presents a tour to FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND TOUR 22-days Wednesday 15 th June to Wednesday 6 th July, 2016 All-inclusive price of $5850.00pp & $1150.00ss Victor Gulf - Cairns (Coach in- Fly out) 14 days Wednesday 15 th June to Tuesday 28 June, 2016 All-inclusive price of $3950.00pp(plus airfare)& $720.00ss Cairns Gold Coast - Victor (Fly in- Coach out) 14-days Thursday 23 rd June to Wednesday 6 th July 2016 All-inclusive price of $3650.00pp(plus airfare)& $720.00ss Welcome to our tour to Gulf of Carpentaria and Cairns in Far North Queensland. Come and join Kym as we explore Outback Queensland and the Gulf on the way up, and the Queensland Coast & inland NSW on the return tour. Highlights will include, Poetry on a plate, Crab and Croc Cruise in Karumba, Gulflander Train, all the sights of Cairns and the Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast. DAY 1 (D): VICTOR HARBOR TO BROKEN HILL Wednesday 15 June, 2016 Once the coach is loaded, we head off on our adventure. Sit back and enjoy the facilities and service aboard our deluxe touring coach as we travel through Burra to our destination today in Broken Hill. Of course we will make rest stops along the way. On arrival into Broken Hill we ll do a city sights tours before we check into our motel and freshen up for dinner. Desert Sand Motor Inn, Broken Hill - 08 8088 4122
DAY 2 (BD): BROKEN HILL TO BOURKE Thursday 16 June, 2016 We have an early start this morning. We head east to Wilcannia on the Darling River. Legends were made along the Darling - literary myths were created by Henry Lawson, Will Ogilvie and Breaker Morant. Kidman, Tyson and McCaughey created pastoral kingdoms of unparalleled proportions. The Light Horsemen of World War 1 were bred on these vast plans. Wilcannia was once known as Queen City of the West and the site of the original Resches Brewery. Unfortunately the town has seen better days! From here, we make our way to Bourke road and weather conditions will determine the route we take! Tonight we have something special in store as dinner is Poetry on a Plate. They say You haven t experienced Bourke until you ve relaxed beneath a Coolabah tree under the starlit sky, with a campfire of Gidgee coals, whilst sharing a scrumptious meal and experiencing some exceptional Australian poetry, local stories & music and that s exactly what we re going to do tonight with our host Andrew. He will a most memorable & enjoyable evening. The Major Mitchell Motel, Bourke 02 6872 2311 DAY 3 (BD): BOURKE TO CHARLEVILLE Friday 17 June, 2016 We continue our journey north today, over the Queensland border and onto Cunnamulla, located on the banks of the Warrego River and the starting point for the Matilda Highway. We stop here for our early lunch break before continuing through Wyandra to Charleville. Waltzing Matilda Hotel, Charleville - 07 4654 1720 DAY 4 (BD): CHARLEVILLE TO LONGREACH Saturday 18 June, 2016 This morning we farewell Charleville, then it s onto Blackall, home of the legendary gun shearer Jack Howe. In 1892 he shore a total of 321 sheep at Alice Downs Station in 7 hours and 40 minutes, a record for hand shearing that still stands and was only broken by a shearer using a machine driven handpiece in 1950. A bronze statue stands as a monument to the man and his achievement. We break to purchase lunch in Barcaldine, a town steeped in history of the early pioneers struggles and the evolution of Australia as a nation. We can see the Tree of Knowledge monument next to the Railway Station. This marks the spot where the Australian Labour Party was formed. We now turn west with our afternoon break in the small town of Ilfracombe which has a population of 360 despite the area it covers being 6,500 square kilometres! Long before the railway reached its way to Ilfracombe, wool transport consisted of giant wool laden wagons drawn by up to 30 horses, taking three months to carry the load of wool over the 650 kilometres to the nearest port, which then was Rockhampton. It is unlikely that any other Australian town could boast such a brilliant display of historical machinery - not only that, but it's all on public show, with antique machinery and farm equipment lining the road. After taking a look at the Machinery Mile we can whet our whistle at the legendary Wellshot Hotel if we wish. We arrive in Longreach later this afternoon and freshen up for dinner. Albert Park Motor Inn, Longreach - 07 4658 2411
