Queensland Holidays - The Official Tourism Site for Queensland
Araucaria Ecotours
Multiple Locations
Indicative Rate* $99.00 to $1485.00 Tour - All Inclusive (Single)
Description
Enjoy exploring Australia's wildlife and habitats in small-group day-tours and multi-day tours with multi-award winning Araucaria Ecotours, designed and led by a zoologist or experienced naturalist. Join them for wildlife-viewing (day and early evening), birdwatching and gentle bushwalks in mountain rainforests, eucalypt forests, wetlands, quiet beaches and the genuine outback, as you deepen your understanding of Australia's uniqueness and diversity. Most tours depart from Brisbane.
Standard and customised tours are provided for all ages and fitness levels. Our specialty, the three-day wildlife overview tour, is possibly Australia's most comprehensive wildlife tour, seeking iconic species such as kangaroos, koalas and platypus plus many lesser known mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs in the wild plus a few others in captivity, while explaining the big picture of Australia's ecosystems and its evolutionary and geological history. Customised tours for four or more people can include extended wildlife experiences, marine, horse-riding or other adventure activities, relaxation in forest resorts, and other possibilities. Choose from camping to high-quality accommodation.
Self-drive travellers can also call in (bookings essential) at the Wildlife Ecology Centre and nature trails (90 minutes from Brisbane or Gold Coast), or arrange a nature education camp (many topics, all ages) or school/group excursion.
Property Details
Facilities
- Car park
- Guide
- Waiting Area
Activities
- Animal Watching
- Astronomy
- Swimming
Other Information
Children:
Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides).
The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day.
Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled:
When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Pets Allowed:
Yes. Pets are not allowed on tours.
For self-drives staying at the Andrew Drynan Reserve and visiting the Araucaria property, dogs are sometimes permitted if well-behaved and on leashes at all times.
How To Get There
If driving to the Araucaria property to visit their Wildlife Ecology Centre and nature trails (bookings essential), travel first to Beaudesert (if coming from Brisbane, Gold Coast etc.), then take the Mt Lindsay Highway south to Rathdowney. At the post office, take Running Creek Road, and travel 17.7 kilometres. You will see part of the Araucaria property before this, to the left of the road after Taaffe Bridge. After the next bridge, most of the Araucaria property is still to your left, but the Wildlife Ecology Centre is accessed through the green gate on the right hand side of the road.
If visiting the Wildlife Ecology Centre from New South Wales, take the Lions Road, which exits from the main road between Wiangeree and Grevillea. After crossing the New South Wales/Queensland border, continue until after the third bridge (Moran's Bridge) and the Andrew Drynan camping/picnic reserve. The Wildlife Ecology Centre is on your left just around the next corner.
Open Times
Tours run throughout the year except between Christmas and New Year and during Easter (although activities at the Wildlife Ecology Centre may be available at Easter). Standard tours may not be available some weeks, e.g. if an outback tour or customized tour is scheduled, there may not be a three-day wildlife overview tour or day-tours available for that week.
Tariff Text
Please note: For extended tours, costs may vary depending on the type of accommodation chosen.
Cancellation Policy
Ten per cent deposit refundable if cancelled more than 14 days prior to departure.
Departure Point
If being picked up from the Brisbane Transit Centre, head to the Holiday Inn end of the Transit Centre, on Roma Street, Brisbane. You'll know you're in the right spot if you can see the old TransContinental Hotel directly opposite, on the far side of the road.
General Comments
Wildlife books for guests are available in Spanish, Italian or German.
For groups of (usually) four or more with sufficient notice they can design a customised day-tour or extended tour. The usual focus is wildlife-viewing (including birdwatching and nature photography) and gentle walks or relaxing in natural habitats, but they can arrange to include farm visits, hiking, horse-riding, snorkelling, canoeing, whale-watching, rock-climbing and other activities, and also combine city and country experiences. Educational camps and children's activities are also happily arranged.
Hotel Pick-up
If being picked up from your accommodation in inner or southside Brisbane, it helps if you can be down in the lobby or on the footpath a few minutes before pickup time, in case your guide arrives a little early or there is a problem with other vehicles parking there.
Three Day Wildlife Tour
Enjoy a zoologist-designed introduction to Australia's major wildlife groups, their ecology and behaviour, find why Australia is so different, and visit wonderfully scenic wild places. View wildlife in rainforests, eucalypt forests, wetlands and other native habitats, plus a wildlife park devoted to conservation breeding of rare species. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. Choose between camping and a beautiful bed-and-breakfast by the forest.
