NAI International Conference
Townsville, Queensland, Australia
April 13–17, 2010


Sponsors & Partners












National Association for Interpretation
888-900-8283
www.interpnet.com

Email a staff member.


Deb Tewell is the primary staff liaison for the conference.


Contact Jamie King regarding conference registration and NAI membership.


Contact Paul Caputo regarding the conference website and publications.




Queensland beach photo © Jenny Rollo.

1. Wheeler Reef Snorkel/Dive
Explore the magnificent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park at Wheeler Reef, one of the GBR’s premier dive sites with shallow areas well suited to snorkeling and introductory diving, as well as deep bommies and swim throughs for SCUBA divers. Enjoy excellent coral cover and an array of marine life, including sharks, giant trevally, garden eels, and nudibranchs. Interpretation by marine biologists and tour operator trainers provided.

• Cost: $175 (snorkel only); $250 (diving)
• Time: Depart at 6:30am; Return at 5:00pm
• Meals Included: Morning and afternoon tea, lunch
• Maximum Number of Participants: 50
• Note: This tour may not proceed if weather is unsuitable, but a reasonable alternative will be provided.

2. Outback Charters Towers—Ghosts of Gold
Let the ghosts of Charters Towers’ past take you on a trail through the town’s gold mining history at four separate but thematically linked venues. This trip includes automated, three-dimensional audio reenactments, short walking tours, panning for gold, and exploration of the huge old ore-crushing and gold extraction battery with guides and a ghostly holographic film presentation.

• Cost: $100
• Time: Depart at 8:30am; Return at 5:00pm
• Meals Included: Box lunch (picnic with flying fox colony)
• Maximum Number of Participants: 20

3. Paluma and Crystal Creek Rainforest
Depart Townsville via pineapple and sugarcane plantations. Drive through Paluma’s world heritage wet tropics rainforest, a time capsule of Australia’s flora and fauna—mountain streams and waterfalls, views, morning tea in Paluma’s rainforest village, and rainforest. Enjoy lunch at Hidden Valley Cabins, Australia’s first carbon-neutral accommodation, and a tour through their solar plant with eco-accredited Kookaburra Tours.

• Cost: $120
• Time: Depart at 8:30am; Return at 5:00pm
• Meals Included: Morning tea and barbecue lunch
• Maximum Number of Participants: 50

4. Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island is a continental island in the center of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) and is an island “solar suburb” of the Townsville Solar City program. Maggie, as it is known locally, includes world-class stunning scenery and views; high mountains; a unique mix of native vegetation; tropical beaches; fringing coral reefs; characterful people and culture; and great interpretive walking (Townsville City Council’s sustainability education tours have Advanced Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia). Visit and collaboratively learn about some cool thematic interpretation for energy, water, and nature whilst walking, talking, and having fun. Up to 12 people can elect to kayak instead of participating in afternoon walks for additional cost.

• Cost: $85 (includes ferry ticket)
• Additional kayak fee: $70
• Time: Depart at 7:15am from hotel lobby to arrive at ferry terminal at 7:45am (transportation not provided to ferry terminal); Return to hotel at 5:45pm
• Meals Included: Lunch
• Maximum Number of Participants: 24

5. Townsville Sustainability Tour— From “Creek to Coral”
Experience the “Rowes Bay to Borrow Pits Learnscape Transect,” a thematically interpreted journey from the top of Townsville’s energy and water catchment, and learn about Townsville’s innovations and communications in sustainability using persuasive communication in Townsville Solar City. Includes ample urban nature and “cool” wet and dried-out wetlands.

• Cost: $55
• Time: Depart at 8:00am; Return at 5:45pm
• Meals Included: Lunch
• Maximum Number of Participants: 24
  

1. Reef HQ Aquarium
Enjoy pre-dinner drinks served under the watchful eyes of the Reef HQ’s predators and reef creatures, followed by a sumptuous meal set against the backdrop of the living reef exhibit. You will be invited to explore the entire aquarium with Reef HQ volunteer guides on hand to answer questions.

• Cost: $80
• Time: Depart at 6:00pm (short walk to Aquarium from hotel); Return at 10:00pm
• Meals Included: Dinner (beverages cost extra)
• Maximum Number: 65

2. Museum of Tropical Queensland
Start your gourmet dinner out with a bang at the Museum of Tropical Queensland. Enjoy the galleries within this unique architectural structure that overlooks the river and participate in “running out the gun” as you learn to use one of the six-pound cannons found on the HMS Pandora.

• Cost: $75
• Time: Depart at 6:00pm (short walk to Museum from hotel); Return at 10:00pm
• Meals Included: Dinner (beverages cost extra)
• Maximum Number: 65

3. Billabong Sanctuary
Intrepid rangers spin fascinating tales of native wildlife while carefully preparing a special treat at the end of a long pole. Suddenly a mighty crocodile surges out of the water and lunges at the chunk of meat. The powerful jaws snap shut with a resounding clap, and the huge reptile slides back into the water. It’s feeding time. After a few more heart-stopping moments you stroll down a candle-lit pathway to koala peninsula. Here you enjoy a more personal interaction with docile pythons and lizards, and even meet baby crocs. For an additional fee, you can have your picture taken with koalas and wombats. Enchanted by the splendor of the night sky and the reflection of the torches over the billabong, you will now be served a sumptuous meal under the stars.

• Cost: $70
• Time: Depart at 6:00pm; Return at 10:00pm
• Meals Included: Dinner (beverages cost extra)
• Maximum Number of Participants: 65

4. On your own
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Townsville and find dinner on your own according to your own tastes and budget.