Queensland Short Breaks and Holidays

Posts Tagged ‘coastal’

The Daintree Rainforest in the far north of Queensland in Australia is a premier tour destination for anyone seeking the unspoilt natural splendour of a vast, ancient forest basking in a beautiful tropical climate.

The striking landscape of the Daintree region is rich and diverse, and includes spectacular scenery, mountain ranges, fast flowing streams and waterfalls, deep gorges and dense rainforest. The Daintree’s outstanding coastal scenery includes an unusual combination of tropical rainforest, white sandy beaches and offshore reefs. The Daintree is the largest tropical rainforest in Australia, and covers an area of approximately 1,200 square kilometres in North Queensland. It stretches from the Daintree River north to Cooktown and west to the Great Dividing Range, and is one of the most complex tropical rainforest ecosystems on earth. Its structural complexity and the diversity of its flora is unrivalled on the Australian continent.

The Daintree’s vegetation is among the most diverse in Australia. 13 different types of rainforest have been identified, from the tall forests of the coastal plains with massive curling liana growth and exotic buttress roots, through to the middle altitude forests with characteristic small-leafed species, and the montane forests with areas of heath-like vegetation that crown the mountain tops. The mangrove forests which line the mouth of the Daintree’s creeks and rivers have the highest species diversity for this habitat type in Australia. The wet tropical rainforests of North-East Queensland contain the richest variety of fauna found in Australia. While representing only 0.1% of the Australia landmass, the region is home to 65% of Australia’s bat and butterfly species, 30% of the frog, marsupial and reptile species, and 20% of the bird species.

Australia was much warmer and wetter many millions of years ago, and rainforests thrived as far inland as Ayers Rock. As the continent became more arid, these rainforests were gradually replaced by dry woodlands, grasslands and deserts in many parts of the continent. In the Daintree region, however, the climate and topography remained ideal for rainforests and so the area became a last refuge for Australia’s original rainforests. Within this refuge many species continued to survive without the need to adapt to new conditions. The descendants of these species still survive today in the Daintree and retain many of their ancestors’ original characteristics, some dating back more than 100 million years.

One species, commonly known as the Idiot Fruit (Idiospermum australiense), is among the rarest and most primitive flowering plants on earth. Discovered in 1970, it was possibly Australia’s most significant botanical find as it clearly demonstrated how ancient the Daintree Rainforests actually are. Of a total of 19 primitive flowering plant families remaining on the planet, 12 are found in the Daintree region, representing the highest concentration of such plants worldwide. These ancient plants could provides answers to questions about the origins of flowering plants in general.

The Daintree Forest area is undoubtedly of enormous intrinsic value and it is therefore important that visitors cooperate in its preservation. The disturbance of plant and animal life should be kept to a minimum. Avoid short cuts through the forest as the resulting trails can cause erosion and die-back. Use elevated boardwalks where ever provided. Of course, don’t pick flowers, take cuttings or collect rainforest seeds … please leave these magical forests just as you found them. Don’t forget the golden rule: Leave nothing but footsteps, take nothing but photographs!

Anyone travelling in north-eastern Australia to destinations such as Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef should definitely consider a visit to the magnificent Daintree Rainforest. Few forests on earth share the climate, diversity, beauty, ancient heritage and sheer size of the Daintree. A must for adventure and eco tourists!

Miguel Scaccialupo writes regularly on Australian tour topics such as Great Barrier Reef Tours and Daintree Tours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miguel_Scaccialupo
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Ancient-Beauty-of-North-Queenslands-Daintree-Rainforest&id=205811

Queensland’s beaches rank right up the top with the best beaches in the world, with visitors flocking from every direction to enjoy the long white coastal stretches and shimmering waters. From Coolangatta through to Daintree in the far north, you are guaranteed a taste of paradise. The ideal choice of travel is by campervan, as you have the freedom and flexibility to stop as long as the waves are rolling and the sky is blue. There are plenty of caravan parks dotted up and down the Queensland coast, ideal to be used as a base to swim and explore.

Growing up in Queensland, I spent most of my holidays on the Gold Coast, and today’s favourite tourist beaches were my playground. Coolangatta, located about half an hour from Surfers Paradise, has an esplanade perfect for small children to paddle, and is also a popular meeting place for surfers. Further up is beautiful Burleigh beach, known for its pine trees lining the sand. Although a lot more populated than all those years ago, this is still one of the premier beach locations on the coast.

Nobbys and Main beaches are long and inviting. There is plenty of space for families, surfers and sunbathers. Sunrise is one of the favourite times to enjoy the salt air and meet the early morning walkers, populating the shoreline up and down the coastline. Surfers Paradise is the most famous and known as the tourist strip for obvious reasons. The beaches are fantastic and excellent for surfing, but I would stick to the local beaches just to get some towel space.

The Sunshine Coast beaches have a more relaxed pace, Maroochydore being my favourite. With excellent surfing beaches, ideal caravan parks (Cotton Tree is one of the best) and large shopping centres you could spend weeks here and always have something to do. Alexandra Headland is one of the most popular locations for surfers, with breaks to be found along most of the coastline.

Noosa Heads is one of the most well known destinations on the north coast, with an abundance of holiday choices. There are four beaches, the most popular at Hastings Point for swimming and surfing. Tea Tree and Granite Bay are more suitable for experienced surfers. From Hastings there are some easy beach walks taking you around the headland to a lovely beach alcove. The beach is the heart of Noosa and every walk seems to wind back to its sandy stretches.

Once you start the trek up to Cairns and beyond, you need to plan your itinerary and then take the plunge as there are a lot of miles in between.However, the rewards are priceless, with exquisite pure white beaches waiting for you. Close to three hours from Brisbane, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island, with the equally beautiful Rainbow Beach a complete destination in itself. The advantage is that crowds are smaller and the beaches are endless, the perfect place to escape.

Halfway between Cairns and Townsville is an undiscovered paradise, Mission Beach. There are not many places where the sun shines every day of the year (well almost) and the rainforest meets the sand and coconut palms. Combined with the pristine, flat beach and rippling waves you have the ideal tropical holiday.

The beaches just north from Cairns are unique and unparalleled. The most famous is Palm Cove, offering something for every type of beach holiday maker. There is a long jetty for fishermen, plenty of water sports, tall palm trees lining the entire stretch of beach and a number of restaurants and shops when you need a break from the sun. Surfers may have to venture elsewhere, such as Yorkey’s Knob where half metre waves are delivered which still a bonus for this region.

Trinity Beach is another favourite with locals and tourists and easily accessible from Cairns via the Captain Cook highway. The Cairns esplanade now features a large lagoon ideal for families, and a great retreat for those who would prefer to base themselves close to the city.

Heading further north to Port Douglas, Four Mile Beach is one of the last of Queensland’s jewels. This is remote and beautiful, with the palms common to this area combine to create the perfect holiday destination. Although this area
is common to stingers there are nets in place so you can still enjoy a swim.

Whichever location you choose, you will have to keep coming back to make the most of the sun, surf and sand in Queensland greatest treasures, its beaches.

Jenny Brewer is a travel agent whose passion is writing. After spending her leisure time writing time writing childrens stories, she now enjoys writing about travel destinations. For more of her articles visit Campervan Hire Australia

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenny_Brewer
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Beautiful-Beaches-of-Queensland&id=822795