Tropical travellers
With the frosty mornings and chilly afternoons a regular for the Riverland, five Orana clients along with two staff, made their way to sunny far-north Queensland to escape the winter blues.
Ashleigh, Allen, Paul, Adrian, and Travis set their sights on Cairns, supported by Orana staff Karen Millington and Dakota Clark.
During the eight-day trip, all the travellers had the opportunity to experience the finest attractions and activities that the tropical destination had to offer.
Edge Hill, with its spectacular views, served as the ideal accommodation for a week filled with fun and new experiences.
Eager to begin their adventure, the group set off on their first day, exploring the vibrant Carins Waterpark and the fascinating Cairns Aquarium. The group had the opportunity to fully experience the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, with its vibrant array of tropical fish, sharks, and manta rays.
The Loxton travellers made their way to Kuranda, a beautiful little town just 30 minutes north of Carins, using a new mode of transportation, the Skyrail, a set of cable carts hoisted high above the National Parks. All of the clients who visited Kuranda enjoyed their time at Birdworld, where they saw a variety of coloured birds of various sizes.
The group continued their tourist experience by travelling to Trinity Beach via a scenic drive along the coast before arriving in Port Douglas. On the way back to Cairns, the group stopped by the Carins Night Markets, where everyone enjoyed browsing the wares.
For their final few days in the sun, everyone enjoyed their adventure through the Rainforest Nature Park, hand-feeding kangaroos and enjoying a cultural Aboriginal dance, learning about digeridoos and learning how to throw a boomerang.
Throughout their stay, clients also enjoyed Hartley’s Crocodile Farm. Clients thoroughly enjoyed a boat ride through the swamps, in search of large crocodiles, followed by a snake show and watching the crocodiles eat their lunch.
On the last day, everyone headed to the Botanical Gardens to enjoy a beautiful shared breakfast, followed by a visit to the local plaza. Clients also visited Timezone, the ultimate entertainment destination. Everyone had a great time playing arcade games, bumper cars, mini golf, and other activities.
After a whirlwind holiday, everyone had a fantastic trip away and can’t wait until their next adventure.
Supported holidays provide a wonderful opportunity for people with disability to explore new experiences while improving their independence skills.
Cairns provided the ideal and most beautiful setting for new experiences and to strengthen bon between friends.
Holidays and experiences that encourage independence are valuable for our clients with disabilities, as they empower them to live the life they desire.
