Wonders of the Savannah

Your holiday includes a flight from your homeport to the beautiful Queensland city of Brisbane (as required).

On arrival in Brisbane, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the city.

❱ 1 night: Mercure Brisbane or similar

Enjoy time to browse around the Brisbane Mall before boarding the Spirit of Queensland train. Take advantage of the benefits of the revolutionary RailBed service, including a comfortable seat by day, personal entertainment and a flat bed at night. Enjoy the culinary delights prepared using the freshest of Queensland produce – all meals are included and served to your seat.

❱ 1 night: Spirit of Queensland Train – RailBed Sleeper

Wake up this morning as the train passes through the sugar cane fields of North Queensland. Sit back and relax as you watch the changing landscapes pass by.

❱ 1 night: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Today we board our touring coach and start our holiday by winding our way up the Kuranda Range to the Atherton Tableland. Pass through dense rainforest and agricultural landscapes to Mareeba and beyond. Travel on to Chillagoe and take a tour of the caves, the legacy of a 350-million-year old marine reef before checking into our accommodation.

❱ 1 night: Chillagoe Observatory & Eco Lodge

Travel on the Savannahlander train as it tracks the Ootann Road into Brahman cattle country. Witness the changing landscapes from limestone to granite to basalt country. Enjoy lunch along the way in this vast landscape before heading west across the Newcastle Range to Georgetown.

❱ 1 night: Latara Motel

Enjoy morning tea on the shore of Croydon’s Lake Belmore before arriving into Normanton for lunch. Visit its famous landmarks, the ‘Purple Pub’, historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63 metre crocodile. Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria for a cruise and enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset.

❱ 1 night: Karumba Lodge – room with shared facilities

Travel back through Normanton and visit Burke and Wills Camp no. 119, their most northerly campsite. Venture across the vast Plains of Promise to Leichhardt Falls and Burketown. Then its onto Adel’s Grove where you will spend two glorious nights in permanent safari tents.

❱ 2 nights: Adel’s Grove – permanent tent with shared facilities

Today explore Lawn Hill National Park, a spectacular oasis set amidst the spinifex clad Constance Range. The gorge is a haven for an abundance of wildlife and is a birdwatcher’s paradise.

Visit World Heritage Listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, a rare treasure house of palaeontology recording the history of Australia Mega Fauna of 20,000 years ago. Stop for lunch at Gregory before we visit the remote Burke and Wills Roadhouse before travelling on to Normanton.

❱ 1 night: Gulfland Hotel

Board the historic Gulflander RM93 train. Journey through the savannah landscape across the Norman River to Critters Camp. Travel on to Black Bull Siding, then the old gold mining town of Croydon. This afternoon visits Georgetown and Forsayth, before arriving at Cobbold Gorge.

❱ 1 night: Cobbold Gorge Cabins

Cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterways surrounded by spectacular carved sandstone which is 135,000 years old! Travel on to the famous Undara Lava Tubes.
After dinner, enjoy some campfire entertainment before retiring to your fully restored antique railway carriage accommodation.

❱ 1 night: Undara Lava Lodge

Enjoy an Australian breakfast, before taking a guided tour of the fascinating 190,000-year-old lava tubes. Visit Ravenshoe, Queensland’s highest town for lunch, before arriving at Mt Hypipamee National Park and the Atherton Tableland’s unique Curtain Fig Tree. This afternoon, descend to the lush green coastal plain of Cairns.

❱ 2 nights: Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort

Enjoy a leisurely day to explore more of Cairns. Spend the day relaxing by the hotel’s pool, go shopping at nearby Cairns Central or explore the beautiful Cairns Esplanade.

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Cairns Airport in time for your flight home.

Your holiday includes a flight from Cairns back to your homeport.