Spring will truly be a season of awakening for O’Reilly’s with the $34 million Mountain Villas development set to open up a new level of luxury ecotourism for the Gold Coast hinterland and usher in an exciting new era for the pioneering O’Reilly family, just as nature itself springs into new life.

Late August rain has brought nature’s hinterland playground alive and O’Reilly’s is celebrating with additional bird watching tours, a new ‘Snakes Alive’ activity, and popular picnics amidst the verdant vines, washed down with new release O’Reilly’s wines.

October 15 will see the first guests experience the ultimate rainforest escape as the 48 two- and three-bedroom O’Reilly’s Mountain Villas welcome their first guests.

Special spring birdwatching tours of the rainforest and eucalypt forest are twice-weekly fixtures in O’Reilly’s busy Discovery Program, that now also offers the regular chance to get up close and personal with a friendly carpet python and learn about other resident rainforest reptiles waking up after winter.

During the one-hour Snakes Alive presentation, participants get the chance to touch and hold a large carpet python, presented by the animated guide Glen Trelfo.

Excitement is also building for the 30th Anniversary of O’Reilly’s famous Bird Week in November, with preparations well underway for special celebrations to mark the start of a tradition of linking nature conservation and ecotourism with the establishment of the first and longest running event of its kind in Australia.

This year the birds will be singing in celebration of anniversary and one of the world’s foremost experts on birdsong will be on hand to hear and interpret every sweet sound.

Donald Kroodsma, Professor Emeritus at the University of Massachusetts who has studied birdsong for more than thirty years, will bring his highly tuned ears and recording equipment to O’Reilly’s to join an impressive panel of experts.

Conditions are ideal for exploring the flora and fauna of the World Heritage listed rainforest and in nature’s peak breeding season the blooms, birds and wildlife make for an ever-changing canvas and chorus. Recent rain has ensured the waterfalls are flowing freely, while the creeks in the valleys are bubbling.

O’Reilly’s Activities Coordinator Tim O’Reilly said the spring months offered ideal walking conditions to explore the rainforest and enjoy a range of special events, including Bird Week (Nov 4-11).

“September usually brings a kaleidoscope of colour as dozens of orchid species come into brilliant bloom, while bird species such as Noisy Pitta and Paradise Riflebird are most active during the nesting period,” Mr O’Reilly said.

“Some of the orchid species have quite small flowers, but if the King Orchids have a good year, they are spectacular.”

“For those interested in all things floral and botanical, Forest Weekend (2-4 November) offers the chance to learn from Bill McDonald of the Queensland Herbarium and a team of expert leaders about the complex world of the rainforest. The weekend is also a popular lead in to Bird Week, with Bill McDonald staying on to lend his significant expertise to enrich the birdwatching program.”

Those keen to learn how to capture nature on film have a number of opportunities to join one-day and weekend, workshops run by wildlife photography experts Trekabout Photography Workshops throughout the spring months (29th September, 14 & 21 October, 16-18 November).

The Whipbird call is also going out for locals to discover their own backyard with a range of activities to help visitors make the most of even one day in the piece of paradise the O’Reilly’s have called home for more than 90 years – day tour options include the famous Border Track walk and an interpretive 4WD bus tour to a spectacular lookout.

September school holidays are the perfect time for the kids to enjoy Scrub Club, with games and exciting activities introducing children 5-15 years to the fun of nature’s theme park, while educating them about caring for our precious environment.

While the spring mountain air is still crisp, at the O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards below picnics on the grassy banks of a crystal clear creek are a popular lunch option as the weather warms – with the chance to see a family of platypus that calls the stream home.

O’Reilly’s is toasting the release of two new wines, the Viola Reserve Cabernet 2005 and the Shane Reserve Shiraz 2005, which was awarded a Bronze Medal at the RQAS Mediterranean Wine Challenge 2007 even before its official release. The vineyard is also celebrating winning an award for best winery stand at the Brisbane Exhibition.

From mid-September the vines will start budding and as spring progresses the growth spurt has to be seen to believed, with the verdant new shoots growing up to 20cm a week.

Opera returns to the vines with the chance to experience well-known Brisbane musical theatre group Savoyards perform under the stars and wine and dine the night away on November 3.

O’Reilly’s is offering special Spring Escape Packages from just $174.00 per person, per night, twin share (Sunday to Friday nights). Enjoy a night’s accommodation in a Mountain View Room with full three-course menu dinner and full buffet breakfast.

Bookings are also being taken to experience the luxury of a stay in a beautiful self-contained Mountain Villas from $360.00 per night.

Bookings for day tours from O’Reilly’s are highly recommended, whilst the popular picnic baskets at the vineyard must be booked at least a day in advance.

For further information, please contact O’Reilly’s on 1800 688 722 or O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards on 07 5543 4011.

ENDS.

Further information on Lamington National Park.
Further information on O'Reilly's Mountain Villas.
Further information on O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.

MEDIA:
For further information on this press release, please contact:
Amanda Tidmarsh
Phone: 07 5502 4900
Fax: 07 5502 0988
E-mail: amanda@oreillys.com.au
Or
Kathy Bourke
Phone: 07 5539 9883
Mobile: 0419 757 622
E-mail: kathy@articulatecommunications.com.au