Ultimate Queensland Outback Rail Holiday Tour
Spirit of the Outback rail journey, Blackwater International Coal, Carnarvon Gorge, Central Queensland Gemfields, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, Normanton, Karumba, Gulflander rail journey, Croydon, Mt Surprise, Savannahlander rail journey, Kuranda Scenic Rail, Cairns, Port Douglas |
| Price |
$5250pp Twin Share | $5830pp Sole Use
+ Applicable Rail Fare for Spirit of the Outback Rail Sector |
Departure
dates 2011 |
7th June
16th August
19th July
27th September |
Tour overview
& inclusions |
· 4 fabulous outback rail journeys
· Spirit of the Outback rail journey from Brisbane to Blackwater
· Blackwater Coal Centre & on-site coal mine tour
· 2 nights at Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge & guided gorge walks
· Lake Maraboon, Barcaldine, Tree of Knowledge Monument
· 2 nights Longreach, Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame
· QANTAS Founders Outback Museum, Drovers Themed outback dinner
· Waltzing Matilda Centre, Progressive Dinner & Royal Mail open Air Theatre
· Overnight Winton & Cloncurry, The Gulflander Rail Journey
· 2 nights Karumba, Barramundi Discovery Centre
· Croc & Crab Boat Cruise, Seafood at Sunset
· Big Croc & Purple Pub at Normanton
· Croydon’s Gold Mining Heritage Tour
· 2 nights Cobbold Gorge, Georgetown, Terrestrial Centre
· Elliott Mineral Collection, Newcastle Range
· 2 nights Bedrock Village Mt Surprise
· Undara Lava Tubes, Rocky Springs Cattle Station
· Savannahlander Rail Journey, Einasleigh
· Atherton Tableland, Kuranda Scenic Rail or Skyrail
· 2 nights Rydges Tradewinds Cairns
· Port Douglas, Wildlife Habitat Tour
· Lunch with the Lorikeets
· Luxury Dinner Cruise with Ocean Spirit
· Flights Ex Cairns to SYD, BNE & MELB
· All meals, fabulous outback scenery & characters
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The ultimate outback rail/coach experience showcasing 4 iconic rail journeys combined with coach components. You will be constantly amazed at the changing landscapes as we unleash history, rugged escarpments, wilderness and wildlife on this incredible outback adventure. due to popular demand, we have added a final touch to this outback tour staying 2 nights in tropical cairns visiting port douglas and a grand finale night on a luxury catamaran dinner cruise
Spirit of the Outback
Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge
Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge Pool
Qantas Museum
Billabongs 
Gulf Sunset
Undara Lava Tubes
Croc & Crab Cruise - Karumba
Savannahlander
Kuranda Scenic Rail
Seafood Platter - Ocean Spirit Cruises
Day 1 - Tuesday (D)
Board the ‘Spirit of the Outback’ from Roma Street Station, Brisbane for a 6.25pm departure and and check-in to your 1st Class Sleeper for your overnight journey through the Central West. Enjoy cosy dining in the themed Tuckerbox Restaurant, and a quiet drink and chat with your fellow travellers in the club and lounge cars. Overnight: Spirit of the Outback.
Day 2 - Wednesday (B,L,D)
Arrive into the coal mining town of Blackwater just after breakfast for a friendly welcome to the Central Highlands. Be amazed at the enormity of the coal mining industry with an on-site mine tour and a visit to the International Coal Centre. We depart Blackwater and travel through the productive Brigalow cattle country, and onto what is known as the roof of Queensland, the Carnarvon Ranges, and part of the great Central Queensland Sandstone Belt. Arrive and check into Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge for a 2 night stay. The unique timber and canvas Safari Cabins have their own outback charm and blend unobtrusively into the natural bushland. A wide shady veranda allows you to sit back in your squatters chair and listen to the sounds of the bush and watch the variety of wildlife roaming quietly nearby.
Day 3 - Thursday (B,L,D)
This morning wake up to the incredible sounds of the bush, before we take a range of walking tours with different fitness levels. Take in the natural wonders of Carnarvon Gorge. offering an oasis feel the Gorges, springs and creeks are surrounded by pockets of lush rainforest, ancient rock art galleries & abundant wildlife of birds, platypus and kangaroos. Overnight Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge.
Day 4 - Friday (B,L,D)
Depart Carnarvon Gorge and travel via Rolleston and Springsure on to Lake Maraboon for picnic lunch. Travel on to Alpha for a break amongst the famous murals before moving on to Barcaldine, where we view the newly opened Tree of Knowledge Monument, then on to Longreach for a two night stay at the Longreach Motor Inn.
Day 5 - Saturday (B,L,D)
Our day starts at the famous Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, followed by an afternoon exploring the QANTAS Founders Outback Museum, and returning to our accommodation for a short break. Tonight enjoy a night out having dinner with a drover’s theme. Sit back and be charmed by our outback entertainers and savour the traditional and exotic flavours of our outback cuisine. Overnight: Longreach Motor Inn.
