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Australian Pacific Touring Heritage & Hinterland 15 Days

Tour Code: CQLR

Learn about our pioneering spirit at the Stockman's Hall of Fame and the Waltzing Matilda Museum; see where dinosaurs roamed and volcanoes flowed; and relax watching the sun set over the Gulf of Carpentaria on this true Australian journey of discovery.

 Day 1. Arrive Cairns, Undara Lava Tubes, Georgetown
Be met on arrival at the airport in Cairns. Set out for Georgetown and, on the way, visit the 190,000 year-old Undara Lava Tubes. On a tour through one section of the ancient tubes, a local guide will provide fascinating insight into the history and geology of these formations. Afterwards, rejoin the coach and continue travelling to the quaint town of Georgetown, located on the Etheridge River in Far North Queensland.
Stay: Georgetown, Latara Resort Motel
Daily Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2. Croydon, Gulflander Journey, Karumba, Sunset Drinks
Travel to Croydon, formerly a booming gold mining town. Enjoy a guided walking tour followed by lunch. Afterwards, board the Gulflander train at Critters Camp for a memorable rail journey to Normanton. Here, rejoin the coach and continue to Karumba. This evening, enjoy local prawns and a glass of wine on the beach as the sun sets over the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Stay: Karumba Lodge Hotel
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3. Karumba, Adels Grove
This morning you'll travel to Normanton and see the historic Purple Pub before heading off-road. Visit Burke and Wills Camp 119, the most northerly camp of the explorers ill-fated expedition. Continue on to see the beautiful stepped Leichardt Falls and then arrive at Lawn Hill National Park, renowned for its spectacular gorge and incredible array of plant life.
Stay: Two Nights: Adels Grove, Lawn Hill National Park, in tented cabins with shared facilities
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4. Riversleigh Fossil Fields, Lawn Hill Gorge
This morning, take a tour of the World Heritage-listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, home to some of the richest and most extensive fossil deposits in the world, including some dating back over 25 million years. Here you'll see the impressions made by some of the most unique species that ever lived, such as the long-extinct marsupial lion. After lunch, relax at Lawn Hill Gorge. Perhaps go on one of the many walks or hire a canoe (own expense) to explore.
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5. Lawn Hill National Park, Cloncurry, Mt Isa
Departing Lawn Hill National Park this morning, set out along the Burke and Wills Development Road. Stop in Cloncurry and visit the famous Royal Flying Doctor Museum, then continue to the outback town of Mt Isa.
Stay: Mt Isa, All Seasons Verona Hotel
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6. Mount Isa, Winton
This morning, embark on a surface tour of the Mt Isa Mines. Visit the pub at McKinlay, known as Walkabout Creek of Crocodile Dundee fame. At Kynuna, see the Blue Heeler Pub and stop at the Combo Waterhole, thought to have inspired Banjo Patterson to write the song Waltzing Matilda.
Stay: Two Nights: Winton, Boulder Opal Motel
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7. Lark Quarry, Waltzing Matilda Centre, Royal Open Air Theatre
Travel to the undercover site of Lark Quarry to view dinosaur footprints. This is the only site in the world where fossilised tracks from a stampede, thought to have happened 95 million years ago, can be seen (Lark Quarry is inaccessible in the wet). Visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre to learn the story behind 'Waltzing Matilda'. Then tour the Outback Regional Art Gallery. Enjoy a movie tonight at the famous Royal Theatre, one of Australia's last remaining open-air theatres
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8. Longreach, Stockman's Hall of Fame, Outback Dinner and Show
On arrival in Longreach, visit the fascinating Qantas Founders Outback Museum, the only place in the world where you'll enjoy the opportunity to tour a fully-equipped 747 jumbo jet and the Boeing 707. Learn about the history and achievements associated with Australian aviation then uncover Australia's bush history at the Stockman's Hall of Fame. Tonight be hosted by the locals at the Cattlemen's Bar and Grill.
Stay: Longreach, Albert Park Motor Inn
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9. Barcaldine, Lake Maraboon, Emerald
Head to Barcaldine, a small town that had a significant impact on our political history it was here that the Labor Party began. Visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, which pays tribute to the nation's working men and women. Later, tour the town of Emerald and nearby Lake Maraboon a huge expanse of water in the outback as well as the surrounding bushland, which is home to birds such as rainbow lorikeets, pelicans and black swans.
Stay: Emerald Maraboon Motor Inn
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10. Emerald, Rubyvale, Carnarvon National Park
Head to Rubyvale, set amid the Sapphire Gemfields. Tour the Miners Heritage Walk-in Mine and gain an insight into the process of sapphire mining. Afterwards, fossick for gems before heading to Carnarvon National Park. Stay on the fringe of Carnarvon Gorge, surrounded by the native flora and fauna.
Stay: Two Nights: Carnarvon National Park, Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge, in tented safari cabins with private facilities
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11. Carnarvon National Park
This morning in Carnarvon National Park, enjoy a walk through Carnarvon Gorge. On your walk, cross over creek beds on stepping stones and follow the walking track to a pretty waterfall, before reaching the nearby lush Moss Garden (a reasonable level of fitness is required for this walk). After lunch, the day is at leisure to relax or further explore the gorge.
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12. Carnarvon Gorge, Roma, Toowoomba
Travel via Injune, at the southern end of Carnarvon National Park, as well as Roma and Dalby, to the garden city of Toowoomba. Here, visit the Heritage-listed Empire Theatre, a fine example of Art Deco architecture, for drinks.
Stay: Toowoomba, Comfort Inn Grammar View
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13. Lamington National Park
At Canungra Valley Winery today, enjoy lunch and sample wine as your host explains the art of wine-making. Afterwards, Enter Lamington National Park, and enjoy a 4WD tour. Be guided through the rainforest to the top of Moran's Falls, where your guide will boil the billy as you sample some damper and syrup. Tonight, perhaps join an evening glow-worm tour.
Stay: Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14. Lamington National Park, Armidale
Travel through the picturesque districts of Darling Downs and on to Armidale.
Stay: Armidale, Country Comfort
Daily Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 15. Armidale, Sydney
Travel through the Hunter Valley to Sydney, where your tour concludes on arrival.
Daily Meal Included: Breakfast

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