Carnarvon Gorge, Central West & Gulf Savannah

Departing on our luxury ‘Gold Class’coach from Brisbane Transit Centre on Roma Street, we travel through the Lockyer Valley and continue through Dalby and Chinchilla to Roma.

Today takes us to Carnarvon Gorge National Park, an oasis hidden in the rugged ranges of Queensland’s Central Highlands, surrounded by towering white sandstone cliffs, spectacular scenery, and an amazing diversity of flora and fauna. We join a local naturalist guide to embark on the Moss Garden walk through the a lush rainforest environment then make our way north to Springsure.

This morning we visit The Gemfields, one of the largest sapphire bearing areas of the world. Heading underground with a local miner for a guided tour we take in the historic tunnel section dug in 1906 and learn about the area’s fascinating history. Later we visit the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ at Barcaldine before arriving in Longreach, the heart of Outback Queensland.

This morning at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame, we discover our bush history with tales of bushrangers, shearers, stockmen and drovers, then see the Outback Stockman’s Show which tells the story of life on the land. At the Qantas Founders Museum we learn stories of one of the world’s pioneering airlines. We visit the historic 1922 Qantas hangar, then take a guided tour of the 747 and 707 jets. Later there’s time to freshen up before heading to Camden Park Station to learn about life on the land with the Walker family. See the 100-year-old shearing shed and historical homestead visited by the Queen in 1970 and enjoy sunset nibbles.

Spend the morning on an authentic cultural journey as ancient and contemporary shared histories come alive through the passion of Cheryl Thompson, descendent of the Yiningai people. The Connecting to Country experience will guide us through traditional tribal bodyart and its meanings, a dot painting workshop, tribal stories, and song and dance presentations. Tonight, we dine out on the Drover’s Sunset Cruise, followed by a camp oven themed dinner and show.

We head to Winton and into the majestic mesa country to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, the world’s largest collection of unique Australian dinosaur fossils and the most productive fossil preparation lab in the southern hemisphere. Next we travel through Kynuna and on to the Walkabout Creek Hotel – famous for being recognised as the pub in the Paul Hogan movie ‘Crocodile Dundee’. We finish our day upon our arrival in Cloncurry.

Travelling west to Mount Isa we get adventurous at the Hard Times Mine, taking a tour with an experienced minerguide. Kitted-out in overalls and cap lamps we descend into the mine to explore the history of mining. On returning to Cloncurry we learn about the RFDS with a visit to John Flynn Place.

We travel north to Burke & Wills Roadhouse for a break before continuing to Karumba. We check-in to the only absolute beachfront motel in the Gulf of Carpentaria and enjoy pre-dinner drinks and nibbles overlooking the Gulf Sunset.

Visit the Barramundi Discovery Centre and learn about the live breeding program. This afternoon we take the ultimate Karumba experience aboard the Sand Island sunset dinner cruise. Soak up another sunset over the Gulfof Carpentaria feasting on gulf prawns, nibbles, beer, wine and bubbly.

Board the Gulflander and take a scenic journey through the Gulf Savannah Bushland, stopping at Critters Camp to rejoin the coach. We then travel to Croydon, taking time to explore the old gold-mining heritage. Back on the track, we make our way to Georgetown to visit the Ted Elliott Mineral Collection, then depart Georgetown for Cobbold Gorge on Robin Hood Station.

This morning relax and be mesmerised on a cruise of breathtaking Cobbold Gorge. Later there’s time to discover more of the ancient geological landforms on an optional short walk into the escarpment.

Departing Cobbold Gorge we arrive at Forsayth to join the Savannahlander rail journey to Einasleigh to explore the Copperfield Gorge and enjoy lunch. We re-board the train and travel to Mount Surprise, then transfer by coach to Undara Lava Tubes, checking-in to beautifully restored turn of the century railway carriages. The carriages are set along the original Cobb & Co coachroad under the shade of tall trees and Australian native wildlife.

Join a local Savannah guide for a tour of the Undara Lava Tubes. Formed over 190,000 years ago from violent seismic action and frozen in time, these lava tubes are part of the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater in modern geological time. Our afternoon takes us through the scenic Atherton Tablelands to Cairns.

Travelling Gold Class on the Kuranda Scenic Railway we wind our way from Cairns to Kuranda passing spectacular waterfalls into Barron Gorge. At Kuranda we take an adventurous trip on the Army Duck amphibious vehicle and learn about ancient ferns and trees. Our afternoon takes us on a serene ride back to Cairns on the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.

After breakfast enjoy a free morning before being transferred to the airport for return flights home.