See kangaroos, koalas, platypus and other icons as well as lesser known creatures. Watch the flight of thousands of large and noisy fruit bats. Receive a custom-written book on Australia's wildlife detailing the major groups, some of the plant groups important to them and an overview of the evolutionary/ geological history of our country. Advanced eco-accreditation.
Tour Information
Pick up is available from accommodation in Brisbane City or Southside, other by arrangement.
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane Transit Centre
Tour Travels To
- Daisy Hill State Forest
- Beaudesert
- Kooralbyn
- Runing Creek
- Border Ranges National Park
New South Wales - Murwillumbah
New South Wales - Fingal
New South Wales - David Fleay Wildlife Park
- Paradise Road Bat Colony
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 MarRates indicated are from rates. Contact the operator to discuss. Rates vary depending on accommodation type required.
| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $462.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Single) Valid on: Wed,Thurs,Fri Camping Option - tents supplied. |
| 1 Adult | $594.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Triple) Family Room |
| 1 Adult | $704.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Double) Family Room |
| 1 Adult | $682.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Double) Double/Twin Room |
| 1 Adult | $704.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Single) Double/Twin Room |
| 1 Adult | $735.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Single) Family Room |
| Child aged 0-16 | $308.00 | Tour Only Year round. Camping. Accompanied by adult. |
| Child aged 0-16 | $440.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Double) Double/Twin Room. Accompanied by adult. |
| Child aged 0-16 | $462.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Double) Family Room. Accompanied by adult. |
| Child aged 0-16 | $396.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Triple) Family Room. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Bushwalking In Brisbane
Enjoy an easy to moderate bushwalk (you choose the pace) in a variety of forests within Greater Brisbane with interpretation of flora and fauna. Usually see a variety of birds, butterflies and wildflowers, often wallabies and sometimes koalas. Picnic lunch and refreshments provided. Advanced eco-accreditation.
Tour Information
Pickup is available from accommodation in Brisbane City and Southside, other by prior arrangement.
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Operates from Saturday to Tuesday. Start time usually 0900, may start earlier in hot weather, return Brisbane approximately 1700. Contact the operator to make booking outside of these days.
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane Transit Centre
Tour Travels To
- Brisbane Forest Park
- Karawatha Forest
- Venman's National Park
- Daisy Hill State Forest
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 Mar| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $99.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions |
| Child aged 0-16 | $66.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions Year round. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Coochiemudlo Island
Enjoy a day of gentle walking on scenic sandy beaches, rocky shores, mangroves with flora and fauna interpretation, close to Brisbane but away from the crowds. Have a swim on a quiet beach if weather conditions permit. Fauna on the island usually include raptors (especially whistling kite, brahminy kite, osprey), bush stone-curlews and other birds, butterflies, crabs (sometimes hundreds of blue soldier crabs marching across the beach), molluscs and other shore life. Explore mainland forest with a reasonable chance of koalas on the way back to the city. Advanced eco-accreditation.
Tour Information
Pickup is available from accommodation in Brisbane City and Southside, other by arrangement.
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Tour operators from Saturday to Tuesday mostly. Start time usually 0900, may start earlier in hot weather, return Brisbane approximately 1700.
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane Transit Centre
Tour Travels To
- Coochiemudlo Island
- Redland Indigiscapes
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 Mar| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $132.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions |
| Child aged 0-16 | $88.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions Year round. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Bird-Watching Day Tour
For absolute beginners through to professional birders, visiting eucalypt forest, rainforests, coastal habitats and/or wetlands (and sometimes heathlands). Travel with a research ornithologist. Main focus is on seeing birds in their natural habitat and discussing their behaviour and ecology. Gentle walking (unless you advise beforehand if you want extended walks). Let them know at time of booking if your own interests are maximising number of species, seeing particular species, experiencing the rainforest with birds as a bonus, etc. Advanced eco-accreditation.
Not all venues will be visited on a particular day. Their usual route includes Eagleby Wetlands and Lamington National Park. For extended birding, consider their three-day wildlife overview tour, outback tours or a custom tour. First to book for the day gets to choose the starting time.
Tour Information
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane
- Various locations
Tour Travels To
- Lamington National Park
- Eagleby Wetlands
- Redlands Shire
- Brisbane Forest Park
- Wivenhoe Dam
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 Mar| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $154.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions |
| Child aged 0-16 | $99.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions Year round. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Six Day Outback Tour
Travel way out west through brigalow, mulga and other semi-arid habitats to Currawinya National Park in the true outback Red sand, red kangaroos, emus, Major Mitchell cockatoos, mulga parrots, other colourful outback parrots, wood swallows, brolgas and other birds in arid shrub lands, waterholes, creek beds, freshwater and saltwater lakes. Be prepared for a long drive on the first and last day. Accommodation a combination camping, small outback hotels and a former cattle station in a birding hotspot. Advanced eco-accreditation. Option of mud bath at Eulo. Spend one night camping and one or more at Bowra Station (birding hotspot).
