APRIL 2012: FRASER ISLAND PHOTO WORKSHOP
Join Sunshine Coast-based photographer Darran Leal (pictured below) and Steve Parrish OAM for a week-long photo workshop on glorious Fraser Island.

The island is yours to rediscover under the lens - from beautiful landscapes and seascapes to unique nature and fun creative subjects.  Your expert tutors will cover everything from how to shoot great candid people images in far off countries to simple processing techniques using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop.

Event: Fraser Island Photo Workshop
Date: 16-21 April 2012
Who: Photographers of all skill levels
What's Included: Three nights' accommodation at Eurong Beach Resort on Fraser's eastern beach; two nights' accommodation at the multi-award winning Kingfisher Bay Resort; your photography tuition and breakfast and dinner.  Lunch is not included (but can be purchased daily for around $10).
Note: Transport is not included in this package.  World Photo Adventures can help facilitate 4WD-pooling with other course attendees. Air Fares are not included.

Cost: $2995 per person twin share - julia@worldadventures.com.au or +61 7 5446 6538.
Partners' package available from $1995.  Single supplement $650. $500 deposit required, conditions apply.

Day 1: Eurong Beach Resort - from 1pm. Workshop covers those nagging photographic questions and covers digital technique. (D)
Day 2: Eurong Beach Resort - Sunrise shoot and morning beach shoot using creative subjects from shells to sand patterns.  Afternoon drive targeting eagles, dingo, Maheno shipwreck (B,D).
Day 3: Eurong Beach Resort - Sunrise shoot looking at iconic subjects.  Drive inland to shoot Central Station and afternoon drive as per previous day.
Day 4: Eurong Beach Resort to Kingfisher Bay Resort - Sunrise at a new location.  Drive west to Kingfisher and spend the afternoon workshopping processing your images and Lightroom. (B,D).
Day 5: Kingfisher Bay Resort - 9am workshop on using images beyond processing.  Afternoon shoot around the resort with a sunset at the Jetty Hut. (B,D).
Day 6: Kingfisher Bay Resort - 0830 meeting to answer any last questions and show your best 10 shots from the trip.  Finish at 1030. (B).

*Itinerary and price subject to change.

FEBRUARY 2012: SKYE LIFESTYLE WELLNESS RETREAT IN WORLD HERITAGE WILDERNESS
Sydney-based Skye LifeStyle will return to Kingfisher Bay Resort to host a Yoga Retreat at the award winning eco resort, on Fraser Island’s western side, from 16-19 February 2012.  Tailored to all levels - from beginner yoga students to advanced practitioners - the wellness getaway includes three nights’ accommodation, breakfast, 2 x lunches and 2 x dinner, passenger ferry transfers and a mix of eight meditation and yoga classes..

Retreat: Skye Lifestyle Yoga Retreat
Date: Thursday, 16 February - Sunday, 19 February 2012
Where: Centre Complex / Fraser Island

As yoga is performed on an empty stomach, each day will start with a moderate power yoga class in pristine wilderness, followed by a healthy breakfast to kick start the day.

Your days on Fraser can be spent taking advantage of the resort’s eco activities and facilities, having a leisurely massage or relaxing before the afternoon’s yoga and early evening meditation sessions.

Prices for the Kingfisher Bay Resort Yoga Retreat start from $699 per person, twin share or $897 single. For more information, the full itinerary or to book, contact Skye direct on 0400 647 236 or visit skye@skyelifestyle.com.au.

JANUARY 2012: AUSTRALIA DAY AT KINGFISHER BAY
Come and join us on Thursday, January 26 as we celebrate all things Australian at Kingfisher Bay.

Event: Australia Day Family Adventure Program
Time: 1000-1300
Who: Singles, couples and families all welcome to help us celebrate Australia Day in true Aussie style!
What: Thong throwing, Potato sack races, Beach games and prizes!
How: Book at Reception and Meet at the Jetty Hut.
Cost: $15/adult  $7.50/child

Event: The Great Australian Sausage Sizzle.
Time: 1200-1300
Who/What/Where: What better option for lunch on Australia Day than a true blue Australian sausage sizzle at our famous Jetty Hut.
Cost: $3pp or $5 for two people.

Event: The Great Aussie Campfire
Time: 1930-2100
Who/What/Where: What better way to end Australia Day than a traditional Aussie Campfire Night.  Enjoy marshmallows, music, hot billy tea and fresh baked damper as you relax by an open fire.
How: Book at Reception and Meet at the Jetty Hut.
Cost: $10/adult $5/child.

