11 or 9 Days Longreach Birdsville Outback Track

itinerary

Day 1. Tue: Spirit of the Outback

For those passengers wishing to travel to Longreach by rail, depart at 6.25pm this evening on the Spirit of the Outback for your overnight journey to Longreach. (D)

Day 2.  Wed: Arrive Longreach

Arrive Longreach via QantasLink or the Spirit of the Outback rail journey. Enjoy a welcome dinner at your motel. Overnight Albert Park Motor Inn Longreach (BLD)

Day 3. Thu: Longreach, Birdsville

This morning depart for the famous outback town of Birdsville. Heading southwest, follow the mighty Thomson River floodplain and Mitchell grasslands to Stonehenge and Jundah where the red mulga country begins. Explore Cooper’s Creek catchment, following the footprints of the pioneers. Travel on to Deon’s Lookout for picnic refreshments and amazing views of the Diamantina Shire and Betoota. Overnight Birdsville Hotel Birdsville (BLD)

Day 4. Fri: Birdsville

Today visit the Burke and Wills Tree on the Diamantina River and the well known Birdsville Racetrack. Explore the Wirrari Centre, Wolfgang’s Art House, Birdsville Billabong and the Inland Hospital ruins. A tour highlight is our Simpson Desert sunset happy hour atop the stunning red dunes of Big Red. Feel the very soul of Australia as the sun goes down over the heart of the Outback. Dinner tonight is at the iconic Birdsville Hotel featuring a Flying Doctor Auction. Overnight Birdsville Hotel Birdsville - Optional Extra Expense Lake Eyre Flight available, please advise when booking as seats are limited. www.centraleagleaviation.com.au  (BLD)

Day 5. Sat: Boulia

En route to Boulia view the Waddi Trees. Visit the Cacoory Ruins, a remnant of European settlement in 1870, set amongst some of the toughest country in the heart of the Lake Eyre Basin. Cross the vast Cuttaburra floodplain to Bedourie for lunch before travelling north from Eyre Creek; where the Channel Country meets the desert. A mid afternoon arrival in Boulia; explore the historic Stone House and impressive Min Min Encounter where we uncover the myth of the mysterious Min Min Light. Overnight Boulia Desert Sands Motel or Australian Hotel Boulia (BLD)

Day 6. Sun: Winton

Take in the majestic mesas at Cawnpore Lookout, set amongst the open pebbly plains - a landscape found in only two places on earth. Catch up with the locals at the Middleton Hotel for morning tea and entertaining yarns about life in the famous Min Min country. Take a scenic drive into Winton for a pub lunch at the Tattersall Hotel; a classic two-storey timber pub with memorabilia and stories to last a lifetime. Overnight Boulder Opal Motor Inn Winton. (BLD)

Day 7. Mon: Winton

Today, some free time to wander through downtown Winton’s Opal Walk and other attractions before a visit to the multi-award winning Waltzing Matilda Centre - the only museum to be dedicated to a song. Mid afternoon experience ‘The Ultimate Progressive Dinner & Winton Farewell’. Take a short drive into the majestic mesa country to the Australian Age of Dinosaurs where we toast the glorious outback sunset then savour a delicious barbeque dinner. Our ‘dessert with a difference’ follows back in Winton at the Royal Mail Open Air Theatre with ice-cream and jaffas! Overnight Boulder Opal Motor Inn Winton. (BLD)

Day 8. Tue: Longreach

Venture to Lark Quarry Dinosaur Trackways; step back in time, and witness the only recorded Dinosaur Stampede on the planet. Tour the working sheep and cattle station, Carisbrooke Station and explore the property’s stunning Cory's Range scenic drive featuring the Three Sisters rock formation. After lunch at the homestead travel on to Longreach with time to refresh. Tonight enjoy the magic of an exclusive dining experience in the Qantas Founders Museum. Uncover national treasures and stories of our pioneering aviation history. Overnight Albert Park Motor Inn or Longreach Motor Inn Longreach (BLD)

Day 9. Wed: Longreach

Explore the history behind some of Australia’s greatest and bravest explorers, stock workers, pastoralists and Aborigines at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame. The afternoon is time to relax and refresh. Tonight, join a cruise at sunset on Longreach’s timeless waterhole. View majestic floodplains as the colours fade into starry Outback skies. Then around the camp fire be charmed by our entertaining Outback characters and savour the traditional flavours of our Outback-themed cuisine with our fun farewell awards at the Drover’s Extravaganza Dinner. Overnight Albert Park Motor Inn or Longreach Motor Inn Longreach. (BLD)

Day 10. Thu: Depart Longreach

Depart Longreach after a quintessential Outback journey of a lifetime. Connect with QantasLink to Brisbane or Rex Airlines to Townsville or return on the Spirit of the Outback train which departs at 7.15am.

Day 11. Fri: Arrive Brisbane

Arrive in Brisbane at 7.10am (rail guests).

dates & pricing