DAY 5 (BD): LONGREACH TO CLONCURRY Sunday 19 June, 2016 With an early start this morning we are off to experience the freedom of the vast open plains and Coolibah lined creeks as we drive north-west to Winton. This central area of Queensland abounds with early Australian folklore and history. It was in this area that Banjo Paterson wrote his famous poem about the swagman and the jolly jumbuck and Waltzing Matilda was first heard in a pub in Winton called the North Gregory Hotel where we will have time today to visit and perhaps buy yourself a drink. There are some fascinating and unusual sights on offer in Winton today. Take a look at Arno s Wall (it s very different) and wander through Searl s Original Department Store. Following some free time to explore and purchase lunch, we re on our way again. We pass through Kynuna then travel past Dagworth Station, where Banjo Paterson stayed when visiting the region and supposedly penned the famous ballad. At McKinlay we ll see the famous pub - Walkabout Creek Hotel where the opening scenes of Crocodile Dundee were filmed. Then it s on to Cloncurry which has a name for being Australia s hottest spot (one of the reasons we are travelling during the winter months!). Tonights accommodation will be in a caravan park, not an ordinary caravan park but one that s used as a mining camp, we ll stay in Donga s and eat in the mess, it will be an interesting and fun stay. Discovery Park, Cloncurry - 07 4742 2300 DAY 6 (BD): CLONCURRY TO KARUMBA Monday 20 June, 2016 Today we head north along the Burke Developmental Road towards the Gulf of Carpentaria and Normanton. We enjoy some of the sights of Normanton then travel to Karumba for our next two nights. Dinner will be at the aptly named Sunset Tavern where we can watch the sun set. Karumba Hotel Motel 07 4745 9121 DAY 7 (BD): KARUMBA Tuesday 21 June, 2016 Karumba is the easiest point of access to the Gulf. A telegraph station was established here in 1870 and during the 1930s the Royal Mail Service operated Empire Flying boats from here to Asia and Europe. The town is located on the mouth of the Norman River and is now the centre of the prawning industry in the Gulf of Carpentaria. After our travel days, we have a lazy day today with time to use the guest laundry if required, read a book, catch up with some postcards and truly unwind! Our only activity today will surely be one of the highlights of our tour. We board the Crab & Croc Cruise to watch the sky and sea turn into fire with this peaceful and relaxing cruise. We ll sip on a glass of wine and enjoy tastings of seafood including some freshly cooked Gulf Prawns and a tropical fruit platter as the sun sets. (Other options will be available for those who don t eat seafood please advise at time of booking.) A light supper will be available tonight at the hotel for anyone who is hungry. Karumba Hotel Motel 07 4745 9121
DAY 8 (BD): KARUMBA TO UNDARA Wednesday 22 June, 2016 We ll be refreshed and ready for our journey today as we make our way back to Normanton. We have a look at the Normanton Railway Station which is a classic example of Victorian architecture. It s here that we board The Gulflander Train. This will be a true rail adventure on the old Tin Hare Railmotor one of the last great characters of rail travel anywhere in the world! Our train ride today takes us through Blackbull to Croydon where our coach will be waiting for us. This old gold mining town was once the biggest in the Gulf and today it still has some interesting buildings. It was reckoned that there were once 50 000 gold mines in the area and reminders of these are scattered all around the countryside. This afternoon, we continue east through Georgetown to Mt Surprise and our overnight accommodation at Bedrock Village, an oasis spread over 9 acres of bush land. We can enjoy some local entertainment this evening around the bush camp! Bedrock Village, Near Mt Surprise - 07 4062 3193 DAY 9 (BD): UNDARA TO CAIRNS Thursday 23 June, 2016 This morning, our Savannah guide will take us into the Undara National Park. Here we have arranged a tour of the Undara Lava Tubes to view these amazing underground tunnels. Formed thousands of years ago when the volcano Undara erupted, the tunnels were gouged out by the lava flow. After our tour we begin our journey to Cairns. As we ll be touring the Atherton Tablelands in a couple of days, we stop to see the Millaa Milla Falls before heading towards the coast. Cairns was founded in 1876 as a service town to support the gold rush. The city took its name from the State Governor, Sir William Cairns and is nestled between the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea and the lush rolling downs of the Atherton Tablelands in the west. After the gold rush, the flat coastal lands became major sugar cane plantations and the fishing and pearling industries continued to thrive. With a population of 150,000, Cairns is only 400km from the northernest part of the state and is today the 16 th largest city in Australia. We check into our accommodation at the Ibis Styles Cairns our home for the next 5 nights. We have time to settle in and unpack our bags before dinner. For those passengers flying in, we have arranged a transfer from the airport to the hotel. Relax and settle in before joining the coach group for dinner.
