EcoTourism

EcoTourism is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and at times protected areas by using minimal impact touring principals. This often includes touring in small groups. Tours are designed to allow customers time to reflect and enjoy the environment and wildlife in their natural surroundings.  They also include comprehensive interps of cultural, environmental and historial significance to the area.

The ECO Certification logo is a globally recognized brand designed to assist tourists in choosing a business that will provide a genuine and authentic tour that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

Longhorn YOUnique Tours awarded EcoTourism accreditation

"EcoTourism is all about delivering tours that provide an enjoyable experience for our customers that also enhance their knowledge and appreciation of Australia's amazing and diverse landscape and history. We tour in a way that ensures the sights we visit are there for future generations to enjoy."  says  Garry Hamel Head Guide

What we're trying to protect.....

Superb Fairy Wren

Edwards Point Wildlife Reserve 

The Great Otway National Park

Painted Desert a very fragile and beautiful area in SA



Alice Springs

Alice Springs is a Northern Territory town that is located in the centre of Australia.  Said to be the heart and soul of the outback it has a long history having been established in the early 1900's.

View of Alice from Anzac Hill

Anzac Hill is a popular site as it provides a fantastic view of the town and is a memorial to members of the Australian and New Zealand services who have served in war.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service was started by Dr John Flynne in 1928 and in Alice Springs in 1937. The service  delivers  health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. Its provided an amazing service over this time so a visit to the Flying Doctor Base is a must.

The National Pioneer Women's Hall of Fame provides insights into the contribution women have made to outback life and makes anyou appreciate the challenges the early pioneers faced.

The Olive Pink Botanical Gardens includes both the gardens and a space where exhibitions are regularly held.

The Alice Springs Desert Park is a must see as it has an enormous selection of the plants and animals found across Central Australian deserts. The park provides an environment where these can be seen, smelt and heard on walking trails showcasing three desert habitats, The Desert Rivers, Sand Country and the Woodland habitat. You can also witness free-flying birds of prey in their live outdoor theatre.

The town is famous for its Aboriginal Art and as a gateway to many iconic sights including Uluru Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. 

I'd have to say that if you drew a large circle around Alice Springs you'd include some of the most memorable sights I've seen in Outback NT.

Simpsons Gap West MacDonnell Ranges

Chambers Pillar to the South

Devils Marbels to the North
The marbles are thought to be serpent eggs by local Aboriginals



To find out what's on in Alice Springs you can check this Community calendar

13 day Outback Tour Melbourne to Alice Springs
13 day Outback Tour Alice Springs to Melbourne

Apollo Bay

Apollo Bay is a beautiful seaside village on the Great Ocean Road located approx 190 kilometres south west of Melbourne. With beautiful beaches, rolling hills as a backdrop Apollo Bay is also the gateway to the Great Otway National Park.

View of Apollo Bay from Mariners Falls

The beaches are suitable for swimming and surfing is also popular. Remember to swim between the flags on the patrolled beach. If you're not familar with what we mean by this see this site for beach safety and where to find a patrolled beach. Beach safety information

Fishing is also an option for visitors and there is a commercial fleet that operates out of the marina. You can moor your boat at the marina or purchase fresh seafood from the shop located there.

There are a number of walks located nearby including Marriners Falls a moderate walk taking takes approx 40 minutes from the car park. Depending on the time of the year you may have to wade through some water on the walk.

At the end you're rewarded with lovely moss covered walls and the waterfall. Its refreshing particularly on a hot day.

Marriners Falls

Maits Rest is a short drive from Apollo Bay and during the day provides a lovely rainforest walk. Its particularly enjoyable on a hot day.  A night visit has the bonus of glow worms.

Apollo Bay is also the gateway to the Great Otway National Park where you'll experience beauiful rainforest and see a range of animals in their natural surroundings.

Koala at Cape Otway

Our favourite spot to eat is Bayleaf Cafe which is conveniently located in the main street.

Apollo Bay is also home to the Apollo Bay music festival which is held in April each year. Apollo Bay Music Festival


1 Day Great Ocean Road Private Tour

2 Day Great Ocean Road Private Tour

3 Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Private Tour

3 day Melbourne to Adelaide Private Tour

4 day Melbourne to Adelaide Private Tour

Kati Thanda Lake Eyre

The Lake Eyre Basin is one of the largest internally draining systems in the world and the ecosystems it supports are varied and often unique. Spanning the Northern Territory, South Australia and Queensland the basin is said to cover about one sixth of the Australian continent.

For much of the time Lake Eyre itself is a dry salt pan but when the rains fall rivers such as the Georgina, Diamantina and Cooper Creek fill the lake and attract bird and wildlife from far and wide.

The Basin is culturally significant and has a long history of Aboriginal  and European settlement and use.  Sustainable management of its environmental, economic and cultural assets are extremely important. Known as Kati Thanda by the Arabana people the South Australian Government agreed to dual naming in late 2012.   

Our tours travel to Lake Eyre on the Oodnadatta Track and we often camp at Coward Springs which is an oasis in this often harsh desert landscape. The campground has a natural spa where you can enjoy a dip. It also has a heritage-listed railway site with a number of restored historic buildings which are interesting to visit.

Sunrise at Coward Springs is beautiful!

The best way to see the Lake is by taking a flight as you can only understand the scale and majestic nature of the Lake from above. It was truley an amazing experience although we were a little disappointed at the lack of birdlife. Our pilot explained that as there had been so much rain the birds had so many choices they weren't congreating in numbers on the lake.

We flew out of William Creek where the hotel is home to 3 permanent residents making this the smallest settlement in South Australia. They're a very friendly group and the pub is a great place to meet a range of interesting fellow travellers.   http://williamcreekhotel.net.au/

For more pictures of the area a great picture gallery from The Australian

Zoos in Victoria

Melbourne has a range of zoo's in easy reach from the city. You can find out all about them at Zoos Victoria.  http://www.zoo.org.au/Default.aspx?DN=ac7a272b-6304-4228-a162-731ba6dd45e8

The Melbourne Zoo has world class facilities for animals and visitors alike. One of the current features is the 4 baby tigers who have just turned one.  http://www.zoo.org.au/Melbourne_Events/Four_tiger_cubs_turn_one

Healesville Sanctuary focusses more on Australian wildlife and has just introduced an exciting new flight spectacular, Spirits of the Sky, which can be seen in the Flight Arena. http://www.zoo.org.au/Healesville/Spirits-of-the-Sky

One of the most fascinating areas at the Sanctuary is the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, a wildlife hospital, that treats more than 2000 sick and injured native animals every year. Whilst visiting this facility you may see an operation in progress or a range of animals being treated. The facility is also an important training centre for wildlife veterinarians. 

At Werribee Open Range Zoo animals are kept in their natural environment and tours are run through the park so you can see the animals as close as possible to how they would be in the wild. You can also experience a number of wildlife experiences including staying overnight on a Slumber Safari.  http://www.zoo.org.au/Werribee/Wild_Encounters

Aboriginal Australia

There seems to be an increasing interest in Australia's indigenous people, their culture and connection to country. From what we've learnt whilst travelling through this amazing land they were the first environmentalists. Their customs ensured their hunting and gathering practices didn't impact the ongoing viability of food sources.They moved with the changing weather patterns and used fire to manage the landscape.

If you're interested to learn more about these amazing people Information on Indigenous Australia

You can also join our 4 day Indigenous Tour of Victoria