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12 Day - Best of Outback Qld
Departure Date: Sunday, 2nd May 2010
Tour Cost: from $4230 per person twin share
A unique and rare opportunity with outstanding coverage of the wonderful state of Queensland. Some of the places we visit are Winton, Crocodile Dundee’s Walkabout Hotel, Mount Isa, the sensational Riversleigh Fossil Field, spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge, Burketown, the Burke & Wills Explorer campsite No. 119, Karumba and sightseeing the Gulf Waters, a ride on the Gulflander Train and the gold towns of Croydon and Forsayth.
The ultimate highlight of the tour is a cruise and guided tour of the wonderful Cobbold Gorge, with incredible beauty in the middle of nowhere! See the magic panorama of the rugged Newcastle Range, the phenomenon of the Undara Lava Tubes staying in unique carriage accommodation. Visit the historic town of Charters Towers, then it’s time to take in the highlights of Mackay. So much wonderful sightseeing and history to be absorbed...
DAY 1 BRISBANE—ROMA (D)
Sun, 2nd May 2010: An early start for travelling companions between Hervey Bay and Caloundra. Brisbane passengers join at Roma Street Transit Centre at 9.30am. Travel west to Toowoomba, then across vast wheat areas to Dalby. At Roma visit the Big Rig Tourist Centre to be inspired as you meet the true grit pioneers of the Australian Oil and Gas Industry. Stay Roma Explorers Inn.
DAY 2 ROMA—LONGREACH (BLD)
Mon, 3rd May 2010: Wide open plains and prime cattle grazing guides us through the towns of Augathella and Tambo. At Blackall visit the famous Blackall Wool Scourers. A little further up the track is Barcaldine. Of interest is the ‘Tree of Knowledge’, a ghost gum that witnessed the 1891 formation of the Australian Labour Party. Only a short distance to Longreach for a warm welcome and dinner.
Stay Longreach Motor Inn.
DAY 3 LONGREACH—WINTON (BD)
Tues, 4th May 2010: Tour Longreach, including the Longreach Pastoral College and Qantas Founders Museum, with its excellent displays. The highlight of our day is the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. The centre is a fitting dedication to the taming of our ‘wide brown land’ and our pioneering forefathers. 2 Night Stay Boulder Opal Motor Inn.
DAY 4 LARK QUARRY & WINTON SIGHTSEEING (BD)
Wed, 5th May 2010: A day of discovery as we explore Winton, see the Pelican Waterhole, Dinosaur Feet and Waltzing Matilda memorabilia. Be amazed by the carefully preserved history at Lark Quarry that is home to more than 3,300 footprints, evidence of a great dinosaur stampede. Arrive back at Winton for a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre, which features Waltzing Matilda exhibits, tributes to Banjo Paterson and Qantas displays. After dinner, attend the Royal Open Air Theatre and reminisce as you sit and view old time movies in old-time canvas chairs under the stars.
DAY 5 WINTON—MT ISA (BLD)
Thurs, 6th May 2010: Today we make our way to ‘The Isa’! Stop at the Walkabout Hotel made famous by ‘Crocodile Dundee’. On arrival in Cloncurry visit John Flynn Place, a monument to the birthplace of the royal Flying Doctor Service. Visit the ‘Outback@Isa’ Centre which provides an interesting introduction into all aspects of the region.
Stay Burke and Wills Mecure Motel.
DAY 6 MT ISA—ADELS GROVE (BLD)
Fri, 7th May 2010 : ‘Strike out’ across vast isolated Spinifex plains to the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields. Be welcomed by our ranger guide and host Rod. Our base camp at Adel’s Grove includes tented accommodation that is permanently erected at the site (linen and mattresses supplied with hot water showers and toilets). Facilities for the next two nights are basic but the opportunity to stay in the heart of the Riversleigh area is an adventure not to be missed! Enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner.
