12-13 Days Journey of the Gulf Savannah 2025

itinerary

Day 1: Sunday – Longreach (D)

Arrive at Longreach by QantasLink flight or Spirit of the Outback train where you will be met by your Savannah Guides Operator driver-guide and transferred to your accommodation. This evening enjoy an exclusive welcome dinner surrounded by aviation history at the Qantas Founders Museum. 2 nights Longreach Motor Inn (Guests travelling by rail will depart on the Spirit of the Outback on Monday afternoon).

Day 2: Monday – Longreach (B,L,D)

This morning start the day with a leisurely breakfast cruise aboard the M.V Longreach Explorer. Discover the sacred Scar Trees and the magic of being on the water in the middle of the Outback. Explore the fascinating themed galleries at the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and discover inspiring stories of our pioneering heroes. Take your seat at the exciting Stockman’s Life Live Show to see amazing horsemanship and the action of a live muster. Late afternoon, join the Silver-Tails Rail Sunset experience where you watch the sunset over the floodplains, whilst savouring signature canapes, enjoying a drink and quality Outback hospitality on our heritage rail motor. After we disembark, we connect you with our incredible Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show.

Day 3: Tuesday – Richmond (B,L,D)

We’ll travel north east via Muttaburra to Hughenden in the Flinders Shire. While in town we’ll visit the Flinders Discovery Centre, home to Hughie the Muttaburrasaurus. Continue along the Overlander’s Way to Richmond. Once in Richmond we visit Kronosaurus Korner to see the most complete marine reptile fossils in the world. These fossils are from the Cretaceous Inland Sea that covered a large section of Queensland 100 million years ago. Overnight Ammonite Inn, Richmond.

Day 4: Wednesday – Cloncurry (B,L,D)

After breakfast this morning, we travel on the Overlanders Way calling in at Julia Creek, before continuing our journey through to Cloncurry. Arriving in Cloncurry, we visit the Cloncurry Unearthed and John Flynn Place Museum where we discover the great Australian story of our Royal Flying Doctor Service, one of the most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Overnight Gidgee Inn, Cloncurry.

Day 5: Thursday – Karumba (B,L,D)

We drive north along the Burke Developmental Road to the Burke & Wills Roadhouse. You will be travelling through mostly cattle country along this road. See the contrasting colours of this rugged landscape; the black trunks of the gidgee scrub, golden Mitchell grass, and enormous rust red termite mounds. Enjoy a nostalgic rail journey on the famous Gulflander, affectionately called the ‘Tin Hare’ to Normanton. Wander the streets in Normanton and take a selfie with Krys the life-size statue of the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught. See the Purple Pub, as well as Queensland’s earliest surviving and heritage-listed Burns Philp store. Arrive in Karumba, also known as the ‘outback by the sea’, in time to watch the sunset. 2 nights End of the Road Motel, Karumba.

Day 6: Friday – Karumba (B,L,D)

Discover the amazing secrets of the mighty barramundi at The Barramundi Discovery Centre, the only hatchery in the world to breed the Southern Gulf strain of this iconic fish. Your tour of this state of the art Interpretive Centre includes the opportunity to feed a barramundi. Enjoy free time after lunch to explore the town or to simply relax and take in this beautiful location. Late afternoon, we’ll enjoy another Karumba sunset before dinner.

Day 7: Saturday – Cobbold Gorge (B,L,D)

This morning we visit the historic gold mining townships of Croydon and Georgetown. See the impressive mineral collection display at the TerrEstrial Centre. Arrive at the hidden outback oasis Cobbold Gorge in time for sunset drinks overlooking the stunning infinity pool! 2 nights Cobbold Gorge Village, Forsyth.

Day 8: Sunday – Cobbold Gorge (B,L,D)

Enjoy a tour of the magnificent sandstone gorge on this privately owned cattle station. The gorge is stocked with a variety of native fish and freshwater crocodiles. On a guided cruise, you’ll glide silently between towering cliffs in a specially designed, electric-powered punt. Join an optional walk to the top of the escarpment for awesome views of the gorge below from the glass bridge!

Day 9: Monday – Mount Surprise (B,L,D)

Enjoy smoko at the Einasleigh pub with its quirky miniature furniture collection and see the impressive rock formations of Copperfield Gorge. We take a scenic drive to Mount Surprise before heading on to the Undara Experience. This afternoon we join a guided tour of the incredible Undara Lava Tubes, part of the world’s longest lava flows from a single volcanic crater. Enjoy learning about the geological and historical features pointed out and explained by your Savannah Guide. Overnight Undara Experience, Mount Surprise.

Day 10: Tuesday – Mareeba (B,L,D)

Travel through contrasting landscapes and Forty Mile Scrub National Park to Woodleigh Station. Take a tour through the original homestead built in 1876 and learn how hard life was for Queensland’s early settlers. Relax with morning tea in view of their giant 100-year-old Bougainvillea and take a stroll around their expansive gardens. Next, we experience the beauty of Lake Barrine. Sit back and relax on this private boat cruise before enjoying lunch at the Lake Barrine Teahouse. Overnight Cape Gateway Motor Inn, Mareeba.

Day 11: Wednesday – Cairns (B,L,D)

This morning we board the famous Savannahlander on an adventurous journey from Karanda to Almaden. This journey aboard the historic 2000 class rail motor takes us from the rainforest through the rich farmlands of the Atherton Tablelands through to the rugged granite gorges and the early boom and bust mining stories of North Queensland. After lunch we travel through to Cairns after the incredible contrasts and experiences of our journey through the Gulf Savannah. Overnight Rydges Esplanade, Cairns.

Day 12: Thursday – Homeward Bound (B)

Your tour concludes after breakfast at Rydges Esplanade Resort. Please make your own arrangements for your connecting flight or rail home. Alternatively, you may like to extend your stay in Cairns, please contact us for further information.

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

dates & pricing