Great Barrier Reef Management. Itinerary:

Transcription

1 Great Barrier Reef Management Itinerary: Date/Time DAY 1 Activity Thursday 20 November 6:00am 10:00am Participants to make their own way to Gladstone, see further information below. 10:15am Complimentary transfer from Gladstone Airport to Gladstone Marina. 11:00am 1:00pm Launch Transfer to Heron Island Resort via the Heron Islander. 1:00pm Participants to arrive via Heron Islander Launch. 1:15pm 2:15pm Lunch. On arrival participants will be greeted and escorted to the main reception area. A private lunch is provided on arrival in the Pandanus Lounge for participants. 3:00pm 5:00pm Orientation and Introduction. 6:30pm 9:00pm Dinner. Participants to participate in the Field Trip orientation seminar at the Heron Island Research Station. Participants are invited to dine at their leisure in the Shearwater Restaurant.

2 DAY 2 Friday 21 November 7:30am 8:30am Breakfast at leisure in The Shearwater Restaurant. Participants are free to enjoy the considerable hot and cold buffet breakfast on offer in The Shearwater Restaurant. 9:00am 12:00noon University of Queensland Research Station Tour. 12:30pm 1:30pm Lunch at leisure. A private 3 hour Research Station tour. This informative tour is led by the resort's degree-holding activity guides. The research conducted at the Heron Island Research Station is facilitated by modern research facilities and equipment to rival many mainland laboratories. Participants are invited to sample the delightful cuisine on offer in the Shearwater Restaurant. 2:00pm 5:00pm Educational Seminar (at Heron Island Research Station). 6:30pm 8:30pm Dinner. Educational seminars with guest speakers from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Australian Institute of Marine Science and the Heron Island Research Station. The seminar will: Describe the day-to-day management of the Great Barrier Reef, including the key strategies and operational arrangements as well as partnership programs. Describe the scientific research being conducted in collaboration with managers which underpin the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef. Participants are invited to dine at their leisure in the Shearwater Restaurant. 8:30pm (approximately) Dependent on Sunset Star Gazing. A guided tour of the southern night sky with our Stargazing experts. Participants are serenaded under a blanket of stars on this peaceful paradise island, a true coral cay island 74 miles from the mainland. An enchanting way to start the island escapade. Binoculars and a telescope are provided.

3 DAY 3 Saturday 22 November 7:30am 8:30am Breakfast at leisure in The Shearwater Restaurant. Participants are free to enjoy the considerable hot and cold buffet breakfast on offer in The Shearwater Restaurant. 9:00am 12:00pm Education Seminar (at Heron Island Research Station). 12:00pm 1:00pm Lunch at leisure. An educational seminar with a focus on the Great Barrie Reef Strategic Assessment Case Study. You will learn how diverse partners have worked together to achieve conservation outcomes for the reef. Participants are invited to sample the delightful cuisine on offer in the Shearwater Restaurant. 1:30pm 6:00pm Afternoon Planned Activities. 6:30pm 8:30pm Dinner. Secrets of the Reef Tour: A private guided reef walk (subject to tide times). Participants will journey from the reef flat to the reef crest, rarely explored by most people. Guided Outer Reef Snorkel Tour (snorkel fins, mask and snorkel hire costs included - not including wetsuits): The waters are teeming with reef fish, turtles, mantas and reef sharks. Not to mention the protected birdlife on the island! Participants are invited to dine at their leisure in the Shearwater Restaurant. After dark around high tide Guided Turtle Nesting Tours - minimum of 10 people. A guided turtle nesting tour with one of the resorts trained naturalist guide. Heron Island is an important rookery for both nesting Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Loggerhead Turtles (Caretta caretta). This will include an hour long presentation about the turtles and then a turtle viewing tour.

4 DAY 4 Sunday 23 November 7:30am 8:30am Breakfast at leisure in The Shearwater Restaurant. Participants are free to enjoy the considerable hot and cold buffet breakfast on offer in The Shearwater Restaurant. 9:00am 10:30am Guided Semi-Submersible Trip: 1 Hour Coral reef viewing cruise with a reef interpreter. 10:45am 11:30am Field Trip Debrief at Heron Island Research Station. This forum provides an opportunity for participants to raise any further questions and review the learning outcomes from the field trip. 11:30am 1:00pm Lunch. Participants are invited to enjoy lunch in the Shearwater Restaurant prior to departure from Heron Island. 1:00pm 3:30pm Transfer to Gladstone Marina from Heron Island via the Heron Islander. 3:45pm Complimentary transfer to Gladstone Airport (for connecting flights). Participants to make their own way from Gladstone to Sydney (or other destination, see further information below). * Please note: due to unforeseen operational changes which can occur, the Field Trip Itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of the Field Trip Leader and Heron Island Resort at any time.

