DAY 1 CAIRNS - ATHERTON TABLELANDS - CURTAIN FIG TREE - UNDARA LAVA TUBES (LD)
Visit the Atherton Tableland’s unique Curtain Fig Tree, and “The Crater” National Park on the way to the Undara Lava Tubes, the world’s largest and longest lava tube system. Campfire entertainment after dinner before retiring to your antique railway carriage accommodation.
DAY 2 COBBOLD GORGE (BLD)
Breakfast in the bush then on to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station. This afternoon we cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. We stay at Cobbold Gorge tonight.
DAY 3 GEORGETOWN - CROYDON - NORMANTON - KARUMBA (BD)
On to Georgetown, gateway to the Gulf goldfields of the past. Later the gold town of Croydon and its Historic Precinct. Visit Normanton home of the “Gulflander”, the famous Purple Pub and Krys, snap a picture of the replica of an 8.63m (28ft 4in) crocodile, the world’s largest ever captured. Lunch is at your own expense today. On to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, Barramundi capital of the North and the one place in Australia that gives you an AMAZING sunset. Our overnight stay is in Karumba tonight.
DAY 4 CAMP 119 - BURKETOWN - ADELS GROVE (BLD)
Stop and visit the Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly camp of the ill-fated 1860 expedition then on to Leichhardt Falls and across the “Plains of Promise” to Burketown en-route to Adel’s Grove. We will stay at Adel's Grove for two nights in permanent safari-tent accommodation giving us ample time to explore the nearby Lawn Hill National Park.
DAY 5 LAWN HILL NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
Today the fabulous oasis of Lawn Hill Gorge National Park, set amid the semi-arid spinifex clad hills of the Constance Range. Towering red cliffs and silent waterways dotted with waterlilies, the gorge is a haven for an abundance of wildlife and a bird watchers paradise. Here you can swim beneath the cooling waterfalls and rest under the palms. Paddling a canoe (optional) through the gorge is highly recommended. As mentioned previously we will stay at Adel’s Grove again this evening.
DAY 6 RIVERSLEIGH FOSSIL FIELDS - BARKLY HOMESTEAD (BLD)
Today offers a visit to the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, a treasure house of paleontology recording the history of Australia’s fauna of 25 million years ago. Lunch along the way to Queensland’s border town, Camooweal. On across the Barkly Tableland to Barkly Homestead, our overnight stop.
DAY 7 TENNANT CREEK - RENNER SPRINGS (BLD)
Continue over the Barkly Tableland crossed by legendary drovers who moved huge mobs of cattle between The Kimberley, Northern Territory and Queensland. On to Tennant Creek and a visit to the century old Overland Telegraph Line (OTL) Station. North now on the Stuart Highway we cross Attack Creek named by explorer John McDouall Stuart. Continue on to Renner Springs for the night.
DAY 8 NEWCASTLE WATERS - DALY WATERS - MATARANKA (B)
Continue north stopping at the ghost town of Newcastle Waters to see “The Drover” memorial. On to Daly Waters for lunch (own expense) then Elsey Cemetery of “We of the Never Never” fame. We overnight at Mataranka. Dinner is at your own expense this evening.
DAY 9 KATHERINE GORGE - DARWIN (B)
Leaving Mataranka behind we head to Katherine to cruise on famous Katherine Gorge this morning (optional) before heading back to Katherine. A coach transfer to Darwin is included bringing to an end your epic safari of adventure and discovery in Australia's Outback Gulf Savannah.
