LORELLA SPRINGS WILDERNESS PARK, NT … THE MOST REMOTE AND PRISTINE PART of AUSTRALIA.

• 1,000,000 acres, coastal frontage, unspoilt, family owned and family run.  
• Camping,
• Caravanning,
• Fishing,
• Boating,
• Bar,
• Meals,
• Accommodation,
• 1,000 km of 4×4 Adventure Tracks,
• Birds,
• Swimming,
• Thermal Springs,
• Wildlife,
• Secluded Naturist Area,
• Stunning Photography,
• Helicopter and much, much more.  
• Private Airstrip
  
  Lorella Springs Wilderness Park is a one million acre (400 square kilometres) privately run, station in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Northern Territory.  
  
  We are located off the Savannah Way, approximately 450 kilometres south east of Mataranka and 180 kilometres north east of Borroloola. The property is also accessible by light aircraft on our private airstrip, and helicopter.  
  
  There are almost 1000 kilometres of 4WD tracks which lead through beautiful escarpment country to waterfalls, out on to the beaches and salt flats, past estuaries, rivers, creeks, billabongs and to many beautiful and safe crystal clear swimming spots.  

Accommodation

Our accommodation which sleeps over 50 people ranges from fully air-conditioned and well-appointed cabins, through to en-suited deluxe rooms and standard rooms. We also have a one square kilometre island campground adjacent to the homestead providing amenities and unpowered sites, as well as unlimited camping on the rest of the property.  

Meals

Our homestead area includes a restaurant and catering facility as well as a fully licenced bar, surrounded by a 200-square metre deck with a seating capacity of over 100 guests.   The crocodile pond is a popular attraction for diners and guests, especially around feeding time during “Happy Hour”.   Our “Magical Hot Springs” is within metres of the homestead and offers a natural heated pool that is enjoyed throughout the tourist season.

Attractions

From diverse, open savannah, to coastal floodplains, salt flats and mangroves, or escarpment and dense forest, Lorella is abundant with bird and animal wildlife. Historical sites, Aboriginal culture, caves, chasms, gorges and the spectacular, famous Lost City rock formations are just some of the features to make Lorella a destination in itself.

Rhett and his family look forward to welcoming you and sharing their backyard.

Address: c/o PO Box 356, Palmerston, Darwin, NT 0831 AUSTRALIA

Phone: (08) 8975 9917

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Attractions in Onslow include The Old Goods Shed Museum. It also houses Onslow Visitor Centre and it’s worth spending some time here. There is an amazing collection of old machinery, rolling stock and memorabilia.

The first building in the old Onslow townsite was a goods shed, warehouse and store. In 1904, this building burnt down and a replacement structure was built and connected to the sea jetty by tramway.

The new shed included a Bond Store, and a lookout tower was added in 1910. In 1925 the building was dismantled and transported by camel train to the new townsite. When reconstructed at Beadon Point the Goods Shed was extended, with a further extension in 1953. After severe cyclone damage in the 1960s, the store was refurbished.

Today, the goods loading platform houses a display of railway rolling stock. It includes the 1928 petrol locomotive, which was part of the Onslow tramway system. More rolling stock is located in the railyard alongside the Goods Shed and inside you will find fascinating displays. These depict Onslow’s early years and important events in the town. Amongst these are the many cyclones that have hit this stretch of coast, and the bomb that fell on Onslow during WWII.

Address: Old Goods Shed Museum, 52 Second Avenue, Onslow, WA

The Onslow Heritage Trail

South of Onslow you will find the remains of the original townsite at the mouth of the Ashburton River.

The most prominent ruins here are the stone remains of the gaol, the courthouse, the police station and police quarters.

Some of the old town’s buildings and artefacts can be seen at the Onslow Visitor Centre and Goods Shed Museum. They where they were moved upon the establishment of the current townsite.

Heritage trail maps for a self-guided walk around the old townsite are available from the Onslow Visitor Centre.

Onslow was gazetted in October 1885 to serve the port which exported wool from the sheep stations of the Pilbara. It was named after the then Chief Justice of Western Australia, Sir Alexander Onslow. In the early days of settlement, good pearls were found in Exmouth Gulf. The town then became home port to a fleet of pearling luggers.

From the outset, the situation of the port created difficulties. During Wet season, the Ashburton River carried such a volume of water that safe mooring for ships was not always possible. Also the claypans near the townsite often flooded. Three jetties were constructed to try to alleviate these problems. The first was destroyed in a cyclone in 1897, and the second and third jetties were affected by silting. This led to the construction of a new jetty 18 kilometres away at Beadon Point and ultimately, to the relocation of the town in 1925.

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Seeking attractions in Colac? Brunt’s Truck Museum is one of Australia’s most significant private truck collections. The Museum has over 40 restored trucks on display including International trucks & Brockway trucks.

Address: 42A Clark Street, Colac Victoria
Phone: 0419 351 185

Colac Botanic Gardens

A not-to-be-missed attraction in Colac is the Botanic Gardens. The Colac Botanic Gardens occupy about 16 hectares in an elevated position along the southern banks of Lake Colac.

A 1.1 kilometre carriageway circumnavigates the gardens, providing access to cars, runners, walkers and cyclists. Mature oak trees planted along the perimeter provide shade and weather protection to visitors.

A series of walking paths weaves through the gardens, showcasing feature garden beds and trees, places to sit, open lawn areas and beautiful vistas across the lake.

At the eastern end of the gardens, a children’s playground and barbecue area provides a fantastic place for family time. The former curator’s cottage (c.1924) at the western end of the gardens has been converted into the popular Botanic Café.

On the centre northern fringe of the Gardens a viewing platform provides a place to rest and enjoy the view across the lake towards Warrion Hills, while a set of steps down the steep escarpment provides easy access to the Lake Colac foreshore. Attractions in Colac don’t get much better than these gardens, so be sure to allow yourself enough time.

History of the Colac Botanic Gardens

Colac Botanic Gardens are of historical, aesthetic & scientific (botanical) significance to Victoria.  Two of Australia’s most influential and revered directors of botanic gardens had a hand in their design.

The Gardens were established in 1865, and in 1868 Daniel Bunce, Director of the Geelong Botanic Gardens, was appointed to lay out the gardens in a “proper & scientific manner”.  In 1910, outstanding botanist and landscape designer, William Guilfoyle was engaged to redesign the gardens.  Guilfoyle’s design retained the carriageway and highlighted the lake embankment as well as the vistas of the lake and hills through the trees. A copy of his design is on display in the Botanic Cafe.

The National Trust classified the gardens in 1990.

Where: Fyans Street, Colac Victoria

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Attractions in Taree – Dolphin Watching

A great attraction in Taree is Amaroo Cruises.

Dolphin cruises run most days at 10:00am (weather permitting). Cruise duration is approximately 2½-3 hours and includes morning tea.

There are approximately 250-300 resident inshore Bottle-Nosed Dolphins inhabiting the waters of Forster/Tuncurry. These local Dolphins are our pride and joy and seem to be as interested in our vessel “The Amaroo” as we are in them. They will often come over to the boat on what we call “Human Watch”, where they check out who is on board today!

Further offshore we encounter Common Dolphins, sometimes massing in the hundreds all as one pod. Quite a spectacle to say the least! Our Dolphin Watch Cruises depart MOST DAYS at 10AM from late November to May

These Common Dolphins are very active. Groups often surface, jump, splash and play together. Often they will porpoise or leap from the water, performing exciting acrobatic displays. They are among the fastest Dolphins in the world, reaching speeds of 40km/h.

The third species of Dolphin we may also stumble upon is the Oceanic Dolphin. This species is the largest of all Dolphins we encounter. Oceanic Dolphins can grow to 2.5m and weigh in at a staggering 200kgs! Oceanics are also famous for their aerial acrobatics and freakish speed.

We may also encounter a variety of sea birds including Ospreys, White Bellied Sea Eagles, Whistling Kites, Gannets and Albatross to name a few. Also sharks, seals, penguins and turtles are frequently sighted.

Address: Memorial Drive, Forster
Phone: 0419 333 445

Cundletown and Lower Manning Historical Society Inc.

Come and explore the history of the Lower Manning Valley.

There are two buildings full of items relative to Dairying and Farming in days gone by. Items include butter churns and associated equipment, farming equipment, ploughs, hay rakes and many tools as well as an old house theme.

In our heritage listed Museum full research facilities from the Manning River Times Newspapers from 1952-2014 are available.

Address: Corner of Main and Queens Street Corner High Street and Victoria Street, Cundletown, Taree NSW

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One of the really interesting attractions in Derby is the Wharf and Jetty.

The first wharf, built in 1894, was a wooden T shaped structure. It was located at the northern end of the present steel and concrete jetty. The wharf was linked to the town of Derby by a horse drawn tramway. It crossed the mud flats via a causeway where the present day road is located. Wool and pearl shell were the major exports in the early days. In 1964, when the new jetty was built, live cattle were exported. Fuel, oil and provisions were the main imports. The last passenger ship visited in 1973 .

The Jetty is a popular place from which to view the stunning sunsets over King Sound, or to fish. Silver cobbler, shark, golden grunter, north west salmon and mud crabs are caught on the incoming tides. These tides are Australia’s highest and the second highest in the southern hemisphere.

Wharfingers House Museum

One of the great attractions in Derby is Wharfingers House Museum.

The history of the Wharf and the demise of the steam ship, the SS Colac, continues in Museum displays here. The Museum is devoted to the communications history of the town. Displays feature the shipping, telecommunications and aviation history of the area. There are also small displays on fossil mud lobsters and termites.

The building is a fine example of the prefabricated wooden housing of the 1930s. It was well adapted for living in a tropical climate without the benefits of air-conditioning. It was restored in 1988 as part of the Bi-Centennial Project.

Opposite the Museum is one of the oldest buildings in Derby. This is the old Wool Shed, for the export of goods prior to 1964. The import shed, where goods imported were stored for collection was demolished in 1998. The space was needed to make way for a direct route to the wharf.

The horse drawn tramway extended from the Jetty down Loch Street as far as the King Sound Hotel site. Nearby was a quarry that was used to supply stone for the causeway across the mud flats. The tramway finished near McGovern and Thompson’s Store, (now Woolworths).

Would you like to follow up on the story of the SS Colac? View the anchor and propeller of the vessel in the Lions Park near the Derby Civic Centre in Loch Street. The remains of the vessel can be viewed at low tide out from the end of the Derby airport runway via a fixed wing or helicopter flight. Access to the wreck is not possible from the land.

Where: Corner of Elder and Loch Streets. Open on request. (Call at the Derby Visitor Centre during opening times for a key.)

The Buccaneer Archipelago

The Archipelago is 35 minutes flying time from Derby. It consists of up to 1,000 rugged, sparsely vegetated islands, with patches of rainforest in moist areas. Secluded beaches and a fringe of mangroves have formed where silt has accumulated.

The islands are rich in bird and animal life. 118 species of bird and 11 species of snake recorded on Koolan Island alone. A tidal range, up to twelve metres is experienced, and creates such phenomena as the horizontal reversible waterfall. This is a must see for any visitor.

Rock art on the islands reflects the occupation by Aboriginal people. Isolated graves are testimony to the dangers of pearling at the turn of the century.

The scars of mining for iron ore can be seen on Koolan and Cockatoo Island. In addition, sea safaris leave Derby on a regular basis between April and November to explore the West Kimberley Coast.

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Attractions in Broome are varied and very interesting. The Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek Tour is no exception.

Departing Broome we travel through a remote and beautiful landscape. Enjoy the lanndscape as our guide shares stories of local history, people and the environment. Enjoy a morning tea break at Willare Roadhouse on the mighty Fitzroy River. Feeling refreshed you will then visit Myalls Bore and the notorious Derby ‘Boab Prison Tree’. The tree is a relic of some cultural sensitivity due to its use as a prison for local Aboriginals during the era of Kimberley pioneers.

Join the Gibb River Road and travel towards the picturesque Napier Range. Once a Devonian reef, these mountains are over 350 million years old and home to a diverse array of animals and plants. The perfect place to experience the stunning natural beauty of an outback oasis is Windjana Gorge. Beneath gorge walls rising 90m, we search for freshwater crocodiles, local birdlife and indigenous bushtucker.

After a picnic lunch, the afternoon is spent exploring Tunnel Creek. The creek is a 750-metre cave system in which we discover secret caves and subterranean wildlife. Learn the legend of Jandamarra, an Aboriginal freedom fighter who used the tunnel as a hide-out in the late 1800’s. A refreshing swim in an idyllic waterhole is a highlight of the day. As sunset approaches, we visit the historical ruins of Lillimooloora Station. Here you can appreciate what life would have been like during early white settlement in the area. There is time for an optional dinner (own expense) en route back to Broome.

Phone: 1300738 870

Broome Camel Safaris

One of the iconic attractions in Broome!

Enjoy a morning, sunset or pre-sunset camel ride along the beautiful Cable Beach.

Meet our Camels in Blue, Broome’s friendliest camels. Experience the difference with Broome’s original camel lady Alison Bird with 30 years experience. Morning, afternoon or sunset Cable Beach camel rides are available. Join our Broome cameleers team who will take you on scenic trip right along the beachfront; pose for photos, take in an incredible sunset, and come away with a wonderful travel memory!

Phone: 0419 916 101

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Attractions in Denham are varied, but the Denham Discovery Trail is one of the most popular!

