Welcome to our 36th year of Outback Aussie Tours! In 2024, we’re thrilled to bring you another amazing Touring Program. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our returning guests and those new to the experiences. Our passion revolves around our people; whether it’s you, the visitor, the local communities, or our incredible team. Our goal is to strike the perfect balance in remote area tourism while ensuring your well-being as we share knowledge, special moments and unforgettable stories to savour as you relax on tour. Feel the enduring spirit of this land, wrapped with our personalised service and connections which underpin unforgettable experiences. This is your investment in sustainable outback communities which helps preserve and safeguard our natural
and cultural heritage for future generations of Australians. We’ve gathered the finest guides, accommodations, and hospitality to ensure your next adventure is truly exceptional. Join us as we continue our journey through the outback, celebrating 36 years of passion and dedication to sharing the heart and soul of Australia.
Alan & Sue Smith Longreach, Outback Queensland
Embark on a unique journey of discovery in the 2024 Touring Program with Outback Aussie Tours’ new and exciting Outback Rail Adventure. Unveil the heart of the outback like never before through the open windows of our heritage 2000 class Rail Motors. Reconnect with the romance of rail through breathtaking landscapes and unforgettable hospitality. Our Rail Motor drivers are trained to Savannah Guides standards and look forward to bringing your outback journey to life. For more information about our day tours please scan the QR code.
On or off the coach, our team are there for you. As a Savannah Guides operator, our dedicated drivers and hosts are trained to strict Savannah Guides standards. Our guides are your protectors and interpreters of the outback. You are in good hands with a genuine, knowledgeable and fun team. Their dedication to your care, comfort and best valued experiences are number one. Enjoy the stories, explore your special interests and connect to country and characters with personalised service like never before. Our guides are our biggest point of difference.
Past passengers save $200 per person on all guided holidays of five nights or more if booked at least two months prior to departure.
Book and travel with four or more of your favourite people and you will receive $200 per person off your tour price.
Book two or more of our guided holidays at the same time and receive a 10% discount. This discount applies to the tour of lesser value.
valid on new bookings only.
Save up to $300pp on selected dates as part of our Early Emu Sale. Sale ends 31 January 2024.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Longreach School of Distance Education
8 DAYS INCLUDES FIRST CLASS SLEEPER RAIL
• Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Stockman’s Life Live Show
• Camden Park Station Sunset Tour and an exclusive Historic Woolshed Dinner
• Rosebank Station Tour
• Qantas Founders Museum Entry and Airpark Tour
• Drover’s Sunset Cruise including Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show
• Great Darr River Rail Run
• Australian Age of Dinosaurs Tour including Dinosaur Canyon and Deluxe Sunset Barbecue
• Gondwana Observatory night experience
• Winton Town Tour
• Waltzing Matilda Centre Entry
• Dinner at the iconic North Gregory Hotel and Classic Movies at the Royal Open-Air Theatre.
Day 1 | WEDNESDAY | LONGREACH
Arrive at Longreach by QantasLink flight or Spirit of the Outback train where you will be met by your Savannah Guides Operator driver-guide and transferred to your accommodation.
3 nights Longreach Motor Inn, Longreach
Day 2 | THURSDAY | LONGREACH
We start the morning with a tour at the Longreach School of Distance Education where you will witness a totally different way of schooling. Explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover inspiring stories of our pioneering heroes. Take your seat at the exciting Stockman’s Life Live Show to witness the traditional Stockman skills that are still used today including amazing horsemanship and the action of a live muster. Late afternoon, experience the warm hospitality of local graziers on a tour of Camden Park Station followed by dinner in their 100-year-old woolshed.
Low level of fitness required
Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Longreach QANTAS Founders Museum Airpark Tour, LongreachRosebank Station, Longreach
Day 3 | FRIDAY | LONGREACH
INCLUSIONS
• All ensuite accommodation
• Touring with our Savannah Guides operator driver-guide
• All meals as per itinerary
• All entries/activities as per itinerary
• Longreach accommodation arrival/ departure transfers
• B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner.
