23 DAY Mindil Beach Markets Tour. All-inclusive price is $ pp & $ ss

Transcription

1 Presents a 23 DAY Mindil Beach Markets Tour Departing Thursday 1st Friday 23rd June 2017 All-inclusive price is $ pp & $ ss DAY 1: (D): HOME TO PORT AUGUSTA: THURSDAY 1st JUNE 2017 Welcome to our holiday through the Northern Territory and Outback Queensland. Once our pickups have been made we are set to go on our adventure. Today, like many of the days is a travel day but the journey is all part of the fun! Throughout our travels we will make convenience stops along the way finding interesting and uninteresting places to eat and stretch our legs. Our destination today is Port Augusta, the crossroad of Australia for our overnight stop. (Lunch own expense, dinner in motel) Acacia Ridge Motor Inn, Port Augusta - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 2: (BLD): PORT AUGUSTA TO COOBER PEDY: FRIDAY 2nd JUNE 2017 We have time to enjoy breakfast at the motel this morning before heading north to our next overnight accommodation. We are travelling through pretty remote country today so we are prepared with our picnic lunches on-board. Arriving in Coober Pedy late afternoon we become aware of its uniqueness. This cosmopolitan opal town has only residents but they encompass over 40 different nationalities. Time to stock up on snacks this afternoon as tomorrow is a long day in the middle of outback Australia. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, picnic lunches included) COOBER PEDY GOLF COURSE

2 Mud Hut Motel, Coober Pedy - 08 (Subject to availability) DAY 3: (BD): COOBER PEDY TO YULARA: SATURDAY 3 rd JUNE 2017 This morning we leave Coober Pedy for the beautiful desert country of South Australia and Northern Territory. Upon arrival at our accommodation we check in, freshen up and make our way to the restaurant for dinner. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own expense) Outback Pioneer Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort Yulara (subject to availability) Day 4 (BD): ULURU: SUNDAY 4 TH JUNE 2017 ULURU We spend the day in the area with optional tours being offered*. At the resort we have time to visit the Yulara Village or perhaps a dip in the pool to freshen up. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, lunch own expense and arrangements) Outback Pioneer Hotel, Ayers Rock Resort (subject to availability) Day 5 (BLD): ULURU TO ALICE SPRINGS: MONDAY 5 TH JUNE 2017 After breakfast we return to the Stuart Highway, stopping for our picnic lunches along the way. This afternoon we cross the Finke River and enjoy the ever changing scenery as we near Alice Springs. Many people are surprised how far Alice Springs is from Uluru. Arriving into town we check-in, unpack and settle in. Known as the Heart of the Red Centre, Alice Springs is nestled at the foot of the northern slopes of the MacDonnell Ranges. The Alice as it is often referred to, lies almost geographically at the centre of the Australian continent. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, picnic lunches included) Lasseters Hotel Casino, Alice Springs (subject to availability) Day 6 (BD): ALICE SPRINGS TO TENNANT CREEK: TUE 6 TH JUNE 2017 We have a bit of time to wander through the mall looking at the Alice Springs shops before we depart, heading further north to Tennant Creek. Despite the position of the town it is the fifth largest in the Northern Territory and was put on the map during the time of gold discovery in the

3 1930 s, setting off Australia s last gold rush. There is still plenty of gold to be found and mining remains a vital part of the region s economy. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, lunch own expense) Eldorado Motor Lodge, Tennant Creek - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 7 (BLD): TENNANT CREEK TO KATHERINE: WEDNESDAY 7TH JUNE 2017 Setting off early this morning has us arriving in Daly Waters for lunch which we have included at the Daly Waters Pub. We don t have time to dilly daly though as we have a boat to catch late afternoon. A visit to Katherine is made complete with our cruise through Katherine Gorge. Sit back and relax as the tranquil surroundings transport us into a spiritual world of Jawoyn culture and history. Discover the music, stories and ways of the Jawoyn against a magnificent backdrop of cliff faces, changing with the setting sun. Back on dry land, we enjoy dinner on the deck overlooking the river. What a wonderful end to the day. (Breakfast in motel, lunch Daly Waters pub, Dinner cruise) Ibis Styles, Katherine - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 8: (B): KATHERINE TO DARWIN: THURSDAY 8TH JUNE 2017 A chance to sleep in this morning as we don t have too far to travel. We leave Katherine after lunch and reach the most northern part of our trip in Darwin. We check into our hotel with a chance to familiarise ourselves with the accommodation and unpack as we will base ourselves here for the next four nights. As the sun dips into the Arafura Sea every Thursday and Sunday evening, most of Darwin descends on Mindil Beach, which is exactly what we are going to do as well. Food is the main attraction Thai, Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese and Malaysian to Brazilian, Greek, Portuguese and more, making this the perfect place to purchase dinner! Colourful arts and crafts vendors peddle their wares - handmade jewellery, natural remedies, artistic creations and unique fashion statements. Shop till you drop, catch a fire show, stop for a massage or be entertained by buskers, bands and talented performers as we wind our way through the palm lined boulevards of Mindil Beach Sunset Markets. (Motel breakfast, lunch and dinner own cost and arrangements)

