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Accommodation on our
ecotours
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The very popular
Australian Wildlife Overview Tour (3-day wildlife tour from Brisbane)
uses either a wonderful bed-and-breakfast
or a
'primitive' campground
Budget wildlife weekend camps and special wildlife weekend educational camps use the same campground as for the 3-day wildlife tour. Those who do not wish to camp can contact us for other possibilities Our outback tours combine camping and other outback accommodation Our Bunya Mountain tours use a lovely chalet near the forest Custom tours use a variety of accommodation types, depending on the wishes of our guests and the available accommodation in areas of interest |
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Cougal ParkTwo nights on the accommodated version of the 3-day (2 night) Australian wildlife Overview tour are spent at Cougal Park. Guests have commented delightedly "it really does look like the photos!", and tell us how wonderful the meals are (which we're already well aware of - Elizabeth is one of the best cooks we know, and also a talented wildlife artist), how comfortable the beds are and how they enjoy the company of their hosts Hugh and Elizabeth.Set in 400 acres of tall forest adjoining the Border Ranges National Park, Hugh and Elizabeth work hard to maximize the conservation of the flora and fauna on their property, which includes a number of threatened species, and are also devoted to giving their guests a great experience, whether their desires are primarily birding, nature photography, forest walks or just relaxing and soaking in the beautiful surroundings. Elizabeth is also a talented wildlife artist, and her paintings adorn the walls of the living room and bedrooms. Custom tours may also spend one or more nights here - e.g. before touring elsewhere, or just a couple of days or more relaxing and unwinding in the forest (or on the verandah watching the birds).  |
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Andrew Drynan ReserveThis camping and picnic reserve is adjacent to the Araucaria home property and the Mt Chinghee National Park. It is used by guests taking the budget/camping option on the 3-day Australian Wildlife Overview tour, the wildlife weekends and themed nature study weekends.It is a 'primitive' campsite in that it has toilets and picnic shelters but no showers (but we can provide a 'bush shower' for our guests), and there are no numbered sites, guests being able to pitch a tent wherever they wish. Araucaria provides tents (which we ask guests to assist in erecting) , sleeping bags and sheets, comfortable air mattresses, pillows, wind-up lanterns and other necessities for camping. When there are guests staying at Cougal Park as well as campers, all dine together at night at Cougal, but if we have anyone other than campers for that week, we head to the Rathdowney Hotel, a typical Aussie country pub (with good hearty country meals), both nights, and provide a breakfast pack for the morning. The campsite is adjacent to eucalypt forest, 'dry' (winter-drought-adapted) rainforest and a tree-lined creek harbouring platypus, turtles, eels and catfish and frequented by azure kingfishers, cormorants, ducks and herons. The campground itself is often visited by day by cockatoos, lapwings and other birds, and by night by wallabies, possums, frogs and owls (and very occasionally koalas).   |
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Bunya MountainsHere we stay in a delightful timber chalet near the forest, with birdsong and wallabies close by in the early morning or towards dusk, and a cosy fireplace for winter evenings. The forest is just down the driveway and across the road. Walking in the early morning mists is a delight. |
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Accommodation on custom toursPossibilities vary greatly depending on what our guests desire. We have for instance included camping at various sites, Binna Burra Lodge (Lamington National Park) cabins at Myall Lakes and Minnee Waters, motels en route to various destinations, and hotels in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sydney on various customized tours. |
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Eulo
Bowra