7 Day - Lazy Days in Longreach
Departs: 8th October 2009
TOUR COST: from $1989 per person twin share
There is no doubt you will have a wonderful outback experience as we leisurely explore the horizons of Central Queensland and the outback towns of Longreach and Winton and surrounds. When you travel on this seven day tour there is time to see the things that are often overlooked when travelling through some outback shires. Travel through some of Queensland’s most remote and untouched landscapes including Aramac’s Dreamtime and Heritage Trail.
Visit the unique Gracevale caves on the edge of the Aramac Range. The caves contain rare examples of traditional Aboriginal rock art. In Longreach explore the Qantas Founders Museum, the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, the RM Williams Outback Show and cruise the Thomson River at sunset. Tour to historic Winton and visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre and at Lark Quarry your chance to “Walk with the Dinosaurs”. As you venture home, stops in Isisford, Blackall and Roma will allow you the opportunity to continue to discover just what makes outback Queensland tick. Come and experience this special part of Queensland with your Down Under Crew at a pace that’s just right!
DAY 1 BRISBANE—BILOELA D
Thursday 8th October 2009: Depart Brisbane Roma Street Transit Centre at 7:30am. Travel north on the Bruce Highway. After a lunch stop in the Heritage City of Maryborough head inland to the citrus growing areas of Gayndah and Mundubbera to Biloela, a thriving rural town in the Banana Shire, in the Callide Valley south west of Gladstone. Stay Settlers Motor Inn.
DAY 2 BILOELA—LONGREACH BLD
Friday 9th October 2009: Today travel west to the coal mining town of Moura. Just outside Moura we stop at Apex Park to view the 150th Meridian before continuing along the Dawson Highway past large open cut coal mines to Rolleston, Springsure and on to Emerald. Here we visit the massive Fairbairn Dam, which creates Lake Maraboon. This water storage facility ensures a supply of water for irrigation of the Central Highlands crops of cotton, citrus and various grain crops. In Emerald’s Morton Park take the opportunity to explore before enjoying a picnic lunch. After lunch head westward arriving in Longreach late afternoon. 4 Night Stay Longreach Motor Inn.
DAY 3 ARAMAC & GRACEVALE BLD
Saturday 10th October 2009: Enjoy a day of discovery as we take an exclusive guided tour through Aramac’s unique Dreamtime and Heritage Trail. We have the unique opportunity to learn the real history of Aboriginal and European contact around the first town on the wild frontier; to travel through ancient lava flows to one of Australia's oldest Dreamtime carving sites, over 10,000 years old, on towering rock walls within the private working station of Gracevale; visit lava blow holes, gorges, caves, the first pioneers' cutting into the outback, Old Grey rock, Settlers and Cobb & Co. campsite. Arrive back at our motel late afternoon.
DAY 4 LONGREACH SIGHTSEEING BD
Sunday 11th October 2009: This morning we inspect the Qantas Founders Museum, with its excellent displays including a full scale replica of Qantas’ first aircraft. Tour the fully equipped 747 Jumbo Jet and the recently acquired Boeing 707. Your tour guide will take you through the truly inspirational story of the discovery and its journey home.
Enjoy some free time at the outstanding Stockman’s Hall of Fame to purchase lunch and view the galleries with their diverse range of exhibits, ranging from outback explorers and pioneers, to pilots, station hands and drovers. Midafternoon it’s a crash course on life in the bush, with the R.M. Williams Outback Stockman’s Show. A tribute to the skills of past and present stockmen - a true depiction of the unique quintessential Australian character. Freshen up at our motel before boarding the ‘Thomson River Belle’ for a sunset cruise followed by a Drovers beef stew and dessert, at the 'Sheraton on the Thomson'. Enjoy country music and bush poetry around a blazing campfire.
DAY 5 WINTON—LARK QUARRY BD
Monday 12th October 2009: Today discover Winton where the main street is a reminder of a colourful past, see the Pelican Waterhole, Dinosaur Feet and Waltzing Matilda memorabilia. See carefully preserved history at Lark Quarry that is home to more than 3,300 footprints, evidence of a great dinosaur stampede. Mid afternoon arrive back at Winton to learn the legend behind the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which features Waltzing Matilda exhibits, tributes to Banjo Paterson and Qantas displays. Then retrace our steps to arrive back in Longreach late afternoon.
DAY 6 LONGREACH—ROMA BLD
Tuesday 13th October 2009: On our travel to Roma today we stop at Isisford’s Outer Barcoo Interpretive Centre which features the world class fossil exhibit of 'Isisfordia Duncani', reported to be the ancestor of all modern crocodilians. The exhibits showcase time from 100 million years ago to the present day including changes of the flora and fauna from the surrounding area. Continue on through Blackall—famous for the wool scourer, Tambo the town of the Teddies and on to Roma to enjoy a farewell dinner. Stay Kings Motor Inn.
DAY 7 ROMA—HERVEY BAY B
Wednesday 14th October 2009: Homeward bound after seven days filled with a variety of marvellous highlights and colourful outback sightseeing. Farewell new friends who have shared this wonderful holiday with you. All to soon we are back in familiar territory with arrival in Brisbane mid afternoon. Northbound passengers stay on board the coach for arrival into Maryborough and Hervey Bay early evening.