Cycle Queensland 2008 Rest Day Activities
Cycle Queensland is more than just a bike ride - it's a chance to explore - and while rest day town Tin Can Bay might seem like a sleepy little village you can get your dose of action if you want.
Options available include:
- Day and over night trips to Fraser Island
- Adventure activities at Rainbow Beach such as: skydiving, diving, sea kayaking and surfing.
- Tin Can Bay activities from floating vehicles (LARC) and flights to dolphins, horses and birds.
- You can even do a 100km bike ride to rack up 700 for the week.
This page provides basic information and details on how to book. Follow the links to the operators to book or find out more info.
Tin Can Bay is in the spectacular Cooloola Region. Famous features of this region include Fraser Island, the Coloured Sands and the Great Sandy National Park. For general information about the region visit:
To help you make the most of what's on offer, a range of tours and activities have been put together for Cycle Queensland participants ranging from sea kayaking to skydiving. There's also the chance to head over to Fraser Island on a one or two day tour or to cruise the Great Sandy Strait for your chance to meet some of the local marine life.
To book a tour or activity, phone the operator direct or visit their website and remember to tell them you're on CQ08. Numbers for some tours and activities are limited - so book ahead to avoid disappointment. Tours and activities may be cancelled at the discretion of the operator if minimum numbers are not reached.
If a structured tour is not your thing then there are plenty of other activity options in Tin Can Bay.
All tours take place on Wednesday September 3 except the Fraser Island two day tour which departs at 1pm on Tuesday September 2.
A note about transport - Rainbow Beach is 35km away by road or not far across the bay by water so the Rainbow Beach tour operators are working on a transport solution and there may be a small charge for transport from Tin Can Bay to Rainbow Beach. They will keep you informed. It is a good road to Rainbow Beach should you feel up to a 35km ride each way.
LARC Boat Trips - Tin Can Bay
Join a fun filled tour of the beaches and coastline aboard the amphibious LARC. Bring your togs and take advantage of the boom net!
Cost: $70 per person
Duration: 90 minutes
Departs: Tin Can Bay boat ramp 10am, 12noon and 2pm.
Bookings: 07 5486 3131
More info: http://www.surfandsandsafaris.com.au
Scenic Flights - Tin Can Bay
See beautiful Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach, Tin Can Bay and the Great Sandy Strait from the air with a scenic flight with Sunshine Aviation. Groups can make special requests on booking.
Cost: $175 per person
Duration: 50 minutes plus pre flight prep
Departs: Cooloola Cove Airpark - a 10km ride from Tin Can Bay.
Bookings: 07 5450 0516 or 0427 512 718 and quote "Cycle Queensland"
More info: http://www.sunshineaviation.com.au
Dolphin Ferry Cruise - Tin Can Bay
Dolphin Ferry Cruises are more than just a boat ride. Discover the vastness and magic of this area and learn about its hidden wonders. Both Fraser Island and the Great Sandy Strait are designated National Park and protected zones and teeming with diverse sea life and local bird life.
Cost: $15 for one hour Sandy Straits cruise or $35 for three hour Fraser Island cruise
Departs: Tin Can Bay
Sandy Straits cruise - 9am, 10.15am and 11am
Fraser Island cruise - 12.30pm
Bookings: 07 5486 8085 or 0428 838 836
More info:
http://www.rainbow-beach.org/component/option,com_dcr/task,view/id,608/Itemid,281/
Dolphin Feeding - Tin Can Bay
Head down to Barnacles Dolphin Centre and Café for your chance to feed the local dolphins.
Cost: Free but donations are welcome
Where: Boat Ramp, Norman Point (tip of the peninsula)
When: Feeding from 8am but arrive between 7.15 and 7.30 to watch the dolphins come in.
Horse Riding - Tin Can Bay
Cooloola Horse Rides runs rides through the local countryside to suit your wishes.
Cost: Varies
Duration: From 1 hour to all day
Departs: Stables are 2km back along the Gympie Rd from the CQ campsite
Bookings & more Info: Sally on 0439 089 238
Diving - Rainbow Beach
Dive Wolf Rock just off Double Island Point. The site is famous for its resident grey nurse sharks as well as giant Queensland gropers, manta rays and eagle rays along with plenty of pelagic action. Considered to be one of Australia's top ten dives. Divers must possess Advanced Dive qualifications.
Cost: $185 inclusive of all equipment per person
Duration: all day and times subject to tides
Departs: Transport arrangements to be advised
Bookings: 07 5486 8004 and quote "Cycle Queensland"
More info: http://www.wolfrockdive.com.au
Surf School - Rainbow Beach
So you can ride a bike but can you surf? Learn to surf in the gentle waves off Rainbow Beach. Head out on a large high density foam board and try your luck in the green room. Body boards and surf boards are also available for hire.
