Historic Outback Towns – Cairns to Alice Springs

Fly to Cairns where you are greeted by your crew and transferred to your accommodation. We then have a meet and greet with fellow travellers over pre-dinner drinks before the evening meal – a lovely way to start the tour. (D) 

A visit to the Daintree this morning. Immerse yourself deep into the rainforest by taking a trip on our world-renowned wildlife experience cruise. You will slowly glide along the Daintree River while one of our local guides shares their knowledge about the unique tropical ecosystem. The rainforest is a breathtaking natural marvel estimated to be around 135 million years old, the oldest living rainforest on earth. Later it’s on to  the chic, relaxed seaside village of Port Douglas for lunch. Later we return to our accommodation. (B)  

This morning we make our way through the Atherton Tablelands to Ravenshoe. Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland.  Historically Ravenshoe was a town with a proud heritage of extracting timber from the surrounding forests in the 1980s. In the afternoon we arrive at Charters Towers. Founded in 1871 after the discovery of a gold nugget, Charters Towers was established as a place for prospectors to find their fortune in the gold fields. We visit the Venus Gold Battery before checking into our accommodation. (B,D)  

Today we continue our journey on the Gregory Highway to Emerald. We pass several little towns, including Clermont. Clermont is one of the most historic towns in northern Australia and has a colourful past filled with drama and laced with tragedy. In fact, Clermont was the first inland settlement in the tropics, making it a frontier town in the truest sense of the word. Emerald was established in 1879 as the base for the railway line, and it has slowly grown to be the major regional centre of the Central Highlands and the gateway to the Central Western district. (B,D)  

Departing Emerald, we head to Barcaldine, which has an interesting and famous history.  Barcaldine is home to the Tree of Knowledge, the reputed birthplace of the labour movement in Australia.  We visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre and later continue on to Longreach for two nights. (B,D)   

Longreach is the heart of Outback Queensland and is home to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Qantas Founders Museum, and you can visit both today. In the afternoon we enjoy the sights and sounds of the outback as the sun sets over the horizon on this evening’s riverboat adventure. Cruise down the mighty Thomson River on a unique paddle-wheeler. Disembark at a campground in the heart of the local bush and continue our  outback experience with intimate performances and a two-course stockman’s dinner around the campfire. (B,D & show)  

On to Winton this morning and a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre, a journey back in time. Later we visit the pub made famous by Crocodile Dundee – the Walkabout Creek Hotel, on our way to Cloncurry – our stop for the evening. (B,D) 

Today we head to Mt Isa and explore this mining town in the outback, then onwards to Camooweal and a visit to the Drovers Camp Museum, before checking into our accommodation. (B)  

Departing Camooweal, we cross the Queensland and Northern Territory border and head to the Barkley Homestead, the only stop between travellers crossing the border. Later it’s on to the town of Tennant Creek, our stop for the night. (B,D) I

We travel through some smaller Northern Territory towns today with stops on the way, before arriving in the largest outback town in the territory – Alice Springs. (B) 

This morning we travel to Simpsons Gap in the MacDonnell Ranges. This  is also part of an important spiritual site to the Arrernte Aboriginal people. Later it’s on to Ormiston Gorge. Massive geological forces created the towering red walls of Ormiston Gorge. Within the gorge is a permanent waterhole, estimated to be at least 14 metres deep, which attracts all kinds of birdlife and animals, this attraction is not to be missed. Later we visit Ellery Creek Big Hole, another stunning waterhole in the centre of Australia. (B, D) 

This morning we have free time in Alice before being transferred to the airport for our flights home after an amazing tour of Queensland and the Northern Territory Outback. (B)