Journey of the Gulf Savannah

Today we’ll visit the ancient Capricorn Caves set into a limestone ridge. We’ll join a guided tour of the large caves, featuring the Cathedral Cave with its near perfect acoustics. Continuing our drive west we’ll call in to the Blackwater International Coal Centre for an insight into this billion dollar industry and to see oversized machinery navigating massive open cut pits. Arrive Emerald late afternoon for check-in. Enjoy sunset nibbles and drinks at Lake Maraboon, Queensland’s second largest lake and a popular freshwater fishing destination. Overnight Emerald Maraboon Motel, Emerald

Following breakfast, we’ll board our 2nd rail experience, the Spirit of the Outback! We get to enjoy the best section of the Spirit of the Outback in daylight hours. Settle into your comfortable, reclining seat and enjoy the expansive outback scenery on the full day rail adventure to Barcaldine. You’ll pass through the gemfield town of Anakie, then Alpha and Jericho. Arrive relaxed and recharged in Barcaldine in time for the Desert Dreaming Centre cultural dinner and show. Overnight Barcaldine Country Motor Inn

This morning, we’ll visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre. Spread over two hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding a tranquil billabong, the Australian Workers Heritage Centre presents a rich tapestry of exhibits capturing the spirit of our nation’s workers. Continuing our drive west, we’ll enjoy a traditional pub lunch at the historic Wellshot Hotel in Ilfracombe. Arrive in Longreach early afternoon with time to relax and refresh. Late afternoon, we’ll join the Drover’s Sunset Cruise followed by Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. 3 nights Longreach Motor Inn

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation this morning. Visit the world-class Qantas Founders Museum, eloquently telling the story of the founding of Qantas. View interpretive displays, interactive exhibits, original and replica aircraft, and an impressive collection of genuine artefacts. Enjoy some free time downtown Longreach after lunch. This evening, we return to the Qantas Founders Museum for an exclusive dinner surrounded by aviation history, and the entertaining and informative Luminescent Longreach Sound & Light Show, which brings the 100-year story of Qantas to life.

Explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover inspiring stories of our pioneering heroes. Take your seat at the exciting Stockman’s Live Show to see amazing horsemanship and the action of a live muster. Witness the traditional Australian Stockman skills that are still used today. Late afternoon experience the warm hospitality of local graziers on a visit to Camden Park Station. Join Outback Dan on a personalised tour of his family property, sunset drinks at Two Tree Hill, followed by an exclusive dinner in their 100-year-old woolshed.

We drive north along the Burke Developmental Road to the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. You will be travelling through mostly cattle country along this road. See the contrasting colours of this rugged landscape; the black trunks of the gidgee scrub, golden Mitchell grass, and enormous rust red termite mounds. In Normanton, take a selfie with Krys the life-size statue of the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught. See the Purple Pub and Queensland’s earliest surviving and heritage-listed Burns Philp store. Arrive in Karumba, also known as ‘outback by the sea’, in time to capture your first memorable Gulf sunset. 2 nights End of the Road Motel, Karumba

Discover the amazing secrets of the mighty barramundi at The Barramundi Discovery Centre, the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of this iconic fish. Your tour of this state of the art Interpretive Centre includes the opportunity to feed a barramundi. Enjoy free time after lunch to explore the town or to simply relax and take in this beautiful location. Late afternoon, we’ll cruise the Gulf of Carpentaria to a remote sand island where we’ll toast the sunset and feast on fresh seafood as spectacular twilight hues colour the skies.

Travel to Normanton for a nostalgic rail journey on the famous Gulflander, affectionately called the ‘Tin Hare’. Visit the historic gold mining townships of Croydon and Georgetown. See the impressive mineral collection display at the TerrEstrial Centre. Arrive at the hidden outback oasis Cobbold Gorge in time for sunset drinks overlooking the stunning infinity pool! 2 nights Cobbold Gorge Resort

Enjoy a tour of the magnificent sandstone gorge on this privately owned cattle station. The gorge is stocked with a variety of native fish and freshwater crocodiles. On a guided cruise, you’ll glide silently between towering cliffs in a specially designed, electric-powered punt. Join an optional walk to the top of the escarpment for awesome views of the gorge below from the glass bridge!

Enjoy smoko at the Einasleigh pub with its quirky miniature furniture collection and see the impressive rock formations of Copperfield Gorge. We take a scenic drive to Mount Surprise before heading on to the Undara Experience. This afternoon we join a guided tour of the incredible Undara Lava Tubes, part of the world’s longest lava flows from a single volcanic crater. Enjoy learning about the geological and historical features pointed out and explained by your Savannah Tour Guide. Overnight Undara Experience, Mount Surprise

Travel through contrasting landscapes and Forty Mile Scrub National Park to Woodleigh Station. Take a tour through the original homestead built in 1876 and learn how hard life was for Queensland’s early settlers. Relax with morning tea in view of their giant 100-year-old bougainvillea and take a stroll around their expansive gardens. Travel the Kennedy Highway to the lush Atherton Tablelands and Dimbulah. We’ll pass through Ravenshoe, the highest town in Queensland at 920m above sea level and the bustling township of Atherton. Next we board the Savannahlander in Dimbulah for a unique outback rail experience on this classic 1960s ‘silver-bullet’ railmotor. Enjoy Happy Hour and spectacular views on the descent into Cairns. Overnight Rydges Esplanade, Cairns

Your tour concludes after breakfast. Own transfers to your homeward bound connections.