Queensland Outback Experience - 8D/7N

Brisbane, Warremba, Carnarvon Gorge, Tambo, Arcadia Valley, Longreach, Barcaldine, Ilfracombe, Tree of Knowledge, Gidgyea Plains, Thompson River, Hughenden, Porcupine Gorge, The Lynd Junction, and Cairns.

photo of Brisbane, courtesy of Tourism Board of AustraliaThis comfortable and relaxing adventure through the Outback will allow you to absorb the breathtaking views, bustling towns and truly unique wildlife that Queensland has to offer. Stop at sleepy towns and watch the sun rise over the Outback. A true Aussie experience.

G.A.P. Adventures Tours
To emphasize our eco-friendly approach even more, we have elected to operate many programs with G.A.P. Adventures, a leader in eco tourism operation, committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike, working with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts. These adventures offer travelers a grassroots, small group adventure vacation, with a focus on culture, nature and active travel.

Comfort Tour
By day, dart around markets, explore the heritage sites and hike through the jungle to discover rare flora and fauna; by night, cozy up in a comfy bed or have a nice dinner with new found friends. Authentic experience doesn’t have to mean sacrificing a good night’s sleep. Comfort is ideal for travelers looking for a little extra cushiness from their adventure, while maintaining the grassroots travel experience. Comfort adventures make use of upgraded hotels with continental breakfast, travel by private and first class transportation, and include your arrival transfer.

Local Payment - Helping to keep the cost to you down…
Most of our adventure tours involve a Local Payment that is paid to the Leader/Representative in cash on day 1 of your tour. This Local Payment is put towards local expenses, such as arranging internal flights as well as entrance and guide fees. Local Payments also reduce the need to wire or transfer funds which can become very expensive. This lowers our operational costs so we can pass the savings on to you. The local payment is in addition to, and is not included in, the base tour price.

Included: Hotels (4 nights), Farm Stay (2 nights), cabin (1 night), Fully interactive Jondaryan Woolshed tour, Horse drawn Wagon Ride, Carnarvon Gorge National Park (fully guided walk), Aboriginal rock art gallery, Longreach Stockman’s Hall of Fame, Thomson River Sunset Cruise, Winton’s Lark Quarry Dinosaur Track ways tour, Porcupine Gorge National Park walk, Daily breakfast, arrival transfer.

Not Included: International Airfares - Local payment - Passport and visa expenses - Government arrival and departure taxes - Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is compulsory) - All items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar and beverage charges and telecommunication charges.

Departure Dates: Sep 12, 2008 ; Nov 07, 2008 ; Dec 05, 2008 ; Jan 09, 2009 ; Feb 13, 2009 ; Mar 20, 2009 ; Apr 17, 2009 ; May 22, 2009 ; Jun 19, 2009 ; Jul 17, 2009 ; Aug 14, 2009.

Tour rates from: $ 1,190.00 + Local Payment 200 USD.

photo of a view of Cairns, courtesy of Tourism Board of AustraliaDay by day Itinerary:

  • Day 1 Brisbane - Arrival in Brisbane at any time.
  • Day 2 Cattle Station Stay (B, L, D) - An interactive, rustic and charming outback sheep station, Jondaryan gives you the chance to learn about (and participate in!) sheep shearing. Traditional Australian Billy tea and damper are served for lunch. A horse drawn wagon ride finishes up this experience as you make tracks for tonight’s station stay, where a welcoming Outback campfire awaits.
  • Day 3 Carnarvon Gorge/Cattle Station (B, L, D) - Experience an Outback sunrise and catch all the early morning wildlife on the hop while you explore Carnarvon Gorge. Let your eyes scour the sandstone cliffs in search of fascinating aboriginal rock art. Head back to the Cattle Station for a bit of relaxation before turning in for the night.
  • Day 4 Tambo (B, L) - Today you really are in the middle of nowhere. Travelling off road, we’ll be lucky to see another vehicle. Experience Aussie hospitality at the tiny Tambo Pub. For a birds eye view, take an optional Helicopter Flight over the Gorge.
  • Day 5 Longreach (B, D) - Enjoy a relaxing drive to Longreach via Blackall, where the world’s most famous blade-shearer is from. The rest of the drive takes us through the tiny towns of Barcaldine and Ilfracombe. Barcaldine is the home of the ‘Tree of Knowledge”. After arriving at Longreach, pay a visit to Queensland’s world renowned Stockman’s Hall of Fame. There is also time for an optional visit to the Qantas founders museum, or just relax around the pool before a paddle boat cruise upon the Thomson river. Watch the sunset while your leader prepares a campfire for another Aussie evening in the Outback.
  • Day 6 Hughenden (B) - Traveling north to Winton, and discover the home of “Waltzing Matilda” where you have time for an optional visit to the Center, before heading due west to the Lark Quarry Dinosaur Tracks for a guided tour. Once you have learned all about the Queensland dinosaurs, make your way to the little town of Hughenden.
  • Day 7 Porcupine Gorge/Cairns (B) - This morning, head off to Porcupine Gorge for a leisurely hike. Back into thicker and denser scrub country today, you should see plenty of kangaroos, wallabies and Queensland’s famous Brahman cattle. Continue our off road vehicle adventure through lush and spectacular Brahman cattle country towards The Lynd Junction. This afternoon, prepare for the transition from red dirt to the green rolling hills and Fresian dairy cattle of the Atherton Tablelands, and reminiscent of Ireland.
  • Day 8 Cairns (B) - Depart.

Insure My Trip We provide, through “Insure My Trip” comparison site, travel insurance policies from Access America, AIG Travel Guard, CSA Travel Protection, Global Underwriters, HTH Worldwide, International Medical Group, MEDEX, MedjetAssist, MultiNational Underwriters, On Call International, RBC Travel Protection, Seven Corners, Travel Insured, Travelex and TravelSafe. Click to compare the policies available.

Also tagged with: Adventure Expeditions, Escorted Journeys, Australia & Pacific, Australia, Hiking, Active Travel, Educational, Cultural, Nature / Ecology, Join-In Tour, Hosted Tours, GAP


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.