Itinerary Details

Day 1

(MD, Motel) Heading off on Australia’s Longest Shortcut we climb up the Darling Scarp through the Wheatbelt to the WA Goldfields.

Day 2

(CB, CAD, Basic Motel) Touring Kalgoorlie including the lookout over the Superpit, Australia’s Largest Open Cut Gold Mine. North to Menzies after a visit to the historic Two-Up Ring we travel through mining towns of all sizes and minerals, Ghost Towns to Cities from Nickel to Gold. Visit the Gwalia Museum on the edge of the large open pit Sons of Gwalia Mine. Note: Museum entry included.

Day 3

(CAB, PL, CAD, Motel) Onto the first of many dirt roads on this tour just north of Laverton; The Great Central Road, winding through the ranges, sandhills and salt lakes of the Desert has a beauty that is iconically Australian. We arrive at Warburton for the night.

Day 4

(CAB, PL, PD, Motel) Passing the Schwerin Mural Ranges to cross into Northern Territory through the Gibson Desert. Deep into the South West corner of the NT we visit Lasseters Cave and learn a little of the mystery of Lewis Lasseter and his elusive reef of gold. Enjoy a sausage sizzle dinner watching the sunset on Uluru, before settling into Curtin Springs Station.

Day 5

(CB, CAD, Motel) The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after a day in the park you will see why. We spend the morning at Uluru and the information centre. Return to Yulara Village for lunch and an optional helicopter flight over the spectacular sandstone formations. Later visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to walk through the valleys between the mighty domes. Note: Optional Flight over Uluru approx $300.

Day 6

(CB, RD, Motel) We spend the morning on Curtin Springs Station, home to the Severin family since 1956, when Peter Severin arrived with his young wife Dawn, their toddler son Ashley and 1,500 head of cattle. The Severin family has protected the million acre wildlife corridor that balances cattle production with conservation of this precious landscape. Appreciate a tour of the handmade paper, made from the native grasses found on the station, a distinctive and beautiful souvenir of Central Australia. Afternoon through to Alice Springs for three nights. Note: Paper Tour included.

Day 7

(CAB, RD, Motel) A restful morning before a day exploring some of the features of the MacDonnell Ranges, from scenic to culturally significant areas.

Day 8

(CAB, Motel) Take an optional early morning Hot Air Balloon through the rugged outback followed by a tour of “The Alice” nestled on the north side of the MacDonnell Ranges. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park. Note: Optional Hot Air Balloon approx $415.

Day 9

(CAB, PL, RD, Motel) An early start for a big drive into Queensland. A short drive up the Stuart Highway then back on the dirt of the Plenty Highway. Through the Harts, Jervois, Tarlton and Toko Ranges in the northern reaches of the Simpson Desert to Tobermorey Station just inside the Northern Territory border. Crossing the border on the Donohue Highway shadowing the Georgina River with its many tributaries to Boulia. This highway is the home of the Min Min Lights, an unusual shimmering light phenomenon that can appear at night.

Day 10

(CB, PL, MD, Motel) A late start with free time in Boulia before continuing across the Queensland Channel Country and over the Diamantina which flows south past Birdsville to Lake Eyre, in the afternoon we reach the sheep cattle town of Winton on the sprawling Western River.

Day 11

(CB, Motel) Morning visit to the Age of Dinosaurs Centre, the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. In the afternoon we visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre followed by free time in Winton and a wander of this romantic, classic outback QLD town. Note: Dinosaur and Waltzing Matilda Centres entries included.

Day 12

(CB, RD, Motel) To Hughenden before a drive up the Flinders River and a visit to the Porcupine Gorge Lookout on the last of the outback dirt roads to reach Mount Surprise on the Gulf Development Road.

Day 13

(CB, PL, MD, Motel) We take a guided tour through the Undara Lava Tubes, the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano, some of the caves are over 21m wide and up to 10m high. Note: Lava Tubes Tour included.

Day 14

(CB, RD, Motel) Past Mount Garnet and Ravenshoe before descending the Great Dividing Range through the winding rainforest highway enjoying the lush rainforest and tropical plantations on the way into Cairns.

Day 15

(CB) Late check out with time to relax around Cairns before a flight home having crossed the Country South West to North East through a great range of landscapes and vegetation, an unforgettable experience.