AUSTRALIA’S LONGEST SHORTCUT – CAIRNS TO PERTH
This has to be epic - This is OUTBACK Australia, crossing from North East to South West is not something many achieve, even the Australians.
While an exciting journey such as this cannot be termed luxury, the accommodation is definitely comfortable, and the very experienced local driver and assistant are renowned for their enthusiasm, knowledge and genuine love of the area.
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Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand flight to Cairns. On arrival transfer to our central city hotel. A social get-together and welcome dinner tonight.
This morning we transfer to the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway which takes you over Australia’s World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy and deep into the forest. There will be time to explore Kuranda, known as the ‘Village in the Rainforest’ which includes markets, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Your return journey by train on the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway built over 120 years ago, which winds its way through the tropical mountain ranges between Kuranda and Cairns.
A free day to explore the tropical city of Cairns.
This morning we depart Cairns on our overland adventure by climbing the Great Dividing Range through the winding forest highway enjoying the lush rainforest and tropical plantations. Via Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet to reach Mount Surprise for a two-night stay.
Today we take a guided tour through the Undara Lava Tubes, the world’s longest lava flow from a single volcano, some of the caves are over 21m wide and up to 10m high.
Onto the first of many dirt roads we drive up the Flinders River take a visit to the Porcupine Gorge Lookout before lunch at Hughenden. In the afternoon we reach the sheep/cattle town of Winton on the sprawling Western River.
Morning visit to the Age of Dinosaurs Centre, the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Followed by free time in Winton, a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre and a wander around this romantic, classic outback Queensland town.
Our journey is across the Queensland Channel Country and over the Diamantina which flows south past Birdsville to Lake Eyre. Through Middleton to Boulia this highway is the home of the Min Min Lights, an unusual shimmering light phenomenon that can appear at night.
An early start on the dirt of the Donohue Highway shadowing the Georgina River with its many tributaries to cross the Northern Territory border. Through the Toko, Tarlton, Jervois and Harts Ranges on the Plenty Highway in the northern reaches of the Simpson Desert. We arrive at the hub of Central Australia, Alice Springs for three nights.
A restful morning before a day exploring some of the features of the MacDonnell Ranges, from scenic to culturally significant areas.
Take an optional early morning Hot Air Balloon through the rugged outback, followed by a tour of “The Alice” nestled on the north side of the MacDonnell Ranges. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Alice Springs Desert Park.
Note: Optional Hot Air Balloon AUD$440 per person Experience the breathtaking feeling of floating silently above the Outback as the sun slowly rises over the desert on this awe-inspiring ballooning adventure. Passenger Weight Notification Any weight above 110kg must be notified in advance prior to making a booking.
We head to Curtin Springs Station, home to the Severin family since 1956, when Peter Severin arrived with his young wife Dawn, their toddler son Ashley and 1,500 head of cattle for our two night stay. The Severin family has protected the million-acre wildlife corridor that balances cattle production with conservation of this precious landscape. Appreciate a tour of the handmade paper, made from the native grasses found on the station, a distinctive and beautiful souvenir of Central Australia.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after a day in the park you will see why. We spend the morning at Uluru and the information centre. Return to Yulara Village for lunch and an optional helicopter flight over the spectacular sandstone formations. Later visit Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) to walk through the valleys between the mighty domes. Enjoy a sausage sizzle dinner watching the sunset on Uluru, before returning to Curtin Springs.
Note: Optional 25-minute Helicopter Flight over Uluru approx AUD$320 per person This tour will showcase Uluru & Kata Tjuta, Kata which means ‘many heads’, a sacred place relating to knowledge that is considered very powerful. It is made up of a group of 36 conglomerate rock domes the highest of which stands 198 meters taller than Uluru and dates back 500 million years.
Continuing across Australia deep into the South West corner of the Northern Territory we visit Lasseters Cave and learn a little of the mystery of Lewis Lasseter and his elusive reef of gold. Crossing into WA on the Great Central Road through the Gibson Desert, passing the Schwerin Mural Ranges we reach Warburton.
The dirt road winding through the ranges, sand hills and salt lakes of the desert has a beauty that is iconically Australian. We leave the dirt behind at Laverton.
Travelling through mining towns of all sizes and minerals, Ghost Towns to Cities from Nickel to Gold. Visit the Gwalia Museum on the edge of the large open pit Sons of Gwalia Mine. After a visit to the historic Two-Up ring out in the scrub its south to Kalgoorlie
Finishing off Australia’s Longest Shortcut we inspect the Super Pit and leave the Goldfields, through the Wheatbelt then down the Darling Scarp to Perth, having crossed the Country North East to South West.
Todays city Tour of Perth includes the famous port of Fremantle, a walk in Kings Park and a beachfront drive. Remainder of the day free to explore at your leisure.
After breakfast enjoy your morning in Perth before we transfer to the airport for an evening flight.
Morning arrival into Auckland
Option to extend in Perth - Please Ask
• Air Zealand economy flights "The Works' Auckland – Cairns // Perth - Auckland
• Three night’s accommodation in Cairns and Perth
• Welcome Dinner Cairns
• Farewell Dinner in Perth
• On tour 13 nights Motel / Camp Accommodation on tour
• 13 evening meals, 17 breakfasts, 4 lunches
• Sightseeing included on the overland touring:
Undara Lava Tubes
Sunset over Uluru
Age of Dinosaurs Centre, Winton
Waltzing Matilda Centre
Uluru & Kata Tjuta
Desert Grass Paper Making
Gwalia Museum and Ghost Town
• Pukekohe Travel escort subject to 15 passengers travelling.
Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
---|---|---|
$11,995 | $13,387 |
Premium Economy Upgrade ( limited space - Perth - Auckalnd flight only) |
P.O.A |
Business Class Upgrade ( limited space - Perth - Auckalnd flight only)
|
P.O.A |
*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
• Items of a personal nature
• Travel Insurance (please ask us for a quote)
• Airline and airport taxes (approx $229)
• Items not specified
• A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person will secure a place on the tour
• Full payment is due no later than 06 June 2025
• From the date of booking to 06 June 2025– loss of deposit
• After 06 June 2025 – no refund
Travel Insurance is essential. Please feel free to contact us for a quote.
Clothing
• Daytime – comfortable touring clothes, good walking shoes. Evening – smart casual for hotels.
Temperatures Max Min
Cairns 26˚c 17 ˚c
Alice Springs 23˚c 6 ˚c
Perth 19˚c 10 ˚c
Documentation
• A current passport is required, valid six months beyond date of travel
• No visa is required for New Zealand Passport holders
• All other passport holders – please ask
Currency
• The Australian Dollar – ATMs available in major towns
4WD Coaches – reclining seats, seatbelts, air conditioning, onboard toilet, air suspension, tinted windows & front mounted touring camera. While in remote areas passengers can rest assured that our coaches are self-sufficient for several days at a time. We carry up to 800 litres of water, flood lighting, satellite phone, many parts, tools and excess food including fresh fruit and vegetables. The coach also carries; chairs with back support, gas stoves, eskies, and barbeque.
• A high standard of fitness is required for this tour.
• We expect you to arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel.
For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.
Note:
Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change