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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 2 'Heroes of the Light Horse', presented by R.M. Williams. This is the second instalment of this unique show, 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.
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.
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 enjoy a walk through the gorge section of the park (medium terrain - not compulsory). Our accommodation tonight is at the Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge.
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.
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. This afternoon we also visit the School of Distance Education. This evening we head back to the Stockman's Hall of Fame for dinner and a show at the Cattlemen's Bar & Grill.
This morning we depart Longreach and head for Winton, stopping along the way to visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum. Enjoy a guided tour before arriving into 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 its 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 or cruise through the tranquil gorge on a canoe. We return to Adel's Grove for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.
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 before checking in to our accommodation for the night, the End of the Road Motel. Tonight we enjoy a sunset dinner cruise with Croc and Crab tours. Cruise along the Norman River before entering the Gulf of Carpentaria. We pull into a sand island for a feast of freshly caught mud crabs, prawns and fish while watching a sensational gulf sunset. (Includes wine and beer. Alternative meals available).
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 Village cabins on the banks of the Robertson River. All accommodation has ensuite bathroom facilities.
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.
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.
After breakfast enjoy a free morning before being transferred to the airport for return flights home.
NOTE: Departures with a * next to them operate in the opposite direction. Reverse itinerary available on request.
*Book by 30th June 2013. Conditions apply.
Save hundreds of dollars off your tour fare with our Smart Savings. Maximum saving is $500 per person
Save $125pp for each previous tour taken with Outback Spirit in the last 5 years
Save $100pp for groups of 4-7 passengers. Please enquire for larger groups
*All passengers must book at the same time to receive this saving
Triple share and save $150pp
| Accommodation Type | |
|---|---|
| Bed & Breakfast (Twin/Double) | $210.00 |
| Room Only | $170.00 |
| Bed & Breakfast (Single) | $190.00 |
| Accommodation Type | |
|---|---|
| Bed & Breakfast (Twin/Double) | $272.00 |
| Room Only | $240.00 |
| Bed & Breakfast (Single) | $256.00 |
Visit the village in the rainforest using the award winning Kauranda Skyrail and Scenic Railway. The Skyrail Gondola ride is a spectacular journey along the top of the pristine rainforest. Enjoy the scenic rail journey back to Cairns. Cost: From $120 per person.
Set sail aboard modern and spacious catamarans out to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Enjoy a full day to explore the reef sand island, Michaelmas Cay and it's surrounding underwater wonderland. Includes lunch and use of snorkelling equipment. Diving options available. Cost: From $207 per person.
“My wife, Margaret and I would like to take this time to thank Outback Spirit for providing us with the opportunity to experience outback Queensland – it was eye opening, surprising, and most importantly, an enjoyable and carefree way to see and experience it all – we won’t forget.”
“Your company is certainly one which is concerned for its customers right to the end of the trip. Lyn and Mal were marvelous in all ways, organised, very pleasant, full of knowledge and very good at their jobs. I would not hesitate to encourage anyone to take one of your trips; every aspect is of the highest standard. I hope that I will be able to take another one before long.”
Have you travelled with Outback Spirit before? We'd love to hear from you.
Save hundreds of dollars off your tour fare with our Smart Savings. Maximum saving is $500 per person
Save $125pp for each previous tour taken with Outback Spirit in the last 5 years
Save $100pp for groups of 4-7 passengers. Please enquire for larger groups
*All passengers must book at the same time to receive this saving
Triple share and save $150pp
