Itinerary Details

Click here for our Perth to Cairns itinerary

Day 1

(PD, Motel) Fly to Cairns where we are met by the coach and transferred to our motel to meet up with our fellow passengers for a cross country adventure. Note: Flights arriving after 6pm will have snack evening meal provided in the room.

Day 2

(CB, MD, Motel) Climbing the Great Dividing Range through the winding forest highway enjoying the lush rainforest and tropical plantations. To Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet to reach Mount Surprise.

Day 3

(CB, PL, MD, Motel) We take a guided tour through the Undara Lava Tubes, the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano, some of the caves are over 21m wide and up to 10m high. Note: Lava Tubes Tour included.

Day 4

(CB, RD, Motel) Onto the first of many dirt roads we drive up the Flinders River take a visit to the Porcupine Gorge Lookout before lunch at Hughenden. In the afternoon we reach the sheep cattle town of Winton on the sprawling Western River.

Day 5

(CB, Motel) Morning visit to the Age of Dinosaurs Centre, the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Followed by free time in Winton, a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre and a wander of this romantic, classic outback QLD town. Note: Dinosaur Centre and Waltzing Matilda Centre entries included.

Day 6

(CB, RD, Motel) Out across the Queensland Channel Country and over the Diamantina which flows south past Birdsville to Lake Eyre. Through Middleton to Boulia this highway is the home of the Min Min Lights, an unusual shimmering light phenomenon that can appear at night.

Day 7

(CB, PL, RD, Motel) An early start on the dirt of the Donohue Highway shadowing the Georgina River with its many tributaries to cross the Northern Territory border. Through the Toko, Tarlton, Jervois and Harts Ranges on the Plenty Highway in the northern reaches of the Simpson Desert. To the hub of Central Australia, Alice Springs for three nights.

Day 8

(CAB, RD, Motel) A restful morning before a day exploring some of the features of the MacDonnell Ranges, from scenic to culturally significant areas.

Day 9

(CAB, Motel) Take an optional early morning Hot Air Balloon through the rugged outback followed by a tour of “The Alice” nestled on the north side of the MacDonnell Ranges. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station. Note: Optional Hot Air Balloon approx $440.

Day 10

(CAB, RD, Motel) Down to Curtin Springs Station, home to the Severin family since 1956, when Peter Severin arrived with his young wife Dawn, their toddler son Ashley and 1,500 head of cattle. The Severin family has protected the million acre wildlife corridor that balances cattle production with conservation of this precious landscape. Appreciate a tour of the handmade paper, made from the native grasses found on the station, a distinctive and beautiful souvenir of Central Australia. Note: Paper Tour included.

Day 11

(CB, PD, Motel) The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after a day in the park you will see why. We spend the morning at Uluru and the information centre. Return to Yulara Village for lunch and an optional helicopter flight over the spectacular sandstone formations. Later visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to walk through the valleys between the mighty domes. Enjoy a picnic dinner watching the sunset over Uluru, before returning to Curtin Springs. Note: Optional Flight over Uluru approx $335.

Day 12

(CB, PL, CAD, Motel) Continuing across Australia deep into the South West corner of the Northern Territory we visit Lasseters Cave and learn a little of the mystery of Lewis Lasseter and his elusive reef of gold. Crossing into WA on the Great Central Road through the Gibson Desert, passing the Schwerin Mural Ranges we reach Warburton.

Day 13

(CAB, PL, CAD, Basic Motel) The dirt road winding through the ranges, sand hills and salt lakes of the desert has a beauty that is iconically Australian. We leave the dirt behind at Laverton.

Day 14

(CAB, MD, Motel) Travelling through mining towns of all sizes and minerals, Ghost Towns to Cities from Nickel to Gold. Visit the Gwalia Museum on the edge of the large open pit Sons of Gwalia Mine. After a visit to the historic Two-Up ring out in the scrub its south to Kalgoorlie. Note: Museum entry included.

Day 15

(CB) Finishing off Australia’s Longest Shortcut we inspect the Super Pit and leave the Goldfields, through the Wheatbelt then down the Darling Scarp to Perth, having crossed the Country North East to South West.