Day 1 GYMPIE TO ROCKHAMPTON
Wednesday 17 October, 2012
Welcome to our 17 day tour through Western Queensland, the Red Centre and Outback South Australia to Adelaide. We have a leisurely start to the day, arriving in Childers at lunch time. This afternoon we head through Gin Gin and Gladstone as we make our way to Rockhampton for our overnight accommodation. (L D)
Stay: Travelodge Rockhampton
Day 2 ROCKHAMPTON TO EMERALD
Thursday 18 October, 2012
This morning we travel through Duaringa to Blackwater. On arrival we visit Frank Tutungi Memorial Lions Park, recognised as the largest continuous display of flags apart from the United Nations building in New York. Next we see Blackwater International Coal Centre where we have lunch. This afternoon we continue on to Emerald. Arriving mid afternoon we visit the Botanic Gardens before checking in to our accommodation to freshen up before dinner. (B L D)
Stay: Emerald Meteor Motel, Emerald
Day 3 EMERALD TO LONGREACH
Friday 19 October, 2012
This morning we journey to Barcaldine where we take a look at the new memorial at the Tree of Knowledge site. After lunch and we visit the Worker's Heritage Centre. The displays tell the stories of the railway workers and blacksmiths, the farmers, nurses and teachers who shaped the nation. Then it’s on to Longreach, our base for the next 2 nights. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Albert Park Motor Inn, Longreach
Day 4 LONGREACH
Saturday 20 October, 2012
Following breakfast we visit the McKinnon family’s Cobb & Co Station Sore. Afterward we visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame, with plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere, followed by a visit to the Qantas Founders Outback Museum. And for something different, this evening we experience the Qantas Rising Discovery Dinner right in the Founders Outback Museum! (B HD)
Day 5 LONGREACH TO MT ISA
Sunday 21 October, 2012
Travelling along the Landsborough highway we come to the town of Winton, where Banjo Paterson wrote his famous poem. We'll trace the history of Waltzing Matilda at the Waltzing Matilda Centre as it chronicles the growth of a nation. From here we continue on our way to Mt. Isa, stopping to enjoy our picnic lunch en-route. (B L D)
Stay: Quality Inn Bourke & Wills, Mt Isa
Day 6 MT ISA TO TENNANT CREEK
Monday 22 October, 2012
Today is a travel day so sit back and relax as we head to the Northern Territory on the Barkly Highway. We will stop at regular intervals to stretch our legs and to enjoy our packed lunches on our way to Tennant Creek. (B L D)
Stay: Eldorado Motor Lodge, Tennant Creek
Day 7 TENNANT CREEK TO ALICE SPRINGS
Tuesday 23 October, 2012
Southward bound this morning we visit the Devils Marbles, granite rock formations that are an internationally recognised symbol of Australia’s outback. From here we continue on the Stuart Highway across the Tropic of Capricorn to Alice Springs, our base for the next two nights. (BL D)
2 Night Stay: Lasseters, Alice Springs
Day 8 ALICE SPRINGS
Wednesday 24 October, 2012
We have a leisurely start today before making our way to ANZAC Hill for panoramic views of the town. Next we visit the Desert Park, a multi million dollar wildlife and fauna reserve set in the foothills of the stunning MacDonnell Ranges. This afternoon we visit the Old Telegraph Station and the original Alice Springs. Returning to town, we enjoy a tour of the Royal Flying Doctor Base. (B D)
Day 9 ALICE SPRINGS TO GLEN HELEN RESORT
Thursday 25 October, 2012
Following Namatjira Drive, we travel into the Western McDonnell Ranges on our way to Glen Helen. We make several stops including Standley Chasm and Simpsons Gap. Arriving early afternoon we enjoy a short walk into Glen Helen Gorge. (B L D)
Stay: Glen Helen Resort
Day 10 GLEN HELEN TO KINGS CANYON
Friday 26 October, 2012
This morning we travel along the Mereenie Loop Road (subject to local weather conditions). We arrive at Kings Canyon early afternoon. After our lunch stop at Kings Creek Station we travel to Kings Canyon Resort with some time to relax and enjoy the resort facilities. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Kings Canyon Resort, Kings Canyon
Day 11 KINGS CANYON
Saturday 27 October, 2012