5 Inclusions: Transport Accommodation Meals Other Airport Transfers (to/from Gladstone Marina). Heron Island Transfers via Heron Islander (return). Heron Island Accommodation. Three meals daily (including tea, coffee, juice) on Heron Island in the Shearwater Restaurant (beginning with dinner on arrival and finishing with lunch on departure). A private lunch is provided on arrival in the Pandanus Lounge for participants. Organised tours and activities on Heron Island as outlined in the itinerary for Congress participants. * Participants with special dietary requirements are to inform the field trip organiser by no later than 20 October Exclusions: Transport Accommodation Meals Other Flights to/from Gladstone (note additional detail below). Gladstone Accommodation (note additional detail below). Additional beverages purchased on Heron Island. Meals outside what is provided on Heron Island. Incidentals. Private lunch on arrival or organised tours/activities for accompanying children.

6 Safety and equipment: This field trip includes outdoor activities and travel. Field trip participants must be prepared for variable weather conditions. You need to bring: Hat. Sunscreen. Sunglasses. Insect repellent (Sunscreen and insect repellent can be purchased at the Heron Island Shop, if necessary). Swimwear (towels are provided in the resort rooms). Wetsuit (if necessary for snorkel activities, as they are not provided. Alternatively they can be hired at an additional cost). Suitable footwear for beach and island walks. Personal clothing/items suitable for the trip duration. Toiletries. Personal medication. Water bottle. Camera. Binoculars. Notebook and pen. Snacks. Dress code: casual resort style for daytime, smart casual for after 6:00pm. Snorkelling Gear: the hire costs of the snorkel gear for the Guided Outdoor Reef Snorkel trip have been included, however if additional snorkel activities are required there may be additional hire charges. Further Information: If there are any other specific questions, the Frequently Asked Question on the Heron Island website will assist greatly:

7 Additional Travel Information: The below outlines further details regarding the travel itinerary to and from Gladstone for participants attending this field trip. Please Note: This travel is to be coordinated and paid for separately by the participants. It is not included in this field trip. To Gladstone: 19 November 2014 Day of World Parks Congress Sydney. (Congress is due to conclude at 5pm following the Closing Ceremony). Participants to overnight in Sydney (at their own cost). * 20 November 2014 Options for you to travel to Gladstone are outlined below. You will need to organise and book this independently. You need to arrive in Gladstone by 10.00am to meet the bus to the ferry. Failure to meet the ferry at this time will result in an additional day layover in Gladstone at your own cost. Travel To Gladstone (from Sydney): As at November 2013, Qantas and Virgin Australia offered multiple flight options into Gladstone by 10:00am. Please note: The flights need to arrive in Gladstone by 10:00am at the latest. Travel to Gladstone Marina: 10:15am: Complimentary transfer from Gladstone Airport to Gladstone Marina and travel to Heron Island. * You could also choose to miss the closing ceremony and travel to Gladstone the afternoon of the 19 November This will require participants to arrange their own overnight accommodation in Gladstone and their own transport to the Gladstone Marina by 10:30am on 20 November. The Field Trip Leader takes no responsibility for any of these arrangements.

8 Depart Gladstone: 23 November 2014 Departure from Heron Island: 1:30pm: Transfer to Gladstone Marina from Heron Island via the Heron Islander (cost included in trip package). 3:45pm-4:00pm Complimentary transfer to Gladstone Airport (for connecting flights). Please Note: The launch service from Heron Island connects with flights departing Gladstone from 5:00pm onwards. In the event that the 4.55pm departure flight with Qantas operates and guests choose to book this flightwe will make best efforts to meet the flight but this will be tide and weather permitting and cannot always be guaranteed. Gladstone Accommodation: If accommodation is required in Gladstone, Heron Island Resort recommends Rydges Gladstone. Prices start from $ per night (subject to change daily). Arrangements are at your discretion and the Field Trip Leader has no responsibility for this. Rydges Gladstone can be contacted at: Ph: Fax: reservations_gladstone@rydges.com Website: