Longreach, Winton and Town of 1770 Summer Sale

Arrive at Platform 10, Roma Street Station, Brisbane at 1pm to meet your tour host and check-in to your first class cabin. At 1:55pm we depart on the Spirit of the Outback for a realistic, upfront view of Queensland’s captivating outback, enjoyed in the comfort of air-conditioned, authentically-themed surrounds. On our journey west we venture through the heritage towns of the Central West. Dining on board the Spirit of the Outback is an experience in itself with the themed restaurant car serving hearty Aussie meals.

Relax today and let the outback come to life in front of your eyes as we wind our way through ever-changing scenery and rugged terrain. This epic rail journey arrives into Longreach, the heart of the Queensland Outback, mid-afternoon. We then board our luxury ‘Gold Class’ coach for transfers to our hotel.

We start the day with a 2-hour guided tour of Qantas Founders Museum’s iconic aircraft including the Boeing 747 and new Super Constellation display. Learn about the history and significance of each aircraft and have access to parts of the aircraft you would normally not see as a passenger. Next, we visit the famous Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame where bush history slides up close to you with tales of bushrangers, shearers, stockmen and drovers. Late this afternoon we head out to Camden Park Station to learn about life on the land with the Walker family which dates back over 3 generations. See the 100 year old shearing shed and historical homestead visited by the Queen in 1970. Enjoy sunset nibbles before making our way back to the hotel for dinner.

We take a 2-hour road trip this morning enjoying the changing outback scenery as we journey from Longreach to Winton. On arrival, we take a guided tour of the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Exhibit, the world’s largest collection of unique Australian dinosaur fossils and the most productive fossil preparation laboratory in the Southern Hemisphere. A truly amazing experience perched on top of a spectacular rocky plateau where dinosaurs once roamed. Listen and learn from dinosaur enthusiasts,and capture the fossil fever that has gripped the area since the first bones of gigantic Sauropod ‘Elliott’ were discovered. From here we make our way into Winton. Our afternoon takes us on a town tour for a visit and lunch at the Waltzing Matilda Centre.

Departing Longreach we travel a short distance breaking at the Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine for a cuppa and photo opportunity. We continue east, breaking at Alpha to see the 27 murals that tell the story of rural life in the region. On arrival at Rubyvale in the Gemfields, we enjoy a BBQ lunch and tour of the Miners Heritage walk in Sapphire Mine. Our afternoon takes us to Emerald.

Departing Emerald we travel through crop and cattle country before arriving at Biloela. Enjoy real country cooking and hospitality with lunch and a tour of Greycliffe Homestead. This afternoon we make our way to the Town of 1770.

This morning we take the ideal getaway on the pink amphibious LARC. Take in the highlights of Agnes Water by land and sea onboard a unique LARC amphibious vehicle. Set out on a fullday adventure crossing tidal creeks, sandy beaches and 4WD drive trails, as you explore the Town of 1770 and Bustard Bay. Stop for lunch (included) on Middle Island, take in the views from the Bustard Head lighthouse, then get your adrenaline pumping as you try sandboarding (optional) down the dunes of Middle Island. Return to 1770 Lagoons Resort.

Homeward bound this morning, we break at historic Childers for a cuppa. We drive past the Backpackers Memorial before departing Childers and making our way to Eumundi. Here we visit the iconic Eumundi Markets, with some free time to shop the many local stalls and taste the local delicacies (lunch own expense today). Late afternoon, we leave the Sunshine Coast behind us and make our way to the Brisbane Coach Terminal.