Field Trips

EcoSummit 2023 is pleased to offer the following field trips as part of the conference programme.
Activities have been organized for the evening of Thursday 15th June and as day activities on Sunday 18th June.

1. Evening Rainforest and Glow Worm Experience – Thursday 15th June, 18:00-21:30 – LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE!

Join an unforgettable night in the rainforest after dark! On this tour you will be guided through the ancient rainforest at night, a truly unique and memorable experience. Experience an exciting nighttime tour with stargazing, delicious dessert at a local restaurant and a fully guided rainforest walk to the waterfall. This is a great tour for you to discover the bio-network of a rainforest and to experience nocturnal wildlife spotting.

Price: US$70 + GST 10% = US$77 per person

The price includes: Private return transfers from the conference venue; dessert at a local restaurant; guided rainforest walk to waterfall at night time; view glow worms and nocturnal wildlife as you are guided to the waterfall; stargazing, see the Southern Cross in the night sky; each guest is provided a low watt flashlight (we don’t want to upset the glow-worms) to find your way; National Park fees included.

2. Guided Bush Tour at Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area – Sunday 18th June, 09:00-13:00

Your chance to find out what the family and Kombumerri Rangers do out at Guanaba IPA, on Country and connect with their cultural heritage the way they know how - by planting, weeding, looking for animals, gathering bush tucker, conducting healing ceremonies in their Corroboree Circle or enjoy a freshwater swim in one of their many lagoons.

Price: US$35 + GST 10% = US$38.5 per person

The price includes: Private return transfers from the conference venue; guided Bush Tour at Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area.

3. Exclusive Gold Coast Whale Tour – Sunday 18th June, 11:00-15:00

Join us for an exclusive and private tour into the Gold Coast bay to encounter whales and dolphins while contributing to marine mammal research. This trip will be led by marine biologist Dr Olaf Meynecke and founder of the NGO Humpbacks & High-rises and their volunteers to guide you in marine mammal surveys and share local knowledge about whales and dolphins. Humpbacks & High-rises is a local not for profit volunteer organization. HHR was established in 2011 running south-east Queensland largest marine mammal monitoring program with a vision to promote marine conservation, undertake research and education.

After a short welcome and introduction by researchers and volunteers, the Spirit of Migaloo – world class whale watching vessel – will leave the marina and we cruise through the Broadwater getting to know the Gold Coast canal and river systems, where we might encounter some bottlenose dolphins. We enter the Gold Coast bay through the Seaway and will start to search for humpback whales. The Gold Coast skyline with rainforest covered mountains provides for a stunning background. You can participate in the data collection, listen to the knowledge provided by a whale research expert or just enjoy the whales and scenery. We will be handing out data sheets for those who like to participate under the guidance of our HHR volunteers. A quick debrief about the trip while returning to shore will conclude this experience.

Price: US$80 + GST 10% = US$88 per person

The price includes: Private return transfers from the conference venue; exclusive and private tour into the Gold Coast bay to encounter whales and dolphins while contributing to marine mammal research; coffee and tea, water and snacks.
Lunch is NOT included but you are welcome to bring your own food with you.

4. Cultural Heritage and Flora and Fauna Tour of North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) - Sunday 18th June, 07:00 – 19:30

North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is a unique and iconic sand island in Moreton Bay which supports fauna and flora of conservation significance. It is the second largest sand island in the world. The island is of immense cultural significance and home of the Quandamooka peoples who have native title over the island and have managed to maintain and restore many cultural practices and maintain strong links to and reliance on the environment.
This tour will be led by Associate Professor Daryl McPhee who is author of the book The Ecology and Environmental History of Moreton Bay. Daryl regularly hosts large groups of international students on the North Stradbroke Island. Culture heritage activities will be undertaken by local Indigenous people. Cultural heritage activities will include a Welcome to Country, Traditional Smoking Ceremony and traditional dances that highlight the links between the environment and culture.

Delegates will get to see a range of environments on the island including a freshwater perched lake, freshwater springs, rocky headlands and more! It is likely that delegates who come on the trip will see a range of fauna in the wild including kangaroos, marine turtles, manta rays, dolphins, goanna and koalas.

Price: US$115 + GST 10% = US$126.5 per person

The price includes: Private return transfers from the conference venue; return barge trip to the island; Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, Traditional Dance performed by local Indigenous people; Cultural Tour undertaken by local Indigenous people; flora and fauna tour of the island; lunch with the Elders.

5. Breakfast With Koalas & Behind The Scenes Tour at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary – Sunday 18th June, 07:00-14:00

Head to the Koala Habitat precinct, home to everyone’s favorite Aussie icon, for a breakfast experience like no other.
Indulge in a gourmet breakfast, surrounded by Koalas, chat with our keepers, enjoy a Koala cuddle, and have the moment captured by our professional photographer to take home and cherish forever.

Afterwards, get backstage access to our Training, Rehabilitation and Wildlife department! You will have a 25-minute experience while under the personal guidance of an Animal Keeper. In this time, you will get an exclusive insight into the secrets behind the stars of the Free Flight Bird Show. You will also see the Sanctuary’s wildlife rehabilitation centers and understand how they breed to save endangered wildlife, as well as meet more clever critters you are sure to fall in love with. As a bonus, you will also gain access to VIP seating at the Wild Skies Free Flight Bird Show at 10:45am.

Price: US$100 + GST 10% = US$110 per person

The price includes: Private return transfers from the conference venue; gourmet set menu breakfast (five choices); be educated by the Sanctuary’s experienced koala keepers and meet some of their koala ambassadors; 1 x Koala cuddle and photo per paying guest; exclusive Behind the Scenes Tour; VIP seating at the Wild Skies Free Flight Bird Show; entry to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for the day.

6. Mt Tamborine, Lamington, O’Reilly’s & Vineyard with lunch & wine – Sunday 18th June, 08:00-18:00

The ultimate Gold Coast Hinterland private touring experience! Guided rainforest walks, Waterfall, Picnic lunch at creekside vineyard, Treetop walk, Morning Tea, Wild bird feeding and more.

Highlights include:

Price:US$130 + GST 10% = US$143 per person

The price includes: Private return transfers from the conference venue; morning tea at local restaurant (scones, jam & cream, hot beverage); guided Rainforest Walks; dedicated guide/driver with live commentary; wild Bird feeding; wine tasting paddle for two; a bottle of picnic bubbles for two; picnic lunch for two includes a delicious selection of cold meats and salads, Paula’s Southern-fried Chicken, antipasto vegetables, cheese, dips, crackers and a delicious ice cream to top it all off.

Tickets can be purchased via the online registration system.

 



 

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