The Longest Shortcut

Fly to Cairns where you are met by your Aussie Redback Team. Time permitting we head to town for free time before our outback adventure starts. Later we arrive at our accommodation, our home for two nights. (D)

We start the day with a relaxing and informative tour at Hartley’s Crocodile farm, set in the rain forest area of Cairns. Hartley’s was also the first place in Australia to breed crocs in captivity.  Later we visit the rainforest town of Kuranda, then an opportunity to take the Sky Rail down the mountain, where your crew will be waiting for you. (B)

Leaving Cairns today we head to Mt Surprise on the old Cairns to Forsayth Railway line. We visit Mount Garnet and Ravenshoe on the way before arriving at Mt Surprise, our home for the night. (B,D)

We start the day with a tour of the Undara Lava Tubes which were created when the Undara Volcano erupted over 190,000 years ago, pouring out enough lava to fill Sydney Harbour three times over. In the afternoon we head back to our accommodation for a relaxing afternoon. (B,D) (entry to tubes incl in fare).

We travel to Hughenden, an outback artists’ haven with a trail of sculptures installed around the town wearing its history and heart on its sleeve. We also visit Porcupine Gorge Lookout on the way to Winton for a two-night stopover. B,D)

A 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 classic outback Queensland town. (B,D)

Today we continue on to Boulia, home of the Min Min light on the “The Landsborough Way”. We stop on the way at Middleton which made history in 1862 when the first white men, McKinlay and his search party for Burke and Wills, explored the area. Middleton later became the site of the Middleton Hotel and was a Cobb & Co changing station. Overnight in Boulia. (B,D)

An early start for a big drive into the Northern Territory on the dirt of the Donohue Highway. We travel to Tobermorey Station just inside the NT border then pass through the Harts, Jervois, Tarlton and Toko Ranges in the northern reaches of the Simpson Desert, arriving in Alice Springs late afternoon. (D,B)

This morning we visit the Old Telegraph Station and Simpson Gap, before having the afternoon to relax and recharge the batteries before the next stage of our journey on the Great Central Road. (B)

On to Curtin Springs on the Lasseter Highway and a look at this 1-million-acre cattle property, visiting the lookouts of Mt Connor and Lake Amadeus along the way. Two-night stopover at Curtin Springs. (B,D)

Today is all about the “Rock” and the “Olgas”.  We enjoy a very informative tour with a local guide, and an opportunity to explore the area and visit the Cultural Centre. You may also fly over both attractions (own expense), before heading back to the “Rock” for a BBQ dinner and a spectacular sunset, later returning to Curtin Springs. (B,D)

On to the Great Central Road in the Great Victoria Desert. This runs 1126km from Yulara to Laverton in WA, and we’ll pass five small communities on the way. The Great Central Road has its origins in the early 1930s when Warburton was established as a missionary settlement and supplies were delivered from Laverton via a rough bush track.  We’ll see a large variety of wildlife in the area – dingoes, emus, kangaroos and camels, and many species of birds. Overnight at Warburton in the Warburton Ranges. (B,D)

We continue the Great Central Road towards Leonora, with a stop at Tjukayirla Roadhouse, set deep in the Victoria Desert. It is one of the most remote roadhouses on the planet. We pass changing landscapes before arriving at our destination. B,D)

We start the day with a visit to the Gwalia Ghost town, a wonderful look into the past. In the afternoon it’s on to Menzies and Kalgoorlie, our home for the night. (B,D)

With the desert behind us we head to Perth, after conquering the famous Longest Short Cut. We travel to Coolgardie, Southern Cross and Merredin before arriving in Perth late in the afternoon. (B)