting in great top-side photo opportunities.

Poseidon is one of only 3 day boats permitted to conduct in-water snorkelling with Dwarf Minke Whales, and now that they have "arrived" at the
Agincourt Reefs, many more encounters can be expected.

SAILAWAY SUNSET SAIL

Sailaway IV - Sailing & Sunset News Feed

We are very pleased to announce the increase of number of scheduled evenings for the very popular Sailaway Sunset.
 
Now 5 evenings a week, Monday to Friday Inclusive! Sailaway Sunset price remains at only $50 inclusive of welcome wine, beer or champagne with canapés from Port Douglas Catering. 1.5 Hours of pure sailing over the coral sea with spectacular mountain views and 1st Class service.

Due to the popular demand and numerous recommendations we are pleased to see Sailaway Sunset become "A MUST DO" when visiting Port Douglas.

Sailaway continues to provide a consistently high quality and reliable service you can recommend to all visitors staying in the region. Exhilarating twilight sailing during calm or windy days certainly adds to the variety of relaxing, memorable experiences to be enjoyed whilst in Port. Departing Marina at 5.00pm returning 6.30pm.

Discover Kuranda this Easter Saturday

Skyrail - Skyrail Cableway News Feed

Discover Kuranda this Easter Saturday as the village plays host to HOT FM for a live broadcast and presents fun and excitement for the whole family.
 
Some of the activities planned for Easter Saturday [03 April] include:
• 2 Jumping Castles
• Whip Cracking performance
• Cane Toad Racing
• Kids Games
• Massive Easter Egg Hunt
• Rainforestation Baby Army Duck
• Didgeridoo Playing Competition
• Beehive Display
• Over $1,000 worth of prizes for the Busking Competition
• Fashion Parade
• Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve Animals
• Thong Throwing competition
• Circus Workshops for kids
• Animal Petting Zoo
• Horse Carriage Rides
Centenary Park [next to the Kuranda Visitors Information Centre] will be the focal point for the activities!
 
Of course, Kuranda Village is known for its shops and markets with their exotically handcrafted goods, Aboriginal artefacts, restaurants and coffee shops. Take the time to visit some of Kuranda's many first class nature based tourist attractions, which include koalas, butterflies, native and exotic birds, kangaroos and reptiles. Discover Kuranda: 'The Village in The Rainforest'.

Pod of Endangered Species Sei Whales sighted at Agincourt Re

Quicksilver - SilverSonic News Feed

Passengers and crew aboard the Port Douglas-based dive and snorkel vessel Silversonic were excited to see more than five whales, confirmed to be Sei Whales at Agincourt Reef in late February.

The Sei Whales, which remain on the endangered species list, were seen near Silversonic’s “Three Sisters” site at Agincourt Reef. While the boat was stationary, one of the whales emerged in full view spending several minutes around the boat before swimming away. Further in the distance, another four or more whales were seen diving and appeared to be feeding.

Quicksilver marine biologist and Environment Compliance Manager, Doug Baird, said the whales were between 15 –18 metres long and due to the inquisitive nature of the whale that approached the boat, several photographs were taken. This enabled the whales to be identified with the assistance of a whale researcher with extensive experience in whale identification. The key to identifying a Sei Whale is through the distinguishing feature of a single ridge extending from the blowholes to the tip of the upper jaw.

Silversonic had first recorded sighting one of these rare whales in January 2008.

The Sei (pronounced “say”) Whales are among the more elusive of the large whales and are rarely seen inshore preferring the deeper oceans. They are one of the fastest whales with bursts of speed up to 55km/hr. The Sei Whale is very similar in appearance to the Fin and Brydes whales being long, streamlined and having a V – shaped head which is flat on top.

Growing up to 20 metres and 30 tonnes, they are the third largest of the baleen whales, after the Blue Whale and the Fin Whale. Their body is dark grey with a paler underside. It has twin blowholes with a low splashguard to the front.

The Sei Whale is a filter feeder, feeding on small schooling fish, squid and crustaceans. It feeds by swimming at a relatively high speed, opening its jaw which causes it to engulf up to 18,000 gallons of water. It then closes its jaw and pushes the water back out its mouth through the baleen, allowing the water to leave while trapping the prey. They can consume up to 2 tons of food per day.

In general, the Sei whale migrates annually from cool and subpolar waters in summer to temperate and subtropical waters for winter, where food is more abundant and mating occurs.

The Sei Whale is on the endangered species list with reports of less than 54,000 in the world

Low Isles and a trip back in time

Quicksilver - Wavedancer Low Isles News Feed

It was a wonderful trip back in time to relive their family history on Low Isles at the turn of the last century when the grandchildren of one of the island’s original lighthouse keepers visited the island aboard Wavedancer recently.

Joy Searle and Ailsa Campbell’s recalled their mother Alice’s wonderful memories of living on the tropical island over 100 years ago.
 
Alice who spent her early years from 4 years growing up on a coral cay
where the barge arrived fortnightly, music was from a gramophone

Their Grandfather Hugh Nibloe, was appointed as a lighthouse keeper in 1907 having arrived from Scotland where he had worked as a lighthouse keeper on the Orkney Islands and Mull of Kintyre. After two years on Low Isles his wife Agnes and 2 small children Alice and Jessie joined him from Scotland. This was a time of wonderful memories for their mother Alice who spent her early years from 4 years growing up on a coral cay where the barge arrived fortnightly, music was from a gramophone, no pets were allowed but they were thankful for a talking cockatoo.

