Outback Getaway

Board your QantasLink group flight in Brisbane for the 2 hour direct flight to Barcaldine. Take a town tour of Barcaldine and visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and heritage-listed Tree of Knowledge to hear about its fascinating history. You will be met by our Outback Aussie Tours driver guide and host and transferred to your accommodation. Tonight you will be treated to an evening of culture, laughter and cuisine at the Desert Dreaming Centre cultural dinner and show. See performances by the Desert Dust Dancers as you enjoy a three-course dinner. Overnight Barcaldine Country Motor Inn, Barcaldine

Travel west to Ilfracombe and the historic Wellshot Hotel. Founded in 1891, Ilfracombe was a transport hub for Wellshot Station, which at the time held the largest number of sheep on any station in the world. Enjoy an authentic pub lunch at the Wellshot Hotel before heading to Winton. Dinner tonight will be at the popular Tattersalls Hotel. 2 nights Boulder Opal Motor Inn, Winton

Learn the story behind Australia’s unofficial national anthem at the Waltzing Matilda Centre; the only museum dedicated to a song. Lunch today will be at another iconic favourite, the North Gregory Hotel. Mid afternoon, we take a short drive out of town to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs, perched high on a spectacular mesa. Join a guided interpretive tour of the laboratory and collection room. Take in the moment at our very special sunset barbecue overlooking the plains where dinosaurs once roamed!

After breakfast, return to Longreach to explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and see the fabulous Stockman’s Life Live Show. 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. 2 nights Longreach Motor Inn, Longreach

Wander the world-class Qantas Founders Museum, eloquently telling the story of the founding of Qantas. View marvellous interpretive and interactive exhibits then join a guided Airpark Tour. Tonight unwind on the Drover’s Sunset Cruise with tasty onboard nibbles, then take your seat at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show. Relax under the stars savouring a table service two-course camp oven themed dinner, as our talented outback entertainer performs live on the river stage.

This morning, we are in for a treat. We get to enjoy the best section of the Spirit of the Outback in daylight hours. Settle in to your comfortable, reclining seat and enjoy the spectacular scenery on the full day rail adventure to Emerald. You’ll pass through Barcaldine, Jericho and Alpha as well as the gemfield town of Anakie. Arrive relaxed and recharged in Emerald in time for dinner at your accommodation. Overnight Emerald Maraboon Motel, Emerald

Today we will take a short drive to Miners Heritage in Rubyvale for a walk-in underground Sapphire mine tour. Learn the techniques used by pioneering gem miners to extract prize Sapphires buried in hard rock. Next, we’ll visit Lake Maraboon, Queensland’s second largest lake and a popular freshwater fishing destination. Continuing our drive east to Rockhampton, we’ll call in to the Blackwater International Coal Centre for lunch and an opportunity to wander the museum and gain an insight into this billion dollar industry. Tonight in Rockhampton, we’ll celebrate our incredible journey with a farewell dinner at our accommodation. Overnight Mercure Hotel, Rockhampton

After breakfast, you’ll board the Tilt Train, the most modern passenger train in Australia. This is the fastest narrow gauge train in the world, a world class standard of travel. As you journey east, enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in Southern Queensland before arriving in Brisbane mid afternoon.