Itinerary Details

Day 1

(MD, Motel) Fly to Melbourne from where Burke and Wills set off on the 20th August 1860. We meet up with our party and settle into our motel.

Day 2

(FB, RD, Motel) We head into Melbourne to visit the Monument of Burke and Wills in the CBD, the Royal Society of Victoria Building and Royal Park where the party set off from. In the afternoon we head north to Bendigo. Here we view this Historic Goldmining Town which helped make Victoria the richest of the colonies. Continuing to Kerang and Swan Hill.

Day 3

(CB, RD, Motel) A morning in Swan Hill, we visit the Pioneer Settlement, wander at leisure in a bygone world experiencing real Australian history. Into New South Wales and Balranald, here on the 15th September the expedition left behind their sugar, lime juice and some of their guns and ammunition. Note: Pioneer Settlement included.

Day 4

(CB, MD, Motel) Morning paddle steamer cruise from Mildura along the Murray River and through the locks. Over to Wentworth where the Murray and Darling Rivers meet. We follow the east side of the Darling to Pooncarie then take the dirt road to Menindee and spend two nights in Broken Hill. Note: Paddle Boat Cruise included

Day 5

(FB, Motel) An interesting town tour of Broken Hill followed by a museum mine tour at Whites Gallery. There is free time to wander town or visit the historic railway museum. In the afternoon we visit Silverton and return to Broken Hill. Note: Whites Gallery Included.

Day 6

(FB, MD, Motel) Up the Silver City Highway to Depot Glen, we change explorers for a little here and look around the base camp used by Charles Sturt and a small group of men, including John McDouall Stuart as his draughtsman on Sturts 1844 attempt to find the inland sea. Continuing to Tibooburra.

Day 7

(CAB, PL, MD, Motel) Through the Warri Warri Gate into Queensland to the Burke & Wills Dig Tree on the Cooper Creek, camp 65 for the expedition. It was in this area on the return journey that both Burke and Wills died leaving King alone, the sole survivor of the party. We visit Burke’s Grave on the Cooper Creek and Innamincka.

Day 8

(CB, PL, MD, Motel) On to extraordinary Birdsville on the Diamantina River in south west Queensland, we visit the race track, and town. A memorable night at the famous Birdsville Hotel, a classic outback pub full of history.

Day 9

(CB, PL, MD, Motel) To Bedourie and Boulia, home of the mysterious Min Min Light phenomenon. We continue up the Channel Country to Mount Isa.

Day 10

(CB, PD, Motel) A full day in Mt Isa, we tour the city and relax after a few days of touring. After lunch we visit Lake Moondarra just out of town for a BBQ dinner.

Day 11

(CB, PD, Motel) Only 400km to the Gulf of Carpentaria. This section was extremely taxing on Burke and Wills. We visit the memorial on the Barkly Highway before reaching Cloncurry. Up the road to the Burke and Wills Roadhouse which sits on another of their campsites. Visit the Cairn on the Bynoe River, Camp 119, where King and Gray waited while Burke and Wills completed the south to north crossing. Off to Karumba to get a view of the Gulf of Carpentaria with a magic sunset during dinner.

Day 12

(CB, MD, Motel) We then return to Normanton. In the afternoon we travel through Croydon and Georgetown to Mt Surprise.

Day 13

(CB, MD, Motel) The Undara Lava Tubes are amazing ancient lava flow tunnels through the earth. We tour the tunnel system before heading over the Great Dividing Range to Cairns. Note: Lava Tubes entry included.

Day 14

(CB, MD, Motel) Travel along a spectacular coastline to the lush Daintree River, where we have a boat cruise then time for lunch at the resort town of Port Douglas. We return to Cairns for a free afternoon on the esplanade, with many cafes and restaurants, galleries, markets and stalls it is a lovely coastal Queensland city. Note: Daintree cruise included.

Day 15

(CB) Free time in Cairns in the morning before a flight home after a memorable, historic tour following two of the most celebrated explorers of inland Australia.