The most westerly settlement of Australia, was originally a pearling camp named ‘Freshwater Camp’. It later developed into a township that serviced the pearling, pastoral and fishing industries of Shark Bay.

It was proclaimed a townsite on 3 May 1898 and later named ‘Denham’ after Captain Denham of the Royal Navy.

Today, Denham is a great place to base yourself while exploring the beautiful and diverse Shark Bay World Heritage Area. 

The streets of Denham have many stories to tell; follow the trail to explore just a few of them.

The Denham Discovery Trail is a 2.3km walking trail that will take you past these sites of interest:

• Shark Bay’s traditional owners,
• early pioneers,
• preachers,
• pastoralists,
• pearlers,
• prisoners and
• publicans.

This small seaside town offers:

• great views of Australia’s most westerly sunset,
• a range of accommodation options,
• restaurants and shops,
• safe swimming beaches, and boasts
• the best children’s play park on the West Coast!

The Shark Bay Discovery Centre

One of the popular attractions in Denham is the Shark Bay Discovery Centre. The Centre has been designed to showcase the significance and history of the Shark Bay region. 

The centre’s informative displays; soundscapes, historical and contemporary film footage, interactive multimedia and objects of rare scientific and historical significance take you on the most amazing journey around Shark Bay and across time, in company and conversation with those who have been part of this extraordinary place.

The Discovery Centre displays are positioned so as to represent a map of Shark Bay. It follows an organic natural flow from south to north. It encompasses the three distinct categories: the Living Place, the Mapping Place and the Experiencing Place. 

The Living Place introduces you to the special qualities that make Shark Bay one of the most significant places in the world.

The Mapping Place lets you discover how Indigenous Malgana people, Dutch traders, French naturalists, English colonisers, local pearlers, pastoralists, fishers and conservationists have layered Shark Bay with cultural diversity.

As you move through the Experiencing Place, all your senses will be brought alive to Shark Bay’s shifting shapes and moods. This sense of place is created through the entanglement of nature and culture.

Phone: 1300 367 072

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Looking for adventurous attractions in Jurien Bay? Try the Segway Tour.

Learn the history of Jurien Bay while enjoying your ride along the marina. Learn about the artificial reefs, classic jetties and the many islands that touch the horizon. As our guide takes you to the ANZAC memorial you can learn about the war history of Jurien Bay.

Excellent tour – Geoff was very informative and helpful. We had a great time! Can recommend this as a nice family outing together. And the segways were alot easier to handle than they first appear!

Tripadvisor

Address: Chariots of Hire, Jurien Bay
Phone: +61 427 346 555

Sea Lion Interactions

Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience is an interactive marine tourism business. We have over 40 years of expertise navigating the magical, turquoise waters of Jurien Bay. 

Snorkelling with sea lions is one of the unforgettable experiences on the famous Indian Ocean Drive in Western Australia. We aim to enrich the lives of our guests through a deeper understanding of marine life. We find the ocean environment leaves us in awe, and our guests will too!

A proud, local family business, we are devoted to the care of our oceans. We live and breathe the salty sea air! Our Jurien Bay Tours include Sea Lion Interactions, Fishing Charters and Rock Lobster Catch, Cook & Keep expeditions. We go the extra mile to ensure our guests are comfortable, safe and exhilarated by nature.

Swim with Sea Lions

The protected islands in the Jurien Bay Marine Park are home to a colony of Australian Sea Lions. These beautiful creatures are native to Australia and found only in small colonies along the southern coastline of WA and SA.

In generations past, sea lions were hunted for their fur resulting in their sustainability being placed at risk. They are now regarded as a ‘vulnerable’ species to be protected under Australian Law.

Playful and inquisitive, the sea lions frolic safely in the sheltered coves of Essex Rocks. They willingly interact with snorkelers in the water. At Jurien Bay Ocean Experiences, we are committed to the safety of our Sea Lion colony and our guests.

We have guides in the water and on kayaks to assist guests with interacting with the sea lions. This ensures they have the most engaging, yet respectful interaction possible, whilst enjoying the joy that comes from seeing wildlife thrive in their natural habitat.

Where: Jurien Bay
Phone: (08) 9652 2436 | 0432 806 234

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One of the great attractions in Narrandera is the Koala Reserve.

Our national icon, the Koala, has not always been able to survive the advance of the European into its domain. By the turn of the century many an area populated by koalas saw the total annihilation of the marsupial. It had succumbed to destruction of natural habitat, accidental poisoning, and the gun.

