9 Days Gulf Savannah Wanderer 2024

itinerary

Day 1: Cairns – Herberton Historic Village – Malanda

After an early morning departure from selected accommodation, your holiday begins, travelling up the Gillies Range to the Atherton Tableland. We stop off at Lake Barrine for a short walk to the Twin Kauri Pines, before travelling on to Herberton. Today we explore the Historic Village of Herberton, where you can live the folklore and romance of yesterday’s Australia in every piece of this eye-opening collection. Sit in the schoolhouse. Stand at the bar of the pub. Enjoy a latte in the Bakerville Tearooms. The award-winning attraction is more than a vintage precinct – it’s a tangible buzz of things past with over 50 original buildings with intact interior displays, original machinery and vehicles, plus thousands of antique items and period memorabilia. Late afternoon we settle in the Malanda Lodge, situated on 11 acres of manicured tropical gardens. All rooms have ground level balconies and views to enjoy the tranquillity, or maybe spot their resident platypus family in the large pond. Overnight Malanda Lodge (ensuite bathroom facilities).(L,D)

As this Guided Holiday departs early, accommodation will need to be pre-booked for the previous night. Queens Court Hotel, Novotel Oasis Resort or Coral Tree are available options for hotel pick ups.

Day 2: MALANDA – SAVANNAHLANDER – GEORGETOWN

An early start sees us travelling west on the Kennedy Highway towards Mount Surprise, where we enjoy lunch with a snake show. After lunch, you travel aboard the “Savannahlander” train as it tracks towards Einasleigh. There is enough time to have a beer in the pub or head down and check out Copperfield Gorge, before the train departs for Forsayth. From here we travel on to Georgetown where we stay overnight at the Latara Motel. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Georgetown – Karumba

Morning “smoko” on the shore of Croydon’s Lake Belmore before Normanton for lunch. Here you can absorb its famous landmarks, the “Purple Pub”, historic Burns Philp General Store and a replica of Krys, the 8.63m crocodile. Continue on to Karumba on the Gulf of Carpentaria, where we enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. We stay at the Karumba Lodge for the next 2 nights. Ensuite Bathroom Facilities. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Karumba

After a leisurely breakfast we enjoy a cruise on the Gulf of Carpentaria. This afternoon we spend time at the Barramundi Centre with a guided Feed-A-Barra tour and hand-feeding will take you into the brand-new hatchery for an educational, entertaining and engaging experience! This afternoon we head out to sunset point for happy hour. Dinner at Karumba Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Karumba to Normanton

After breakfast we visit Burke & Wills Camp #119, the most northerly campsite of the ill-fated expedition of 1860 on our way back to Normanton for lunch. This afternoon we visit the Mutton hole Wetlands for croc- and bird watching. We overnight at the Gulfland Motel, Normanton. Ensuite bathroom facilities.(B,L,D)

Day 6: Normanton to Cobbold Gorge

This morning we depart from Normanton’s famous Victorian architecture Railway Station. All aboard the historic “Gulflander RM93” train, a Savannah Guides Site, for a ride through the savannah landscape across the Norman River to Critters Camp. On to Black Bull Siding then the old gold mining town of Croydon and its Historic Precinct. This afternoon we visit Georgetown and Forsayth on our way to Cobbold Gorge, a Savannah Guides Station. Overnight at Cobbold Gorge or Finnigins Rest at Forsayth. Ensuite bathroom facilities. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Cobbold Gorge

This morning we cruise on Cobbold Gorge’s beautiful and secluded waterway surrounded by spectacular carved Hampstead sandstone, 135 million years old. We have ample time to enjoy this beautiful area. Overnight at Cobbold Gorge. Ensuite bathroom facilities. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Cobbold Gorge – Undara Lava Tubes

After a leisurely morning we travel to Forsayth for lunch. Travel on to the famous Undara Lava Tubes, a Savannah Guides Station. There’s campfire entertainment after dinner before retiring to your accommodation in faithfully restored antique railway carriages. Overnight Undara. Ensuite bathroom facilities. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Undara – Farewell from Cairns

After breakfast in the Australian bush, an experienced Savannah Guide will meet you for an informative tour of the world’s largest, longest and most accessible lava tube system. We continue on our scenic and leisurely drive over the Tropical Tablelands past the Wind Turbines at Ravenshoe, stopping off at the magnificent Curtain Fig Tree, before making our way back to Cairns, where you will be taken to your accommodation. (Flights to depart after 7pm if not staying in Cairns. (B,L)

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