4 Travelodge Mirambeena, Darwin - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 9 (BD): DARWIN: FRIDAY 9 TH JUNE 2017 We meet a local guide this morning for a city sights tour of Darwin. With our bearings in place the rest of the day is free to do our own personal sightseeing or ask the Coach Captain for an optional tour to do this afternoon. Meeting together this evening we have included a restaurant dinner while watching the sunset, a truly surreal way to end our day. (Breakfast in hotel, lunch own expense, restaurant dinner) Travelodge Mirambeena, Darwin - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 10: (BD): DARWIN: SATURDAY 10 TH JUNE 2017 The day has been left completely free to do as we wish. Take an optional tour**, relax at the hotel or do some of our own sightseeing. Breakfast and dinner are provided at the hotel today for our convenience. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own expense) Travelodge Mirambeena, Darwin - 08 (subject to availability) Day 11 (B): DARWIN: SUNDAY 11 TH JUNE 2017 Our final day in Darwin gives us the opportunity to choose a further optional tour offered by the coach captain or visit the areas that are of the most interest to us. Of course there is no reason we can t simply spend the day by the pool totally relaxing either! If there were things missed at the Mindil markets on Thursday we have one more opportunity to go back again so dinner is left up to ourselves this evening. (Breakfast in motel, lunch and dinner own expense) Travelodge Mirambeena, Darwin - 08 (subject to availability) Day 12 (BD): DARWIN TO MATARANKA: MONDAY 12 TH JUNE 2017 After our extended stay in Darwin we should be itching to get back on the coach. Easing back into travelling we have approximately a 5 hour drive today as we make our way to Mataranka. Once again we find ourselves in a remote area with outback hospitality and a chance to take a dip in a thermal pool or go for a bush walk in the Elsey National Park. Our accommodation is basic but clean and comfortable. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own expense) Territory Manor, Mataranka - 08 (subject to availability) Day 13 (BLD): MATARANKA TO MCARTHUR: TUESDAY 13 TH JUNE 2017 This morning we wake bright and early to the sound of the birds of the bush. There is time for breakfast and a swim before we depart heading south now. We return to the Daly Waters pub for lunch today after which we spend the afternoon getting to our accommodation in McArthur at the Heartbreak Hotel. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, lunch Daly Waters pub) Heartbreak Hotel, McArthur - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 14 (BLD): MCARTHUR TO BARKLY HOMESTEAD: WED 14 TH JUNE 2017 We have a full travel day today. We have a packed lunch with us which we enjoy along the way. Arriving late afternoon at Barkly Homestead gives us a chance to freshen up before dinner. (Breakfast and dinner in the hotel, picnic lunch included) Barkly Homestead, Tennant Creek - 08 (subject to availability) DAY 15 (BD): BARKLY HOMESTEAD TO MT ISA: THURSDAY 15 TH JUNE 2017 Our final destination today is Mount Isa. Mount Isa's existence and its main financial base is the huge Mount Isa Mine, the world's largest single producer of copper, silver, lead and zinc. In 1923, John Campbell Miles found a silver-lead ore outcrop. This rich deposit is still producing high