Receive a warm welcome to Longreach at historic Rosebank Station, originally settled as a sheep and cattle station some 100 years ago. Enjoy morning tea and a chat with the local Outback Aussie Tours owners. Wander the world-class Qantas Founders Museum, eloquently telling the story of the founding of Qantas. View marvellous interpretive and interactive exhibits then join a guided Airpark Tour. Late afternoon, unwind on the Drover’s Sunset Cruise with tasty onboard nibbles followed by a two-course table service dinner under the stars at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show.
Day 4 | SATURDAY | WINTON
Catch the heritage Rail Motor from Longreach for a one-way Great Darr River Rail Run tour before boarding the coach to Winton. Be prepared to be impressed with the changing
landscapes as we travel from Longreach to Winton. On arrival, enjoy a town tour discovering the quirky Arno’s Wall and play a tune on what is believed to be the world’s only musical fence. Mid afternoon, we take a short drive out of town to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, perched high on a spectacular mesa (majestic flat top hills). Join a guided interpretive tour of the laboratory and collection room. Take in the moment at our very special sunset barbecue overlooking the plains where dinosaurs once roamed before being immersed in the Gondwana Observatory night experience.
2 nights Boulder Opal Motor Inn, Winton
Day 5 | SUNDAY | WINTON
Today we are doing all things local in Winton! Enjoy a leisurely ride around town on a local 100-year-old carriage and horses and learn how Australian transport pioneers carved our
transport network at the Heritage Truck and Machinery Museum. We will visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, a museum that tells the story of Waltzing Matilda, Australia’s unofficial national anthem, the Winton region and the outback. After dinner at the iconic North Gregory Hotel, we wander next door to the Royal Open-Air Theatre built in 1937, where you can sit back and enjoy a Sunday classic movie under the stars!
Day 6 | MONDAY | LONGREACH
Your outback adventure will sadly come to an end when following breakfast, we transfer back to Longreach and your departure.
2024 DEPARTURES
10* & 24 April; 8 & 29 May; 19 & 26 June; 3, 17 & 24 July; 7, 21 & 28 Aug; 4 & 25 Sept; 2 & 16 Oct* 2024
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Daintree Rainforest and Daintree Discovery Centre
• Bloomfield Track and Daintree Coast
• Bana Yirriji Art & Cultural Centre
• James Cook Museum
• Cooktown Botanic Gardens
• Guided Tour of Split Rock, Quinkan Centre
• Weipa Bauxite Mine Tour
• Gulf Eco Cruise
• Moreton Telegraph Station
• Fruit Bat Falls (swimming opportunity)
• Cape York Walk to ‘The Tip’
• Endeavour Strait Cruising
• Thursday Island Touring
• Torres Strait Cultural Heritage Experiences
• Horn Island Tour of World War II Sites.
Day 1 | WEDNESDAY | CAIRNS
Your adventure begins with a Welcome Dinner at our tour hotel. Please check-in after 2.00pm. You will be met by your Savannah Guides Operator driver-guides at the Welcome Dinner. Meet fellow travellers and hear all about the adventures ahead with a comprehensive tour briefing by our team.
Overnight Ridges Esplanade, Cairns
Day 2 | THURSDAY | COOKTOWN
We travel north along one of Australia’s most scenic coastal drives to Mossman, nestled in the World Heritage-listed Daintree River Ferry for a short cable crossing of the Famous Daintree River. Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre, an award-winning interpretive facility. Join a guided tour along the rainforest boardwalks. Follow the Blooomfield Track on a spectacular scenic journey hugging the Daintree Coast. Visit the Bana Yirriji Art and Cultural Centre in Wujal Wujal, a small coastal Aboriginal community on the banks of the Bloomfield River.
2 nights Sovereign Resort or River of Gold Motel, Cooktown
Day 3 | FRIDAY | COOKTOWN
Discover Cooktown’s colourful history today. We’ll visit the Cooktown Cemetery where you’ll learn the intriguing story of a fair skinned woman known as the ‘Normanby Woman’ who was seen living with Indigenous people back in the 1800s. Visit James Cook Museum in the magnificent 19th Century Sisters of Mercy Convent. Gain an insight into the grounding of the Endeavour and the most significant land-based stay of Captain Cook’s east coast expedition. Wander the beautiful heritage-listed Cooktown Botanic Gardens and see the Vera Scarth-Johnson collection of original regional botanical illustrations. Enjoy some free time to stroll downtown Cooktown and a late afternoon tour of Grassy Hill with 360-degree views of Cooktown, the Endeavour River and the Great Barrier Reef.
