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2008 News Archives
April 29, 2008
Down Under Tours Green Policy
With significant diversity in its natural resources, Australia is an environment where enormous opportunity exists for people to learn more about the area’s natural and cultural resources. The Down Under Tours Group of Companies has made a firm commitment to environmental sustainability through the support and participation of local studies, the implementation of staff accreditation and achieving nationally and internationally recognised company accreditation. Additionally, best practice operations management is a fundamental component of the Down Under Tours Group commitment to environmental sustainability. It includes the focus on energy management, waste management and contribution to conservation through all levels of the Company.
Click here for more details: DUT_Group_Green_Policy.pdf
February 05, 2008
Announcing Platinum Service Due in Late 2008
This year will see the introduction of an exciting and new level of service aboard The Ghan named Platinum Service.
Platinum Service is a new luxury level of train travel, like no other Australian train accommodation. The new Platinum Service Cabins are currently being built by a luxury boat builder to a completely new floor plan inspired by the world’s most luxurious trains and are expected to be in service later in the year.
Platinum Cabins will be approximately twice the size of our standard Gold Twin Cabins with each room offering deluxe accommodation including double beds, spacious ensuite and 24 hour room service. They will have all the modern comforts, in a classic style, with a distinctly Australian character. The Ghan will offer accommodation options that rival the best world-class trains. This new service level is in addition to our existing Red and Gold Services, which will continue to operate on The Ghan. This means that The Ghan will now cater to all budgets from Red Service the most economical way to travel, through to Gold Service for those holidaymakers who want to travel in comfort and now the deluxe offering of the new Platinum Service.
Platinum Service has been designed to meet the needs of the discerning traveller looking for that next level of comfort that will truly be the ultimate way to travel in style by train through the heart of Australia.
This is the most exciting development in Australian Rail Travel since February 2004 when The Ghan travelled to Darwin connecting Adelaide to Darwin by rail for the first time.
The details of Platinum Service are still under wraps as final preparations are being made. It is expected that initial interest will be very strong, as rail enthusiasts from around the globe seek to be the first, to experience this new level of service.
Look out for further information, updates and progress reports on this exciting new product offering from Great Southern Rail.
January 30, 2008
Impact of the December 2007 Fires
Background
In the afternoon of 06 December 2007 an intense storm passed over Kangaroo Island and the associated lightning strikes started 12 fires across the Island. Some of these were quickly contained or extinguished however 4 fires continued to burn, the largest of which was not contained until 15 December. The level of resources brought to the Island to fight these fires is unprecedented—12 aircraft for both fire bombing and observation, and over 700 mainland and interstate incident management and fire ground crew.
Impact
The community impact of such an incident is significant - given there are less than 4,500 residents. Tragically the life of one young man was lost during the fire which is keenly felt in a small community. In terms of scale, a total of 89,956 hectares (222,286 acres) burned, representing 20% of the Island. What remains unaffected is 349,851 hectares (864,131 acres) in area. Much of the area burned lies within Flinders Chase National Park which has a long, complex fire history. Much of the vegetation contained within the park is fire adapted or in some cases fire dependent in terms flowering or releasing seed.
From a wildlife perspective there were no doubt significant losses however the Australian fauna has adapted to fire. Most animals are resilient in escaping fire to adjacent refuges, or responding quickly breeding post-fire, feeding on the rapid growth which follows the fire. Images below show the typical response of Australian flora starting within 2 weeks of a fire. Observations post-fire show increased wildlife density in refuge areas - especially mobile species like kangaroos and wallabies. Also obvious are the echidnas really working over the unburned ground.
Visitor experience
Based on almost 20 years observations, visitors coming to Kangaroo Island post-fire are not impacted by the incident once any facilities affected by the fires are opened again. The regrowth of vegetation has been quite vigorous aided by the fact that some areas of Kangaroo Island which burned receive over 1000 mm average annual rainfall.
The recovery of plant and animal populations following the fires are rich interpretive themes which we are drawing upon to enhance the quality of our visitor experience through awareness to understanding.
January 15, 2008
Qantas to Increase Services to Honolulu
Sydney, 15 January 2008: Qantas announced today that it would increase its Honolulu services from three to four per week from 5 April, 2008.
The Executive General Manager of Qantas, Mr John Borghetti, said the strong Australian dollar made Hawaii a very attractive destination for Australians and that the airline was seeing strong demand on the route.
Mr Borghetti said the additional service would depart Sydney at 7:45pm on Saturdays and arrive in Honolulu at 9:30am the same day. The return flight would depart Honolulu at 10:50am on Saturdays and arrive in Sydney at 5:30pm the following day.
He said the new service was in addition to the three weekly services departing Sydney at 7:45pm on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Mr Borghetti said the services would be operated by a 229 seat, two-class Boeing 767-300 aircraft.
From 5 April, the Qantas Group will operate a total of nine services per week between Sydney and Honolulu, including five Jetstar flights.