itinerary
Day 1: Tuesday – Roma/Injune (L,D)
Board your aircraft in Brisbane for a flight to Roma. Get a birds eye view of the lush Darling Downs agricultural region which is a major watershed of the Murray Darling river system. You will be welcomed on arrival in Roma by your Savannah Guide Operator driver-guides. From there we head to the Roma Saleyards where you will feel the energy and excitement of a real cattle auction at Australia’s biggest cattle selling facility. View the sale in action where up to 7,000 head of cattle are brought for sale. Next, we join a guided tour of the Big Rig and learn the important contribution made by the true grit pioneers of our oil and gas industry. After lunch we will be joined by a local eco-guide where you will gain local knowledge of Australia’s wildlife, pioneering history and local industry. Departing Roma, we will travel to Injune, located at the foothills of the Carnarvon Ranges. After checking in to our accommodation, we will enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner. 2 nights Injune Motor Inn, Injune.
Day 2: Wednesday – Injune (B,L,D)
After enjoying breakfast, we will travel to Mount Moffatt, located in the remote Southern sections of the Carnarvon National Park, where we will enjoy glorious scenery, age-old Aboriginal sites and diverse fauna and flora. Today truly marks our first introduction to the incredible diversity and scale of an 80,000 square kilometer sandstone belt area aptly called The Roof of Queensland. Over the coming days our river systems will head into totally different directions being major tributaries of the Murray Darling, Fitzroy and Lake Eyre basins. Our experienced Australian Nature Guides will take us on a bushwalking adventure looping around stunning sandstone formations. The circuit loop takes in The Chimneys, three sandstone pillars that have remained on a bluff while the rest of the top has eroded away. Next stop is The Tombs, an Aboriginal burial site which features over 400 ochre stencils of Aboriginal rock art, some of which are still amazingly vivid. Last stop of the circuit is the Looking Glass. Perched high up on a sandstone precipice, the wind has eroded the sandstone and turned a cave into a looking glass. Following a relaxing picnic lunch, we will board our coach and embark on the Mount Moffatt Circuit Drive. Here we will see the amazing sandstone Marlong Arch and the remarkable sandstone pillar of Lots Wife. We take a short detour to the natural grassland of Marlong Plain and walk down to the edge of the plain for views of distant sandstone cliffs and ridges. We return to the picnic area for a short break before heading back to Injune for a delicious dinner and well-earned rest.
Day 3: Thursday – Carnarvon Gorge (B,L,D)
After a hearty breakfast we leave Injune and travel North, taking in the agriculture and vantage points to enjoy the breathtaking views of Arcadia Valley. This is where we enter the Fitzroy River catchments of the famous Dawson and Nogoa Rivers. Today we enter the Gorge Mouth and wander the Nature Trail. This is an excellent walk to see a variety of flora and fauna. Various species of water birds can be spotted in the creek or in the thick ground storey of the creek flats. You may be fortunate to see platypus at play in the more substantial pools. This afternoon we check in to our accommodation in Carnarvon Gorge for some relaxation time before heading to Sandstone Park for sunset drinks and nibbles. Tonight enjoy dinner at your accommodation. 2 nights Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge, Carnarvon Gorge
Day 4: Friday – Carnarvon Gorge (B,L,D)
After breakfast this morning, we explore the Lower Gorge section of Carnarvon Gorge. Here we will visit the Moss Garden, arguably the most scenic of all the Gorge’s sites. On reaching the boardwalk you will be treated to a cliff line where the base is covered by a lush carpet of mosses, pepperomia and ferns and is supported by the largest spring in the Gorge. A small waterfall cascades over the sandstone ledge, collecting in a clear pool lined with colorful rocks and water carved boulders (please note this is a 7.2km leisurely return walk). This afternoon guests can enjoy some free time or enjoy more of Carnarvon Gorge with leisurely walks to Mickey’s Creek. Tonight, dinner will be at your accommodation.
