Take Me Away April 2019

Take Me Away

Steve and Teena Chumbley of The Infinite Horizon, with son Aidan at Lake Eyasi in Tanzania

www.theinfinitehorizon.net

10 Day Tanzanian Wildlife Safari

with Steve Chumbley

Departing September 1 - Book Now EXPLORE Africa’s iconic destinations!

ENCOUNTER extraordinary wildlife!

EXPERIENCE the best of Africa with your Sunshine Coast safari specialists!

Conveniently located in Glenview, locals Teena & Steve will help make your African dream a reality today!

“We were really impressed with the Infinite Horizon.

Steve and Teena helped us plan our safari and our time in Zanzibar and were very patient with us as we made our choices. It’s a very personalised service and they genuinely seemed to want to our holiday to be perfect for us!” TRIP ADVISOR 2018

AN AFRICAN SAFARI - MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY Call Teena on 0457 249 998 or Steve 0467 270 619

to make your dream a reality!

Glasshouse Country & Maleny News

21

The M A L E NY T R AV E L L E R

Why Australians should travel to Antarctica in 2019

by Laura Pattara Expedition cruises to Antarctica are tipped to be the hottest travel trend for 2019 and it’s really not very surprising. It’s no secret that ice melt in the southernmost region of our planet is increasing at an alarming rate and this means there’s never been a better time to visit Antarctica than right now!

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience you shouldn’t miss Everyone who has been to Antarctica swears the experience left them awestruck and considers it a once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list journey like no other. The only things you’ll hear are the deafening sound of a penguin colony, of an iceberg calving and the startling silence of a continent that’s never been conquered by man. There are very few places that can make you feel both insignificant and on top of the world simultaneously. Antarctica is such a place.

Don’t miss your chance to experience it.

The days of the last minute deals are over Once upon a time, you could plan on spending a week or two in Ushuaia in Argentina waiting for some magical deal to pop up at the port but this no longer happens. Expeditions are not only fully-booked on every departure date but they’re booked out months in advance. Spontaneity may well be the spice of life but when it comes to visiting Antarctica, leave it too late and you’ll (literally) miss the boat.

Tourism helps the cause The need to protect Antarctica has been thrust to the forefront of environmental concerns because enough people have gone – experienced it – and come back as environmental warriors. Given this is the only continent on Earth with no indigenous or permanent population, Antarctica has been given a voice – a very loud voice – thanks to scientists and expedition cruise passengers.

How much does it cost to travel to Antarctica from Australia?

The cost of a cruise to Antarctica is arguably the primary concern for potential adventurers. We could bet our bottom dollar that you’ve already heard about how expensive this destination is. This is due primarily to the greater cruising distance.

Relax. Antarctica is certainly not the cheapest place you could visit from Australia but there are a few ways you Typical cruise route departing from Hobart, can mitigate costs if you plan ahead.

Australia or Invercargill, NZ Expeditions to the south from Australia and New Zealand hold an incredible advantage – they take passengers on longer and much wilder journeys to the east. Of all the expeditions on offer, these are by far the most magnificent but, given their very nature and the fact that the Antarctic summer is so short, only depart a couple of times a year.

Cruises to Antarctica from South America Cruises departing Ushuaia in Argentina are by far the cheapest option for Australians and that holds true even when you include return flights to South America.

Cruises are cheaper due to the sheer number of ships and operators, as well as shorter cruising times. It is in Ushuaia that you’ll find the greater choice of ships, itineraries, comfort levels and price.

Make your African travel dream a reality

By Sonia Clark Fuelled by her love of exotic adventure stories and wildlife, Maleny’s Janet Myers had always nurtured a life-long dream to travel to Africa.

At 74, Janet was unsure how to make that dream a reality until she saw an ad in Glasshouse Country & Maleny News for Glenview-based African safari specialists The Infinite Horizon.

Janet Myers with guide Alex Janet said she had always thought in Okavango travelling to Africa would be too expensive and out of her reach.

“However, when I saw how reasonably priced the organised trip to Tanzania was, I rang and chatted to owner Teena Chumbley, who was lovely.

“I realised that it was something I’d wanted to do for so long that I decided to just go for it and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made,” she said.

As well as wanting to visit Tanzania, Janet had a few other African experiences on her bucket list such as seeing Victoria Falls, trekking for gorillas and flying over the Okavango Delta.

Initially concerned about travelling on her own, Janet said she was completely put at ease as Teena accommodated all her additional travel wishes to put together an accessible trip of a lifetime.

“Teena and Steve from The Infinite Horizon were incredible, with their indepth knowledge of Africa and local contacts, they organised everything and followed up every step of the way,” Janet said.

“Although I signed up for a guided tour of Tanzania with Steve, I travelled through Zambia, Botswana and Rwanda by myself but felt completely safe and supported every step of the way will all my pickups and transfers preorganised.

