Leichhardt’s Savannah Expedition 2020

Upon your arrival at Cairns airport today, you will be met by your friendly and professional Outback Spirit Tour Driver and Tour Director. We’ll then check in to the luxurious Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort, located on the the main esplanade. Tonight, join us in the hotel restaurant for a sumptuous welcome dinner and meet your fellow adventurers. Meals: D

This morning we depart Undara and head west to Croydon and the small siding of Critters Camp.
Here, we’ll catch one of the last great characters of rail travel – The Gulflander*! This historic little train takes us on a journey through to Normanton, where we’ll meet up with the coach and continue to Karumba. Located on the banks of the Norman River, Karumba 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 enjoy a special Sand island sunset dinner cruise in the Gulf. Enjoy local seafood while watching a sensational gulf sunset. (Includes wine and beer. Alternative meals are available). We overnight at the End of the Road Motel. Meals: B.L.D

*subject to avilability

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 Botanical Garden. By 1939 over 1,000 species of exotic native plants, shrubs and trees had been planted, supplying the

Botanic Gardens of the world with seeds produced by his nursery. In the early 1950’s fire swept through the nursery destroying everything including his home and all research that had been carried out over 20 years. The Botanic Gardens of Brisbane still holds 536 samples of seeds sent to them by Albert de Lestang.

Today we enjoy a visit to the World Heritage Listed Riversleigh Fossil site, where we enjoy a site walk with an experienced local guide. Then, it’s on to Lawn Hill Gorge for a guided walk and tranquil cruise. We return to Adel’s Grove mid-afternoon. Meals: B.L.D

Over the next 2 days we’ll explore Pungalina-Seven Emu Wildlife Sanctuary and learn about what makes these two properties such important ecological habitats in northern Australia. Activities include a scenic helicopter flight over the sanctuary, following the spectacular Calvert River all the way to the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Then, enjoy a cruise on the Calvert River and experience some rarely seen but truly spectacular scenery. We’ll also take an informative ecology tour with trained AWC staff.

In between activities, we’ll be visiting the beautiful thermal creek that runs past the safari camp. Its waters run at a constant 32°C, making it the perfect place to relax and soak up the pristine environment. Meals: B.L.D - daily

This morning we return to the Savannah Way, also known as the ‘Great Top Road’. We make our way west to Borroloola on the McArthur River before passing through Limmen National Park. We arrive at Lorella Springs Station late this afternoon for our two-night stay.

Lorella Springs is a spectacular one million-acre cattle station that stretches to the shores of the Gulf. Accommodation here has recently been upgraded and now comprises a mixture of different rooms and cabins, all with private ensuite bathrooms. Meals: B.L.D

Our travels today take us north along one of the most remote sections of the Savannah Way.
Used extensively by drovers in the 1870’s, thousands of cattle have walked this route on their way from Queensland to the Northern Territory and the Kimberley.

This morning we enjoy a short guided walk into the Southern Lost City in Limmen National Park. Then, continue heading north along the Savannah Way to Roper Bar on the Roper River. From here we cross into Arnhem Land and head to the community of Ngukurr, where we spend the next two nights at the Darlala Motel in modern motel rooms. Meals: B.L.D

This morning we make an early start to head to Darwin. Pass through Mataranka and Katherine before arriving late afternoon. Upon our arrival we check in to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel on the Esplanade, where we stay in premium harbour view rooms.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner at the hotel and celebrate our adventure through some of the most remote country in Australia. Meals: B.L.D