9 Day Gulf Savanah/ Cairns Outback - Fully Accommodated Tour (Code: WCGW09A)

Cairns Highlands and Outback » 9 Day Gulf Savanah/ Cairns Outback - Fully Accommodated Tour (Code: WCGW09A)

Type: Packages - 5 or More Day Packages

This tour takes in the best of the Cairns outback. The Cairns outback features some of the worlds best caves, a stunning gorge and see plenty of nature in Lawn Hill National Park.

You'll get to see all the highlights by day and sleep in relative comfort each night. You will dine in outback restaurants each night and experience one of the best outback train rides in Australia.

Departure Dates left for 2011: All tours are guaranteed to depart on the following dates with a minimum of four passengers and road conditions permitting.

Sep 7, 14, 21, 28
Oct 5**, 12, 19, 26

Departure Dates for this tour in 2012:

May 23, 30
June 6, 13, 20, 27
July 4, 11, 18, 25
Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Sep 5, 12, 19, 26
Oct 3, 10, 17, 24

How to Book: A Deposit of $400 per adult is required to confirm your place with the balance due 60 days before departure. Bookings made within 60 days of the travel date must be paid in full within 72 hours. The minimum number of people per trip required for the trip to run is 4. The maximum number is 13. This trip is very popular and should be booked as far in advance as is possible.

Tour Itinerary:

All fares include meals as per itinerary code: (B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch and (D) Dinner. All camping or accommodation costs and entrance fees as per itinerary.

Day 1 - (LD) We start by winding our way up the Kuranda Range to climb on to the Atherton Tableland. We pass dense tropical rainforest and an agricultural landscape to Mareeba and beyond. We travel on to Chillagoe, an historic ore-smelting centre, better known today for its marble mining and limestone caves. We take a tour of the caves, the legacy of 350 million years old marine reef. We overnight in Chillagoe.

Day 2 - (BLD) All aboard the “Savannahlander” train as it tracks the Ootann Road into Brahman cattle country. Geology continues to dominate and fascinate as we change from limestone to granite to basalt country and with each geological change, a change in vegetation. Lunch along the way in this vast landscape provides a “fair dinkum” Aussie day. Now we head west across the Newcastle Range to Georgetown where we stay overnight.

Day 3 - (B) Morning "smoko" on the shore of Croydon’s Lake Belmore before Normanton for lunch. Here you can absorb its famous landmarks, the "Purple Pub", historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63m crocodile. Lunch is at your own expense today. Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria for a cruise to enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. Dinner is at your own expense this evening. We overnight in Karumba.

Day 4 - (BLD) Back through Normanton this morning and a poignant visit to Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly campsite of the ill-fated expedition of 1860. Across the vast “Plains of Promise” to Leichhardt Falls and Burketown. On to Adel’s Grove, a Savannah Guides Site, where we spend two glorious outback nights in permanent tent safari accommodation.

Day 5 - (BLD) A relaxed day enjoying Lawn Hill National Park, a spectacular oasis set amid the spinifex clad Constance Range. The gorge is a haven for an abundance of wildlife and a birdwatcher's paradise. Swimming or paddling a canoe (optional) up the gorge is fun and highly recommended. Return to Adel’s Grove tonight.

Day 6 - (BLD) A visit to the World Heritage listed Riversleigh Fossil Fields, a rare treasure house of palaeontology recording the history of Australia’s mega-fauna of 20 million years ago. Lunch at Gregory and a short break at remote Burke & Wills Roadhouse before travelling on to Normanton. We stay in Normanton tonight.

Day 7 - (BLD) This morning we depart from Normanton’s famous Victorian architecture Railway Station. All aboard the historic “Gulflander RM93” train, a Savannah Guides Site, for a ride through the savannah landscape across the Norman River to Critters Camp. On to Black Bull Siding then the old gold mining town of Croydon and its Historic Precinct, another Savannah Guides Site. This afternoon we visit Georgetown and Forsayth on our way to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station, where we stay tonight.