“The guides and overall service at every place was fantastic and I’m just so glad I finally did it – it was everything I’d hoped for and more,” Janet said.

To find out more visit www.theinfinitehorizon.net or call Teena 0457 249 998 or Steve 0467 270 619.

Above & Beyond your travel dreams

Above & Beyond Travel has been helping locals with their travel dreams for more than three years.

Conveniently located at The Riverside Centre in Maleny, Above & Beyond Travel have just welcomed another experienced member to the team, Sandy Mauger. Sandy has worked locally in the travel industry for the past 15 years and brings with her a wealth of travel experience and knowledge, specialising in North and South American travel.

Nicola and Jane complete your friendly team of professional booking experts and with their combined experience in Europe, Asia, Africa, Canada, New Zealand, cruising and skiing travel - they have the whole globe covered.

“The benefit of using a travel agent, especially one that is fully accredited and certified, ensures easy accessibility, efficiency, booking security and complete peace of mind,” Nicola says.

“You, as our client, have invaluable access to our insider knowledge – whether it is recommendations on where to go, advice on what airline to fly, what cruise ship to go on or what hotel to stay in.

“We aim to go Above & Beyond your expectations.”

If you would like to explore, dream and discover the world, then call 5499 9015 or visit www.abovebeyondtravel.com.au for more information.

Typical cruise route departing from Ushuaia, Argentina For more details and advice on planning your Antarctica adventure call Gillian at Maleny Travel on 5499 9111.

5499 9111 l 39 Maple Street, MALENY

22

Explore

Dream

Discover

Ph: 07 5499 9015

Shop 2, The Riverside Centre 4 Maple Street, Maleny E: info@abovebeyondtravel.com.au www.abovebeyondtravel.com.au Glasshouse Country & Maleny News

Business feature

Collecting moments to treasure Mystic Mountain Tours would like to introduce its new range of tours designed for locals. The tour bus company has been operating since 2003 and its range of buses has been available for charter and transfers. Mystic Mountain Tours is excited to present tours due to popular demand from the groups who travel with them on a regular basis.

There are a range of options to choose from including day trips to events and interesting destinations, short breaks to refresh the soul and extended tours to faraway places. Destinations are often reached by the back roads not just down the highway. They like to surprise you with morning tea in a special place or a photo opportunity that is unexpected, and Happy Hour at the end of the day. Your tour will be filled with fun stories and interaction, as well as a beautiful big window to see the world outside. Clean and comfortable coach and accommodation are a pleasant part of your time away.

You will travel in comfort and safety in the Mystic Mountain Tours fleet.

They are a local family business and you will be touring with the owners who have a focus on your enjoyment.

Andrew and Lynn will take very good care of you during your time away.

A special feature of traveling with them is a door-to-door pick up service on their extended tours so you don’t have to worry about leaving your car at a

pickup location for your time away. The tours usually have approximately 25 passengers and you will never be lost in the crowd.

Let Mystic Mountain Tours share with you the wonder and adventure of our beautiful Australia. Collect moments not things, see places you have never seen before and meet new friends to share these experiences.

Mystic Mountain Tours COLLECT MOMENTS TO TREASURE WWW.MYSTICMOUNTAINTOURS.COM.AU At 1000 metres elevation, the air seems fresher, the sky more blue in Granite Belt Wine Country. Discover a landscape of dramatic beauty & diversity with distinct seasons. The wineries of this region offer a boutique & authentic wine experience, where in many cases the hands that pour your glass are the same that tended to the vines & made the wine. Each bottle has a story to tell & each cellar door welcomes you to discover that unique story. A food lovers delight, you'll find passionate people converting fresh local produce into gourmet delights.

Take a colourful journey to the Darling Downs. Visiting stunning private gardens and meeting nursery owners.

Experience the peace of the Japanese Gardens & the delights of Toowoomba Parks. Discover local history at the home of the oldest & largest operating Woolshed in Australia. Explore the rich rail heritage at Spring Bluff Railway with a cuppa at the station while serenaded by local birdlife. Also exploring DownSteam Rail where you will see the awe-inspiring DreamTime Journey Coach in their unique Indigenous Art Gallery.

Discover the people and places of real Australia on this adventure to the Outback. Follow the trails of the explorers and bush rangers for new experiences, fossicking for gems, taste dinner under the stars on the Thompson River, see the Tree of Knowledge and hear the Musical Fence. Visit the home of the Waltzing Matilda, Stockmans Hall of Fame, Age of Dinosaurs, and learn about the Australian Characters who shaped Outback Queensland on this unique tour!

Cool High Country 21 - 23 July From $590pp Twin Share

Woolshed Flowers & Gardens

26 - 29 September From $850pp Twin Share

Gems, Legends & Fossils 24 - 30 August From $1925pp Twin Share

CONTACT US FOR BROCHURES & BOOKINGS 0400 086 877 info@mysticmountaintours.com.au Glasshouse Country & Maleny News

23