Today is free for us to explore Kings Canyon via either the Ridge Top Walk or the shorter walk into the floor of the Canyon. There are a number of other activities that we may like to enjoy (at own expense) such as experiencing just how vast the area is from above with a helicopter tour of the canyon itself, or we may prefer a more serene activity like a self guided bird watching tour. (B D)
Day 12 KINGS CANYON TO YULARA
Sunday 28 October, 2012
We have a leisurely start to the day before checking out and saying farewell to our hosts. Travelling on the Luritja Rd through Angas Downs we join the Lasseter Highway. We stop at Curtin Springs for a lunch break before continuing to Yulara. We'll spend some time at Uluru tomorrow, but prior to sunset today we drive out to Sunset Strip to watch the changing colours on this magnificent monolith as the sun sets over the horizon. Ayers Rock puts on a remarkable light show as it changes from red to orange to lilac in a matter of minutes. We enjoy this special experience before returning to the resort for dinner (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Outback Pioneer Lodge, Ayers Rock Resort
Day 13 ULURU & KATA TJUTA
Monday 29 October, 2012
For the early risers the coach will make an early departure to the Sunrise Viewing Area to experience the first glimpse of Uluru of the day. After breakfast we spend time at the Cultural Centre before heading to the base of Uluru to explore some of the amazing sites to be found along the Mala Walk and Kantju Gorge. This afternoon we visit nearby Kata-Tjuta for a walk into Walpa Gorge. Dinner tonight is one of the highlights of our tour. The Sounds of Silence Dinner is a gourmet desert dinner under the stars and a unique outback experience. Afterwards we are treated to some of the world's best stargazing with the assistance of a resident astronomer. (B HD)
Day 14 YULARA TO COOBER PEDY
Tuesday 30 October, 2012
Departing Yulara, we back track along the Lasseter Highway turning south onto the Stuart Highway at Erldunda. Our lunch break is at Kulgera before we cross the border into South Australia. We travel through Marla and then on to Coober Pedy. (B L D)
2 Night Stay: Mud Hut Motel, Coober Pedy
Day 15 COOBER PEDY
Wednesday 31 October, 2012
Our touring begins today at the famous Old Timers Mine which offers visitors a window into the opal mining of yesteryear with a self-guided tour through an original opal mine. We continue with a visit to the Big Winch Lookout to get a sensational view of Coober Pedy. We then call at an underground church and see the Coober Pedy Golf Course. We have some free time this afternoon to wander the town at our leisure before heading to the nearby Breakaways, approximately forty square kilometres of some of the most colourful landscape in the area. (B D)
Day 16 COOBER PEDY TO PORT AUGUSTA
Thursday 1 Nov 2012
This morning we leave Coober Pedy and travel on the Stuart Highway through the South Australian outback arriving in Glendambo for lunch. Mid afternoon we arrive in Port Augusta, our stop for tonight, and visit the Wadlata Outback Centre, a display depicting the culture of the Outback. (B L D)
Stay: Acacia Ridge Motor Inn, Port Augusta
Day 17 PORT AUGUSTA TO ADELAIDE
Friday 2 November, 2012
This morning we drive through Wilmington & Orroroo on our way to Peterborough where we pay a visit to the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre. From here we travel to the historic copper town of Burra with some time to explore the town and enjoy a picnic lunch before expressing to Adelaide. Arriving in Adelaide this afternoon we embark on a sightseeing tour, including Montefiore Hill, St Peters Cathedral, and the Adelaide Oval. (B L D)
Stay: Chifley on South Terrace, Adelaide
Day 18 ADELAIDE TO BRISBANE
Saturday 3 November, 2012
We have a special treat for the last day of our tour. Adelaide Zoo has been entrusted with the care of two giant pandas, and we get to experience the Panda Forest before the zoo opens to the general public. Afterward our zoo host will take us on a guided tour of the other zoo residents. We then re-board our coach and head to the airport to connect with our early afternoon flight home. We will be met by another coach upon arrival at Brisbane airport as we end our wonderful discovery of the Red Centre. (B)
