Tour Highlights & Inclusions

• 5 fabulous rail journeys
• Economy & Business Class seats & 1st Class Sleepers
• Bundaberg, Town of 1770
• LARC Cruise
• Gladstone
• Heron Island
• Footlights Theatre Restaurant
• Cairns, Kuranda Skyrail
• Butterfly House, The Tablelands
• Lake Barrine Cruise
• Woodleigh Cattle Station
• Airlie Beach, Daydream Island
• Hamilton Island
• Cape Hillsborough
• Mackay, Rockhampton
• Mary River Cruise
• Maryborough, Hervey Bay
• Fraser Island
• Grand Finale Dinner & Show

 

Day 1. Fri: Tilt Train to Bundaberg

Depart on the Tilt Train at 11am enjoying your journey in complete comfort, taking advantage of the onboard movie selection or tune into a great range of music. When hunger bites we have arranged to have your lunch served to you at your seat, so sit back and relax and enjoy the ride. On arrival in Bundaberg, you are greeted by your Coach Captain and taken on a city tour of the `Sugar City’. Overnight: Country Comfort, Bundaberg (LD)

Day 2. Sat: 1770, Gladstone

This morning we visit the Town of 1770  for the ideal getaway on the pink amphibious LARC. The Paradise Tour takes us along the coastline of Eurimbula N.P. with an informative commentary on wildlife and history of Bustard Bay, crossing four tidal creeks and four-wheel driving up the steep climb to the historic Bustard Head Lighthouse. We then join the coach and travel north, arriving in the harbour city of Gladstone. Overnight: Rydges Hotel (BLD)

Day 3. Sun: Heron Island

This morning we take a city tour of Gladstone before joining The Reef Voyager passenger vessel to Heron Island for a 2 night stay in luxury. Seek refuge on a coral cay that is part of the great barrier reef. Heron island is also home to a breathtaking array of marine and bird life. From Green and Loggerhead turtles to Noddy Terns, Humpback whales, to 72% of all coral species, nature is at your fingertips. Enjoy fine dining throughout your stay, as we have included all the trimmings. Overnight: Heron island Resort (BLD)

Day 4. Mon: Heron Island

During our stay on Heron we will join naturalist guides for daily activities discovering the birdlife, coral cay formations, native flora and fauna and at low tide the Reef Walk will expose some of the most fascinating creatures found on the coral reef. (BLD)

Day 5. Tue: Rockhampton to Cairns

Naturalist morning activities on Heron this morning before we say farewell to this unspoilt piece of paradise. After lunch we board The Reef Voyager and head back to the mainland, and then continue on via coach to Footlights Theatre Restaurant, for an early dinner and show. Tonight we board The Sunlander for an overnight rail journey from Rockhampton to Cairns. See the coastline unfold as you relish the comfort of this train service, offering overnight sleepers, dining, lounge and club cars. (BLD)

Day 6. Wed: Cairns

Enjoy daylight travel today from Townsville to Cairns and experience some of Queensland’s most stunning scenery. Arriving into Cairns late afternoon we are transferred to the quality Country Comfort Sunlodge Cairns for 4 nights. (BLD)

Day 7. Thu: Kuranda, Cairns

A fabulous day to Kuranda where we visit the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, one of the largest butterfly farms in the world in terms of enclosed flight space. We then take a trip of a lifetime on the Army Duck amphibious vehicle with experienced driver/guide. Learn about ancient ferns and trees and spot the local fauna and flora under the rainforest canopy.  Lunch today at the Outback Aussie Grill before we catch the Cairns Scenic Skyrail over the rainforest canopy back into Cairns. (BLD)

Day 8. Fri: Atherton Tablelands, Cairns

Taking the outback track crossing the Tablelands, our first visit for the day is a freshwater lake in a volcanic crater at Lake Barrine, where we take a smooth cruise then enjoy Devonshire Tea. We continue on to one of the largest strangler figs in the world, the famous Curtain Fig Tree. We continue on past Millaa Millaa Falls and onto Windy Hill to view the towering wind turbines built to create clean green energy. Experience the real Australian outback with a BBQ lunch and exclusive tour of the pioneer homestead at Woodleigh Cattle Station. We head for home stopping at Halloran’s Hill look-out (the highest point in Atherton) and a visit to Mt Uncle Distillery to sample local produce and liqueurs. (BMTLD)

Day 9. Sat: Free day in Cairns

Breakfast at your leisure before you relax on a free day, for rest or shopping. An optional visit to Green Island or an Outer Reef Cruise is available (BD)

Day 10. Sun: Tilt Train to Whitsundays

Farewelling Cairns we board the Business Class Tilt Train for daylight travel in comfort and style to the Whitsundays, arriving into Bowen where we are met and transferred to Colonial Palms Motel. (BLD)

Day 11. Mon: Daydream Island & Hamilton Island

Today we join Fantasea Cruises for a 2 island Discovery Cruise, a day to enjoy the lazy life on Daydream Island Resort & Spa, having lunch at Mermaids Restaurant, before visiting Hamilton Island for a brief coach tour of the surrounds of the resort. (BMTLD)

Day 12. Tue: Mackay, Rockhampton

This morning we travel to Cape Hillsborough and join a fully interpretive walk on the ‘Boardwalk’ to learn of the Jupiera Tribe history and enjoy a bit of bush tucker. We continue on for morning tea at the Old Station Tea Rooms before heading to the Mackay Regional Botanic Gardens for a picnic lunch. This afternoon we depart for Rockhampton. Overnight: Central Park Motel, Rockhampton. (BMTLD)

Day 13. Wed: Tilt Train to Maryborough

This morning we travel on the Tilt Train, arriving into Maryborough to a warm welcome from `Mary Heritage’. We take a short trip to Wook-koo Sculpture Walk to stretch the legs and take a look at the local talent of art and sculptures, we then visit Brennan & Geraghty Store Museum. This store was closed in 1971 and still holds the original stock on the shelf, a real time capsule. Lunch is provided before we board `Proud Mary’ and cruise past stately heritage homes and historic buildings, observing sea eagles, pelicans and other wildlife along the river. During the cruise an informed commentary will explain the history and points of interest on the voyage. Arrive and check-in at the Carriers Arms Hotel & Motel for 2 nights. (BLD)

Day 14. Thu: Fraser Island, Maryborough

Today we take the extreme day tour visit to Fraser Island. Departing our motel we are transferred to Urangan Boat Harbour for fast Cat transfers to Fraser Island. Our tour today takes in the crystal clear waters of Lake Mackenzie and dazzling white beaches. Explore Central Station, a former forestry camp with huge satinay, scribbly gum, brush box and kauri trees. Walk along the banks of Wanggoolba Creek which flows gently and silently through lush rainforest. Relax and enjoy lunch at Kingfisher Bay Resort before we are transferred back to the fast Cat for our return to the mainland. Dinner tonight is our fun farewell evening  filled with good food and comedy. Fabulous entertainment and fun with new-found friends make this night very special and a magical finish to a grand holiday. (BLD)

Day 15. Fri: Tilt Train to Brisbane

This morning we join ‘Mary Heritage,’ our guide in period costume, for an informative tour of Maryborough’s beautiful heritage homes and history. Transfer to Maryborough West Railway Station for our return journey on the Tilt Train.  (BL)

B = Hot Breakfast
MT = Morning Tea
L = Lunch
D = Two Course Dinner

Prices and Dates

• Deposit required to secure tour $500pp
• Price includes all rail journeys
• Rail fares subject to change without notice

• Deposit required to secure tour $500pp
• Price includes all rail journeys
• Rail fares subject to change without notice