Prizes for winning team/s and overall best performing individual on the day in two categories (child and adult) will include:
Adult Prizes - Bottle of Kingfisher Wine/Sparkling or $5 off any main meal vouchers for the Sandbar.
Kids prizes - Various prizes from the Village Store e.g. key rings, caps, lollies, badges.

See you there!

JANUARY 2012: THE 20th ANNUAL KINGFISHER BAY RESORT REGATTA
All Aboard as the Hervey Bay Boat Club Yacht Squadron gears up to host the 20th Annual Kingfisher Bay Resort Regatta in the calm waters off Fraser Island.

The sailing action will heat up over the Australia Day long weekend as a fleet of mono and multi-hulled and cruising boats take to the Great Sandy Strait for a weekend of fun, frivolity and some serious racing.  

Races: Four days of buoy passage and handicap races!
Date: From Thursday, 26 - Sunday, 29 January 2012
Time: 0830 (briefing); 1000 (race start)
Where: Urangan Boat Harbour to Kingfisher Bay Resort (and back!)

The first race sails from Urangan to Kingfisher Bay Resort. The following days consists of buoy races and a
Passage race. The final day is a fun, handicap start race back to Urangan Boat Harbour in Hervey Bay.

Competitors can choose to stay on their yachts anchored in front fo the resort and have full use of the Sand Bar bistro and its facilities.

Watch this space for discounted accommodation prices and more race information as it comes to hand.

JANUARY 2012: THE ART OF ARCHITECTURE WITH RALPH BAILEY
One of the architects behind the visionary design of Kingfisher Bay Resort will lead a tour of the property’s structural design and landscape when he arrives on the Fraser Coast next month. Joint Founder of Guymer Bailey Architects, and acclaimed author, Ralph Bailey will present a series of special lectures on the principles of the resort's design including energy efficiencies, design and aesthetics from Saturday, January 21.

Ralph and architectural partner Tim recognised the significance of the property – situated in a National Park and on a World Heritage-listed island – and designed an eco-friendly, sustainable, low-impact resort integrating the architecture and landscape in a unique way.  Kingfisher Bay’s Centre Complex building was cleverly designed to use natural convection currents to cool the building, eliminating the need for air-conditioning and saving the resort 48,000klw of electricity per year.

Topic: 'The Truth About Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Architecture'
Date: Saturday, January 21
Time: From 2030-2130
Where: Centre Complex (meet at Reception)

Walk: Guest Presenter on a Ranger-guided Flora Walk
Date: Sunday, January 22
Time: From 1500-1600
Where: Meet at Reception

Topic: 'Native Flora and Landscape Design'
Date: Sunday, January 22
Time: From 2030-2130
Where: Centre Complex (meet at Reception)

Ralph and Tim have individually have lectured and published numerous papers and articles on architectural design, vernacular and sustainable architecture, use of timber, furniture design, graphics, ecotourism, landscape planning and design.  These sessions are free of charge and are open to resort house guests and Fraser Coast locals.

DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012: LIVE IN THE MAHENO LOUNGE
Tis the season to be jolly... and we'll be hitting all the right notes with some of our talented local musicians over the Christmas and New Year period.

Frank was born in Fiji and grew up on Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand. Frank mixes the soulful rhythm of the sea in his music to create a natural roots feel.  He draws influences from the Dave Matthews Band and John Butler Trio and has a similar sound to Ben Harper and James Blunt.

Artist: Frank Benn
Date: Nightly from Friday, December 23 - 30
Time: 1730-2130

NEW YEAR'S EVE Artist: Groundhog rock the house from 1830 in the Maheno Lounge
Date: Saturday, December 31

NEW YEAR'S EVE Artist: Our resident DJ will spin some cool tunes in the Dingo Bar
Date: Saturday, December 31

Artist: Frank Benn
Date: Sunday, January 1 - 14
Time: 1730-2130

AUSTRALIA DAY Artist: Frank Benn
Date: Thursday, January 26 -27
Time: 1730-2130

Artist: Phil Morgan
Date: Saturday, January 28
Time: 1730-2130

LIVE IN THE MAHENO is free of charge to resort house guests and all visitors to Fraser Island. We hope you can join us for what promises to be a series of FUN nights on FRASER.

DECEMBER 2011: ERROL STOCK AND HIS KINGDOM OF COLOURED SANDS
Dr Errol Stock conducted his first Ranger Talk at Kingfisher Bay back in 1998 and returns again in December to present a series of interesting and informative talks on Fraser and its fascinating landscapes.

