10-11 Days Journey of the Gulf Savannah 2026

itinerary

Day 1: Wednesday – Longreach

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. 2 nights Longreach Motor Inn, Longreach. (Guests travelling by rail will depart on the Spirit of the Outback on Tuesday evening).

Day 2: Thursday – 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: Friday – Cloncurry (B,L,D)

Start the day with a relaxed breakfast at Harry’s Restaurant, located at your accommodation. We follow the Matilda Way to Kynuna and the Blue Heeler Hotel for a slice of Australian folklore. It was here that Banjo Patterson brokered a truce with the shearers who had burnt down the Dagworth woolshed and 143 jumbucks. Rather than shoot each other, they sang Waltzing Matilda and both ‘swagman’ and ‘squatters’ sank their last drinks at the bar. Enjoy lunch at the Walkabout Creek Hotel made famous in the movie blockbuster Crocodile Dundee. Late afternoon in Cloncurry you’ll see one of Australia’s most comprehensive gem and mineral collections at the Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Information Centre. Then, discover the great Australian story of our Royal Flying Doctor Service at John Flynn Place; one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. After checking in to your accommodation, we will meet for a relaxed drink, followed by dinner at the onsite Gidgee Inn restaurant. Overnight Gidgee Inn, Cloncurry

Day 4: Saturday – Karumba (B,L,D)

We drive north this morning along the Burke Developmental Road to the Burke & Wills Roadhouse where we stop for morning tea. 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. Arriving into Normanton, take time to wander the streets and take a selfie with Krys the life-size statue of the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught, before enjoying lunch at the iconic Purple Pub. We arrive in Karumba to enjoy a relaxing dinner at your accommodation. 2 Nights End of the Road Motel, Karumba.

Day 5: Sunday – 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. Top off the morning with a mouth-watering lunch of fresh fish and chips, then the afternoon is yours. Choose to explore the town or simply relax at your accommodation. This afternoon cruise the Gulf of Carpentaria to a remote sand island where we’ll toast the sunset and feast on fresh seafood as spectacular twilight hues colour the skies.

Day 6: Monday – Cobbold Gorge (B,L,D)

This morning enjoy a nostalgic rail journey on the famous Gulflander, affectionately called the ‘Tin Hare’ from Normanton to Critters Camp. Originally built to connect the once bustling river port of Normanton to the gold fields of Croydon. Lunch will be served at the historic Croydon Club Hotel. Built in 1887 it’s the last remaining hotel from an original 37! Next stop is another gold mining township – Georgetown. Here we’ll see the impressive mineral collection display at the TerrEstial Centre. After a big day, we’ll arive at the hidden outback oasis Cobbold Gorge in time for a sunset drink overlooking the tranquil infinity pool. Dinner tonight will be at the Cobbold Gorge Resort Restaurant. 2 nights Cobbold Gorge Village, Forsayth.

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

This morning enjoy a cruise of the magnificent sandstone gorge on this privately owned cattle station. The gorge is stocked with a variety of native fish and freshwater crocodiles. You’ll glide silently between towering cliffs in a specially designed battery powered punt. Join an optional guided walk to the top of the escarpment for impressive views from the remarkable Glass Bridge. After lunch the afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Choose to relax by the impressive infinity pool, join an optional scenic helicopter flight or follow one of the marked bushwalking trails to spot local wildlife and birds. Dinner tonight is at the Cobbold Gorge Resort Restaurant.

Day 8: Wednesday – Mount Surprise (B,L,D)

This morning we visit one of Queenslands most extraordinary geological wonders set in the heart of Gulf Savannah country, Tallaroo Hot Springs. Take a guided tour on the elevated boardwalk and enjoy a delicious morning tea. Leaving Tallaroo Hot Springs, we take a scenic drive to Mount Surprise before heading on to the Undara Experience for lunch and check in. 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. These tubes were created when the Undara Volcano erupted over 190,000 years ago, pouring out enough lava to fill Sydney Harbour three times over. Enjoy learning about the environmental geological and historical features pointed out and explained by your Savannah Tour Guide. Dine tonight amongst the unique setting of antique railway carriages at the Fettler’s Irom Pot Bistro. Overnight Undara Experience, Mount Surprise

Day 9: Thursday – Cairns (B,L,D)

This morning we board the famous Savannahlander on an adventurous journey from Spring Creek to Mount Surprise. Travel through contrasting landscapes and Forty Mile Scrub National Park to Woodleigh Station. Relax with lunch in view of the 100-year-old bougainvillea, then take a stroll around the expansive gardens. Continue to Atherton Tablelands for a short stop at Lake Barrine, an enchanting natural lake hidden in World Heritage Rainforest. Late afternoon, we arrive into Cairns, where we enjoy a farewell dinner at your accommodation. Overnight Rydges Esplanade, Cairns.

Day 10: Friday – 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

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