DAY 10 (BD): KURANDA Friday 24 June, 2016 Our touring today takes us to the vibrant little town of Kuranda surrounded by World Heritage Rainforest. Nestled in the mountainside, the village has come a long way from its initial origins as a centre for those choosing an alternative lifestyle in the late 1960s. To get to Kuranda we make our way to the Skyrail Cableway terminal. Here we join a gondola that will take us across the rooftop of the tropical rainforest. Stretching 7.5kms along the rainforest canopy, Skyrail is the world s longest gondola cableway. The views are spectacular and we ll stop off during our ascent for a short walk along the boardwalks. Upon reaching Kuranda we alight and enjoy some free time to wander the large marketplace of stalls showcasing locally handcrafted goods, arts and crafts. We can also purchase some lunch here. At 2pm we join the Kuranda Scenic Railway for our descent back to Freshwater Station. Constructed between 1882 and 1891, the railway is considered an engineering feat of tremendous magnitude. Hundreds of men were employed to build the 15 hand-made tunnels and 37 bridges that stand as a monument to the pioneers of tropical North Queensland. We are met at Freshwater and transferred back to our accommodation. DAY 11 (BD): EXPLORING THE WET TROPICS Saturday 25 June, 2016 We have a slightly earlier start this morning as we drive to Hartley s Crocodile Adventures for our Breakfast with the Crocodiles!! Upon our arrival, we will cruise the still waters of the lagoon on specially constructed boats. The cruise incorporates a commentary on the significance of wetland habitats and crocodile spotting is guaranteed! We will then return to the deck overlooking the lagoon for a delicious cooked breakfast. We ll enjoy the morning programme including a presentation on cassowaries, a guided tour, a visit to the crocodile farm. Later this morning, we travel north along the Marlin Coast to Port Douglas a former fishing village that became a tourist mecca when Christopher Skase invested in the area and built the Sheraton Mirage! We enjoy some free time for a wander down the main street then continue north to the tiny township of Mossman. Here we see Mossman Gorge where the river tumbles its way over and around huge granite boulders that line the gorge creating cool, clear freshwater swimming pools. This is also the start of the Daintree National Park, a dense jungle part of the wet tropics environment and protected by World Heritage listing since 1988. It is one of the most ancient ecosystems on earth with more than 18,000 known plant species exist. Some trees are more than 2,500 years old. We enjoy a cruise on the Daintree River before returning to Cairns.