5 volumes of ore and is classed as one of the world's great mines. The underground mine contributes to around 80 percent of Queensland and 47 percent of Australia s copper production. We arrive late afternoon but we do have a chance to take a look around the town tomorrow. (Breakfast and dinner in the hotel, lunch own expense) Ibis Styles, Mount Isa - 0 (subject to availability) Day 16 (BD): MT ISA: FRIDAY 16 TH JUNE 2017 We spend the day exploring Mt Isa. The actual area of the City of Mt Isa stretches to Camooweal, which we passed through yesterday on the Northern Territory border, making it the largest city in the world. We re in for an absolutely fascinating day today with a mine-blowing experience when we visit the Outback at Isa Complex. Above ground is a 'one-stop shop' offering exciting and diverse activities - from the fascinating Laboratory Tours at the Riversleigh Fossil Centre to the inspiring gallery exhibits and films at Mount Isa Mine Theatrette inside the Isa Experience. We can also discover the Isa's own version of the Outback in this gallery through audio-visual presentation of the region's Indigenous, early-settlement and mining history. There is a café on site that we can purchase lunch from if we like. Our final visit of the day is to the Mount Isa underground hospital and museum. We take a look around the museum on our own then meet a local guide to explain the significance of the underground hospital. What an interesting day we have had. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own expense) Ibis Styles, Mount Isa - 0 (subject to availability) Day 17 (BD): MT ISA TO BOULIA: SATURDAY 17 TH JUNE 2017 When we arrive in Boulia for a late lunch we know we are in the outback! The hotel is the centre of most of the activity of the town and that is where some of us will also be staying. There are not enough rooms for us all here so we may need to split the group between the hotel and the Desert Sands motel (both of similar standard). All our meals will be together at the Australian Hotel. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, lunch own expense) Australian Hotel, Boulia - 0 (subject to availability) Day 18 (BD): BOULIA TO BIRDSVILLE: SUNDAY 18 TH JUNE 2017 From one iconic hotel to another we leave this morning heading almost to the South Australia/Queensland border, stopping just short for our overnight visit in Birdsville. We stay just long enough for a hearty dinner and a good nights sleep. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, lunch own expense) Birdsville Hotel, Birdsville - 0 (subject to availability) Day 19 (BLD): BIRDSVILLE TO WINDORAH: MONDAY 19 TH JUNE 2017 Heading east today we leave early as we have a very long day ahead of us. Entertainment will be inside the coach as we chat with friends, sing songs and take a nap throughout the day. There will be a chance to stretch our legs occasionally but this is our longest day on the road. (Breakfast and dinner in hotel, picnic lunch included)

6 Western Star Hotel, Windorah - 0 (subject to availability) Day 20 (BD): WINDORAH TO CUNNAMULLA: TUESDAY 20 th JUNE 2017 Setting off after breakfast means we will make it to Quilpie in time for lunch. We have a chance to wander along the main street before we need to reboard the coach for the afternoon. On arrival into Cunnamulla, our next overnight stay, we see the large bronze sculpture of the Cunnamulla Fella which takes pride of place outside the civic centre. Stan Coster and Slim Dusty invented the Cunnamulla Fella in a song they co-wrote making him into a legend as they performed the song all around the country. They even have a festival called the Cunnamulla Fella Festival held in November each year which began in (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own expense) Corella Motor Inn, Cunnamulla - 0 (subject to availability) Day 21 (BD): CUNNAMULLA TO COBAR: WEDNESDAY 21 st JUNE 2017 Farewell Cunnamulla. Our journey this morning takes us to Bourke where we will spend a bit of time. We have a town tour arranged where we see some of the wonderful historic buildings such as The Old London Bank (1888), Courthouse (1900), Post office (1880) and Post Office Hotel (1888). At the corner of Mitchell and Wilson Streets is the Carriers Arms Inn, frequented by Henry Lawson in the early 1890s and mentioned in some of his stories. We also visit the Back of Bourke Exhibition where we can experience a journey through life in the back country, rediscovering the stories of Australia through modern eyes. This is done via a series of interactive installations and stunning visual screen displays. It is also worth a visit to the Back o Bourke Gallery before our afternoon cruise. We board the PV Jandra for a one hour cruise on the Darling River ending a lovely time in Bourke. We have another couple of hours driving until we reach Cobar which is our next town stop. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own expense) Cobar Motor Inn, Cobar - 0 (subject to availability) Day 22 (BD): COBAR TO BROKEN HILL: THURSDAY 22 nd JUNE 2017 Saying goodbye to Cobar after breakfast means we have 460kms of travel west before we arrive in Broken Hill. Upon arrival we check into our accommodation with a few free hours in the afternoon to take a look at some of the attractions that make Broken Hill unique. (Breakfast and dinner in motel, lunch own cost and arrangements) Desert Sand Motor Inn, Broken Hill - 0 (subject to availability) Day 23 (B): BROKEN HILL TO VICTOR HARBOR: FRIDAY 23 rd JUNE 2017 Following breakfast we pack up our bags for the last time and spend the day making our way back home. After seeing some very unique and interesting country we can now say we have experienced the outback. Australia is a great country and one that is well worth exploring, as we have just found out! (Breakfast in motel, lunch own expense) All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions. *Optional Day Tours for Uluru and Darwin (tours are ex National Park fee s of $25pp) ½ day Sunrise Tour Uluru - $69pp ½ day Sunset Tour Uluru - $69pp ½ day Base and Sunset Tour Uluru - $119pp **Full day Kakadu tour from Darwin departs 0615am returns 7.30pm - $250pp