Day 6 - Sunday (B,L,D)
This morning learn of the legend at the Waltzing Matilda Centre, the only museum in the world to be dedicated to a song. Explore downtown’s Opal Walk and many other unforgettable features that make a very unique Winton experience. We check into our accommodation before our night out on “The Ultimate Progressive Dinner & Winton Welcome.” Experience Winton’s natural heritage journey, as the sun sets with happy hour nibbles followed by a BBQ main course, then progress onto the Royal Mail Open Air Theatre. Enjoy ice-cream or Jaffas for dessert, sit back in the canvas with an open sky above as we are entertained by a screening of the nostalgia reels of yesteryear. Overnight Boulder Opal Motor Inn, Winton.
Day 7 - Monday (B, L, D)
Depart Winton for Cloncurry via the famous watering holes of the Blue Heeler and Walkabout Creek Hotels. Arriving into Cloncurry we explore the John Flynn Memorial (the birth of the flying doctor). Overnight Gidgee Inn, Cloncurry.
Day 8 - Tuesday (B,L,D)
We travel north to the Burke & Wills' Roadhouse for a break, and continue on crossing the Flinders River to rendezvous with the famous Gulflander. We board The Gulflander at Critters Camp for a journey through the Gulf Savannah Bushland, stopping at Norman River for picnic lunch. We continue on to Normanton Railway Station, explore the museum and finish our day at Karumba. Enjoy dinner at Karumba Point’s Sunset Tavern, overlooking the mouth of the Gulf of Carpentaria, at sunset. Arrive and check in to The End of the Road Motel, Karumba for a 2 night stay.
Day 9 - Wednesday (B,L,D)
Explore the port of Karumba and the Barramundi Discovery Centre and see a live breeding program. After lunch we take the ultimate Karumba experience aboard the Croc and Crab, an afternoon and sunset boat cruise. Tonight enjoy famous seafood of prawns and crab on the Gulf of Carpentaria soaking up yet another sunset over the water where the outback meets the sea. Overnight Karumba.
Day 10 - Thursday (B,L,D)
Departing Karumba for Normanton we discover the big crocodile, the Purple Pub, and historical buildings. Travel on to Croydon to discover the amazing Gold Mining Heritage with interactive displays and original buildings that echo the stories of the heyday of the gold era. Mid afternoon inspect the Ted Elliot Mineral Collection at Georgetown before we arrive at Cobbold Gorge for a two night stay.
Day 11 - Friday (B,L,D)
This morning we take in a cruise of Cobbold Gorge, and a short walk into the escarpment for fresh water crocodile viewing. Visit Corbett’s Pioneer Grave and enjoy the true value of this special part of the Savannah landscape. Our afternoon takes us on a station tour showcasing incredible geology and operational challenges. Overnight Cobbold Gorge.
Day 12 - Saturday (B,L,D)
We travel into Forsayth to join the ‘Savannahlander’ and travel the most scenic section of this rail journey, before arriving at the quaint old copper town of Einasleigh. Explore the Copperfield Gorge with deep, cool chasms and quiet beaches before arriving at Bedrock Village, Mt Surprise, for a 2 night stay.
Day 13 - Sunday (B,L,D)
Today meet some of the local characters at Rocky Springs Cattle Station. Explore the Undara Lava Tubes, one of the longest lava flows in the world. Return to Mt Surprise for leisure time to explore this quaint little town which has a pastoral and mining heritage. Return to Bedrock Village where tonight we are treated to dinner and a campfire singalong. Overnight Mt Surprise.
Day 14 - Monday (B,L,D)
Today travel east through the McBride volcanic province and over the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range onto the famous Atherton Tableland, boasting world heritage listed Crater lakes – Barrine & Eacham. We travel on to Kuranda where we are given the choice to board either the Kuranda Scenic Rail Journey or the amazing Scenic Skyrail into Cairns. Check in to Rydges Tradewinds Cairns, on the Esplanade.
Day 15 - Tuesday (B,L,D)
Enjoy a latish breakfast before departing mid morning for Port Douglas. Arrive at Wildlife Habitat Park to explore Australia’s leading environmental wildlife experience on a guided tour. See rare animals such as the Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo and the endangered Cassowary. Enjoy Lunch with the Lorikeets, a delicious hot buffet served with salads, cheeses, and tropical fruits. We then head into the township of Port Douglas for some free time at your own leisure. A perfect way to end a perfect holiday - discover the delights of evening cruising with Ocean Spirit Cruises. Enjoy dinner on a luxury catamaran while cruising the calm waters of Trinity Inlet. With a welcome cocktail in hand, stroll the decks and savour the sights of the city by night. Enjoy a sumptuous 4 course hot & cold buffet (including seafood) featuring some of the region’s best produce - mouth watering prawns, oysters, reef fish & exotic platters of fruit - all freshly prepared by on board chefs. Overnight Rydges Tradewinds Cairns.
Day 16 - Wednesday (B)
After breakfast we are transferred to Cairns airport for our flights home. This tour includes all the icons of these regions and is all inclusive.
Deposit required to secure this booking $600pp + RAIL FARE.
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