Stockman's Trail 

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

• Stay in tropical Cairns
• Cruise by high-speed catamaran on the Great Barrier Reef
• See colourful fish and coral
• Visit the ancient Undara Lava Tubes
• Travel on the famous Gulflander Train
• Enjoy an informative surface mine tour in Mt Isa
• Stay in Winton, birthplace of Waltzing Matilda
• Visit a working cattle station
• Explore the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach
• Visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame
• Stay in Carnarvon Gorge National Park
• Enjoy a guided walk through picturesque Carnarvon Gorge
• Explore the 'Garden City' of Toowoomba
• Learn about the different wine styles and techniques in Hunter Valley

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

• Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (12) (B)
• Lunches (2) (L)
• Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) (HD)
• Hotel Dinners (9)

Accommodation

• Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers
  (Day 1 from Cairns Airport – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm;
  Day 13 to Sydney Airport – flights to depart after 7.00pm)
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1 Tue: Arrive Cairns

On arrival in Cairns you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of day is free for you to explore this vibrant city - browse, the Night Markets and the Pier Marketplace, take a bushwalk or simply relax in one of the many cafes or on the beach. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.

Accommodation: The Oasis Resort, Cairns, 2 nights.

Day 2 Wed: Great Barrier Reef

Enjoy an orientation tour of Cairns this morning, before taking a memorable journey on the Great Adventures catamaran to the outer edge of the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. There is time to go snorkelling, visit the Underwater Observatory, ride in the semi-submersible craft and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. (BL)

Day 3 Thu: Undara Lava Tubes

Journey today into the true Queensland outback to visit the ancient Undara Lava Tubes. The word Undara means 'a long way' in the Aboriginal language, and the system features the longest lava flow from a single volcano on our planet. After lunch, travel on to Georgetown.

Accommodation: Latara Resort Motel, Georgetown. (BL)

Day 4 Fri: Georgetown - Karumba

Today travel west through the Gulf Savannah region to the historic gold mining town of Croydon, where we enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Next journey to Glenore and join the famous Gulflander Train for a stunning journey through the remote and inaccessible Queensland outback to Normanton. Your driver will stop the train and highlight points of interest. Later, rejoin the coach and continue to Karumba, on the mouth of the Norman River. Watch the sun set over the Gulf of Carpentaria and enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner.

Accommodation: Karumba Lodge Hotel, Karumba. (B) (HD)

Day 5 Sat: Karumba - Mount Isa

After enjoying an interesting tour of Karumba, travel south on the Burke Development Road through country travelled by explorers Burke and Wills on their doomed expedition. We travel to Cloncurry, home of the first Royal Flying Doctor Service base and visit the John Flynn Museum. Later, continue to the mining town of Mount Isa (or "The Isa" as it is called by the locals).

Accommodation: Mercure Hotel Verona, Mt Isa. (B)

Day 6 Sun: Mount Isa - Winton

This morning begins with an informative tour of the Mount Isa mines with a local guide. Later, travel to McKinlay to visit the Walkabout Creek Hotel, which was featured in the movie Crocodile Dundee and stop at the Blue Heeler Hotel, known as the 'best pub in Queensland'. This afternoon continue on to Winton, the home of Australian bush poetry and the birthplace of Waltzing Matilda. Winton also features the first registered office of Qantas.

Accommodation: Boulder Opal Motel, Winton. (B)

Day 7 Mon: Winton - Longreach

Today take a morning tour of Winton, originally known as Pelican Waterhole. Later, visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, and learn about the history of the famous Australian song. Later we journey to Longreach.

Accommodation: Longreach Motor Inn, Longreach, 2 nights. (B)

Day 8 Tue: Longreach

This morning visit the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, dedicated to the pioneering days of the Qantas Airline. Next stop at the famous Stockman's Hall of Fame, a tribute to the men and women of Australia's outback. This afternoon enjoy a visit to a working cattle station. (B)

Day 9 Wed: Carnarvon Gorge

Depart Longreach and travel to Barcaldine, a charming pastoral and rail town known as 'The Garden City of the West'. Barcaldine is famous as the birthplace of the Australian labour movement and features great pubs and many interesting and unusual buildings. Journey to Emerald, home to the largest sapphire fields in the Southern Hemisphere. Continue on to spectacular Carnarvon Gorge National Park, hidden in the rugged ranges of the central highlands.

Accommodation: Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge, Carnarvon Gorge National Park, 2 nights. (B)

Day 10 Thu: Carnarvon Gorge

Enjoy your included half-day walk through beautiful Carnarvon Gorge National Park. The remainder of the day is free so you can further explore the natural beauty of the area. Later, why not relax with a pre-dinner drink in the hotel cocktail bar? (B)

Day 11 Fri: Carnarvon Gorge - Toowoomba

This morning we enjoy a bush breakfast at Carnarvon Gorge, then travel to the town of Roma. Continue the journey through the rugged Great Dividing Range via Miles (originally known as Dogwood Crossing) and into the friendly town of Chinchilla in the western Darling Downs. Later, arrive in the 'Garden City' of Toowoomba.

Accommodation: Ambassador on Ruthven Motor Inn, Toowoomba. (B)

Day 12 Sat: Toowoomba - Tamworth

Our morning sightseeing tour of Toowoomba includes City Hall, the Cobb & Co Museum, the art deco Empire Theatre and picturesque views from Picnic Point Lookout. Later, journey through the charming towns of Warwick and Tenterfield to the historic township of Glen Innes. This afternoon travel to Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia.

Accommodation: Country Comfort, Tamworth. (B)

Day 13 Sun: Hunter Valley - Sydney

Today travel along the New England Highway to the rolling hills of the Hunter Valley, one of Australia's premier wine districts. Here you have the opportunity to see how wine is made and learn about different wine styles and techniques. This afternoon we travel to Sydney, arriving at approximately 5.00pm. You will be transferred to Sydney Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Note: In some remote locations our choice of accommodation is limited and the best possible hotels have been secured.

Prices & Dates