Day 4 | SATURDAY | MUSGRAVE
Travel to Lakeland and Laura via the mysterious Black Mountains, a special story place for the Kuku Yalanji people. Worldclass Aboriginal rock art, and wonderful locally grown coffee are two big drawcards for these small towns. Best known are the Quinkan Rock Art Galleries, considered to be some of the most significant Aboriginal art sites in the world. We’ll join a guided tour of the Split Rock Galleries. Travel along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the Hann River Roadhouse for a short break before continuing on to Musgrave Roadhouse. Overnight Musgrave Roadhouse
Day 5 | SUNDAY | WEIPA
We continue along the Peninsula Developmental Road to the old mining community of Coen. The town was originally created around a repeater station in the Overland Telegraph Line to the Tip of Cape York Peninsula. We’ll arrive in time for lunch at the Archer River Roadhouse, located on the banks of the crystal-clear Archer River. Famous for the massive Archer Burger and best served with an icy cold drink under its shaded patio. Last stop for the day is Weipa, the Barramundi capital of Queensland. Originally an Aboriginal mission, Weipa grew to become a township after the discovery of bauxite. Late afternoon, relax at your accommodation with sweeping views of Albatross Bay.
2 nights Albratross Bay Resort or Heritage Resort, Weipa
Day 6 | MONDAY | WEIPA
Learn about Weipa’s mining operations on a morning tour of the world’s largest bauxite mine, operated by Rio Tinto. Get up close and personal to the 190 tonne Belly Dumper Haul trucks while touring the working mine site and follow the rail and conveyor belt system as the bauxite makes its way to the loading dock. Join an Eco Cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria for a chance to spot local birdlife and crocodiles. Relax with drinks and nibbles as you learn about the incredible ecosystems and local culture. Witness a stunning sunset in one
of the few places in Queensland where the sun sets over the ocean in the west.
Day 7 | TUESDAY | BAMAGA
Follow the Old Telegraph Track to Moreton Telegraph Station on the banks of the Wenlock River. Part of the historic Overland Telegraph Line, Moreton Telegraph Station was completed in 1887 and ceased operations in 1987 with the introduction of microwave telecommunications. Spot giant termite mounds as the country changes to the open plains of Heathlands Resources Reserve. Cool off in the lush Fruit Bat Falls with its crystal clear water (croc free), a perfect swimming spot and one of the most special places on the Cape. Cross the Jardine River by cable ferry to Bamaga, the closest settlement to the Tip of Australia. This evening enjoy a relaxed dinner overlooking tropical gardens.
2 nights Cape York Peninsular Lodge, Bamaga
Day 8 | WEDNESDAY | BAMAGA
Experience the highlights of Cape York Peninsula, one of Australia’s last great wilderness areas. We begin with a drive to Pajinka. The 45-60 minute walk over rocky headland to ‘The Tip’ of Cape York requires a good level of fitness. Take that ‘bucket-list’ photo as you stand at the tip of Australia; then savour a picnic lunch on Somerset Beach with
breathtaking views to Albany Island. Visit the iconic Croc Tent then enjoy some free time back at your accommodation.
Day 9 | THURSDAY | TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS
Cruise the beautiful turquoise waters of the Endeavour Strait to Thursday Island; just one of 274 islands which lie between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. Discover Thursday Island’s hidden past, including Green Hill Fort, on a guided history tour and a visit to Gab Titui Cultural Centre. Join Island Stars for an entertaining, education and spiritual showcase of traditional dance, storytelling songs and music. This unique show brings together two of the world’s oldest living cultures, Aboriginal and Torres Strait cultures. After the show enjoy a traditional island lunch before taking some free time to explore Thursday Island.
Overnight Jardine Motel, Thursday Island
Day 10 | FRIDAY | CAIRNS
Transfer to Horn Island this morning. Join local guides on a tour of the World War II sites. See gun emplacements, an underground command post and an aircraft wreck with an epic tale. Walk in the steps of traditional owners, the Kaurareg People, and learn their stories. Following the tour you will have time to wander the Torres Strait Heritage Museum. Transfer to Horn Island Airport for your QantasLink flight to Cairns. Tonight we’ll celebrate the end of our adventure with a farewell dinner at the Coral Hedge Brasserie Restaurant & Bar.
