| Day 1: Perth - Balladonia |
After leaving Perth we travel to Cunderdin for morning tea and to visit the museum that is housed in one of the original pumping stations for the Goldfields pipe line. After passing through Merredin, Southern Cross and Coolgardie, we stop at Norseman for our evening meal. Then it is on to Balladonia and our accommodation for the night. (Entry to the museum is included in the fare. Evening meal is not included.) |
| Day 2: Balladonia - Ceduna |
Today we continue on across the Nullarbor to South Australia and Ceduna, our evening stop. During the day we will have the chance to see the magnificent scenery of the Great Australian Bight and experience the vastness of the Nullarbor Plains. (Evening meal is not included in the fare.) |
| Day 3: Ceduna - Coober Pedy |
We now leave the bitumen and travel on gravel roads to the tiny town of Kingoonya, which has a petrol station and telephone box and is typical of the small settlements we will be seeing in these remote areas. A little further on, we rejoin the Stuart Highway and drive on to Coober Pedy - the centre for opal mining in Australia. Our accommodation for the next two nights will be underground, so you can experience what it is like for most of the Coober Pedy residents who escape from the extreme heat of summer and cold nights in winter in their dug-out homes. |
| Day 4: Coober Pedy |
Coober Pedy revolves around opal mining so this morning we will go on a mine tour and see how 92% of Australia's opals are processed. Then we visit an underground church and typical resident's home.
The afternoon is free to wander the town or go noodling to look for your own opal amongst the many piles of stones which have been discarded. You never know, an opal might have been overlooked and you could be in luck. If you can't find an opal, perhaps you could buy one at one of the reputable stores in the town. (Tour of the mine included in the fare. Lunch is not included today.) |
| Day 5: Coober Pedy - Mungeranie (bush camp) |
Today we travel the Oodnadatta Track, passing many small settlements that once serviced the Ghan Railway. We have lunch at Marree and then begin the famous Birdsville Track. There is time to take a photograph of the warning signs to travellers of the perils of the Track. We pass through Coopers Crossing and set up camp at Mungeranie. |
| Day 6: Mungeraine - Birdsville |
Today we continue on the Track to the border between South Australia and Queensland and then on to Birdsville, where we set up camp, ready to enjoy the thrill of two days of racing. |
| Day 7: Birdsville |
Today is the first race day so place your bets and enjoy one of the most famous horse races in the land. If the races don't appeal, you can spend the day relaxing at camp or take strolls around this unique town, and visit the famous Birdsville pub and the museum. (Entry to the races and a race book is included in the fare. Lunch and entry to the museum is not included in the fare.) |
| Day 8: Birdsville |
This is the day of the big race - the Birdsville Cup. With colours flying and whips cracking in clouds of red dust, you are sure to have a great day. And it is the day to dress up in race-going finery. Ladies -you can bring out your hats and colourful dresses as well as the gown for tonight's Race Ball. (Entry to the races and a race book is included in the fare. Lunch is not included in the fare.) |
| Day 9: Birdsville - Longreach |
This morning we pack up camp and head east to Betoota and then on to Windorah, which was once a thriving cattle centre. It is a long day today and we arrive late in the afternoon at Longreach, where we will stay for the next two nights. |
| Day 10: Longreach |
Longreach is in the heart of pioneering country and represents the character and spirit of the outback. In the morning we visit the Australian Stockman's Hall of Fame that celebrates the Aboriginal people, explorers, poets, writers, and artists who have all contributed in some way to the history and culture of the outback. The afternoon is free. You may wish to visit the Qantas Founders Outback Museum that is housed in the hangar in which the first operational base for Qantas was located and the first six aircraft built between 1922 and 1934. (Entry to the Stockman's Hall of Fame is included in the fare. Lunch and entry to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum are not included.) |
| Day 11: Longreach - Mt Isa |
Today we visit several places that were or still are the home of important Australian figures and legends. The first is Winton, which is the birthplace of Qantas, and then Kynuna, where it is believed Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda. We next go to McKinley, where much of Crocodile Dundee was filmed and take time out for a drink in the pub made famous by the film. We then pass through Cloncurry, the birthplace of the Flying Doctor Service - a facility essential to outback Australia - before arriving in Mt Isa. |
| Day 12: Mt Isa - Tennant Creek |