Day 8 - (BLD) This morning we cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. Travel on to the famous Undara Lava Tubes, a Savannah Guides Station. There's campfire entertainment after dinner before retiring to your accommodation in faithfully restored antique railway carriages.

Day 9 - (B) Breakfast in the Australian bush before enjoying a guided tour of the fascinating 190,000 years old lava tubes, a geological spectacle said to be the largest in the world. Visit Ravenshoe, Queensland’s highest town for lunch (own expense) before Mt Hypipamee (The Crater) National Park and the Atherton Tableland’s unique Curtain Fig Tree. Now we descend to the lush green coastal plain and Cairns to end your adventure in the remarkable Gulf Savannah region.

Note:

Due to limited accommodation in remote areas of northern Australia we may have to use alternative accommodation of a similar standard from time to time.

Features & Inclusions

Small Groups – Maximum 13 guests
Air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
Professional Qualified Guide
5 nights accommodation – Private Facilities
3 nights accommodation – Share Facilities
Meals as coded
Guided Tour of Chillagoe Limestone Caves
“Savannahlander” Train
Karumba Sunset Cruise
Burke & Wills Camp # 119
Lawn Hill National Park
Guided Tour of Riversleigh Fossil Fields
“Gulflander” Train
Burketown, Normanton, Georgetown, Forsayth, Ravenshoe
Guided Tour of Historic Croydon
Electric Boat Cruise on Cobbold Gorge
Guided Tour of Undara Lava Tubes
All National Park and Site Fees

Rates and Tariffs

2011 Season

1^st May 2011 to 30^th Oct 2011

Accommodated Tour - Twin Share Room

$3095.00 adult
$2995.00 per child

Accommodated Tour - Single Room

$3390.00 adult

2012 Season

23^rd May 2012 to 24^th Oct 2012

Accommodated Tour - Twin Share Room

$3095.00 adult
$2995.00 per child

Accommodated Tour - Single Room

$3430.00 adult

* Booking terms and conditions may apply, please details below.

Booking Information

Departure Dates left for 2011: All tours are guaranteed to depart on the following dates with a minimum of four passengers and road conditions permitting.

Sep 7, 14, 21, 28
Oct 5**, 12, 19, 26

Departure Dates for this tour in 2012:

May 23, 30
June 6, 13, 20, 27
July 4, 11, 18, 25
Aug 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Sep 5, 12, 19, 26
Oct 3, 10, 17, 24

How to Book: A Deposit of $400 per adult is required to confirm your place with the balance due 60 days before departure. Bookings made within 60 days of the travel date must be paid in full within 72 hours. The minimum number of people per trip required for the trip to run is 4. The maximum number is 13.

Departure time: Between 7.00am-9.00am, you will be advised an exact pick up time 1 – 2 days prior to your tour’s departure date.

Return time: Approximately 5.00pm. You will be advised at the time of booking.

Pickup or Departure Point Details: Complimentary pick up and return transfers to your accommodation in Cairns is included in this tour.

What is not included:
• All drinks
• Lunch on Days 3 and 9
• Dinner on Day 3
• Hotel pick-up or drop-off outside Cairns city centre
• Items of a personal nature, newspapers, telephone, laundry, souvenirs, personal and holiday insurance.

Booking Policy

Please advise the following:
The name of your Holiday Accommodation and/ or a mobile telephone contact in case the tour director can’t find you. We also book accommodation at the best locally available rates so if we can help you with that, please let us know.

Luggage: Please limit your luggage to one small soft travel bag (preferably without wheels) and a small daypack (cabin baggage) per person. Definitely no hard bags or suitcases. If you are travelling as a couple, please bring two smaller bags as opposed to one large one. A maximum weight limit of 10kg per person is permitted due to space/weight limitations and Workplace Health & Safety requirements

Important Notes:
•60 – 30 days prior to travel, a 25% cancellation fee applies
•30 – 14 days prior to travel, a 50% cancellation fee applies
•Less than 14 days prior to travel, a 100% cancellation fee applies
A $400 per person cancellation and administration fee applies to every cancellation greater than 60 days prior to the date of travel.

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