Overnight Rydges Esplanade Resort, Cairns
Day 11 | SATURDAY | HOMEWARD BOUND
Your Cape York and Torres Strait adventure concludes after breakfast at Rydges Esplanade Resort. Please make your own arrangements for your connecting flight or rail home. Alternatively you may like to extend your stay in Cairns, please contact us for further information.
INCLUSIONS
• All ensuite accommodation
• Travel by luxury 4WD coach from Cairns
• Touring with our Savannah Guides operator driver-guides
• All meals as per itinerary
• All entries/activities as per itinerary
• Ferry transfers between Cape York, Thursday Island and Horn Island
• One way economy flight Horn Island to Cairns
• B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner.
Day 1 | WEDNESDAY | LONGREACH
Arrive at Longreach by QantasLink flight or Spirit of the Outback train where you will be met by your Savannah Guides Operator driver-guide and transferred to your accommodation.
3 nights Longreach Motor Inn, Longreach
DAY 2 | THURSDAY | LONGREACH
Explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover inspiring stories of our pioneering heroes. Take your seat at the exciting Stockman’s Life Live Show to see amazing horsemanship and the action of a live muster. Late afternoon, unwind on the Drover’s Sunset Cruise with tasty onboard nibbles followed by a two-course table service dinner and live entertainment at Smithy’s.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Stockman’s Live Show
• Silver-Tails Rail Sunset Outback Rail Adventure Experience
• Qantas Founders Museum and Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light Show
• Drover’s Sunset Cruise and Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show
• Flinders Discovery Centre, Hughenden
• Kronosaurus Korner, Richmond
• Cloncurry Unearthed and John Flynn Museum
• Normanton’s Purple Pub
• Barramundi Discovery Centre
• Croc & Crab Sand Island Sunset Cruise
• Gulflander Heritage Rail Tour
• Cobbold Gorge Tour and Cruise
• Einasleigh Pub and Copperfield Gorge
• Undara Lava Tubes Tour
• Woodleigh Station Morning Tea
• Savannahlander Heritage Rail Tour.
INCLUSIONS
• All ensuite accommodation
• Ride the famous Gulflander
• Iconic Savannahlander experience
• Savour the Silver-Tails Rail Sunset
• Overland Touring by luxury 4WD coach
• Touring with our Savannah Guides operator driver-guides
• All meals, entries, activities as per itinerary
• B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner.
Day 3 | FRIDAY | LONGREACH
Receive a warm welcome to Longreach at historic Rosebank Station, originally settled as a sheep and cattle station some 100 years ago. Enjoy morning tea and a chat with the local Outback Aussie Tours owners. Returning to Longreach we spend a relaxed morning downtown before enjoying lunch at The Branch Café, a local favourite. This evening we board our heritage Rail Motor for an unforgettable Silver-Tails Rail Sunset with drinks and locally inspired canapés. Finishing off the evening we visit Qantas Founders Museum for the entertaining and informative Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light Show, which brings the 100-year story of Qantas to life followed by an exclusive dinner surrounded by aviation history.
Day 4 | SATURDAY | RICHMOND
We’ll travel north east via Muttaburra to Hughenden in the Flinders Shire. While in town we’ll visit the Flinders Discovery Centre, home to Hughie the Muttaburrasaurus. Continue along the Overlander’s Way to Richmond.
Overnight Ammonite Inn, Richmond
Day 5 | SUNDAY | CLONCURRY
We start the day with a visit to Kronosaurus Korner to see the most complete marine reptile fossils in the world. These fossils are from the Cretaceous Inland Sea that covered a large section of Queensland 100 million years ago. From here we travel on the Overlanders Way calling in at Julia Creek, before continuing our journey through to Cloncurry. Arriving in Cloncurry, we visit the Cloncurry Unearthed and John Flynn Place Museum where we discover the great Australian story of our Royal Flying Doctor Service, one of the most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world.
