MIPC Volunteers 2012

Departs 8.30am 14 Howard Smith Drive, Port of Brisbane

Parking $30 for 3 days. Pay at the ticket office.

Please arrive by 8am to facilitate loading luggage onto the Moreton Experience vehicle. Please load your luggage onto the Moreton Experience vehicle after parking and before boarding the MICat.

At the ticket office inform staff that you are a MIPC volunteer, as MIPC receives a special rate for MIPC volunteers. You are with travelling with Alan Genninges, Moreton Experience.

Return Departs Moreton 4.30 Arrives Brisbane 6pm.

Running late due to impossible traffic. Don't give up as sometimes the MICat is also late. If you can phone your organiser or Alan on 0428 783781 with an update of where you are, as it is sometimes possible for MICat to wait a couple of extra minutes. The MICat can't wait for latecomers as this cuts into the time for patrons on day trips. If you miss the boat ring Alan ASAP so we can explore your options. An extra charge may be required in case of a special transfer.

Luggage The plan is for your luggage to travel in a vehicle on the MICat. However please be prepared to place your luggage on the deck of the MICat in case of the unexpected.

Once loaded onto vehicles at the MICat terminal your luggage will not be accessible until you reach camp. Make sure you have suitable clothing with you if a walk is planned for on arrival.

What to bring

Water bottle Please bring a filled water bottle, and refill on the MICat. A full water bottle is handy in case of delays in the transfer to Blue Lagoon (eg. bogged vehicles sometimes block the track.)

BYO food. All volunteers can BYO food. If they do this then except for parking trip is free as long as you do 8 hours voluntary work.

Optional catering. If sharing with a group who are fully catered then you can take up a fully catered option of $50, or just evening meals for $10 each.

BYO first lunch to eat before reaching camp. All other meals are provided, including cake at camp and fruit when on tours and walks. See menu if you have special dietary requirements.

This option is available on weekends commencing, 24^th Aug, 31^st Aug, and 29^th Sept.

Bedding A bare stretcher is provided.

Sleeping bag

sleeping mat ~optional

pillow ~ optional

Eating gear

plates and cup

cutlery

tea towel ~ if required

Clothing

swimmers

raincoat

boots for walking in water (bare feet is OK)

some rock walking but mostly sand tracks

Torch no lighting in sleeping tents

BYO alcoholic drinks

Binoculars ~ whales are seen June till late October

Refrigeration. I provide a drinks esky with ice to keep your drinks cold. Please bring your drinks pre-cooled and in an esky so my limited ice will last.

Insect protection Usually camp is free of biting insects, but repellent is a good insurance. Tents are not screened.

Caltex Port of Brisbane Your last chance to buy forgotten items – They also do fairly good value food suitable for your BYO lunch. Toilets at the Caltex are a good option, as toilets at the MICat terminal toilets are remote from the car park.

Charger for camera and phones 240 volt charging is available from 8am to 3pm, so bring your 240 volt charger. Turn phones off as the weak signal strength mean phone batteries flatten quickly. Texting is reliable over most of the Island. Weak but usable signal on the Telstra and Optus network is available at camp.

Swimming. Swimming in Blue Lagoon is excellent. The Ocean beach is un-patrolled and not protected by shark nets. Thus swimming in the Ocean is not recommended.

Accommodation Tents are 4 by 6 metres with up to 8 stretchers in each. Patrons make their own share arrangements. Usually a maximum of 4 persons have to share a tent. If you wish to bring a hike tent there are some good sites on the edge of the camp.

Facilities Parks cold showers and flushing loos are 300 metres north of the camp. Parks hybrid toilets are 90 metres from camp. There is also a Moreton Experience composting toilet located at camp for night time use. Patrons who require frequent use of a toilet are welcome to utilise the Moreton Experience any time. (Waste from my composting toilet has to be transported back to the mainland.)

Tours The option of tours for volunteers at $15 each are only available on weekends commencing, 24^th Aug, 31^st Aug, and 29^th Sept. Other weekends, tours are not scheduled.

Outline of Programme Volunteers are required to complete 8 hours work during the weekend. Volunteers particpating on the weekends commencing, 24^th Aug, 31^st Aug, and 29^th Sept. are required to work the full 8 hours. On the other weekends volunteers who choose not work the full hours 8 hours can do less and pay MIPC $20 for each hour not worked.