Itinerary Details

Day 1

(PD, Motel) We fly to Cairns where we are met by the coach and transferred to our motel. Note: Flights arriving after 6pm will have picnic dinner provided in the room.

Day 2

(CB, RD, Motel) Travel along a spectacular coastline to the lush Daintree River, where we have a boat cruise then time for lunch at the resort town of Port Douglas. We return to Cairns for a free afternoon on the esplanade of Cairns, with many cafes and restaurants, galleries, markets and stalls it is a lovely coastal Queensland city. Note: Daintree Cruise included.

Day 3

(CB, RD, Motel) West through the Great Dividing Range to Mount Surprise and one of the great wonders of Australia “The Undara Lava Tubes” the world’s largest lava tube system. Note: Tour of Lava Tubes included.

Day 4

(CB, PL, PD, Motel) Along the Gulf Developmental Road to Georgetown and lunch at Croydon, before reaching the remote cattle town of Normanton to settle in to our motel. In the late afternoon we travel to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria to enjoy fish and chips as the sun sets over The Gulf. Return after dinner to Normanton.

Day 5

(CB, MD, Motel) Crossing the Flinders River and across the Gulf Savannah to the Burke and Wills Roadhouse before Cloncurry, birthplace of the Flying Doctor Service. More recently it is the home of the Cannington mine, the world’s largest silver and lead mine. We spend two nights at Mount Isa.

Day 6

(CB, PD, Motel) A very interesting day touring Mt Isa, the largest outback town in Queensland and the world’s largest single producer of copper, silver, lead and zinc. We visit the WWII underground hospital, an interesting building on the Queensland Heritage Register. In the afternoon visit Lake Moondarra on the Leichhardt River for an outback BBQ dinner. Note: Underground Hospital included.

Day 7

(CB, MD, Motel) The Australian history continues today. We travel to McKinlay where much of the film Crocodile Dundee was shot and Winton, the birth place of “Waltzing Matilda” which was written near here in 1885, on to Longreach.

Day 8

(CB, RD, Motel) Longreach has great significance in Australia’s history. It is the home of QANTAS (first office opened) and boasts the very impressive Stockman’s Hall of Fame which we visit. In the afternoon we cruise the iconic Thompson River under the stars of Western Queensland. Note: Entry to the Hall of Fame and River Cruise included.

Day 9

(CB, MD, Motel) Barcaldine, the headquarters of the Great Shearers’ Strike of 1891 which resulted in the formation of the Australia Labor Party. We stop in at The Australian Workers Heritage Centre, dedicated to celebrating the lives and proud heritage of ordinary working people – telling the stories of the railway workers and blacksmiths, the farmers, nurses and teachers who shaped the nation. Then Blackall before we criss cross the Warrego River to Charleville. Note: Australian Workers Heritage Centre included.

Day 10

(CB, RD, Motel) Charleville is an iconic Queensland location with large productive cattle stations, also home of a Flying Doctor Base and original home of Cobb & Co for the building of its coaches. Before leaving Queensland we have lunch in Cunnamulla further down the Warrego. Then south to Bourke which began in 1862 it was the last outpost of civilization before the “Never Never” thus the saying “Back of Bourke”. Bourke is a great experience with its grand sandstone buildings and history.

Day 11

(CB, RD, Motel) Bourke was a port on the Darling River for the paddle steamers and when the rail arrived the town became the largest wool rail head in the world. The new industry here is cotton production on fields irrigated from the Darling River. We visit the “Back of Bourke” Centre, an interesting interpretive centre delivering an in depth history of the region. In the afternoon we take a paddle steamer cruise down the Darling River on the PV Jandra. Note: Back of Bourke Centre and PV Jandra Cruise included, *rain dependent.

Day 12

(CB, MD, Motel) Onto Cobar where copper has been mined since 1870. Along the Barrier Highway to the historic Darling River Port of Wilcannia, now only a shell of its former busy self. From here onto Broken Hill where Charles Rasp in 1883 found silver and started Australia’s leading company, BHP.

Day 13

(FB, PD, Motel) BHP now no longer has a commercial interest in Broken Hill. A whole day in Broken Hill seeing the mining industry via Whites Gallery and a visit to the nearby town of Silverton where films such as “Mad Max” were shot. Later we enjoy an afternoon bush BBQ in this stunning country. Note: Whites Galley included.

Day 14

(FB, RD, Motel) Travel into South Australia on the Barrier Highway to Burra for an interesting tour of this heritage copper mining town then to Adelaide for our final night.

Day 15

(CB) A tour of Adelaide City and surrounds, with free time to explore this delightful city including the Torrens River. Later fly home.