DAY 12 (BD): FREE DAY Sunday 26 June, 2016 We have a totally free day today to do as we please. Perhaps you d like to join Big Cat Cruises on their daily service to Green Island. The island is a tiny coral cay located about 30 kms from Cairns and was declared a national park in 1937, with the waters surrounding it declared a marine park in 1974. Or take a cruise to the Outer Barrier Reef; a 4WD tour to the Daintree; tour to Paronella Park to the south the choice is endless! Perhaps meander along the boardwalk into town for some shopping or perhaps just chill out by the pool. We meet up again tonight for dinner at our hotel. (All touring today is optional and at own expense) DAY 13 (BLD): ATHERTON TABLELAND Monday 27 June, 2016 Our destination today is an area known as the Atherton Tableland. First we head to Mareeba where we visit Jacques Coffee. Here, we discover the world of Coffee and how it is grown by joining one of the guided "Jacques Coffee Plantation Tours". Our tour includes a short "The Jacques Coffee Movie" which will show us the different aspects of the Coffee Plantation and learn about the processing and harvesting of coffee in Australia this video also tells the interesting story of the Jacques life in coffee which will amaze you!). We are taken to have a look at "Coffee Shuttle One", the world s first Coffee Harvester and then on out to the coffee field to examine up close the coffee trees. If there is coffee fruit in season, our guide will let us taste the sweet coffee fruit from the trees (which tastes nothing like coffee whatsoever). We then embark on a "Safari" around the Plantation on the "Jacques Coffee Bean Machine" with audio commentary and view the coffee processing mills. Arrive back at the Plantation Cafe for a Cappuccino, Latte, Short Black or Long Black with a biscuit and the opportunity to sample the Jacques speciality "Jacques Coffee Liqueur". (Depending upon the size of our group, we could be split into two groups for this tour.) Time to say farewell to Jacques as we head across the range to visit the Curtain Fig Tree. To count the tangled roots of the Curtain Fig would take a week. It s curtain of aerial roots drop 15 metres (49 feet) to the ground. Large basalt boulders cover the forest floor, which is probably why the forest here wasn't cleared for farming - and why the curtain fig tree remains standing. The Atherton Tableland is rather a unique place in Australia and what makes it so special is the combination of its geographic location in the Tropics (between 400 and 1100 metres), its pleasant climate and the volcanic activities which have shaped large parts of its landscape. One of the most dramatic examples of this is Lake Barrine a beautiful volcanic Crater Lake. It s here we enjoy lunch in the Lake Tearooms before a cruise with great commentary. After another great day, we join the Gillies Highway and make our way back to Cairns.
DAY 14 (B): HOMEWARD BOUND (FLY) Tuesday 28 June, 2016 For some of us, our tour is coming to an end. After a leisurely breakfast, we complete our check-out procedures. We have some free time for some last minute shopping before our transfer to the airport for our return flight to Adelaide. We arrive home later today to complete a fabulous tour to Far North Queensland. DAY 14 (BD): CAIRNS TO TOWNSVILLE Tuesday 28 June, 2016 For the rest of us continuing with the tour, we farewell our hosts today and start making our way south towards home. Our first stop this morning will be the Babinda Boulders for a photo opportunity. We then drive through Tully, the wettest place in Australia (but only during the wet season!!). Off the coast is Hinchinbrook Island Australia s largest island National Park. This is a highly significant Dugong Protection Area. These shy and rarely seen marine animals can occasionally be viewed when they come to the surface to breathe. They are the only herbivorous marine mammal in the world (known locally as sea cows) and feed by grazing over sea grasses in the shallow protected waters. On our journey south we visit the Frosty Mango a roadside café selling local produce, including a tasty range of tropical fruit ice cream! This afternoon we travel through to Townsville. Before checking into our overnight accommodation, we ll take in the sights including a drive along The Strand, a 2km long development along the main beach at Townsville with a lovely promenade walk, as well as restaurants, cafes and shops. Holiday Inn Townsville 07 4729 2011 DAY 15 (BD): TOWNSVILLE TO ROCKHAMPTON Wednesday 29 June, 2016 Today is a travel day as we follow the coast through Proserpine and Mackay to Rockhampton. We stop along the way for rest stops and a lunch break. Quality Hotel Regent Rockhampton - 07 4927 2729 DAY 16 (BD): ROCKHAMPTON TO HERVEY BAY Thursday 30 June, 2016 We continue south bypassing the town of Gladstone, which exports the rich mineral deposits mined in the area and head to Bundaberg, home to the famous Bundaberg Rum. Bundy is also the birthplace of renowned aviator Bert Hinkler. On arrival we have time to purchase lunch before we take a drive around the town see the iconic Whale Wall murals. This afternoon we travel to Hervey Bay. Kondari Resort, Hervey Bay 07 4125 5477 DAY 17 (BD): HERVEY BAY TO GOLD COAST Friday 1 July, 2016 Today we re-join the highway, driving through Gympie and south past the Sunshine Coast. See the magnificent Glasshouse Mountains on our right before we head over the Gateway Bridge with views of the Brisbane skyline through to the Gold Coast where we can settle in for the next two nights. Quality Inn Mermaid Waters Hotel, Gold Coast 07 5572 2500
