Brisbane - Australia 2004 - page 256

you'll find it here. You can hang around the pools or lagoon, head to the spec-
tacular surf beach about 2km (1 1 ⁄ 4 miles) from the main resort, or stroll through
remnants of primeval rainforest. The resort is committed to environmentally
friendly practices, and is unique for its range of more than 100 recreational and
sporting activities including a 9m (30-ft.) rock-climbing wall, three-lane sprint
track, baseball and softball pitching cage, and a High Ropes Challenge course.
There's also beach volleyball, bocce and lawn bowls, shuffleboard, surfing, fish-
ing, and a stargazing observatory, and for gentler pursuits an extensive day spa
and a resident artist who'll give you lessons. Guests can take in a wildlife show
at the amphitheater. There are lots of accommodations choices. My favorite is a
nature-cabin in the bush, but for water views and closer access to the restaurants
and spa, choose one of the colorful waterfront units. All have kitchens, and
there's a general store and “pantry service” which will deliver supplies to your
room. Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas and on balconies,
and no tobacco products are sold at the resort.
South Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, QLD or P.O. Box 224, Runaway Bay, QLD 4216. & 1800/632 211 or
07/5597 9000. Fax [phone]. www.couran-cove.com.au. 357 units. Nature cabins (sleep from 3-8) from
A$308 (US$200) per night with a minimum 3-night stay; waterfront rooms from A$299 (US$194) per night
(no minimum stay). AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; poolside cafe; 10-lane heated pool; children's
swimming pool; golf driving range and putting green, free transfers to mainland golf courses; 2 tennis courts;
2 fully equipped exercise rooms; spa; extensive watersports equipment rentals; bike rental; children's pro-
grams and 1 ⁄ 2 -acre adventure playground; game room; tour desk; massage; babysitting; laundry service; dry-
cleaning. In room: A/C (waterfront units only, others have ceiling fans), TV w/pay movies, VCR, fax, dataport,
kitchen, minibar (marine resort only), hair dryer, safe.
Tangalooma Wild Dolphin Resort Once the Southern Hemi-
sphere's largest whaling station, Tangalooma is the only resort on Moreton
Island. The resort's big attraction is the pod of wild dolphins that comes into the
jetty each evening. Guests are guaranteed one chance during their visit to hand-
feed the dolphins; but you can't swim with, or touch, the dolphins. The feeding
is regulated for the health of the pod, and your turn is over in a few seconds.
Tangalooma is a good base for exploring the rest of the island, and a variety of
tours are available, among them seasonal (late June to Oct) whale-watching
cruises for A$95 (US$62) adults, A$55 (US$36) children. A dolphin research
center is also based here. In the past year, 96 new hotel rooms have been added
to the accommodations, which also includes 56 modern two-story family villas
only a year or so older. Villas are pricier than regular rooms, and are a little far-
ther from the resort facilities. The new hotel rooms sleep up to four guests and
have such amenities as air-conditioning, minibar, and hair dryers, which the
other rooms do not. However, older rooms have a kitchenette. Units in the main
resort area each sleep four to five people, and each has a private balcony. A gen-
eral store is on-site.
Moreton Island, off Brisbane, QLD, or P.O. Box 1102, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009. & 1300/652 250 or 07/3268
6333. Fax [phone]. www.tangalooma.com. 288 units (all with shower only). A$328-A$433 (US$213-
US$281) including dolphin feeding. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; cafe; 2 outdoor pools; driving
range and putting green; archery; tennis and squash courts; Jacuzzi; watersports equipment rental; children's
programs and playground; tour desk; 4WD rental; babysitting; coin-op washers and dryers. In room:A/C in
newer rooms, TV, kitchenette in older rooms, full kitchen in villas, minibar, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer
(some rooms only).

Kids