Tours and accommodation packages - Queensland and The Barrier Reef.

Day 1 Thur. Sydney, Tamworth, Armidale.
Depart Sydney and travel to Tamworth, Australia's country music capital. Enjoy a tour here then we move on to the rich New England district of Armidale.
Stay: Armidale, Cattlemans Motor Inn.
(D)

Day 2 Fri. Lamington National Park.
Today we set out for the mountainous rainforest of Lamington National Park in the MacPherson Ranges. Declared a World Heritage area in 1994, the park contains a diverse range of animals, birdlife, and plant species, as well as O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat. A haven within the rainforest, O'Reilly's offer a vast range of ecotourism options, including the enlightening glow worm tour that you'll enjoy this evening.
Stay: Lamington National Park, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat.
(BD)

Day 3 Sat. Lamington National Park, Freedom of Choice Touring, Toowoomba.
Enjoy a choice of three activities this morning followed by a sumptuous lunch at the Canungra Valley winery. We then head to Toowoomba where we visit the Empire Theatre. A fine example of Art Deco architecture, the Empire Theatre is heritage listed. Enjoy drinks in this historical building. APT Freedom of Choice™ - Take a guided bush walk, a 4WD around Lamington National Park or glide over the forest on a 190,metre flying fox. 12 Day (CQ12N) passengers transfer from Brisbane to join the tour.
Stay: Toowoomba, Comfort Inn, Grammar View. (BLD)

Day 4 Sun. Roma, Carnarvon Gorge.
Continue through the town of Dalby, the centre of Australia’s richest grain and cotton growing area, to the large provincial town of Roma. On to Injune, a cattle and timber town located at the southern end of Carnarvon National Park. The national park covers some 28 000 hectares of wilderness, ranging from serene creeks and fern lined gorges to sandstone walls covered in ancient Aboriginal art. One of Queensland’s most beautiful gorges, Carnarvon Gorge has towering white sandstone cliffs. We travel to Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge (road conditions permitting), located on the fringe of the gorge.
Two Night Stay: Carnarvon National Park, Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge. Single travellers may be required to share accommodation.
(BD)

Day 5 Mon. Carnarvon National Park, Moss Garden Guided Walk.
Wake to the magical sound of birds this morning, while enjoying a leisurely breakfast. Choose from two walks today. Escorted by a guide, visit Moss Garden, located within Violet Gorge, where delicate ferns, mosses and liverworts grow near a small waterfall. Following lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy further walks throughout Carnarvon National Park. Alternatively, on the full day walk, visit the Art Gallery or Cathedral Cave where the walls are covered by bands of ancient Aboriginal paintings that depict boomerangs, spears, goannas and human hands.

(BLD)

Day 6 Tue. Carnarvon National Park, Emerald.
This morning is yours to relax before we travel to Emerald. Situated at the junction of the Capricorn and Gregory highways, Emerald is the hub of the Central Highlands. It is supported by the nearby sapphire fields, cattle industry and a diverse agricultural business. Enjoy a tour of Emerald this afternoon.
Stay: Emerald, Maraboon Motor Inn.
(BLD)

Day 7 Wed. Emerald, Longreach.
Travel to Anakie where we meet our local guide for a tour of the gemfields and the mines. Try your luck at gem fossicking. We then journey to Barcaldine where the streets are named after trees, and fertile citrus fruits thrive on local bore water. See the ‘Tree of Knowledge’, the site where the first shearers’ strike was staged in 1891, resulting in the formation of the Australian Labour Party. On to Longreach where this evening you'll enjoy a cruise on the Thomson River followed by a special Bush Tucker Dinner. Enjoy the sunset as you are treated to a delicious camp oven dinner under the sparkling Outback sky.
Stay: Longreach, Longreach Motor Inn.
(BD)

Day 8 Thur. Longreach, Stockman's Hall of Fame, Qantas Founders Museum, Winton.
This morning visit the Qantas Founders Museum to explore the history and achievements of Australian aviation. Then visit the Stockman’s Hall of Fame which celebrates Australia’s bush history and see displays on the early explorers, pioneers and our Outback heritage. Travel to historical Winton, the town where Qantas first found its ‘wings’ and where the bush poet Banjo Paterson wrote Australia’s most famous song, ‘Waltzing Matilda’. After dinner, enjoy the relaxing Outback atmosphere of Winton at your leisure.
Two Night Stay: Winton, Boulder Opal Motel.
(BD)

Day 9 Fri. Waltzing Matilda Centre, Lark Quarry, Royal Open Air Theatre.
Escorted by our local guide we travel to the undercover site of Lark Quarry, one of only three in the world, to view dinosaur footprints. The tracks were made by several different sized creatures during a stampede 95 million years ago (roads to Lark Quarry inaccessible in the wet). Visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre which features displays that explore the story behind the famous song ‘Waltzing Matilda’. See the sculpture of Banjo Paterson and visit the Outback Regional Art Gallery. Enjoy a movie tonight at the famous Royal Theatre, established in 1918 and one of the last remaining open air theatres in Australia.

(BLD)

Day 10 Sat. Freedom of Choice Touring.
Take a surface tour of the Mt Isa Mines, or visit the Outback Isa Experience and Riversleigh Fossil Centre. APT Freedom of Choice™ - Choose to explore the historic Mt Isa mines with an experienced guide on our Mt Isa Surface Mine tour. Alternatively, visit the award winning Outback Isa Experience including Riversleigh Fossil Centre, which brings the once wet tropical landscape and its long gone inhabitants back to life.
Stay: Mt Isa, All Seasons Verona Hotel.
(BD)

Day 11 Sun. Mt Isa, Karumba.
Journey to the town of Cloncurry, home to Australia’s first Royal Flying Doctor Service base. Visit the recently built John Flynn Museum, named after the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Travel across the isolated countryside that Burke and Wills travelled on their famous doomed expedition from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, then stop at the Burke and Wills Roadhouse. Journey on to Karumba, and enjoy a tour of the town. The Gulf is renowned for its seafood, so enjoy champagne and fresh prawns at sunset followed by our delicious seafood barbecue.
Stay: Karumba, Karumba Lodge Hotel, basic facilities. Single travellers may be required to share accommodation.
(BD)

Day 12 Mon. Gulflander Train, Georgetown.
At Normanton join the historic Gulflander Train for a journey to Critters Camp. Travel to the old goldmining town of Croydon for a locally guided walking tour of the beautifully restored buildings.
Stay: Georgetown, Latara Resort Motel, basic facilities. Single travellers may be required to share accommodation.
(BLD)

Day 13 Tue. Undara Lava Tubes, Farewell Dinner.
An unforgettable experience awaits you at the 190 000 year old Undara Lava Tubes. The word Undara means ‘a long way’ in Aboriginal language, and the system features the longest lava flow from a single volcano in the world. Join a local Savannah Guide for a tour through a tube section. Enjoy our Farewell Dinner.
Stay: Cairns, Rydges Tradewinds Hotel, overlooking the waterfront and close to the city.
(BLD)

Day 14 Wed. Cairns, Day at Leisure.
Spend a free day in Cairns, gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. You might choose to take a scenic train ride through lush rainforest to Kuranda, the ‘Village in the Rainforest’, or explore the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Flights depart Cairns anytime. (B)

Tour CQ14N

Land content. Fully inclusive of all sightseeing, entrance fees, cruises, meals as specified and accommodation.

* In some remote locations, single travellers may be required to share accommodation.

Seniors Card Holders and Aust./NZ Pensioners deduct $30 per person.