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16 Days
$3,385 pp twin share QPCV
$3,720 pp twin share QSNR
$3,912 pp twin share INSP
$3,989 pp twin share Adult

sole use plus $840
(includes all 6 rail journeys*)

*Rail fares are subject to change without notice.
(QPCV = QLD Pensioner using 4 vouchers)
(QSNR = Qld Government Senior Card Holder)
(INSP = Interstate Senior/Pensioner)

The Ultimate Rail Experience showcasing 6 Rail Journeys travelling in 1st class sleepers, Economy and Business Class Seating, Meals on board your rail journey that covers 1,000 miles of the icons of Queensland's coastline and islands.

Quality accommodation & meals along the way, with local coach tours exploring Rockhampton, Capricorn Coast, Great Keppel Island, Townsville, Magnetic Island, Charters Towers, The Tablelands, Cairns, Whitsunday's, Maryborough, Fraser Island! Fully hosted with multiple overnight stays in each region makes this 16 Day Rail experience truly unbelievable value!

Day 1 - Sunday (L, D)

Board the Tilt Train where you will enjoy your journey in complete comfort taking advantage of the onboard movie selection or tune into a great range of music. When hunger bites, we have arranged to have your lunch served to you at your seat, so sit back and relax and enjoy the ride! Upon your arrival into Rockhampton, you will be transferred to Central Park Motel for a 2-night stay.

Day 2 - Monday (B, L, D)

This morning we visit Koorana Crocodile Farm, a commerical farm, home to over 3000 saltwater crocodiles. Enjoy a fascinating insight and tour of a commercial farm, not your everyday tourism theme park! After lunch we continue on to Rockhampton Heritage Village, a friendly township museum showcasing the rich, colourful history of the Rockhampton district from 1850-1950. The township incorporates original and recreated homesteads, buildings and businesses. During your visit you will see vintage vehicles, a hall of clocks, homestead and cottages, enjoy a ride in the Cobb & Co Coach, attend Sunday School at St Peter's Church and enjoy a leisurely stroll through our Herb Garden.

Day 3 - Tuesday (B, MT, L, D)

Day tour to Great Keppel Island takes us to Freedom Fast Cats Terminal to board the fast cat for a short journey across the bay, where we are taken on a Glass Bottom Boat Cruise to Middle Island to view the coral and fish feeding. We then board again for a cruise around the Keppel group of islands with commentary whilst enjoying a tasty lunch. We return to the mainland to take a scenic safari of the Capricorn Coast before we are treated to the hilarious antics of Footlights Theatre crew for dinner and show. Tonight we join The Sunlander and check-in to our 1st Class Sleepers bound for Townsville.

Day 4 - Wednesay (B, L, D)

Breakfast served on the train this morning before arriving into Townsville for our 3 night stay. We join the ferry for a half day tour to Magnetic Island visiting Nelly Bay; Picnic Bay; Arcadia to feed the rock wallabies and fish. The best Barramundi and salad lunch awaits us at Horseshoe Bay before we return to the mainland and are transferred to Seagulls Resort Townsville.

Day 5 - Thursday (B, L, D)

Your adventure starts with a guided tour discovering one of the greatest gold rushes in Australia history. Follow through to the Stock Exchange Arcade and visit one of Australia's few regional Stock Exchanges, where the Stock Exchange is brought to life with the 'Calling of the Card'. Visit the Venus Gold Battery, the last intact gold milling site in the north. This fully guided tour uncovers the workings of the oldest surviving gold mill in Australia. For over 100 years, the Venus Battery alone processed 15.5 tonnes of gold, worth approx $790 million in today's value. Return to Seagulls Resort.

Day 6 - Friday (B, D)

Join your Coach Captain this morning for an informative tour of the Australian Institute of Marine Science. Heading through the Business Centre, we pass Memorial Gardens, The Cultural Centre, and Flinders Street, housing many of the city's oldest buildings. We then head to the top of Castle Hill for a photo shoot of the city before travelling past the Old Railway Station. We then arrive at Cape Bowling Green and the Australian Institute of Marine Science for a 2 hour conducted tour by the centre. Heading back towards Townsville we will pass Lavarack Army Barracks, nestled at the base of Mount Stuart, the complex established during the Vietnam War as a staging point for our troops. We then visit Stocklands for free time shopping and lunch (own expense).

Day 7 - Saturday (B, L, D)

Check-out this morning and take a guided tour of the Reef HQ Aquarium where we will be surrounded with hundreds of fish and magical reef. We then head for Townsville Railway Station to board the latest (Business Class) Tilt Train bound for Cairns. Sit back and relax as lunch is served onboard and enjoy the beautiful scenery as we travel in comfort and style into Cairns, where we will be transferred to the Country Comfort Hotel for a three (3) night tropical escape.

Day 8 - Sunday (B, L, D)

A fabulous day to Kuranda where on arrival we visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, one of the largest butterfly farms in the world in terms of enclosed flight space. We then take a trip of a lifetime on the Army Duck Amphibious vehicle with experienced driver/guide. Learn about ancient ferns and trees, spot the local fauna and flora under the rainforest canopy. Lunch today at the Outback Aussie Grill before we catch the Cairns Scenic Skyrail over the Rainforest canopy back into Cairns.

Day 9 - Monday (B, MT, L, D)

Crossing the Tablelands our first visit for the day is a freshwater lake cruise in a volcanic crater at Lake Barrine. We continue on to the famous Curtain Fig Tree then past Millaa Millaa Falls and onto windy hill. Experience the real Australian outback with a BBQ lunch and exclusive tour of the pioneer homestead at Woodleigh Cattle Station. We head for home stopping at Halloran's Hill look-out and a visit to Mt Uncle Distillery.

Day 10 - Tuesday (B, L, D)

Farewelling Cairns as we join The Sunlander for daylight travel to the Whitsunday's. Arriving into Proserpine we are met and transferred the Colonial Palms right in the heart of Airline Beach.

Day 11 - Wednesday (B, L, D)

Today we join Cruise Whitsunday for the 2 Island Cruise! A Whitsunday commentary from our experienced crew as we visit Long Island and Daydream Island with lunch at the A-La- Carte Mermaids Restaurant before returning to the mainland.

Day 12 - Thursday (B, L, D)

Free time in Airlie Beach before we join our Coach for a tour to Bowen, a fascinating place to learn of early pioneering days. Early dinner before our coach departs for Proserpine Railway Station to board The Sunlander in our 1st Class Sleepers bound for the Fraser Coast.

Day 13 - Friday (B, L, D)

Breakfast onboard before your arrival into Maryborough, where we are greeted by 'Mary Heritage'. We visit Wook-koo Scultpure walk to admire the local talent of art and sculptures. A visit to Brennan & Geraghty Store Museum is fascinating as the store was closed in 1971 and still holds the original stock on the shelf. This afternoon we embark on a cruise on the Mary River taking in the history of the floods and viewing the historical stately homes. Check-in at the Carriers Arms Hotel & Motel for 3 nights.

Day 14 - Saturday (B, L, D)

Today we take the extreme day tour visit to Fraser Island departing on the Fast Cat. Our tour today takes in the crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie and dazzling white beaches. Explore Central Station, a former forestry camp, and walk along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek. Travel up famous 75 Mile Beach to see the coloured sands of the Pinnacles and the wreck of the cruise ship Maheno. Relax and enjoy a hot and cold buffet lunch at Eurong Beach Resort before we are transferred back to the barge for our return the mainland.

Day 15 - Sunday (B, L, D)

This morning arrive at the beautifully restored Gympie Railway to board the Mary Valley Rattler. Our trip winds it way through the scenic Mary Valley, crossing and then wandering away from The Mary River. The countryside is very picturesque undulating hills with an abundance of curves, tunnels, gradients & bridges. The train then arrives at historic Kandanga Station, then continues to Imbil where it terminates. We continue on to the Hideaway Historic Hotel for BBQ lunch. Dinner tonight is our fun farewell evening filled with good food and comedy. Fabulous entertainment and fun with new found friends makes this night very special and a grand finish to a magical holiday.

Day 16 - Monday (B)

Hot Breakfast before joining 'Mary Heritage' our guide in Period Costume, who will take us back in time with an informative tour of Maryborough's beautiful Heritage Homes. Transfers to Maryborough West Railway Station for our return journey on the Tilt Train. Sadly your journey ends as the Tilt Train pulls into Roma St Station.

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

2009 Departures Dates: 24 May; 14 June; 5 July; 19 July; 23 August; 6 September; 27 September

Deposit required to secure booking - $500pp

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