Tour Highlights & Inclusions

• Escorted by Colin Campbell
• Visit numerous Outback Gardens at Mt Londsdale, Walhallow, Bonus Downs, Maryvale Station, Mt Mariah, Athol Station, Springleigh Station, Emmett Siding, Camden Station
• Overnight journey aboard The Westlander in a First Class Sleeper to Mitchell
• Overnight at Nardoo Station
• Visit Australia's largest shearing shed at Isis Downs
• 2 nights Mitchell
• 3 nights Blackall
• 2 nights in Longreach
• 1 night Barcaldine
• 2 nights Rockhampton
• Tree of Knowledge Memorial in Barcaldine
• Qantas Founder Outback Museum Dinner
• Stockman's Hall of Fame
• Drovers Extravaganza Dinner with outback entertainers
• Spirit of the Outback journey from Barcaldine to Rockhampton
• Tilt Train from Rockhampton to Cairns

Day 1. Tue: Brisbane to Mitchell - The Westlander rail journey

At 5.00pm arrive at Platform 10, Roma Street Station to check in your luggage. Colin, Bev and the Traveltrain Holidays team will be on hand to welcome you. After check in, you will be escorted on the short walk to the Holiday Inn for a welcome dinner.  At the conclusion of dinner, please make your way back to Platform 10, Roma Street Station to board The Westlander.  Depart onboard The Westlander and settle into your first class sleeper as you travel the scenic journey from Brisbane across the Great Dividing Range and through the rich farmlands of the Darling Downs enroute to Mitchell. Overnight: The Westlander - First Class Sleeper (D)  

Day 2. Wed: Arrive Mitchell

Arrive Mitchell for a welcome to the western downs boarding the coach for a tour briefing enroute to Mount Lonsdale just north of Mungallala where we meet Mrs Cecily Douglas. Enjoy her garden which is being featured in the Open Gardens Scheme March 2010 and an absolute bush welcome brunch amongst a symphony of green gardens in an informal and relaxed setting. After brunch we take in Andrew and Stacy Hughes quaint garden of beautiful lawns, roses and sculptures. Mid afternoon check in at your accommodation for two nights. Overnight: Mitchell (BLD)  

Day 3. Thu: Mitchell - Walhallow

This morning we travel out to Walhallow north of Amby to meet Mrs Sue Joliffe whose garden featured in the Open Gardens Scheme in 2009. It’s a great country garden with the advantage of being almost frost free. It features a wishing well, an orchard, a great collection of rocks and plants offering Sue’s special blend of colour. Mid afternoon we arrive at Bonus Downs to enjoy Madonna’s special afternoon of hospitality and character as the sun sets over the western downs. Enjoy happy hour as our spit roast takes it final turns prior to dinner. A lovely evening to reflect on our time around Mitchell. Overnight: Mitchell (BLD)

Day 4. Fri: Morven – Mount Mariah - Blackall

Travelling west to Morven we head out to Maryvale Station to meet Jenny Crichton and experience the oldest homestead in the district amongst a well established parkland garden. Enjoy morning tea and time to savour this unique atmosphere of a bygone era still alive. Travelling north to Mount Mariah we meet Megan and Scott Turner for a memorable lunch at their recently restored homestead and garden that elegantly complement each other. After lunch travel onto Tambo and Blackall to check into our accommodation for three nights. Overnight: Blackall (BLD)

Day 5. Sat: Blackall

Enjoy an easy day around Blackall and take a tour back through time when Australia rode on the sheep’s back as history echos through the Blackall Woolscour. Meet the locals who are very passionate about preserving their past, followed by morning tea in the old shearer’s cook house.  Learn the legend of Jacky Howe and his famous shearing record with blade shears in 1892. The rest of today is dedicated to the Blackall Flower Show. Enjoy a break mid afternoon prior to finishing the day at sunset in the Town’s Secret Garden. Overnight: Blackall (BLD)

Day 6. Sun: Blackall – Terrick Station – Athol Station

Today we catch up with Blackall Garden Club members as we travel south west to the famous Terrick Station. Learn about its wool heritage and its cattle future with our hosts Sarah Pearson. After lunch we travel across to the Ravensbourne creek to Athol Station where we meet up with our hostess Danielle Butler. Enjoy her hospitality with afternoon tea on arrival and a tour through the unique features of the homestead, shearing shed, and water hole precinct. Finish the day amongst her garden at sunset followed by dinner at the homestead. Overnight: Blackall (BLD)

Day 7. Mon: Emmett – Isis Downs – Qantas Founders Museum

Today we travel west along the old Yaraka railway line and call into Springleigh Station to meet up with Rhonda and Jack Banks with time to enjoy morning tea in a modest family bush garden with spectacular views of the grey range. Travel onto Emmett siding were we meet our host Jocelyn Avery who has, over the years, created her piece of paradise in very tough conditions. This former railway siding has retained amazing memorabilia, making a great lunch stop. This afternoon on the Shearer’s Trail we venture into the Outer Barcoo, visiting Australia’s largest shearing shed at Isis Downs. Enjoy the newly discovered Isisforda Duncani prehistoric crocodile. Moving up the track to Longreach check into your accommodation, with time to freshen up prior to an unforgettable Qantas Founders Museum dinner. Overnight: Longreach (BLD)  

