25 Day - Red Centre, Tanami & Kimberly Experience
Departure Date: Tour Completed
Tour Cost: from $6949 per person twin share
If you love the outback and have a sense of adventure, the rewards of this mostly accommodated tour will be extremely gratifying as we discover Australia’s very unique and remote landscapes. Discover the Northern Territory from Alice Springs to Katherine and Western Australia from Broome to Kununurra. The best sights are showcased; see vivid outback landscapes, flora and fauna, awesome monoliths, ancient mountain ranges with ragged tops, deep ribbon folded canyons and a tropical Top End paradise.
Travel through Queensland’s west to the frontier country of the Northern Territory to Alice Springs, along the Tanami Track to Hall’s Creek, Geike Gorge, and Windjana Gorge. All of these are in stark contrast to the lush tropical Top End; with thermal springs, Katherine Gorge, the remarkable Kimberley Region, the Bungle Bungles, Broome and El Questro’s Emma Gorge. Travel the Gibb River Road from Broome to Kununurra before re-entering Queensland for travel home through Mt Isa, Longreach and Roma. For the adventurous this tour will provide huge dividends in achievement as we experience together the magnificence of a pristine wilderness on this “once in a lifetime experience.”….what a tour!
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DAY 1 BRISBANE—ROCKHAMPTON D
Saturday 27th June 2009: Depart Brisbane Roma Street at 7.00am. Travel north on the Bruce Highway, with passengers joining enroute as required between Brisbane and Maryborough. Enjoy a lunch stop in the Heritage City of Maryborough before travelling on to the “Beef Capital” of Queensland, Rockhampton. Stay Central Park Motel.
DAY 2 ROCKHAMPTON—BARCALDINE BD
Sunday 28th June 2009: Today our tour heads west through the mining towns of Blackwater and on to Emerald where we stop for lunch (own expense). A little further along the track is Barcaldine. Discover the many attractions unique to Barcaldine before checking into our motel. Stay Landsborough Lodge.
DAY 3 BARCALDINE—BOULIA BD
Monday 29th June 2009: Following the Capricorn Highway through Longreach to Winton on the edge of the channel country where we stop for lunch (own expense). At the former coach staging post of Middleton see the Middleton Hotel, then continue to the far flung settlement of Boulia, famous for its Min Min Lights, the name given to a mysterious light often seen throughout the western border areas. Stay Desert Sands Motel.
DAY 4 BOULIA—ALICE SPRINGS BLD
Tuesday 30th June 2009: Away early today as we trek towards the Queensland/Northern Territory border to cross over into the Northern Territory at Tobermorey. Join the Plenty Highway and travel through large station properties. To the south lie the vast barren plains of the Simpson Desert. Enjoy a welcome break at Jervois Station and see the huge termite mounds, as red as the surrounding countryside. Continue further west with the peaks of Harts Range providing a change in scenery and heralding our arrival back onto bitumen. Only a short run finds us back in civilisation as we enter the colourful outback town of Alice Springs. 3 Night Stay Lasseter's Hotel Casino.
DAY 5 ALICE SPRINGS TOWN TOUR & FREE DAY BD
Wednesday 1st July 2009: Start the day with panoramic views from Anzac Hill Lookout then a town tour. Your sightseeing this afternoon is up to you. Your Coach Captain will advise the options available. This evening relax as we gather in an open-air bush setting to enjoy an evening of fine Australian dining, entertainment and ancient Aboriginal culture. Delight in a delicious three-course dinner, then sit back with a drink while, on a stage of red earth, Aboriginal dancers and performers take you on a journey through the culture and legends of their land. Witness tribal dances performed to traditional music. Enjoy the melody of the didgeridoo. See displays of the weaponry used by Aboriginals and learn the history and myths of this spiritual culture.
DAY 6 ALICE SPRINGS SIGHTSEEING BLD
Thursday 2th July 2009: Enjoy a relaxing day of exploring the distinctive landscapes of the MacDonnell Ranges. Here you will view a kaleidoscope of earth reds, yellows, oranges and purples, enhanced by the Central Australian sun as it moves across the sky. Heading for the West MacDonnell's, pause at John Flynn’s Grave, visit Simpsons Gap, and glimpse Namatjira Ghost Gums. Turning East, stop at the magnificent Ghost Gum, believed to be the largest in the East MacDonnell's before continuing on for a delightful picnic lunch at Trephina Gorge, noted for its sheer quartzite cliffs and River Red Gum lined watercourses. Enjoy some free time to meander through the Gorge or take a short walk before heading back to our accommodation.
DAY 7 ALICE SPRINGS—TANAMI TRACK–RABBIT FLAT BLD
Friday 3rd July 2009: An early start this morning for our first day travelling the Tanami Track. The Tanami is not a desert with wind blown sand, but rather it is a vast flat desert, seducingly covered with green tuffs of Buck Spinifex. What makes it a desert is the almost total lack of water. Near the Aboriginal Community of Yuendumu the track heads north-west through Mt Doreen Station. There are some magnificent ranges surrounding the desert. Our overnight stop is Rabbit Flat Roadhouse Campground. After setting up our tents settle back and enjoy a delicious alfresco meal prepared by your efficient coach crew. Please note that facilities tonight are very basic.
