Galway Advertiser 2008/GA_2008_01_10/GA_1001_E1_030.pdf 

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F E A T U R E S

www.galwayadvertiser.ie

January 10 2008

BREAK-AWAY
TRAVEL WITH UNA SINNOTT

Get active in Queensland
With spectacular beaches, stunning rainforests, and rugged outback, there's no better place than Queensland to kick-start your New Year's resolutions. Whether you're looking to get active in the outdoors, learn something new, or spoil yourself with luxury, the Sunshine State has got it covered.

Get active in the great outdoors
Discover Queensland's calm waterways and open ocean from a different perspective, in a kayak. Paddle over the seagrass beds and coral gardens of Magnetic Island, which lies off the coast from Townsville in the tropical north with Sea Kayak. Cruise with dolphins on a Kayak Noosa dolphin adventure off the oceanfront Noosa National Park. Glide along the beautiful Brisbane River with the city lights and high-rises as a backdrop with The Riverlife Adventure Centre. Visit www.queensholidays.com.au for more information. A day at one of Queensland's pristine beaches is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors. Spend a day at the beach splashing about in the clear blue water and building sandcastles along the golden shoreline. For something a little more energetic, how about a game of beach volleyball or cricket with a group of friends? The beautiful Queensland coastline stretches from Coolangatta Beach in the south to Four Mile Beach in tropical north Queensland, and beyond to the tip of Cape York. Picturesque beaches can also be found on many islands in between. Just remember when swimming on Queensland to always swim between the yellow and red flags -- these areas are patrolled by skilled surf lifesavers. www.verygc.com

Learn to do something new
Almost every Australian has tried to surf at some time. Now it's your turn to conquer the balancing act between wave and surf board. The ideal surfing conditions of Queensland will have you hanging 10 in no time, leaving you feeling like you're walking on

water. www.surfingqueensland.com With the colourful waters of the Great Barrier Reef as your classroom, learn the difference of a jibe and gybe as you take the wheel of a sleek yacht. Learn to sail in the Whitsundays with Sunsail (www.sunsail.com.au) and navigate the turquoise waters to secluded islands fringed with pure white sand. Sail the Keppel Islands off the Central Queensland coast with CruisAbility's Sailing School (www.cruisabilitiy.com.au), trim the sails and wind the winches as you visit a variety of anchorages. Learn to scuba dive in the calm, colourful, clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef. During the four-day Queensland scuba dive course with Tusa Dive sy of Tourism Image courte you'll explore the pretty coral bays and canyons of the remote outer Spot turtles on the Southern reefs. Spend the first two days getting Great Barrier Reef, cruise out to Lady Musgrave comfortable with scuba equipment and techniques in Island for a day of snorkelling, fish feeding, and turtle the safety of a pool, before you venture out onto the spotting in the underwater observatory. 1770 Great reef with your instructor. www.tusadive.com Barrier Reef Cruises operate day trips from the Town of 1770 on the central Queensland coast to the 100acre coral lagoon that surrounds Lady Musgrave Spend more time Island. www.spiritof1770.com.au with the family Dig for dinosaurs in Queensland's outback, journey back to the Jurassic era and discover Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast is heaven for Australia's largest and most unusual prehistoric kids and a paradise for parents. The million dollar locals. Get up close to ancient remains of dinosaurs; themed Z4K is a mini fun park featuring seven the kids can get hands-on and dig with a themed areas, such as Tiny Town with pedal palaeontologist while discovering the rich heritage of ancient inland seas. powered cars and working traffic lights, Under Water Australia's World with submarines and slides, and Magic www.outbackholidays.info Garden complete with a colourful ball pit. While on the Gold Coast heading to one of the theme parks Get out of your comfort zone with the kids is a must. www.paradiseresort.com.au Spend time with the family in the country at a Try surfing with a difference, the traditional farmstay. Relax in the laid-back atmosphere as the Hawaiian sport of Stand Up Paddle Surfing has found kids get involved in the farm activities. Enjoy old- a new home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The fashioned country hospitality at the Lillydale host paddle is used to propel your surfboard not only farm, where you can join in the cattle work, feed the through the water but also onto waves and as a animals, and collect eggs. Explore the countryside on rudder to help steering. Sound a little complicated? horseback or on a tractor ride. www.lillydale.com.au No problems, Stand Up Paddle Surfing offers lessons

and tours out of Noosa and Caloundra. If you're happy to watch rather than join in, demonstrations are held on the second Sunday of every month at Noosa. www.standuppaddlesurf.com.au As you stare down the face of the sand dune, your pulse will start to race and the wind will rush through your hair as you take off. The massive sand blow on Moreton Island just off the coast of Brisbane is custom made for adrenalinpumping sand tobogganing. If you can manage it, on the way down take a look around at the dazzling bright sands, just don't forget to hold on! www.tangalooma.com/tangalooma/ activities/sand_tobog.asp Take a hot air balloon tour of the Cairns Highlands. Enjoy a spectacular bird's eye view of the area, also known as the Atherton Tablelands. Gently lift off as the sun rises over a unique region of World Heritage listed rainforests, national parks, charming outback towns, and rolling green hills. Come down to earth and enjoy champagne, fresh juices and a hot and cold buffet as you relax in the serenity of the Cairns Highlands, which begin a scenic one hour drive inland from Cairns. Visit www.hotair.com.au or www.ragingthunder.com.au

Spoil yourself
From the islands of the Whitsundays, to the Gold Coast hinterland, and north to the beaches of the Port Douglas, health retreats can be found and enjoyed all around Queensland. The hidden getaways specialising in exercise, relaxation, and healthy cuisine are surrounded by spectacular surroundings. At the six-star Qualia Resort (www.qualia.com.au) on Hamilton Island luxury is equalled by with the view of the Whitsunday Islands. In the Gold Coast hinterland it's the seclusion of Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat (www.gwinganna.com.au) that stands out. In north Queensland's `spa streets' in the tropical villages of Port Douglas and Palm Cove (www.tropicalaustralia.com.au) offer a selection of the luxurious retreats right on the water's edge.

WEATHER
Thursday
A breezy and chilly day with persistent rain at first soon clearing to bright spells and squally showers. Winds westerly to northwesterly fresh. Max temp 5-7C (41-45F).

Friday
It will be another chilly but rather brighter day. There may be a few light wintry showers, mainly around the coast. Light northwesterly winds. Max temp 3-5C (37-41F).
Clifden
6

7

High Tide in Galway
Tuam
6

20

GALWAY
7

24

6

Ballinasloe

Thursday January 10 Friday January 11 Saturday January 12 Sunday January 13 Monday January 14 Tuesday January 15 Wednesday January 16 Thursday January 17

06.08 06.46 07.25 08.06 08.49 09.37 10.35 11.45

18.37 19.14 19.52 20.34 21.18 22.10 23.13 ** **

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Information supplied by PA Weather Centre

Noon Thursday

7

7

Phases of the Moon
Tuesday January 15 -- first quarter.

Saturday
Dry at first, rain later.

Sunday
Bright spells and showers.

Monday
Showers, general rain later.

Tuesday
Lengthy showers, bright intervals.

Wednesday
Heavy showers, mainly cloudy.