Day 8. Tue: Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame – Drovers Extravaganza Dinner

This morning we start the day with a visit to Camden Station, home of Amanda and James Walker. Stroll through this new and emerging garden, with great use of the local rocks, and flag stones, featuring a rose garden and beautiful lawns set amongst the vast open plains of western Queensland. After morning tea take time to visit the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame with Scotty’s poets welcome and lunch at the Cattleman’s Bar and Grill. Mid afternoon enjoy leisure time down town Longreach prior to the Drover’s Extravaganza Dinner. Sit back and be charmed by our outback entertainers and savour the traditional flavours of our outback themed cuisine. Overnight: Longreach (BLD)  

Day 9. Wed: Barcaldine – Australian Heritage Centre

Today is our last day in western Queensland as the tour begins to head east. We travel to Barcaldine to enjoy what is known as the garden city of the outback where the red soils of the desert uplands meet with the cracking clay soils of the Lake Eyre basin and the rainfall averages improve. We experience the beautifully maintained gardens of the Australian Worker’s Heritage Centre and discover the tremendous diversity of native species of plants that occur around Barcaldine.Tonight enjoy our fun farewell awards night at the Ironbark Inn. Overnight: Barcaldine (BLD)  

Day 10. Thu: Barcaldine – Rockhampton (Spirit of the Outback)

Enjoy a hearty relaxed breakfast at the three L’s bistro and inspect the newly landscaped and developed Tree of Knowledge Monument. Arrive at Barcaldine Station to check your luggage in. Depart on the Spirit of the Outback rail journey to Rockhampton. What better way to experience these legendary destinations than by rail on The Spirit of the Outback, where you can see the landscape up close and take the time to admire its untamed beauty. After dinner on the train and arrival into Rockhampton transfer to your accommodation. Overnight: Rockhampton (BLD)

Day 11. Fri: Rockhampton

Today is a great contrast as we explore the beef capital of Australia with a visit to the outstanding botanical gardens and a tour of the beautiful range area of Rockhampton renowned for its established homes and gardens. Mid afternoon enjoy some leisure time in Rockhampton prior to dinner. Overnight: Rockhampton (BLD)

Day 12. Sat: Rockhampton – Brisbane (Tilt Train)

Arrive at the Rockhampton Station to check your luggage in. Depart this morning on the Tilt Train to Brisbane with memories of a lifetime and new friendships formed after visiting the gardens of Western Queensland. Your journey comes to an end when your train arrives into (BL)

Prices and Dates

• Fitness for Travel:  Before making a reservation, please advise if you have a medical condition, illness or injury that may affect your safety or the safety of other passengers on the tour. 
• Luggage: Outback Aussie Tours adheres to strict luggage restrictions. Each passenger is entitled to one small suitcase not exceeding 15kg. We recommend a small day bag, not exceeding 4kg, which will fit comfortable under a seat coach. Excess luggage will not be carried on the coach. Clothes washing facilities are available at most accommodation places. 
• Special Diets: Clients requiring special diets, (eg. Diabetic) must advise at time of reservation. Special requests are a request only and may not be catered for.   Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is not included in the package cost but is highly recommended – please ask your travel agent for details. 
• Tour Participation: Outback Aussie Tours welcomes passengers with disabilities or special needs, provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all assistance required.  Any special requirements must be advised at time of booking.  Outback Aussie Tours reserves the right to refuse to carry any person who it deems cannot fully care for themselves on tour without assistance.  Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on motorcoaches due to space limitations.  Wheelchair passengers should be aware of these limitations.  We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a passenger for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches or other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs.  Travellers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion.  

• Fitness for Travel:  Before making a reservation, please advise if you have a medical condition, illness or injury that may affect your safety or the safety of other passengers on the tour. 
• Luggage: Outback Aussie Tours adheres to strict luggage restrictions. Each passenger is entitled to one small suitcase not exceeding 15kg. We recommend a small day bag, not exceeding 4kg, which will fit comfortable under a seat coach. Excess luggage will not be carried on the coach. Clothes washing facilities are available at most accommodation places. 
• Special Diets: Clients requiring special diets, (eg. Diabetic) must advise at time of reservation. Special requests are a request only and may not be catered for.   Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is not included in the package cost but is highly recommended – please ask your travel agent for details. 
• Tour Participation: Outback Aussie Tours welcomes passengers with disabilities or special needs, provided they are accompanied by a companion capable of providing all assistance required.  Any special requirements must be advised at time of booking.  Outback Aussie Tours reserves the right to refuse to carry any person who it deems cannot fully care for themselves on tour without assistance.  Wheelchairs and walkers cannot be carried on motorcoaches due to space limitations.  Wheelchair passengers should be aware of these limitations.  We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a passenger for walking, dining, getting on and off motorcoaches or other transportation vehicles, or other personal needs.  Travellers who need such assistance must be accompanied by a qualified companion.