Topic: 'Water Secrets' of Fraser Island
Date: Monday, December  19
Time: From 2030-2130

Topic: Hidden Workers - Creatures and Critters in the Sand
Date: Tuesday, December 20
Time: From 2030-2130

Topic: Kingdom of Coloured Sands
Date: Wednesday, December 21
Time: From 2030-2130

Topic: Sand On The Move
Date: Monday, December 22
Time: From 2030-2130

Dr Stock is a director of Triple-E Consultants. For almost 30 years he was attached to Griffith University where he taught earth sciences and planning at the Nathan Campus. Before joining Griffith University he worked for 12 years on mining and exploration projects throughout Australia.

All talks will take place in the resort's Panama Conference Room, conveniently located in the Centre Complex. Be sure to check our What's On Guide for details.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011: LIVE IN THE MAHENO LOUNGE
The acoustics in our Centre Complex are fantastic... so join us as we showcase some fabulous local artists over the coming weeks.

Artist: Elizabeth Robins
Date: Friday, September 16
Time: 1730-2130

Artist: Elizabeth Robins
Date: Saturday, September 17
Time: 1730-2130

Artist: Frank Benn (natural roots feel with influences from the Dave Matthews Band)
Date: Friday, September 24
Time: 1800-2200

Artist: Frank Benn (natural roots feel with a John Butler Trio influence)
Date: Friday, September 30
Time: 1800-2200

Artist: Frank Benn (natural roots feel that sounds a lot like Ben Harper)
Date: Saturday, October 01
Time: 1800-2200

LIVE IN THE MAHENO is free of charge to resort house guests and all visitors to Fraser Island.  We hope you can join us for what promises to be a series of FUN nights on FRASER.

SEPTEMBER 2011: RICHARD COWARD DEBUNKS MARINE MYTHS
Marine ecologist Richard Coward’s incredible passion for the marine environment is equalled by his passion to educate and inspire people to care for the ocean and its inhabitants.  Come learn about the environment in a fun way at the following spring holiday events:

Topic: Fraser Island's Fascinating Marine Fauna presentation
Date: Friday, September 23
Time: 2030 - 2130

Walk: Fraser's Crazy Beach Critters - Ranger Eco Adventure
Date: Saturday, September 24
Time: 1400 -1500

Topic: Dangerous Marine Animals
Date: Saturday, September 24
Time: 2030 - 2130

With extensive experience managing exhibits in aquariums around the world, the Ocean Life Education lecturer has also worked with sharks, seals, penguins, turtles, sea jellies, fish, octopus and invertebrates,

During his extensive career the father-of-three has been involved in research programs including buoyancy syndrome turtle research, shark research and breeding programs as well as whale rescues and is a regular guest on Channel Ten’s Totally Wild.  Check out Richard's blog!

SEPTEMBER 2011: A KINJA SURPRISE AT CAMPFIRE NIGHT
Special musical guests 'Kinja' will join us this Friday night around the campfire for a special night of damper, billy tea, bush story telling and the beautiful sounds of a didgeridoo and fiddle.

Event: Kingfisher Family Campfire Night
Date: Friday, September 23
Time: 1900-2030
Where: Centre Complex, Meet at reception.

Ron Murray and Sarah James are Kinja. They bring together the cultural heritage of their ancestors. They produce a fusion of Indigenous and Celtic music, featuring didgeridoo, fiddle and vocals. They aim to promote reconciliation through music.

Ron is also a cultural educator, he's known as teacher, story teller, artist and musician, working with all ages groups to embrace Aboriginal culture. Ron recently received his MA (Education) from RMIT for his work in bridging the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous education.


SEPTEMBER 2011: THE FASCINATING FROGS OF FRASER ISLAND
Join Herpetologist Jean-Marc Hero for two informative weekend sessions discovery the fascinating frogs of Fraser Island.

Jean March is an Associate Lecturer at the Griffith School of Environment with a special interest in amphibians. His research expertise is in biodiversity assessment and monitoring; conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles; global amphibian declines; community ecology of amphibians and environmental management and assessment.

Come and learn about the unique frogs that call Fraser Island home and live in the tea-stained waters of the coastal wallum. Jean Marc will also examine global threats to frog populations.

Topic: Global Amphibian Declines
Date: Friday, September 16
Time: 2030-2130
Where: Centre Complex, Meet at reception.

Topic: Frogs of Fraser Island
Date: Saturday, September 17
Time: 2030-2130
Where: Centre Complex, Meet at reception.
This session will be followed by a guided walk to search for these frogs in their natural island environment.

Sessions are free to Kingfisher Bay Resort House Guests.  Read Jean Marc's blog.