From Mt Isa we drive a little way to Camooweal, which shares the same main street as Mt Isa, and is the most westerly town in Queensland. Passing through Camooweal, we are now in the Northern Territory. We join the Barkley Highway and head for Tennant Creek, where we stop for the night. On the way we visit the John Flynn Memorial which commemorates the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the first aerial medical service in the world. |
Termite mound, NT |
| Day 13: Tennant Creek - Mataranka |
From Tennant Creek we travel north, passing the tiny towns of Elliott and Larrimah until we reach the truly beautiful Mataranka thermal pools. An oasis in the desert, these pools are surrounded by tropical green vegetation and provide the perfect resting place. We set up camp and have the rest of the day to swim and relax in this delightful setting. Within easy walking distance is a replica of a cattle station homestead used in filming We of the Never Never which was based on Jeannie Gunn's novel of the same title. The film set has been turned into a museum. |
| Day 14: Mataranka - Timber Creek |
Mataranka is close to Katherine and in no time we are at the famous Katherine Gorges where we take a boat cruise. After the cruise we have free time in the township of Katherine before driving on to Timber Creek, where we camp for the night. If there is time, you might like to take a stroll to the old Timber Creek Police Station, which was built in 1908 and is now owned by the National Trust. With its well covered verandahs and its determination to keep out the worst of the tropical heat it is an indication of what life must have been like in the town at the turn of the century. (Katherine Gorge boat cruise included in the fare. Lunch is not included today.) |
| Day 15: Timber Creek - El Questro |
Today we travel to Kununurra, visiting the Diversion Dam and Lake Kununurra with its barramundi fish farm. We also see the very productive farmland of the region with hectares of fruit and vegetables grown for state, national and overseas markets. We have time to stroll around Kununurra before driving to El Questro, where we are to stay for two nights. (Lunch is not included in the fare today.) |
| Day 16: El Questro |
Today is your day to explore the many attractions that El Questro has to offer, such as the Emma Gorge resort, the springs or a boat trip on the river. There is so much to do in this wonderful scenic place. On the other hand, you may wish to just relax and take a swim in the pool. (Lunch is not included in the fare today.) |
| Day 17: El Questro - Fitzroy Crossing |
We make an early start today as we have a long drive through some of the most spectacular country in the world - the East Kimberley. The country is a blaze of colour with its purple ranges, red earth and open blue skies. We visit Halls Creek and then on to Fitzroy Crossing, where we visit the Fitzroy Inn before setting up camp. Tonight is concert night so polish up those recitals and be ready to take your turn in strutting your stuff. A fun night and not to be taken too seriously. |
| Day 18: Fitzroy Crossing - Broome |
We start the day with a boat tour of Geikie Gorge on the Fitzroy River. The Fitzroy is home to many crocodiles so keep an eye out as you may see a crocodile or two. After the boat tour we drive on to Derby and visit the famous boab tree that was used as a gaol to house Aboriginal prisoners in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Then on to Broome for a two-night stopover. (Boast cruise is included in the fare.) |
| Day 19: Broome |
We spend the full day in this lovely old pearling town. In the morning we visit the Japanese cemetery and Chinatown and take a tour of the town. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. (Lunch is not included in the fare today.) |
| Day 20: Broome - Port Hedland |
Today we head south along the edge of the Great Sandy Desert to Port Hedland. In Port Hedland we see the huge iron ore trains and the industry's enormous bulk handling facilities. |
| Day 21: Port Hedland - Newman |
Today we drive to the impressive Karijini National Park with its spectacular gorges and falls. We call into the visitor's centre and visit the Fortescue Falls and Circular Pool - both stunning tourist attractions. After a wonderful day of exploring a little of the park, we head to Newman and our accommodation for the night. |
| Day 22: Newman - Mt Magnet |
Leaving Newman, we travel to the Kumarina Roadhouse for morning tea and then though Meekatharra and Cue before arriving at our accommodation in Mt Magnet for our last night together. (Morning tea is not included in the fare today.) |
| Day 23: Mt Magnet - Perth |
Our last day and we travel home back to Perth via Paynes Find, Dalwallinu and New Norcia. We may see wildflowers by the roadside today, as this is the region for spectacular shows of wildflowers in late August and September. And then it is time to say our farewells after a memorable tour of this fantastic country. |
