Day 1 Home ports - Gold Coast

Upon your arrival in the Gold Coast today you are met and greeted by our friendly and professional crew. This afternoon we check-in to the Crowne Plaza Resort at Surfers Paradise.

This evening we enjoy the Australian Outback Spectacular show presented by R. M. Williams. The show's first performance was in April 2006 and from the moment you step through the arena doors you will be truly immersed in the spirit and grandeur of the Australian Outback. The show begins at 7.00pm and includes dinner.

Day 2 Roma - Big Rig Oil Patch Tour

This morning we depart Surfers Paradise and head through Toowoomba and onto Dalby. Located in the heart of the rich and fertile Darling Downs, Dalby has the largest grain receival depot in Queensland. We pass through Chinchilla and Miles before arriving into Roma mid afternoon.

This afternoon we take a fascinating tour of The Big Rig Oil Patch, which takes visitors on an absorbing journey from Australia's first discovery of petroleum, through the boom and bust years of oil and gas exploration and onto today's multi-billion dollar industry. Tonight we stay at the Roma Explorers Inn, the newest motel complex in Roma.

Day 3 Carnarvon Gorge National Park

This morning we journey north to the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge National Park. An oasis in the heart of Queensland, the park is characterised by towering white sandstone cliffs and pockets of rainforest. It is also home to 173 species of birds. This afternoon we take a guided walk through the 'Gorge Section' of the park. (Medium terrain - not compulsory). Our accommodation tonight is at the Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge.

Day 4 Emerald - Barcaldine - Longreach

This morning we depart Carnarvon Gorge and travel further 'Outback' to Longreach. Pass through Emerald, a coal mining town responsible for the export of over 14 million tonnes of coking and thermal coal each year.

We arrive into Longreach late this afternoon and spend the next two nights at the Albert Park Motor Inn.

Day 5 Stockman's Hall of Fame - Qantas Founders Museum

Longreach is one of Queensland's most prosperous regions. It is home to Qantas which opened its first booking office in Longreach in 1920. Today we visit the Qantas Founders Museum which houses a Boeing 747 and the airline's first 707. Enjoy a tour through both aircraft and wander through the exceptional museum before visiting the famous Stockman's Hall of Fame. Tonight enjoy dinner at the new Cattlemen's Bar & Grill before returning to our motel.

Day 6 Winton - National Heritage Listed Lark Quarry

This morning we take a tour of the School of Distance Education before departing Longreach for Winton. Winton has a rich history with links to the Great Shearer's Strike, Qantas and Waltzing Matilda. The town is also well known for is association with dinosaurs. Located South West of the town is Lark Quarry, which contains the world's only record of a dinosaur stampede.

This afternoon we visit the Lark Quarry Conservation Reserve which was opened in 2002. We overnight at the Boulder Opal Motor Inn in Winton.

Day 7 Waltzing Matilda Centre - Cloncurry - John Flynn Museum - Mt. Isa

Enjoy a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre before continuing North West to Cloncurry, passing by the Walkabout Creek Hotel at McKinlay which featured in the legendary film 'Crocodile Dundee'. Cloncurry is home to the John Flynn Museum. Flynn established the Aerial Medical Service in Cloncurry in 1928 which took his caring service to remote homesteads and communities. We visit the John Flynn Museum before continuing on to Mt. Isa arriving late afternoon. We spend the next two nights at the Red-Earth Hotel, a luxurious boutique style hotel in the centre of town.

Day 8 Mt. Isa - Mine Tour - Riversleigh Fossil Centre

Mt. Isa began as a mining town following the discovery of substantial deposits of lead in 1923. It is now one of the world's top 10 producers of copper, silver, lead and zinc. Enjoy a town tour before visiting the 'Outback at Isa' centre where we take a full underground tour of the Hard Times Mine.

Afterwards we visit the unique Riversleigh Centre which interprets the world heritage listed fossil sites at Riversleigh. This afternoon enjoy some free time to relax at the hotel or stroll through the CBD of Mt. Isa.

Day 9 Riversleigh World Heritage Area - Adel's Grove

Departing Mt. Isa early this morning we make our way towards Lawn Hill National Park. En route we visit Riversleigh, which was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in 1994 for being one of the most significant fossil deposits in the world. We take a site walk with an experienced guide before continuing on to Adel's Grove. Adel's Grove is located on Lawn Hill Creek, and the lush surrounds make it a truly beautiful place. We spend the next 2 nights here so we can explore Lawn Hill National Park. Our accommodation is in safari tents which are comfortable but basic. Facilities are shared.

Day 10 Lawn Hill National Park

The name 'Adel' comes from the initials of Albert de Lestang. In 1920 he took up some land which was once a miner's lease and transformed it into an experimental Botanic Garden. By 1939 Albert had planted over 1,000 species of exotic and native plants, shrubs and trees and supplied the Botanic Gardens of the world with seeds produced by his nursery. Fire swept through the nursery in the early 1950's destroying everything including his home and trunk containing all of his research papers. Today the Botanic Gardens of Brisbane still hold 536 different samples of seeds sent to them by Albert de Lestang.

This morning we visit Lawn Hill Gorge. Enjoy a swim, try some fishing or cruise through the tranquil gorge on a canoe. We return to Adel's Grove for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.

Day 11 Karumba - Barramundi Discovery Centre - Norman River Cruise

This morning we make an early start and head for Karumba. Located on the banks of the Norman River, the village first came to importance in the 1930's when it became a stop-over point for flying boats on the run from London to Australia. This afternoon we visit the Barramundi Discovery Centre followed by a sunset cruise on the Norman River. We overnight at the End of the Road Motel.

Day 12 Normanton - Gulflander Train - Cobbold Gorge

This morning we travel back to Normanton and catch one of the world's last great characters of rail travel - The Gulflander. This historic little train takes us on a journey to Blackbull before we re-board our coach and continue onto Georgetown. Here we enjoy a late lunch before heading south to Cobbold Gorge. This geological wonderland is set on Robin Hood Station, a 1,284 square kilometre cattle property home to 10,000 head of Brahman cattle.

Tonight we overnight at the Cobbold Wilderness Lodge on the banks of the Robertson River. All accommodation has ensuite bathroom facilities.

Day 13 Cobbold Gorge Cruise - Undara

This morning we take part in a 2 hour river cruise on Cobbold Gorge. We then make our way to the Undara Volcanic National Park which protects the longest lava tube cave system in the world. We arrive at the Undara Lava Lodge late this afternoon and check-in to our unique accommodation in fully restored railway carriages (shared facilities). Enjoy dinner in the outdoor style restaurant as an outback sunset fades into a clear starlit night.

Day 14 Lava Tubes - Cairns

This morning a local Savannah Guide takes us for a guided tour through part of the lava tube cave system. We depart Undara after some morning tea and begin the final leg of our journey to Cairns. On the way we pass through the scenic Atherton Tablelands and visit the stunning Millaa Millaa Falls. We arrive into Cairns late afternoon and check-in to the Shangri-La Hotel, located on the Cairns Esplanade. Here we enjoy our final dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

Day 15 Cairns - Home

After breakfast enjoy a free morning before being transferred to the airport for return flights home.