With advance notice, may be extended to eight or 10 days. Their most active times are early morning and late afternoon (wildlife activity times).
Tour Information
Pickup is available from accommodation in Brisbane City and Southside, other by prior arrangement.
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane
Tour Travels To
- St George
- Cunnamulla
- Eulo
- Bowra
- Currawinya National Park
- Hungerford
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 MarTour includes all touring, accommodation and meals (additional charge in September, when you include the National Bilby Day celebrations in Charleville).
| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $1485.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Single) Optional extra days will cost extra. |
| Child aged 0-16 | $1067.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Double) Year round. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Rainforests, Glow-worms and Wine
Experience a very well-designed artificial limestone cave housing many happily breeding glow-worms that take the pressure off the colonies in the National Parks. There is nothing artificial about the insects themselves, and in fact this is now the largest glow worm colony in the world. Taste a few local wines (or sip a fruit juice) and enjoy a sumptuous meal while viewing the lake, birds and landscaped gardens. Walk through eucalypt forest and lush rainforests to giant trees, cycads and waterfalls. Enjoy a boardwalk into the rainforest canopy.
For a group wanting a simplified tour just to the glow worms and forest, without the canopy walk or the restaurant, they can do this at reduced cost. Advanced eco-accreditation.
Tour Information
Pickup is available from accommodation in Brisbane City and Southside, other by prior arrangement.
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Tour operates from Saturday to Tuesday mostly. Start time usually 0900, return Brisbane approximately 1700.
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane
Tour Travels To
- Cedar Creek Falls
- Witches Falls section of National Park
- Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk
- Cedar Creek Winery and Glow Worm Caves
- Joalah section of Tamborine National Park
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 MarLet them know if you prefer a cheaper no-frills option just to the glow worm cave.
| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $165.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions |
| Child aged 0-16 | $110.00 | Tour - All Meals, All admissions Year round. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
Wildlife Day Tour (Greater Brisbane)
See some of the wildlife around Greater Brisbane's outer suburbs - look for wild koalas, wallabies, fruitbats, birds, lizards etc. For additional cost and advance planning, they can go further afield to seek wild kangaroos or visit a wildlife park. There are no guarantees, but you will visit places they are very likely to see wildlife and they've never yet failed to at least see wallabies, fruitbats and a variety of birds. Although they don't always find wild koalas (they are now declining in Brisbane) they do see a couple of captive ones in a large walk-through enclosure owned by National Parks. At dusk they watch thousands of fruitbats flying, then experience the Australian bush at night, listening for owls, sometimes seeing possums, gliders, owls, frogs or frogmouths.
Tour Information
Tour Departure / Return Times
Departures from 01 Apr - 31 Mar
Tour Departs From
- Brisbane
Tour Travels To
- Redlands Indigiscapes
- Daisy Hill State Forest
- Black Swamp
- Venman's National Park
- Toohey Forest
Rates - All Year 2011/2012 *
Valid: 01 Apr - 31 Mar| Rate Type | Cost | Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult | $99.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Single) |
| Child aged 0-16 | $66.00 | Tour - All Inclusive (Single) Year round. Accompanied by adult. |
Other Information
Children: Children are very welcome on most tours, but must be quiet when watching for shy wildlife such as platypus (they can also arrange alterative activities while others are watching or split the group between two guides). The Araucaria guides are very happy to take interested families birdwatching, but some birding tours are not suitable for the very young. Please inform when booking if you would like your tour to be a child-free experience for that day. Special children's activity camps are held on some weekends. Children cost two thirds of the adult price on most standard tours.
Disabled: When travelling with disabled or elderly guests, one guide often waits with these guests at a scenic spot or conducts a shorter, gentler walk, while a second guide leads the more able or energetic members of the group. A small collapsible wheelchair can be carried in the trailer. Please advise before the tour if you have other disabilities (e.g. with vision, hearing, poor understanding of English language etc.) so your guide can plan to give you the best possible experience. Also please advise of any dietary requirements - if you are vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, have food allergies.
* Please note: These rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum costs only. To obtain a firm price from the provider, please use the contact the operator. All prices are quoted in Australian dollars.