Cairns to Perth

Saturday 11 September

Depart Auckland on Air New Zealand flying to Cairns. On arrival transfer to your central city hotel. Enjoy a social get-together and Welcome Dinner tonight. 

Sunday 12 September

This morning, ride the scenic Skyrail Rainforest Cableway over Australia’s World Heritage-listed tropical rainforest canopy. There will be time to explore Kuranda, known as the ‘Village in the Rainforest’ which includes markets, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Return 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.

This tour is accommodated in cabins and motels. 

Monday 13 September

This morning your overland adventure begins. Depart Cairns and climb the Great Dividing Range through the winding forest highway enjoying the lush rainforest and tropical plantations. Travel via Ravenshoe and Mount Garnet to reach Mount Surprise for a two-night stay.

Tuesday 14 September

Today 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 21 metres wide and up to 10 metres high. 

Wednesday 15 September

Travel onto the first of many dirt roads driving up the Flinders River to visit the Porcupine Gorge Lookout before lunch at Hughenden. In the afternoon you’ll reach the sheep/cattle town of Winton on the sprawling Western River.

Thursday 16 September

Enjoy a morning visit to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs to view the world’s largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Afterwards, enjoy free time in Winton, a visit to the Waltzing Matilda Centre and a wander around this romantic, classic Outback Queensland town. 

Friday 17 September

Today journey across the Queensland Channel Country and over the Diamantina, which flows south past Birdsville to Lake Eyre. Continue through Middleton to Boulia, where the highway is home to the Min Min Lights, an unusual shimmering light phenomenon that can appear at night. 

Saturday 18 September

An early start this morning, driving on the dirt of the Donohue Highway, which shadows the Georgina River with its many tributaries, to cross the Northern Territory border. Travel through the Toko, Tarlton, Jervois and Harts Ranges on the Plenty Highway in the northern reaches of the Simpson Desert before arriving in Alice Springs for a three-night stay.

Sunday 19 September

A restful morning before a day exploring some of the features of the MacDonnell Ranges, from scenic to culturally significant areas. 

Monday 20 September

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 approx. 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.

Tuesday 21 September

Head to Curtin Springs Station for a two-night stay. This property has been 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. The Severin family has protected this million-acre wildlife corridor ever since, balancing cattle production with conservation. Here you can learn how native grasses found on the station are used to make handmade paper, a distinctive and beautiful souvenir of Central Australia.

Wednesday 22 September

The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and after a day in the park you will see why. 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$350 per person - This tour will showcase Uluru and Kata Tjuta, 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 metres taller than Uluru and dates back 500 million years.

Thursday 23 September

Continue your journey across Australia deep into the south-west corner of the Northern Territory. Visit Lasseter’s Cave and learn a little of the mystery of Lewis Lasseter and his elusive reef of gold. Cross in to Western Australia on the Great Central Road through the Gibson Desert, passing the Schwerin Mural Crescent to reach Warburton.

Friday 24 September

Today, travel the dirt road winding through the Warburton Ranges, with views of the sand hills and salt lakes of the desert that hold a beauty so iconically Australian. Leave the dirt behind at Laverton.

Saturday 25 September

Travel through mining towns of all sizes, from ghost towns to thriving cities, mined for everything from nickel to gold. Visit the Gwalia Museum on the edge of the large open-pit Sons of Gwalia Mine. After, enjoy a visit to the historic Two-Up ring out in the scrub then continue south to Kalgoorlie. 

Sunday 26 September

Today travel the last of Australia’s Longest Shortcut. Visit the Super Pit on the south-east edge of Kalgoorlie before travelling through the Wheatbelt down the Darling Scarp to Perth, having crossed the country north-east to south-west.

Monday 27 September

Today’s city tour of Perth includes the famous port of Fremantle, a walk in Kings Park and a beachfront drive. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your leisure. 

Tuesday 28 September

After breakfast, enjoy your morning in Perth before transferring to the airport for an evening flight home. 

Wednesday 29 September

Morning arrival into Auckland.

Option to extend in Perth  - Please Ask