Outback Queensland Adventure: 2024 Brisbane > Cairns

Land Tour

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A land of fossils and folklore

Australia is a unique land in many ways. Celebrate its quirks and hidden jewels during this 14-day itinerary. From a museum dedicated to a famous bush ballad, to ‘dinosaur country’ – a treasure trove of ancient fossils, you will see a side of Queensland you never knew existed.
Discover the fascinating beginnings of the Australian oil and gas industry, learn about the role a small town in the heart of Queensland played in World War II, find out what is so special about the shire of “Curry”, and take home the prized Tambo Teddy. Travel to Winton, the birthplace of the famous ‘Waltzing Matilda’, and perhaps you can still hear the pt’s ghost humming the ballad as you pass through. Of course, your Queensland experience is only complete with a visit to Australia’s crowning glory - the wondrous Great Barrier Reef awaits with its kaleidoscopic corals.
Tour details Collapse
Tour Provider Scenic
Number Of Days
14
Price From
$8,895
Price per person, twin share
Start Location
Brisbane, Australia
End Location
Cairns, Australia
Age Range
Avg. 59+
Group Size
20 to 228
Tour Style
Luxury
Tour Themes
No specific theme
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Expand all
Day 1 - Brisbane

Welcome to Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred to your overnight Special Stay. Feel free to explore the city at your leisure. You’ll find yourself perfectly located, just a short stroll from the Brisbane River and close to the heritage-listed Anzac Square. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers tonight for a welcome dinner.

Day 2 - Brisbane > Roma

Heading north west, our first stop is Toowoomba, Queensland’s largest inland city. It is home to many parks and gardens as well as a growing urban coffee culture. Cross the Great Dividing Range to the Darling Downs and Dalby, the wheat capital of Queensland. We will travel through Chinchilla and Miles before arriving in Roma for our two-night stay. Join the Big Rig Night show to discover the unique history of Australia’s oil and gas industry in Roma.

Day 3 - Roma

Roma is the centre of a rich pastoral and wheat-growing district. Full of country charm, it is home to Australia’s largest cattle-selling centre.

Enrich
With our local guide, discover all the hidden secrets of Roma. Begin your day with a Welcome to Country from a member of the local Mandandanyi tribe. Hear the stories of Roma’s history including a visit to the Rosedale Orchards.

Day 4 - Roma > Charleville

Located on the Warrego River, Charleville was named after its Irish pioneers’ hometown in Ireland. It was the location of the Cobb & Co factory in the late 1890s. Visit the Bilby experience. Learn about army life for the United States armed forces that were located here during WWII. This evening visit the Charleville Cosmos Centre. Stay overnight in Charleville.

Day 5 - Charleville > Longreach

Today’s first stop is at the country town of Tambo. When wool prices crashed in 1992, a group of locals started making unique teddy bears from wool pelts and stuffed them with wool and thus the Tambo Teddy was born. See the Tree of Knowledge at Barcaldine, the reputed birthplace of the labour movement in Australia.
Upon arriving in Longreach, head to your retreat for your two night Special Stay.

Day 6 - Longreach

Start the day at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum to inspect the original 1922 hangar used by the departing flights, the Bing 747-200, and the first ever Qantas Jet passenger aircraft registered in Australia. At the Stockman’s Hall of Fame, learn about the brave and intrepid explorers, the stockman, and Aborigines of pioneering Australia. This evening enjoy a sunset cruise, followed  by a dinner show.

Day 7 - Longreach > Winton

Travelling to Winton, visit the Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History. The museum houses the largest collection of unique dinosaur fossils in Australia. A farmer, whilst mustering in 1999, found the first dinosaur bone fossil in the region. This afternoon visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre, dedicated to a song and the place where Banjo Patterson wrote the famous bush ballad. Overnight stay in Winton.

Day 8 - Winton > Cloncurry

Cloncurry is affectionately known as “the Curry” by locals. It is the birthplace of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. During your visit to John Flynn Place Museum, you will discover the Australian visionary who began his flying doctor experiment in 1928. Your home for the next two nights is Cloncurry.

Day 9 - Mt Isa

Spend the day in Mt Isa, a town that came into existence because of the vast mineral deposits found in the area. Mount Isa Mines is one of the most productive single mines in world history, based on the combined production of lead, silver, copper and zinc. Take an underground mine tour and visit the Outback at the Isa complex.

Day 10 - Cloncurry > Charters Towers

Following the Overlanders Way, travelling through the towns of Richmond and Hughenden, you will come across an area known as dinosaur country because of the many discoveries of bones from marine reptiles found in this region that had once been an inland sea. Our stay for the next two nights is at the Charters Towers. A booming town during the gold rush of 1880s, it was home to the first regional stock exchange in Australia.

Day 11 - Charters Towers

Enrich
Spend today with the Lyons family in their home and workplace – Wambiana Station. The deep roots the family has formed with the land has helped them build a wealth of knowledge about life on a cattle station, living in the bush and sustainable grazing practices, that they will be happy to share with you.

Day 12 - Charters Towers > Cairns

Farewell the Queensland outback as we head east to the coastal town of Townsville. With more than 320 days of sunshine each year, Townsville is home to World Heritage-listed national parks and lush tropical gardens. Following the coast, our final stop for two nights is Cairns.

Day 13 - Cairns

Freechoice: Soar over the Atherton Tablelands in a hot air balloon flight at sunrise or journey through magnificent rainforest on the Kuranda Scenic Railway before returning by Skyrail. Alternatively, take a day trip to Cape Tribulation and experience the world’s oldest tropical rainforest, or enjoy a Great Barrier Reef day trip to the Outer Barrier Reef. Snorkel amidst the labyrinth of coral with an instructor and enjoy the underwater observatory on a semi-submersible boat.

Day 14 - Cairns

It is time to say goodbye to your newfound friends and head home, taking wonderful memories with you.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Inclusions Expand

Fully escorted small group land journey.
2 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences.
Your choice of 4 Scenic Freechoice activities.
2 memorable Scenic Special Stays.
28 Meals- 13 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 12 dinners (D).
Expert Tour Director and knowledgeable local guides.
Return airport transfers.
All tipping and gratuities.

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