DAY 8 RABBIT FLAT—HALLS CREEK BLD
Saturday 4th July 2009: Onward adventurers as we ‘strike out’ for the Western Australian border. Watch out though, the border is only a couple of signposts, standing lonely near the scant shade of a tree. Cross over the border with increasing signs of civilisation as cattle country starts, with fences, and an occasional bore. Next we visit the fascinating Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater, an almost perfect circle in the desert, 850 metres across and 50 metres deep. Continuing on past Ruby Plains Homestead we connect with the Great Northern Highway. Only a short distance to Halls Creek, site of Western Australia’s first gold discovery. Stay Kimberley Hotel.
DAY 9 HALLS CREEK—FITZROY CROSSING BLD
Sunday 5th July 2009: This morning view the unusual China Wall then journey through the rugged Kimberley to Geikie Gorge National Park. Join a splendid Ranger conducted cruise through the remarkable Geikie Gorge, formed by ancient coral reefs and the resulting erosion of the Fitzroy River. A croc or two may be seen basking on the banks. Stay Fitzroy River Lodge.
DAY 10 FITZROY CROSSING—WINDJANA GORGE—BROOME BLD
Monday 6th July 2009: Away early for a day exploring the unique areas of the Kimberley. Pass through Tunnel Creek National Park and visit the interesting Lillimilura Police Station Ruins. At striking Windjana Gorge time to discover the areas sheer cliffs, water pools and wildlife. Enjoy a picnic lunch then take the Gibb River Road to Derby where huge 11 metre tides commonly occur. See the Circular Wharf, the famous Boab Prison Tree and adjacent to Myalls Bore view the longest cattle trough in the world. Continue on to Broome. 3 Night Stay Cable Beach Club Resort.
DAY 11 BROOME SIGHTSEEING BD
Tuesday 7th July 2009: Start the day with an orientation tour of Broome before a visit to the Pearl Luggers museum for an insight into Broome’s pearling history. Afterwards enjoy some free time in Chinatown. Perhaps do some shopping for souvenirs and pearls, visit the galleries, tour the historical museum, take a Heritage Walking Trail or visit Sun Picture Theatre before rejoining your coach to take in the beautiful sights of Gantheuame Point where tides permitting, you may see prehistoric dinosaur footprints. Late afternoon take the opportunity of a sunset camel beach ride or simply watch as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean at Cable Beach.
***Please advise reservation staff if you would like a Sunset Camel Ride (optional) as rides must be booked four weeks in advance of departure***
DAY 12 BROOME SIGHTSEEING BLD
Wed 8th July 2009: Discover how the rare and beautiful ‘Australian South Sea Pearl’ is produced at Willie Creek Pearl Farm. Your knowledgeable guide will reveal the intricate processes of today’s modern cultured pearling industry – from the seeding of an oyster shell to the harvesting and grading of a pearl, right through to the final stunning product on display in the showroom. Late afternoon join a Hovercraft Sunset Cocktail Tour. The Hovercraft will take you on a 1¾hr scenic and historic tour of the many curious sights along the Broome town and Roebuck Bay coastline.
During the tour enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres on the tidal flats where on many occasions, you will see ‘staircase to the sun’ across the tidal flats. Enjoy dinner at the Mangrove Hotel while viewing the natural spectacular of ‘Stairway to the Moon’. This natural phenomenon is caused by the rising of a full moon reflecting off the exposed mudflats in Roebuck Bay at extremely low tide, to create a beautiful optical illusion of a stairway reaching to the moon.
DAY 13 BROOME—GIBB RIVER ROAD—MT HART BLD
Thursday 9th July 2009: Experience the full adventure of travelling the Gibb River Road today retracing our steps towards Derby then we embark on our trek. Spectacular gorges line the route, the most dramatic is the Lennard River Gorge, formed by the action of the Lennard River on its course through the Napier Range. Midway along the road where the majestic protrusions of the King Leopold Range trim the wild Kimberley landscape we turn off to Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge where we set up our tents in the beautiful shady campsite alongside the Barker River only minutes away from excellent swimming, picnic and fishing areas.
DAY 14 MT HART—EMMA GORGE BLD
Friday 10th July 2009: Our trek continues past Gibb River Station with more spectacular gorges and scenery on the way. Settle in to Emma Gorge, an oasis in the outback, for a unique stay in this wilderness park. Accommodation is in comfortable tented cabins with ensuite, lights and fans. Stay Emma Gorge Resort.