DAY 7 LAWN HILL GORGE NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
Sat, 8th May 2010: Today will be a memorable one, we are off to spend some time at the spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge National Park. To fully enjoy your stay in this pristine national park first opened in 1985 we recommend stout walking shoes, sunscreen, swimmers, water bottle and backpack. The park is a pristine area of magnificent scenery, precipitous cliffs, crystal clear waters and lush vegetation. After an exhilarating visit return early to camp.
DAY 8 ADELS GROVE—KARUMBA (BLD)
Sun, 9th May 2010: An early start for travel across to Burketown. Pause for lunch in Burketown followed by a short town tour. Continue across the dry creek beds of the great serpentine river systems as they make their way to the Arafura Sea. Tonight enjoy a fabulous dinner overlooking the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Watch a picturesque sunset across the ocean. Stay End of the Road Motel.
DAY 9 GULFLANDER TRAIN—GEORGETOWN (BLD)
Mon, 10th May 2010: At Normanton board the historic Gulflander train to ride to Critters Camp. Rejoin our coach and travel to Croydon for a town tour that reveals the rich heritage of this restored former 1880’s gold-mining town. Enjoy lunch at the local hotel then travel further on crossing the Gilbert River to Georgetown, once home to thousands of gold miners. Stay Latara Resort.
DAY 10 GEORGETOWN—COBBOLD GORGE (BLD)
Tues, 11th May 2010: Today you will experience ultimate beauty with a visit to the wilderness oasis of Cobbold Gorge! Enjoy morning tea on arrival then set off for a cruise that features a solar powered boat. No noise just the perfect stillness of nature at its best, with towering multi-hued sandstones cliffs, lush vegetation and unique bird and wildlife. Our day includes a barbecue lunch, a ground tour to a bushranger hideout and inspection of a 1870’s gravesite of a murdered settler. An afternoon of rest and leisure is yours as we settle into the clean and modern cabins on-site at Cobbold Gorge. Enjoy dinner in the unique dining room.
DAY 11 COBBOLD GORGE—UNDARA (BLD)
Wed, 12th May 2010: After a bush brekky, backtrack through Georgetown to stop at Mt Surprise Gems for lunch and a gem cutting demonstration. After lunch continue on to Undara to explore the massive Undara Lava Tubes with a tour by an experienced Savannah guide before settling into the unique Lava Lodge; accommodation is in converted railway carriages, nestled in the savannah bushland.
DAY 12 UNDARA—CHARTERS TOWERS (BD)
Thur, 13th May 2010: A leisurely start to the morning as we take the Kennedy Highway to Charters Towers. The impressive building and architecture of Charters Towers stand testament to the wealth of the gold rush era. Visit the restored Stock Exchange Arcade, Venus Battery and the Ghost After Dark Show. Stay The Park Motel.
DAY 13 CHARTERS TOWERS—MACKAY (BLD)
Fri, 14th May 2010: Our journey today, takes us to the coast. Our first stop is at Ashworth’s Treasures of the Earth at Home Hill. See wonders beyond your imagination. Sixty years of effort have produced a mind boggling display of minerals and items made from them representing very different treasures out of the earth and outer space. Enjoy lunch at the Grand View Hotel then continue our journey southward through Bowen which boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the tropical north. Our overnight stop is Mackay, a vibrant city with lovely Art Deco buildings and streets lined with palm trees. Stay Coral Sands Motel.
DAY 14 MACKAY—ROCKHAMPTON (BLD)
Sat, 15th May 2010: This morning we stop at Sarina Art & Craft Centre with time to browse the superb display of locally made arts and crafts. After enjoying a picnic lunch at Marlborough we make our way to the Capricorn Caves. The spectacular caves are a unique system of above ground caves in a limestone ridge situated north of Rockhampton.
Stay Central Park Motel.
DAY 15 ROCKHAMPTON—BRISBANE (B)
Sun, 16th May 2010: After an exciting 15 days together from Longreach to the Gulf, it is with sadness that our holiday is coming to an end but at the same time it is wonderful to have made new friends and shared many happy experiences. Travel south on the Bruce Highway with departures as required. Arrive in Brisbane at 6.00pm.