Overnight Gidgee Inn or Oasis Caravan Park Cabins, Cloncurry
Day 6 | MONDAY | KARUMBA
We drive north along the Burke Developmental Road to the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. You will be travelling through mostly cattle country along this road. See the contrasting colours of this rugged landscape; the black trunks of the gidgee scrub, golden Mitchell grass, and enormous rust red termite
mounds. In Normanton, take a selfie with Krys the life-size statue of the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught. See the Purple Pub, as well as Queensland’s earliest surviving and heritage-listed Burns Philp store. Arrive in Karumba, also known as the ‘outback by the sea’, in time to cruise the Gulf of Carpentaria to a remote sand island where we’ll toast the sunset and feast on fresh seafood as spectacular twilight hues colour the skies.
2 nights End of the Road Motel, Karumba
Day 7 | TUESDAY | KARUMBA
Discover the amazing secrets of the mighty barramundi at The Barramundi Discovery Centre, the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of this iconic fish. Your tour of this state of the art Interpretive Centre includes the opportunity to feed a barramundi. Enjoy free time after lunch to explore the town or to simply relax and take in this beautiful location. Late afternoon, we’ll enjoy another Karumba sunset before dinner.
DAY 8 | WEDNESDAY | COBBOLD
GORGE
Travel to Normanton for a nostalgic rail journey on the famous Gulflander, affectionately called the ‘Tin Hare’. Visit the historic gold mining townships of Croydon and Georgetown. See the impressive mineral collection display at the TerrEstrial Centre. Arrive at the hidden outback oasis Cobbold Gorge in time for sunset drinks overlooking the stunning infinity pool!
2 nights Cobbold Gorge Village, Forsyth
DAY 9 | THURSDAY | COBBOLD GORGE
Enjoy a tour of the magnificent sandstone gorge on this privately owned cattle station. The gorge is stocked with a variety of native fish and freshwater crocodiles. On a guided cruise, you’ll glide silently between towering cliffs in a specially designed, electric-powered punt. Join an optional walk to the top of the escarpment for awesome views of the gorge below from the glass bridge!
DAY 10 | FRIDAY | MOUNT SURPRISE
DAY 11 | SATURDAY | CAIRNS
2024 DEPARTURES
22* & 29 May; 10 July; 14 August; 11 September* 2024
Enjoy smoko at the Einasleigh pub with its quirky miniature furniture collection and see the impressive rock formations of Copperfield Gorge. We take a scenic drive to Mount Surprise before heading on to the Undara Experience. This afternoon we join a guided tour of the incredible Undara Lava Tubes, part of the world’s longest lava flows from a single volcanic crater. Enjoy learning about the geological and historical features pointed out and explained by your Savannah Guide.
Travel through contrasting landscapes and Forty Mile Scrub National Park to Woodleigh Station. Take a tour through the original homestead built in 1876 and learn how hard life was for Queensland’s early settlers. Relax with lunch in view of their giant 100-yearold Bougainvillea and take a stroll around their expansive gardens. Travel the Kennedy Highway to the lush Atherton Tablelands and Dimbulah. We’ll pass through Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland at 920m above sea level and the bustling township of Atherton. Next we board the Savannahlander in Dimbulah for a unique outback rail experience on this classic 1960s ‘silver-bullet’ railmotor. Enjoy Happy Hour and spectacular views on the descent into Cairns.
Overnight Rydges Esplanade, Cairns
Undara Experience
Overnight Undara Experience, Mount Surprise
Day 12 | SUNDAY | CAIRNS
Your tour concludes after breakfast. Own transfers to your homeward bound connections.
Low level of fitness required
DAY 1 | TUESDAY | CHARLEVILLE
Board your REX Aircraft flight in Brisbane for a 1 hr 45 minute flight to Charleville. Get a birds-eye view of the lush Darling Downs agricultural region before heading west to big sky country. You will be welcomed on arrival in Charleville by your Savannah Guides Operator driver-guides. Explore Charleville on an insightful town tour before checking in to your accommodation. Early evening, visit the Cosmos Centre for the Big Sky Twilight Tour. See an amazing night sky brought into focus with the help of powerful Meade telescopes and listen to captivating stories from their experienced sky guide.
2 nights Mulga Country Motor Inn, Charleville
DAY 2 | WEDNESDAY | CHARLEVILLE
This morning, we’ll be joined by a local guide for a tour of the United States Army Air Force top secret sites. Visit intriguing historical sites, understand the reasoning behind choosing Charleville as a WWII base and learn about the highly classified computerised bomb aimer. Then, at the Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum, you’ll get a better understanding of one of the outback’s most iconic services. Step inside the famous Hotel Corones, built during Charleville’s wool industry boom. Join a
guided tour with exclusive access to normally restricted areas of the hotel. Hear the rags to riches story of local character Harry Corones, followed by lunch in the hotel dining room. Visit the Bilby Experience for a tour of the nocturnal house. Learn about the incredible volunteer programme underway to protect this environmental engineering marvel.
