Alice to Brisbane including Winton and Longreach

Day 1

Home - Alice Springs
After your flight to Alice Springs, visit Alice Springs Desert Park where you will enjoy a picnic lunch and a leisurely afternoon. Stroll along the dry river bed and find out why the river red gums which line it are so important to animals. Late afternoon, check into our accommodation.

Day 2

Alice Springs - Tennant Creek
Today we depart Alice and travel north, crossing the Tropic of Capricorn. Pass through Barrow Creek, originally a repeater station on the Overland Telegraph Line, before stopping to explore Karlu Karlu (The Devils Marbles); boulders precariously balanced upon each other against a desert backdrop. This afternoon, arrive in the historic gold mining town of Tennant Creek for our overnight stay.

Day 3

Tennant Creek - Barkly Homestead
This morning we visit the Tennant Creek Telegraph Station and Battery Hill Mining Centre, where Tennant Creek's unique gold mining history is brought to life. Visit some of the local highlights of the area including Lake Mary Ann for a picnic lunch and the John Flynn Memorial at the Three Ways. Our journey then takes us along the Barkly Highway, arriving at the Barkly Homestead for our overnight stay, situated halfway between Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and Camoooweal in Queensland.

Day 4

Barkly Homestead - Mount Isa
Our journey today will continue across the border into Queensland stopping for a cuppa along the way. Arrive in Camooweal, for a visit to the Camooweal Drovers Camp and Visitors Centre, where the droving era of Australia is being preserved for future generations. Continue on to Mount Isa for our overnight stay.

Day 5

Mount Isa - Cloncurry
This morning spend some time discovering this inland city famous for its mine and rodeo; and often described as an "oasis of the outback". Visit the Mount Isa Underground Hospital and the Outback at Isa Complex which also houses the Riversleigh Fossil Display and Isa Experience Gallery. Take time to purchase your own lunch before continuing on to Cloncurry, where you will notice a vast difference in the landscape with the unexpected hilly countryside. Please note that our accommodation in Cloncurry is basic but comfortable.

Day 6

Cloncurry - Winton
This morning we will start the day in Cloncurry; affectionately known by the locals as "The Curry". The town was involved with the beginnings of QANTAS, and the original QANTAS Hangar is still in use at the aerodrome, where "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service" is still displayed above the hangar door. The Royal Flying Doctor Service was also founded here in 1928, now recognised the world over. Visit the Cloncurry Unearthed Museum and the John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery. We then continue on to McKinlay for a light lunch at the Walkabout Creek Hotel, where part of the movie Crocodile Dundee was filmed. This afternoon, we travel via the Kynuna region to Winton, settling into our accommdation for the next two nights. This evening enjoy a night out at the Royal Theatre for a picture show under the stars.

Day 7

Winton - The Jump Up and Lark Quarry
Travel out to The Jump Up - home of The Australian Age of Dinosaurs. Take a guided tour through the museum and laboratory to view dinosaur fossil collections and the exciting new 3D digital theatre with animations of Australian dinosaurs. After morning tea, set out (weather and road conditions permitting) for a visit to Lark Quarry. Enjoy an informative guided tour and a picnic lunch before returning to our motel.

Day 8

Winton - Longreach
After breakfast, visit the Musical Fence, an array of the most unusual instruments that you could try your hand at, with the most popular being the 'drums'. Gracing the main street are reminders of Winton's history such as the Pelican Waterhole, Dinosaur feet and Waltzing Matilda memorabilia. Visit the Waltzing Matilda Centre which re-opened in April 2018 after a devistating fire. Our journey then takes us to Longreach for a visit to the QANTAS Museum, where flying economy has never been easier! Today time will be allowed to purchase your own morning tea and lunch during our travels. Late afternoon, settle into our accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 9

Longreach Day
This morning see the distinctive Water Towers, the Centenary Mural, the Tropic of Capricorn marker and the Arid Zone Research Institute. Take a guided tour at the School of Distance Education to see the modern communications used to educate young people in the outback. This afternoon, visit the Stockman's Hall of Fame. Take time to purchase your own lunch while viewing the displays. Return to our motel to freshen up before boarding a sunset cruise on the Thomson River, a 10km natural waterway called the 'Long Reach'. Enjoy a genuine camp oven dinner with songs and yarns in a delightful setting.

Day 10

Longreach - Barcaldine
After breakfast, our journey takes us to the remote town of Illfracombe where the Historical Society have a wonderful display of machinery in the museum precinct. View the film 'A Rush for Grass' at the Wellshot Centre before travelling on to Muttaburra for lunch at The Exchange Hotel. Visit Dr Arratta's Medical Museum and view the display in Cassimatis Store, highlighting the contribution made by the Greek families of the area. Late afternoon arrive in Barcaldine for our overnight stay.

Day 11

Barcaldine - Emerald
Today we see the sight of the historic Tree of Knowledge, famous for being the birthplace of the Australian Labour movement. Visit the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, built as a monument for all working men and women to honour and celebrate their achievements. We then make our way to Rubyvale, for a guided tour at Miners Heritage - Australia's largest walk in underground sapphire mine tour. The guides are underground miners, so their knowledge is first hand. This afternoon, arrive in Emerald for our overnight stay.

Day 12

Emerald - Mundubbera
It's hard not to be in awe at the forever changing landscape. Starting our day in Emerald taking in the straw bale constructed Visitor Information Centre and the worlds largest Van Gogh "Sunflower" painting. Our journey then takes us via Blackwater, Biloela and Monto before arriving in Mundubbera for our overnight stay.

Day 13

Mundubbera - Home
Today we travel through Gayndah and on to Wondai for a visit to the South Burnett Region Timbers Industry Museum. Continue on to Kingaroy for a stop at the Kingaroy Peanut Van, before enjoying lunch in Nanango. This afternoon we will make our way back into Brisbane, where our NSW passengers will travel to Brisbane Airport for their flight home and our Brisbane passengers will have their transfers arranged.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner