Lamington in its best light as weather chills

Posted on 19 May 2008 Professionals and amateurs alike will capture World Heritage listed Lamington National Park in its best light as O’Reilly’s annual photography week heralds the start of a winter season that will bring new warmth and well-being to guests with the long-awaited opening of O’Reilly’s Lost World Spa.

Fresh from the Tasmanian wilderness, internationally renowned photographer Darran Leal returns to his favourite location to draw renewed inspiration from the 500 waterfalls, countless scenic vistas and some 220 species of birds and 66 species of mammals that make Lamington such a paradise for nature photographers.

The Lamington Light Photography Week program (May 25 - 30) offers the perfect mix of expert presentations and hands-on opportunities to discover the best locations and test newly developed photographic skills.

Darran Leal has trained his lens on polar bears and penguins in Antarctica, snapped lions in Namibia, captured the breath-taking beauty of blue ice in Patagonia and shot stunning scenes in canyons of America’s desert in an exciting adventure photography career spanning 25 years.

Darran is joined by O’Reilly’s own resident photographer Glen Trelfo, a former Australian ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ and dedicated ‘Birdman’.

Participants will be up with the birds and end their days shooting stunning sunsets, before retiring to relax in the warmth of O’Reilly’s dining room and the creature comforts of their room – a wonderful nature photography experience without the expedition!

For many guests winter is synonymous with a stay at O’Reilly’s - with walking in the World Heritage listed rainforest at its comfortable best and with the comfort food you crave at its most tempting, (after all you’ve probably walked it off already).

This year a winter escape to O’Reilly’s also offers the first chance to indulge in some serious pampering as O’Reilly’s opens its new world-class Lost World Spa in July and takes relaxation and rejuvenation to new heights - 1km above sea level!

With the location and ambience as important as the treatments themselves, the Lost World Spa will deliver a total escape to a tranquil world of revitalisation, with unique treatments utilising local indigenous plants and the superior service O’Reilly’s is renown for.

The new Lifestyle Conference Centre, also set to open in July, will provide state of the art facilities and expand meeting capacities, with the business sector increasingly embracing the good things that just come naturally at an O’Reilly’s corporate retreat.

Winter and the end of the financial year make for the perfect time to return to nature and refresh - outside temperatures are certainly ‘refreshing’, while the sunsets are spectacular and the stars at night putting on a stunning show.
Inside the fire is warm and the upstairs bar is the best place to watch day turn into night in a kaleidoscope of pinks and oranges, relaxing over a cocktail or a glass of wine of course.

For those inspired to pick up a paintbrush instead of a camera, the Artist in Residence week (July 20 - 25) with renowned landscape artist John Morrison, gives participants the chance to interpret the beauty of the Lamington landscape in the clear and sharp colours of mid winter.

An accomplished watercolour specialist, who had the honour of being the first international artist in residence at the famous Rocky Mountains National Park in the US, John Morrison encourages everyone from beginners to professionals to immerse themselves in nature, to help them create their own masterpiece.

At O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards, the corks are popping following the recent release of the new Lona Sparkling Semillon, while June sees two new vintages bottled with the launch of the 2008 Platypus Play Semillon and Vince Reserve Verdelho.

If the chill in the air means a red is preferred then O’Reilly’s has some superb and robust reds, including its signature Bernard Reserve Chambourcin.

July brings the chance to 'jazz it up' at the vineyard during the new 'Down by the Creek' Festival on Sunday 6th July.

It will be a celebration of great food and live music featuring renowned Blues artist Bo Jenkins and his band, Australia's premier Blues / Harp player Chris Wilson and The Easybeats' Stevie Wright, plus special guest Sarah Carroll.

Platinum Club members will be asked to roll up their sleeves in July or August to replant the vines that were lost in wild January weather that saw floodwaters sweep through the vineyard. A delicious thank-you lunch will be the order of a day of viticulture and camaraderie.

The Vineyard’s ‘Vintage’ restaurant always makes the perfect match of wines to a mouth-watering menu, with an enticing winter selection to warm you from the inside out.

The vineyard’s popular Antipasto Platter makes for a more casual dining experience. Lunch is served a la carte on the verandah, or a picnic by the creek in the sunshine is a relaxing option.

On the mountain the winter selection is warming, but never stodgy, traditional but never boring, with modern and lighter interpretations of classic dishes the flavour of the season.

No matter how cosy it is inside, nature always lures guests outdoors – onto the balcony to take in stunning views of mountains silhouetted against clear blue skies and into the rainforest to get up close and personal with the locals.

Winter wildlife is abundant – venture far enough a field and you may be lucky to spot the elusive Albert’s Lyrebird during its breeding season, the male putting on quite a show to impress the female.

Walking is the central focus of the Discovery Program over the cooler months, with the annual ‘Off the Beaten Track’ program (August 4 - 8 and 11 - 15) offering experienced bushwalkers the opportunity to visit some of the spectacular areas of Lamington and surrounds that can’t be accessed by graded pathways.

The recent opening of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk offers new opportunities for the more dedicated adventure walker.

The 22km section linking O’Reilly’s (Green Mountains) to Binna Burra can be comfortably walked within 7 hours, providing a great introduction to the overall walking experience on offer for those tackling the entire 3-day, 54km Great Walk linking Green Mountains to Springbrook via the scenic Numinbah Valley.

O’Reilly’s Discovery Program offers daily chances to join diverse guided walks of differing lengths and levels of difficulty or experience the exhilaration of a Flying Fox ride and take a thrill-seeking plunge on the Giant Swing.

Birders aren’t forgotten with regular activities scheduled as part of the daily Discovery Program, allowing early risers to wake up with the birds for a brisk short walk, and longer daytime excursions offered for more dedicated enthusiasts.

Scrub Club runs through the Queensland School Holidays giving kids fun-filled access to the educational opportunities of the ‘real’ Discovery Channel to be found in the trees, hollows and hideaways of the forest.

O’Reilly’s really is the natural place to indulge yourself this winter, and whatever the season. O’Reilly’s special ‘Winter Escape’ package starts from $146.50 per person, per night (Sunday - Friday) twin share, and includes accommodation in a Mountain View Room, buffet breakfast and a picnic hamper lunch at O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards on one day to be enjoyed on your way to or from O’Reilly’s.

For further information, contact O’Reilly’s Reservations on 1800 688 722 or visit www.oreillys.com.au. 
 

ENDS.

Further information on O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.
Further information on O'Reilly's Discovery Weeks.
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