This was the case in the Narrandera district, where between about 1900 and 1972 not a single Koala was in evidence. It took the foresight of local Councillor Ken Keisling to advance the notion of introducing Koala to breed in a reserve specially set aside for the purpose. The first koalas were introduced to the reserve in1972. Three females and one male were the first to arrive. Over the next two years a further nineteen adults were brought in. More than 25 years on, the numbers are still increasing and it is clear that the original koalas have bred successfully.

The Reserve hugs the Murrumbidgee River and provides an ideal diet of River Red Gum leaves. It has been subject to both flood and fire during the past 28 years. Despite this, it is now colonised by upward of 200 healthy koalas. It is clear from the number of sightings both upstream and downstream of the reserve, that the territorial habits of the koala have led to a spread of the population well beyond its boundaries.

The Narrandera community has taken the Reserve and its inhabitants to heart. Locals and visitors alike lend their eyes to the annual Koala Count. Supervised by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the count involves groups of spotters spreading quietly throughout the reserve. Once sighted a koala’s location is marked with a ribbon and sightings tallied at the end of the day.

Location: via Oakbank St, Narrandera NSW

Tiger Moth Memorial

Attractions in Narrandera – especially for aviation enthusiasts – don’t get much better than the Tiger Moth Memorial.

The Tiger Moth is the focal point of the memorial for those who trained at Narrandera’s No 8 EFTS (Elementary Flight Training School) during the Second World War. The display features the DH 82 Tiger Moth, a comprehensive collection of model airplanes and a range of photographic memorabilia relating to the training school at Narrandera.

On October 3, 1940, the first fiver Tiger Moth Aircraft (DH82-A) were flown in. The first intake of 60 Trainee Pilots, Course 5 (P) arrived on October 18, 1940 to commence their eight week course.  By the end of October the schools strength was 24 Officers and 336 other ranks. In the four and half years of operation, 3,818 young men were trained in the elementary stages of flying.

It was a self contained unit with its own post office, hospital, gymnasium, swimming pool and sewerage system.  

As the name No 8 EFTS suggests, the Narrandera Air School was one of a number established in Australia as part of the Empire Air Training Scheme which was established in April, 1940.   The scheme created a world wide air training plan in which more than 250,000 young men were trained as pilots, navigators, wireless operators and air gunners for the various theatres of operations such as Europe, the Middle East, Burma and the South West Pacific.

The official opening of the Narrandera Memorial on October 2nd 1988, was performed by Air Chief Marshal (retd) Sir Neville McNamara, a former Chief of Air Staff who trained at  Narrandera in 1942.   He later returned as a Sergeant pilot instructor prior to operational flying in the South West Pacific area.

Location: Cadell St, Narrandera (adjacent to the Narrandera Visitor Information Centre in Marie Bashir Park)

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Sharron Park B&B and Farm Stay is located on a working cattle property near Glen Innes in New South Wales.

Cathy and John Crosby have lived on the property for nearly fifty years, and have raised their children there. Cathy loves to share their beautiful home with others as a B & B. Both John and Cathy nurture the history of the 150 year old homestead and the surrounding property.

Cathy is a great cook, and delicious home-cooked meals are available. The Crosbys are very knowledgeable about the local district and attractions in the area, and happy to share that knowledge.

John installed the airstrip on the property 7 years ago when he was undergoing his pilot training in his mid-70s! He has since sold his Hornet, but is still in the process of fabricating a Pietenpol in the converted shearing shed come plane building shed.

Accommodation at Sharron Park Farm Stay and B&B

There is a range of accommodation options available at Sharron Park.

You may choose from King, Queen or Twin rooms. Breakfast is included in some of the packages.

Guests have access to shared areas of the home including the front sitting room, dining and lounge room, sunroom, verandah and gardens, BBQ area, and main bathroom.  

Meals are served in the dining room, alternatively in the paddock for a drovers kitchen experience.

The homestead is cosy in winter (and all rooms have electric blankets!), yet cool and breezy in the warmer months.

Amenities at Sharron Park include:

• Cooked and continental breakfast
• Comfortable beds and luxury linen
• Farm activities 
• Home cooked meals available 
• Friendly and knowledgable local hosts
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Private rooms with ensuite bathroom
• Peaceful and sweeping country views
• Historic homestead with antiques
• Ample free parking
• Family-friendly accommodation
• Private airstrip – runway information here
• Pets welcome (outdoors) – horse yards available
• Overnight stays welcome

Address: 8624 New England Highway, Glencoe NSW  
Phone: +61 (02) 6732 3858

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