DAY 15 EMMA GORGE—KUNUNURRA BLD
Saturday 11th July 2009: Journey towards Kununurra with a stop at Wyndham for views from Five Rivers Lookout. After lunch enjoy a guided tour of the Ord Irrigation Scheme, Kelly’s Knob Lookout and Ivanhoe’s Crossing. 3 Night Stay Kununurra Lakeside Resort.
DAY 16 BUNGLE BUNGLES FLIGHT & GROUND TOUR BLD
Sunday 12th July 2009: Today is a day with a difference as we experience views of Lake Kununurra and Lake Argyle enroute to the Bungle Bungles via the Carr Boyd & Osmond Ranges. Prior to landing you will also experience a birds eye view of Lissadell Station. At Bellburn Airstrip board air-conditioned 4WD vehicles for a short drive past the infamous beehive domes. Your unforgettable walk along Piccaninny Creek to Cathedral Gorge will surround you with history before you reach the magnificence of the ancient amphitheatre which doubles as your lunch location. On return to the Bellburn base camp, light refreshments will be served. The flight back to Kununurra will encompass an orbit of the Argyle Diamond Mine.
DAY 17 KUNUNURRA SIGHTSEEING BLD
Monday 13th July 2009: A highlight of today will be a visit to Lake Argyle, 21 times the size of Sydney Harbour, where we will enjoy lunch in the beautiful and restful picnic area. After lunch board Triple J Cruises for a fascinating commentated cruise along the beautiful Ord River arriving in Kununurra to view the sunset on Lake Kununurra.
DAY 18 KUNUNURRA—KATHERINE BLD
Tuesday 14th July 2009: Say goodbye to the Kimberley and return to the Northern Territory. Cross the Victoria River, named after Queen Victoria in 1839 by Captain JC Wickham . The settlement itself is little more than a roadhouse and camping ground, but the scenery along the highway as it winds past immense escarpment split by the mighty Victoria River ranks as some of the most stunning in the Territory. Stay Paraway Motel.
DAY 19 KATHERINE—MATARANKA BLD
Wednesday 15th July 2009: Today cruise the magnificent Katherine Gorge, gliding over crystal waters and through ancient rock walls. Experience towering 60 metre ochre sandstone walls and the glittering waters as your boat winds through a system of stunning gorges. Your local guide will point out ancient Aboriginal rock paintings and delightful local wildlife. After your cruise, travel south for lunch and a guided tour of Cutta Cutta Caves before continuing our journey. At Elsey National Park, swim in the warm turquoise waters of the Mataranka Thermal Pools. Stay Territory Manor.
DAY 20 MATARANKA—TENNANT CREEK BLD
Thursday 16th July 2009: Today we stop at the historic Daly Waters Pub for morning tea then continue through the scattered settlements of Elliott and Renner Springs to Tennant Creek, home of Australia’s last gold rush in the 1930’s. Borne of the rough, tough droving and mining history, the Tennant Creek region is centred around the junction of the Barkly and Stuart Highways. Stay Eldorado Motor Inn.
DAY 21 TENNANT CREEK—MT ISA BLD
Friday 17th July 2009: Bid farewell to Tennant Creek. Travel the Barkly Highway through Avon Down and through treeless plains where there is little natural surface water. Bores pump water to the surface through sub-artesian basins. Cross over the border back into Queensland with a stop at Camooweal for a late lunch. The Barkly Highway leads us to Mt Isa, an important industrial, commercial and administrative centre of Northwest Queensland. Mt Isa is the world’s single biggest producer of silver and lead and is in the top ten for copper and zinc. It is one of the few areas in the world where these four minerals are found in close proximity. 2 Night Stay Outback Mt Isa.
DAY 22 MT ISA SIGHTSEEING BLD
Saturday 18th July 2009: Today we ‘get up close’ with Mt Isa’s mining heritage with a Hard Times Underground Mine tour. The Hard Times Mine is a unique underground mining experience in a mine built and operated by real miners that provides a rare opportunity to experience first hand the daily life and workings of an underground mine. Also visit the Outback at Isa Complex. Enjoy a free afternoon.
DAY 23 MT ISA—LONGREACH BD
Sunday 19th July 2009: Away early from Mt Isa bound for Longreach. At McKinlay inspect the Walkabout Creek Hotel, made famous by Paul Hogan’s ‘Crocodile Dundee’ movie. Cross the vast plains that dinosaurs once roamed to the ‘one dog’ town of Kynuna. The hotel’s neon sign, a blue heeler with flashing red tongue, beckons passing travellers. Continue on through Waltzing Matilda Country to Winton for a look at the attractions of the town before arriving at our destination. Stay Longreach Motor Inn.
DAY 24 LONGREACH—ROMA BLD
Monday 20th July 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 scourers, Tambo the town of the Teddies and on to Roma to enjoy a farewell dinner. Stay Kings Motor Inn.
DAY 25 ROMA—HERVEY BAY B
Tuesday 21st July 2009: Homeward bound with unforgettable memories of our time spent in the magnificent Kimberley. Farewell your holiday friends who have shared this wonderful holiday with you. All too 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.