Joy said, “This trip is an important part of our family history as well as an adventure to visit a place and surroundings so well worth seeing! Our mother wrote quite a bit about her ‘Life on the Island’. I have some shells here in front of me that she collected there 100 years ago! (allowed to take them away in those days, of course). I personally visited in 2002 and was thrilled to see that on one of the information boards displayed on the walk around the island was a picture of our grandparents, mother and aunt.” For Ailsa the trip brought another milestone as this was her first plane flight and the celebration of her 70th birthday”

Tony Baker, Managing Director, the Quicksilver Group said, “Low Isles has a wonderful history.  This was the first destination for Quicksilver back in 1989.  I can only imagine how idyllic it was to live on Low Isles back at the turn of the last century and we welcome Joy and Ailsa to rekindle their history of the Island through their mother and grandfather’s eyes.”

The landmark lighthouse has greeted guests since 1878 and became automated in 1993.  Low Isles and its historic lighthouse icons have both been declared Commonwealth Heritage listed.

'ROMANCE AT THE PINK FLAMINGO'

Pink Flamingo - Pink Flamingo News Feed

Pink Flamingo is feeling romantic and wants to share the love with you by offering a free night.

Stay 4 nights pay 3!

Offer valid until end June 2010 in a Private Garden Villa for 2 people

February Newsletter

Billy Tea Bush Safaris - Billy Tea Bush Safaris News Feed

Despite all the rain Cape Tribulation/Daintree/Bloomfield Track are all looking fantastic!

We are going through to Emmagen Creek everyday no problems with flooding. Cassowary's are being sighted regularly, two crocodiles on the River yesterday as well as Boyds Forest Dragons and Buff Breasted Paradise Kingfishers from New Guinea on their breeding migration.

Chillagoe Caves & Outback tour is operating Monday, Wednesday & Friday's, and the outback is green & looking fantastic. Very little rain during the day & not as hot as here on the coast. We are going to Granite Gorge at present instead of the Wetlands as access in is closed for a few weeks due to some flooding earlier this week. Lots of Kangaroos, Wedge Tail Eagles even the odd sighting of the Albino Kangaroo!

We are also doing the Trezkin or Donna Caves as the Royal Arch is closed at present, so a reasonable level of fitness is required due to stairs to climb up to the cave entrance.

Billy Tea Safaris is the longest running 4WD operator to Cape Tribulation and beyond and also now to Chillagoe Caves and Outback. Billy Tea Safaris is now in its 29th year of operation and is a local family owned business by Marilyn and Berrick Barnes. Billy Tea Safaris is also Advanced Eco Accredited.

The Billy Tea Fleet of vehicles are custom built 4WD'S 13 Seater, 6 wheeler 4WD and also 14 Seater Canter, all vehicles have panoramic viewing windows, extra high clearance for great visibility, we also supply baby seats and booster seats and all seats are seat belted. All guides are highly trained and have extensive knowledge of the local area, history, flora and fauna.

Cape Trib

• Small Personalised Groups Max 14 passengers per vehicle
• Swim at beautiful Emmagen Creek, and enjoy a rainforest walk, no crowds.
• We travel further than most operators
• Eco Accredited Guides
• Custom Built 4WD vehicles all air-conditioned
• Flexible itineraries
• Hand Feed Kangaroos
• Tropical Fruit tasting
• 1 hour River Cruise, to view Crocodiles and other wildlife
• Tropical BBQ Lunch- Vegetarians catered for.
• Pensioner and family rates.

Chillagoe Caves

• Small Personalised Groups Max 14 passengers per vehicle
• Visit Mareeba Wetlands enjoy a 20min boat cruise & morning tea
• Experience off the beaten track roads and view many different species of birds and wildlife.
• Experience the real Australian Outback, step back into the history books with turn of the century mining towns
• Visit the old Lappa Junction (Pub with no beer)
• Australian Pub lunch - historic Chillagoe Pub
• Guided Chillagoe Cave Tour and Chillagoe Smelters
• Skybury Coffee Centre for afternoon tea (own expense)
• Accredited Guides

Brutus meets Poseidon…

Poseidon Dive - Poseidon Cruises News Feed

To welcome her first day back after annual refit. Poseidon was met on arrival at the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs by a rare sighting of a whale in February!

Onboard Marine biologist Herald Pinns identified this large whale as a Bryde's Whales, commonly known as Brutus Whale.

The Bryde's Whale prefer tropical and temperate waters over the polar seas that other whales in their family frequent.

They are largely coastal rather than pelagic. Bryde's Whales are very similar in appearance to Sei Whales and almost as large. "Bryde's whale" is sometimes misheard as "brutus whale". They inhabit tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.

Bryde's whales are considered medium-sized for balaenopterids, dark gray in colour with a white underbelly and grows to 11-12 meters in length with its very small dorsal fin far down its back.

All the guests on Poseidon vessel were delighted at the unexpected encounter on a perfect calm sunny day. Photo taken by Trent, a happy guest onboard.

• August 2010 (1)
• June 2010 (3)
• April 2010 (1)
• March 2010 (3)
• February 2010 (4)
• January 2010 (3)
• December 2009 (2)
• November 2009 (1)
• October 2009 (6)
• September 2009 (2)
• August 2009 (2)
• July 2009 (1)
• June 2009 (7)
• May 2009 (1)
• February 2009 (4)
• December 2008 (2)
• November 2008 (3)
• September 2008 (5)
• August 2008 (2)
• July 2008 (2)
• June 2008 (5)
• May 2008 (7)
• April 2008 (9)
• March 2008 (4)
• February 2008 (5)
• January 2008 (3)
• December 2007 (1)
• November 2007 (3)
• October 2007 (2)
• September 2007 (1)
• August 2007 (1)