Outback tour in Australia, Queensland hinterland

There will be time to visit and support the Long Distance School of the Air in which children from remote outback properties are educated in their homes on isolated desert properties. You will be part of a unique communications process whereby the traveller is immersed in the self-reliant and innovative lifestyle of Australians who own and work isolated properties that are larger than some nations and who welcome the occasional social interaction with the "outside world", the news and revenue we bring as we visit and live in with them over varying periods of time.

The tour brings a greater understanding and awareness of the early exploration of our country, the tragedies and triumphs, the birth of an Australian national spirit from which people of the outback draw identity and strength. As such we are bridging the divide of awareness between city and rural people. The tour is totally dependent on services from and supportive of isolated towns and enterprises which survive on a small number of passing travellers each day, towns with populations of just two or three, one man or husband and wife enterprises that exist hundreds of kilometers from a nearest neighbour. All our guests receive a written brief, pre-tour, in which they are referred to our Travel Ethic, minimising the tour impact on the environments we visit. Compliance with the Travel Ethic and the values of Responsible Travel form part of the Terms and Conditions, when booking. You will also receive a questionnaire, pre-tour, in which you can profile your expectations of the tour, your special interests and declare the importance of sustainable tourism and the environment to you. Our pre-tour "meet and greet" briefing includes references to the Travel Ethic and Responsible Travel and values are highlighted spontaneously throughout the tour.

Your tour is extensively researched for local content and "authenticity" and where available local guides are engaged in support. In addition your tour leader imparts a much broader study of Australia's evolution, land management and conservation issues and knowledge drawn from research on other tours, by the company. Our tours also provide an extensive library of nature based field reference books, background information on local features, indigenous culture, conservation and history plus select DVD's on these subjects for special viewings. Glaringly orchestrated and themed, mainstream tourist traps are not featured or included in our tours. Through annual and access fees to national park authorities we provide revenue essential to the protection and maintenance of the parks we visit. We comply with the management plans of each park and assist by reporting adverse events or special findings to the park management.

We collect and thoughtfully dispose of any rubbish sighted in the parks visited. We retain and dispose of our own rubbish in a similar manner. We minimise the use of disposable packaging and recycle all catering items where possible. We conduct limited departures to any one tour or destination so minimising our impact on any one pristine environment. All catering is arranged or purchased locally or home made. In most instances accommodation is chosen on the basis of local family ownership and small business management and with added practices in place, particularly saving of water and energy. In many instances it is the only accommodation existing in an isolated town where interaction with locals is a highlight of any visit, for all concerned.

Our tour group sizes are limited to 8 to 12 people maximum, to minimise any negative impact on the environment, the enjoyment of other people, the capacity of community services, the safety and stress of wildlife. We encourage the practice of low noise bushwalking and special solo activities making our guests at one with the environment. We minimise the use of our tour vehicle in preference for walking, travelling only on formed roads and tracks, applying the annual recorded mileage to a carbon offset program. Vehicle fuel and service requirements are purchased locally. We conduct our operations from a minimalist city office under a policy of recycling paper and clerical supplies, minimising power and water usage in a current drought affected environment and engaging a network of expert small business services as required. Our operation is working toward a carbon neutral status with some proceeds from each tour directed to accredited tree planting programs to offset unavoidable CO2 emissions as well as the regeneration of degraded lands and enhancement of wildlife habitats.