Queensland's Savannah Awaits You
| TRIP DATES | AVAILABILITY | PRICE | SPACE LEFT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/09/2024 - 13/09/2024 | Guaranteed | $6,627.00 |
sold out
|
The Gulf Savannah is a timeless landscape of natural treasures. A former frontier tackled by gold prospectors and cattle farmers, occupied by our country’s indigenous people. A place pocketed with natural wonders, including Undara Lava Tubes – the world’s longest lava tubes and Cobbold Gorge – Australia’s youngest gorge. You’ll enjoy true Australian hospitality and sample the various styles of cuisine, as rich and colourful as the fascinating savannah outback landscapes and lifestyles you will encounter as well as spending some time in tropical Cairns. This tour is now ‘sold out’.
Itinerary
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Your tour commences in Cairns at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort right near the Esplanade. Upon arrival, check in after 2pm. Cairns is considered the gateway to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Spend the afternoon at leisure or exploring the Cairns Esplanade which is close by and then meet the rest of your fellow passengers in the lobby prior to dinner.
We are transferred by bus to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, where we take you on a fascinating journey of discovery over and deep into Australia’s Wet Tropics – World Heritage listed rainforest. Glide mere metres above the pristine rainforest canopy before descending to explore the forest floor at Red Peak and Barron Falls. Immerse yourself in the unique sights, sounds, smells and feel of the rainforest. Once at the top in Kuranda, take a short walk up into the main street into the Kuranda Village (the Village in the Rainforest). Spend some time exploring the Village or perhaps visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary while there. Later this afternoon we return to Cairns via the historic Kuranda Scenic Railway as it meanders its way down the mountain back into Cairns. This famous railway opened in 1891 and is 328 metres above sea level. Your historic journey is in fully refurbished vintage carriages with commentary and a short photo opportunity stop at Barron Falls. Upon arrival into Cairns Railway Station, it is only a short walk back to your accommodation.
Departing early this morning, our 4WD journey begins, travelling up the Kuranda Range to the Atherton Tableland and on to Herberton. Explore the Historic Village of Herberton, where you can live the folklore and romance of yesterday’s Australia in every piece of this eye-opening collections. Sit in the schoolhouse. Stand at the bar of the pub. Enjoy a latte in the Bakerville Tearooms. The award-winning attraction is more than a vintage precinct – it’s a tangible buzz of things past with over 50 original buildings with intact interior displays, original machinery and vehicles, plus thousands of antique items and period memorabilia. Late afternoon we settle in the Malanda Lodge, situated on 11 acres of manicured tropical gardens. All rooms have ground level balconies and views to enjoy the tranquillity or maybe spot their resident platypus family in the large pond.
An early start sees us travelling west on the Kennedy Highway towards Mount Surprise for lunch with a snake show. After lunch, you travel aboard the “Savannahlander” train as it tracks towards Einasleigh. There is enough time to have a beer in the pub or head down and check out Copperfield Gorge, before the train departs for Forsayth. From here we travel on to Georgetown where we stay overnight.
Morning “smoko” on the shore of Croydon’s Lake Belmore before Normanton for lunch. Here you can absorb its famous landmarks, the “Purple Pub”, historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63m crocodile. Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, where we enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. We stay at the Karumba Lodge for the next 2 nights.
After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria. This afternoon we spend time at the Barramundi Centre with a guided Feed-A-Barra tour and hand-feeding will take you into the brand new hatchery for an educational, entertaining and engaging experience! This afternoon we head out to sunset point for happy hour, before enjoying dinner at the Karumba Lodge.
After breakfast we visit Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly campsite of the ill-fated expedition of 1860 on our way back to Normanton for lunch. This afternoon we visit the Mutton hole Wetlands for croc and bird watching. We overnight in Normanton.
This morning we depart from Normanton’s famous Victorian architecture Railway Station. All aboard the historic “Gulflander RM93” train, a Savannah Guides Site, for a ride through the savannah landscape across the Norman River to Critters Camp. On to Black Bull Siding then the old gold mining town of Croydon and its Historic Precinct. This afternoon we visit Georgetown and Forsayth on our way to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station.
Cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. We have ample time to enjoy this beautiful area.
We travel via Einasleigh and Mount Surprise to the famous Undara Lava Tubes, a Savannah Guides Station. There’s campfire entertainment after dinner before retiring to your accommodation in faithfully restored antique railway carriages or Pioneer cabins.
After breakfast in the Australian bush, an experienced Savannah Guide will meet you for an informative tour of the world’s largest, longest and most accessible lava tube system. We continue on our scenic and leisurely drive over the Tropical Tablelands past the Wind Turbines at Ravenshoe, stopping off at the magnificent Curtain Fig Tree, before making our way back to Cairns.
Breakfast this morning is our last meal on the tour and we say goodbye at checkout. We are sure you will have many stories to tell of your Savannah Tour Adventure.