Cost: $55 per person
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
Departs: Transport arrangements to be advised
Bookings: 0408 738 192 (same operator as the sea kayaking)
More info: email: rainbowbeachsurf@hotmail.com
Skydiving - Rainbow Beach
Get your knees in the breeze and check out the awesome views over Fraser Island, Double Island Point and the spectacular Coloured Sands that Rainbow Beach is famous for on a tandem skydive.
Cost: from $225 (8,000ft) to $295 (14,000ft) plus $25 for APF Skydive Levy per person
Departs: Transport arrangements to be advised
Bookings: 0418 218 358
More info: http://www.skydiverainbowbeach.com
Sea Kayaking - Rainbow Beach
Give your cycling legs a break and let your arms and shoulders do all the work for a change. Head out on the water in a two-seater sea kayak for a three to four hour paddle to Double Island Point or Inskip Point (depends on the weather). Enjoy the coastal views from a different angle and meet the local marine life including bottle nose dolphins, dugongs and turtles.
Cost: $65 per person
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Departs: Transport arrangements to be advised
Bookings: 0408 738 192 (same operator as the surf school)
More info: email rainbowbeachsurf@hotmail.com
Audax Ride - Rest Day 100
Want to make 700kms for the week? For those who want to run up some more kms with like minded cyclists then Audax Australia (Queensland region) will hold a Rest Day 100 km brevet starting from Tin Can Bay on the CQ rest day.
Audax rides are non-competitive long distance tours by bicycle, called "randonnees". The challenge of Audax is not in racing, but in riding at your own pace to finish within the time limit. Rides are open to all reasonably fit riders.
The ride will head to Rainbow Beach and Inskip Point before returning to Tin Can Bay.
There is a maximum time limit to complete the ride of 2.40pm although some of the riders will be back by 11.30am. The ride will be unsupported (no food provided) but water will be available halfway round and there are shops/cafes to purchase food/drinks in Rainbow Beach. As this is an unsupported ride, AA will not guarantee to pick up riders and return them to the start but AA will sweep the course and attempt to do so. AA will hand out route sheets before the start, giving directions and noting where toilets, etc are available along the route. Riders will get a brevet card to be signed at checkpoints as proof of their completing the ride. The cards are handed in at the finish to get ratified and posted to the riders.
Successful entrants will be able to purchase an Audax Australia 100 km brevet patch, costing $5. This ride will count towards a variety of Audax Australia awards.
Cost: Cost is $5 for Audax Oz and CA members, usually an additional $5 for others. Payment will be on the day just before the start of the ride and includes insurance.
Duration: 4 to 6 hours
Departs: From outside the Police Station (next to the campsite) at 8am.
Bookings: Pickup an entry form from CQ08 Ride Reception before the rest day or download one from:
http://audax.org.au/public/images/stories/controlledDocuments/rideentryform.pdf
More info: Applicable ride rules and awards can be found at http://www.audax.org.au/pdf/docs/RideRules20061101.pdf and http://www.audax.org.au/pdf/docs/AwardsRules.pdf
Fraser Island One Day Tour
Do Fraser in one fun-filled day with an experienced local guide and see the best the island has to offer.
The tour will visit Lake McKenzie, Pile Valley, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach and Eli Creek. Includes a hot and cold buffet lunch at Eurong Beach Resort.
Cost: $124 (if booked at least $48 hours prior) or $131.75 (if booked within 48 hours of departure) per person
Departs: Tin Can Bay at 7.15am on Wednesday 3/9/08 and returns approx 5pm
Bookings: go to http://www.fraserexplorertours.com.au/frasertours/tours/cycleqld.cfm
or phone 1800 372 737 and quote "Cycle Queensland".
Fraser Island Two Day Tour
Two days of fun and adventure on Fraser Island - take the time to see the very best the island has to offer.
The tour will visit Lake McKenzie, Pile Valley, Central Station, Wanggoolba Creek, Seventy-Five Mile Beach, Lake Wabby, Eli Creek and the wreck of the cruise ship Maheno. Tour includes one night motel style accommodation at Eurong Beach Resort and buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Cost: From $189.75 (if booked at least 48 hours prior) or from $202.40 (if booked within 48 hours of departure) per person
Departs: Tin Can Bay at 1pm on Tuesday 2/9/08 and returns approx 5pm on Wednesday 3/9/08. The ride from Maryborough to Tin Can Bay on Tuesday is 74kms and not difficult.
Bookings: go to www.fraserexplorertours.com.au/frasertours/tours/cycleqld.cfm
or phone 1800 372 737 and quote "Cycle Queensland".