Day 1 CAIRNS - ATHERTON TABLELANDS - CHILLAGOE CAVES (LD)
We start by winding our way up the Kuranda Range to climb on to the Atherton Tableland. We pass dense tropical rainforest and an agricultural landscape to Mareeba and beyond. We travel on to Chillagoe, an historic ore-smelting centre, better known today for its marble mining and limestone caves. We take a tour of the caves, the legacy of 350 million years old marine reef. We overnight in Chillagoe.
Day 2 SAVANNAHLANDER TRAIN - OOTANN ROAD - MT SURPRISE - GEORGETOWN (BLD)
All aboard the “Savannahlander” train as it tracks the Ootann Road from Almaden into Brahman cattle country. Geology continues to dominate and fascinate as we change from limestone to granite to basalt country and with each geological change, a change in vegetation. Lunch along the way in this vast landscape provides a “fair dinkum” Aussie day. Now we head west across the Newcastle Range to Georgetown where we stay overnight.
Day 3 CROYDON - NORMANTON - KARUMBA (B)
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 Philip General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63m crocodile. Lunch is at your own expense today. Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria for a cruise to enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. We overnight in Karumba.
Day 4 CAMP 119 - ADEL'S GROVE (BLD)
Back through Normanton this morning and a poignant visit to Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly campsite of the ill-fated expedition of 1860. Across the vast “Plains of Promise” to Leichhardt Falls and Burketown. On to Adel’s Grove, a Savannah Guides Site, where we spend two glorious outback nights in permanent tent safari accommodation.
Day 5 LAWN HILL NATIONAL PARK (BLD)
A relaxed day enjoying Lawn Hill National Park, a spectacular oasis set amid the spinifex clad Constance Range. The gorge is a haven for an abundance of wildlife and a bird watcher's paradise. Swimming or paddling a canoe (optional) up the gorge is fun and highly recommended. Return to Adel’s Grove tonight.
Day 6 RIVERSLEIGH FOSSIL FIELDS - PURPLE PUB - NORMANTON (BLD)
A visit to the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, a rare treasure house of paleontology recording the history of Australia’s mega-fauna of 20 million years ago. Lunch at Gregory and a short break at remote Burke & Wills Roadhouse before traveling on to Normanton. We stay in Normanton tonight.
Day 7 GULFLANDER TRAIN - BLACK BULL SIDING - CROYDON - GEORGETOWN - FORSAYTH - COBBOLD GORGE (BLD)
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, another Savannah Guides Site. This afternoon we visit Georgetown and Forsayth on our way to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station, where we stay tonight.
Day 8 COBBOLD GORGE CRUISE - UNDARA LAVA TUBES (BLD)
This morning we cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. Travel on 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.
Day 9 MT HYPIPAMEE NATIONAL PARK - CURTAIN FIG TREE CAIRNS (B)
Breakfast in the Australian bush before enjoying a guided tour of the fascinating 190,000 years old lava tubes, a geological spectacle said to be the largest in the world. Visit Ravenshoe, Queensland’s highest town for lunch (own expense) before Mt Hypipamee (The Crater) National Park and the Atherton Tableland’s unique Curtain Fig Tree. Now we descend to the lush green coastal plain and Cairns to end your adventure in the remarkable Gulf Savannah region.
Note: Due to limited accommodation in remote areas of northern Australia we may have to use alternative accommodation of a similar standard from time to time.