DAY 3 | THURSDAY | QUILPIE
Today we will drive west to Eromanga, the furthest town from the sea and home to Australia’s largest dinosaur. Get up close to a 95-million-year-old dinosaur bone on the Australian Dinosaur Giant’s Tour at the Eromanga Natural History Museum. Wander the Interpretive Corridor and see the MultiMedia Theatre Experience before enjoying lunch at the Museum. In the afternoon, we will tour The Lake. Located a short drive from downtown Quilpie, Lake Houdraman is a beautiful expanse of water set amongst shady gum trees. Learn more about the property with a guided station tour. Enjoy a relaxed drink while watching the sunset before dinner is served.
Overnight at Quilpie Motor Inn, Quilpie
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• Cosmos Centre Big Sky Twilight Session
• WWII Secrets Tour
• Royal Flying Doctor Service Museum
• Historic Corones Hotel Tour
• Meet the Bilby Experience
• Eromanga Natural History Museum
• Exclusive Thargomindah Sunset Drinks
• Historic Noccundra Hotel
• Cameron Corner and Strzelecki Desert
• Burke & Wills Dig Tree
• Betoota Pub and Dreamtime Serpent
• Birdsville Hotel and Big Red Sunset
• Inland Hospital and Royal Hotel Ruins
• Birdsville Racetrack and Birdsville Billabong
• Min Min Encounter and Boulia Heritage Complex
• Channel Country Touring
• Waltzing Matilda Centre
• Australian Age of Dinosaurs
• Longreach Town Tour
• Exclusive Qantas Founders Museum Dinner and Luminescent Longreach Show
• Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame entry and Cinematic Experience
• Historic Ilfracombe Rail Excursion includes Wellshot Hotel lunch
• Drover’s Sunset Cruise including Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show.
INCLUSIONS
• All ensuite accommodation
• Overland Touring by luxury 4WD coach
• Touring with our Savannah Guides operator driver-guides
• All meals, entries and activities as per itinerary
• Economy flight Brisbane to Charleville with REX Airlines
• B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner.
DAY 4 | FRIDAY | THARGOMINDAH
In the morning, we will look around the township of Quilpie on a guided tour including visiting St Finbarr’s Church and admire the stunning Opal Altar, Lectern and Font. Travelling south, we make our way to lunch at the Toompine Pub, a pub known as the pub without a town. In the afternoon we arrive at Thargomindah and tour the historic Old Thargomindah Hospital to learn some fascinating tales from the 1800’s. Discover the story behind Thargomindah’s electrical street lighting story.
Overnight at Oasis Motel or Explorers Caravan Park Cabins, Thargomindah
DAY 5 | SATURDAY | TIBOOBURRA
Travel south west across the Dingo Barrier Fence to historic Noccundra Hotel, then cross the border at Warri Gate into outback New South Wales. View the eastern sections of the Sturt National Park. Traverse gibber plains and spectacular ‘jump up’ country to Tibooburra. The striking granite boulders around Tibooburra are said to be remnants of a mass underground granite dome dating back around 410 million years. Explore the National Park Interpretive Centre and Court House Museum. Tibooburra Hotel or Family Hotel, Tibooburra
Day 6 | SUNDAY | INNAMINCKA
Travel through Sturt National Park to Cameron Corner where the boundary lines of the states of Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet. See the Strzelecki Desert, characterised by extensive red dune fields; home of the endangered Dusky Hopping Mouse. Pass by large cattle stations then travel through the heart of the oil and gas fields to Innamincka, on the banks of Cooper Creek. Learn the important role played by the Australian Inland Mission in providing essential medical services to remote towns.