DAY 18 (BD): EXPLORING THE GOLD COAST Saturday 2 July, 2016 Following a leisurely breakfast, we have the morning sightseeing as Kym shows us the sights of the coast. Back at the hotel, we have the afternoon to relax before we head out for our evening dinner and show. Tonight we are in for a real treat! There is no place on earth like the Australian outback... and no show on earth like the new Australian Outback Spectacular "High Country Myths & Legends". Saddle up and join us on a captivating journey to the snow peaked mountains of the high country where enchanted whispers and legendary yarns come alive with the most inspiring stories of Australian characters. Be dazzled like never before by the amazing animal stars. See death defying stunts and aerial performances as we hear the brave tale of the Aussie girl sold to the circus at the tender age of seven. Be mesmerised by the one of the biggest displays of special effects ever seen as we travel the Road to Omeo with Australia s yesteryear ghosts. With a stirring new musical score and all the comedy, action and drama we come to expect, we look forward to the most breathtaking arena show ever produced under the Australian Outback Spectacular roof. What a fabulous night! Quality Inn Mermaid Waters Hotel, Gold Coast 07 5572 2500 DAY 19 (BD): GOLD COAST TO MOREE Sunday 3 July, 2016 Today we head inland, travelling through Warwick to Goondiwindi, or Gundy as the locals call it. Apart from being right on the Queensland/NSW border it is at the junction of a number of major Highways including the Newell which runs all the way to Victoria. It s also the hometown to a reasonably successful race horse Gunsynd the Goondiwindi Grey! In the spring of 1971 he won the Epsom Handicap, the Toorak Handicap, the George Adams Handicap and the Sandown Cup. In the autumn of 1972 he recorded 5 straight wins including the Futurity Stakes and the Doncaster Handicap. In the spring of 1972 he captured the Cox Plate, ran a magnificent third in the Melbourne Cup under 60.5 kgs, and won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. In his final campaign in the autumn of 1973 he won the Blamey Stakes and a second Queen Elizabeth Stakes. There is a memorial here to this great horse which we will see. From here, we drive south through Boggabilla to Moree. Burke & Wills Motor Inn Moree - 02 6752 3377 DAY 20 (BD): MOREE TO WEST WYALONG Monday 4 July, 2016 Departing Moree, we drive through Narrabri on our way to Dubbo. Dubbo is one of Australia s largest cities - in population terms it is ranked in the top 40. Unlike many other rural centres throughout Australia, Dubbo has experienced quite dramatic growth over the past decade and now offers all the sophistication of a capital city, without sacrificing the benefits of country life. It is situated in the geographical heart of NSW and has a history that goes back more than 180 years. Few could dispute that Dubbo owes its very existence to the courageous explorers and pioneers of the 1800s. The city s colourful history began just 30 years after the arrival of the First Fleet when in 1817 and 1818 explorer John Oxley documented and reported the rich grazing and farming potential of the area known today as Dubbo city. We stop here for our late lunch break. This afternoon, our journey takes us through Parkes and Forbes to West Wyalong. Club Inn Resort, West Wyalong 02 6972 2000
DAY 21 (BD): WEST WYALONG TO MILDURA Tuesday 5 July, 2016 After a hearty breakfast we head through Goolgowi to Hay. Hay is situated on the picturesque Murrumbidgee River, about halfway between Sydney and Adelaide. The terrain here is largely flat, almost treeless saltbush plain offering a magnificent 180 degree skyline which at night becomes a canopy of stars as far as the eye can see. We now cross the vast Hay Plain. On the western side of the Hay Plain is Balranald a town first settled in the 1840s, on the site of a fording place of the Murrumbidgee River. Balranald gained importance during the riverboat days as a service port for the wool industry. The last leg of our journey is to Mildura arriving late afternoon. Quality Resort Inlander Mildura - 03 5023 3823 DAY 22 (B): MILDURA TO VICTOR HARBOR Wednesday 6 July, 2016 Unfortunately, our tour is coming to an end today. Following breakfast, we drive over the border and drive through the South Australian Riverland. At Loxton we turn south, driving through many small townships before arriving at Tailem Bend. From here, it s not far to home and we arrive mid afternoon with some great memories and some new friends! All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries etc. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather etc