Cairns to Perth

Thursday 28 August

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. 

Friday 29 August

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.

Saturday 30 August

A free day to explore the tropical city of Cairns. 

Sunday 31 August

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.

Monday 01 September

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. 

Tuesday 02 September

 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.

Wednesday 03 September

 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. 

Thursday 04 September

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. 

Friday 05 September

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.

Saturday 06 September

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

Sunday 07 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 AUD$430 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.

Monday 08 September

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.

Tuesday 09 September

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$310 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.

Wednesday 10 September

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.

Thursday 11 September

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.

Friday 12 September

 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

Saturday 13 September

 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.

Sunday 14 September

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. 

Monday 15 September

After breakfast enjoy your morning in Perth before we transfer to the airport for an evening flight. 

Tuesday 16 September

Morning arrival into Auckland

Option to extend in Perth  - Please Ask