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13 Days
$3,248 pp twin share
$3,638 sole use

+ applicable rail fare

 

Day 1 - Thursday

Arrive and check into your 1st Class Sleeper on an overnight journey on The Westlander to Charleville. A warm friendly club car is open tonight for you to sit back relax and enjoy a drink with your fellow travellers.

Day 2 - Friday (B, L, D)

Enjoy hot croissants for breakfast this morning whilst taking in a scenic journey through farmlands of the South West. Arrive in Charleville for a brief look-about tour, followed by lunch at the Historic Corones Hotel. Next we visit the new Cosmos Centre, before travelling through red earth Mulga country and Mitchell grass plains arriving at 'Nardoo Station'. Enjoy 'Happy Half Hour' and Dinner and perhaps a hot Artesian Spa under the stars. Overnight Nardoo Station. (160 klm)

Day 3 - Saturday (B, L, D)

This morning explore Nardoo Station Precinct, visiting the shearing shed and hot artesian bores and cattle yards. We then travel, via Cunnamulla, heading west to explore the sleepy town of Eulo and visit the Date Farm Gift Shop, General Store, 'Bilby Burrow' and Art Gallery. We then continue to the quaint town of Thargomindah and at sunset discover the 'electric' history at the century old bore. Overnight Oasis Motel Thargomindah. (240km)

Day 4 - Sunday (B, MT, L, D)

Crossing the Dingo Barrier Fence we travel to the Noccundra Hotel, then down to the Warri Gate, into outback NSW, for a picnic lunch. Explore the eastern sections of the Sturt NP enroute to Tibooburra. Spend the afternoon learning about the amazing explorer Sturt. Enjoy 'Happy Half Hour' soaking up the significance of Sturt's survival in harsh conditions. Overnight Tibooburra. (440km)

Day 5 - Monday (B, L, D)

Today travel onto Cameron's Corner heading across the red dunes to Merty Merty for a picnic lunch, enroute to the famous Strzelecki Track. We continue through the Strzelecki desert to Innamincka, passing the Moomba Gas installation. Overnight Innamincka. (440 km)

Day 6 - Tuesday (B, L, D)

Today we relax around Cooper Creek. There is much more to Innamincka than meets the eye as we tour the pioneer graves and hear about the town with two lives. Overnight Innamincka. (206km)

Day 7 - Wednesday (B, L, D)

Departing for Birdsville we take in some of the rich cultural history, visiting the famous Dig Tree. Travelling onto Cordillo Downs we parallel the second corner (by approximately 70kms), "Haddon's Corner", at the top end of the Strzelecki Desert and onto the Cadelga Ruins for a picnic lunch. We venture onto the top end of the Birdsville track, crossing the mighty Diamantina River, an amazing desert community. Overnight Birdsville. (approx 450km)

Day 8 - Thursday (B, L, D)

Our morning begins with the Birdsville Working Museum. Explore the famous Birdsville Race Club and discover the Burke and Wills' tree on the Diamantina River. Mid afternoon we head out for happy hour on the amazing red dunes at Big Red. Feel the very soul of Australia as the sun goes down over the heart of the Outback. Back to The Birdsville Pub for dinner and a flying doctor auction. Overnight Birdsville. (90km)

Day 9 - Friday (B, L, D)

Departing Birdsville for Boulia we encounter the Cacoory Ruins. Cross the Cuttaburra floodplain before travelling onto Bedourie. Moving north of Eyre Creek where the channel country meets the desert, we arrive into Boulia mid afternoon. We explore Boulia's famous min min encounter.

Day 10 - Saturday (B, L, D)

Travelling to Winton via the majestic mesas set amongst the open pebbly plains at the Cawnpore lookout. Onto the Middleton Hotel to catch up with the locals for morning tea. Departing for Winton we arrive at the Waltzing Matilda Centre for lunch and entry. Moving through the vast open Mitchell Grass plains and cross the Thomson River. Check into accommodation in Longreach for 2 nights. (537 km)

Day 11 - Sunday (B, L, D)

In Longreach we step back into the dawn of Aviation at the "Qantas Founders' Outback Museum". Learn of the legends and the unsung heroes at The Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame. Tonight soak up the sunset spectacular dinner cruise and fun farewell awards. (15km)

Day 12 - Monday (B, L, D)

A sad farewell as we depart on 'The Spirit of the Outback' this morning for another colourful rail journey through the Central West. Enjoy cosy dining onboard where the themed Tuckerbox Restaurant is an experience in itself. Enjoy a quiet drink and chat with your fellow travellers in the club and lounge cars as we casually head for home.

Day 13 - Tuesday

Return to Roma St Station early this morning after exploring one of the Australia's last frontiers.

N.B. Due to inclement weather conditions and road access in this isolated area, it is recommended that travel insurance is taken out to cover travel delay expenses. Some accommodation is shared facilities and is split over multiple accommodation venues.

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B = Hot Breakfast
MT = Morning Tea
L = Lunch
D = Dinner

2009 Departure Dates: 16 April; 21 May; 4 June; 18 June; 9 July; 10 September; 24 September; 8 October

Deposit required to secure booking - $200pp + rail fare

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