2 nights Innamincka Hotel, Innamincka
Day 7 | MONDAY | INNAMINCKA
Retrace the last days of Burke & Wills and learn the story of Innamincka, dubbed ‘the town with two lives’. Visit the heritagelisted Burke & Wills Dig Tree, an enduring reminder of our pioneering spirit. Located on the northern bank of the Cooper Creek, it is believed to be between 200-250 years old. In the afternoon, you will enjoy a guided cruise of the Cooper Creek. Tonight we toast the glorious outback Innamincka sunset as we watch a blanket of stars rise up above the famous Outpost on Cooper Creek.
Day 8 | TUESDAY | BIRDSVILLE
Follow the Strzelecki Desert through flood plains, sand dunes and gibber country. Travel through large stations including Arrabury which is over 700km2 in size. En-route to Birdsville, we call into Deon’s Lookout, the famous Betoota Hotel and the Dreamtime Serpent Indigenous artwork. Tonight have a yarn with the locals and enjoy a dinner at the famous Birdsville Hotel.
2 nights Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville
Day 9 | WEDNESDAY | BIRDSVILLE
This morning visit the Wirrarri Centre to view work by local Indigenous artists. Next take a stroll to the Birdsville Billabong where birdlife, fish and yabbies abound. Stand on the well known Birdsville Race Track and explore the Inland Hospital and Royal Hotel ruins; poignant reminders of a pre-federation metropolis. Tonight we’ll toast the glorious outback sunset from Big Red, a 40-metre-high sand dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert.
Day 10 | THURSDAY | BOULIA
Leaving Birdsville this morning, we’ll visit the Carcory Ruins, a heritage-listed homestead built in 1877 and abandoned after years of drought. Explore the remote town of Bedourie located on a sand dune, overlooking the Eyre Creek floodplain. See the Royal Hotel in Bedourie, built in the 1880s with adobe bricks and still very much in its original condition. Witness spectacular 360-degree views from the Vaughan Johnson Lookout. In Boulia we’ll visit the Min Min Encounter, a tribute to the famed mysterious Min Min Light phenomenon. Explore the Stonehouse Museum, one of the first homes built in Western Queensland and see the impressive Marine Reptile Fossil exhibit.
Overnight Australian Hotel or Desert Sands Motel, Boulia.
Day 11 | FRIDAY | WINTON
Follow the spectacularly scenic drive between Boulia and Winton. Call in at Cawnpore Lookout to view the stark flat-topped beauty of the surrounding Lillyvale Hills. Visit the historic Middleton Hotel, built during the Cobb & Co era. It was originally a changing station where tired horses were replaced with fresh horses on the Winton to Boulia route. Uncover the story behind the song that lives in the heart of all Australians at Winton’s Waltzing Matilda Centre. This afternoon, we visit the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, perched high on a spectacular mesa. Join a guided interpretive tour of the laboratory, collection room, and Dinosaur Canyon. Take in the moment at our very special sunset barbecue overlooking the plains where dinosaurs once roamed!
Overnight Boulder Opal Motor Inn, Winton
Day 12 | SATURDAY | LONGREACH
Departing Winton, we follow the Matilda Way east to Longreach where we can spend a relaxed morning downtown. After lunch at The Branch Café, a local favourite, we will explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover inspiring stories of our pioneering
heroes. This evening we visit the Qantas Founders Museum for the entertaining and informative Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light Show, which brings the 100-year-story of Qantas to life followed by an exclusive dinner surrounded by aviation history. Wander through the interactive displays to discover the real Qantas story.
2 nights Longreach Motor Inn, Longreach
Day 13 | SUNDAY | LONGREACH
This morning we board our heritage 2000 class Rail Motor en-route to the one pub town of Ilfracombe, with stories of nostalgia to tell your mates about for years to come. Feel the freedom of the vast open plains before disembarking in Ilfracombe to explore the unique attractions in “the Hub of the West” like the Wellshot centre, the Machinery Mile, and grab some lunch at the famous Wellshot Hotel. Late afternoon join the Drover’s Sunset Cruise on the beautiful Thomson River. Unwind with on-board nibbles as you gaze out
to a magnificent outback sunset. Enjoy live entertainment and a two-course camp oven themed dinner under the stars at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show.
Day 14 | MONDAY | BRISBANE
Your Outback Queensland adventure comes to an end after breakfast with a complimentary transfer to Longreach Railway Station or Longreach Airport.
one way REX flight from
to Charleville. Includes one way REX flight from Brisbane to Charleville. One way first class sleeper rail from Longreach to Brisbane.