Day 5: Saturday- Springsure (B,L,D)
Following a leisurely breakfast, we depart Carnarvon Gorge and travel to the town of Rolleston for a short break in this quaint little town, before travelling on to Springsure via the Staircase Range. A charming Queensland country town nestled below the Capricorn Highlands with the incredible landmarks of Mount Zamia and Virgin Rock and Minerva Hills. After checking in to our accommodation, enjoy an informative drive featuring the Minerva Hills and spectacular views over this incredible changing landscape. This evening enjoy a drink in the bar at your accommodation before sitting down to dinner. 1 night Springsure Overlander Motel, Springsure
Day 6: Sunday – Blackall (B,L,D)
Leaving Springsure we follow the Western sections of the Carnarvon Gorge National Park, which at this point, meets vast plains of improved pastures of Brigalow country. We traverse the changing water shed and landscapes of the Nogoa river. We farewell the Fitzroy basin and encounter the backroads and the Barcoo head waters of the Lake Eyre basin. Exploring the desert uplands, Gidgee scrub and open downs country. Arriving into the famous town of Blackall on the banks of the Barcoo River steeped in nationally significant legends and history, we enjoy a leisurely night after an incredible day through changing countryside. 2 nights Oasis Motor Inn Blackall, Blackall
Day 7: Monday – Blackall (B,L,D)
Sit back and take in the sights of Blackall where the energy and foresight are very clear from the explorers’ and early surveyors’ first drilling of artesian water, and the industrial confidence in the Blackall Woolscour. One of this morning’s highlights is a tour of the historic Blackall Woolscour and lunch at the historic Lodge on Hawthorn. A leisurely afternoon to explore the shops and meet the locals of this incredible country town on the banks of the Barcoo River.
Day 8: Tuesday – Longreach (B,L,D)
This morning we embark on the famous outer Barcoo heading to Isisford with an incredible wool heritage. We arrive at the Outer Barcoo Interpretive Centre and are transported back beyond the time of the wool industry to a rare discovery some years ago. The Isisfordia-Duncani was discovered south of the town, and science has re-created the evidence and bones of a rare specimen of crocodile, brand new to science that links the crocodilians of our modern world to the days of dinosaurs roaming the planet here. Moving up the old mail road to Ilfracombe, we get a chance to explore the 12 mile which is a man-made waterway in the days of Cobb and Co that has stone pitchings and designs that have outlasted the pioneers, before arriving into the Wellshot hotel for lunch, and moving on to Longreach to check in and freshen up before our progressive dinner at the Qantas Founders Museum. 2 nights Mitchell Grass Retreat, Longreach
Day 9: Wednesday – Longreach (B,L,D)
This morning, all aboard our unforgettable 2000 class rail motors to the Darr River. Fall in love and feel the rhythm on the rails. Encounter wildlife as we bring alive the numerous waterholes, passing scrub and grasslands with its incredible natural and cultural heritage. Disembark the train at an exclusive location and enjoy a guided Mulga walk where you learn about our native flora. On arrival at the Darr River soak up the atmosphere of one of the major tributaries of the Thomson River and Cooper Creek Catchment as you savour the experience, and we boil the billy for Smoko. Following our Outback Rail Adventure, we visit the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover the inspiring stories of the stockmen and women, the First Nations people, the pioneers and settlers, and the jackaroos and jillaroos. Late afternoon, unwind on the Drover’s Sunset Cruise with tasty onboard nibbles followed by a three-course table service dinner under the stars at Smithy’s Outback Dinner & Show.
Day 10: Thursday – Longreach (B,L,D)
Your outback adventure will come to an end when, following breakfast, we transfer back to Longreach Railway Station or Longreach Airport for your departure.
Day 11: Friday – Brisbane (B)
For guests travelling back via train you will arrive in Brisbane on board the Spirit of the Outback at 11.50am. You will be served breakfast before your journey ends.
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
dates & pricing
Follow Us