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Heart of Australia and Beyond 2021

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17 DAY FULLY INCLUSIVE TOUR
21ST JUNE TO 7TH JULY 2021

Australia’s fiery Red Centre is the spiritual heartland of the Outback. Marvel at the magnificence and ever changing colours of Uluru and be enchanted by the soaring rock domes of Kata Tjuta 500 million years in the making. Australia’s Northern Territory is so vast it has two different climates! See Kakadu National Park with its rich wetlands, wild rainforests and cascading waterfalls. Admire the 20,000 years of indigenous history chronicled in Aboriginal rock art and explore Darwin, a modern tropical city that offers a special blend of cosmopolitan life and outback adventure. Australia’s Last Frontier!
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Add the option of returning via the transcontinental adventure and romance of train travel on The Ghan. Stretching more than one kilometre in length, The Ghan offers an unsurpassed view of Australia over 3 unforgettable days. It is truly one of the world’s great train journeys. Tick this amazing experience off your bucket list.

Highlights
Price
Map
Inclusions
itinerary
Booking Request

TOUR MAP
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 Southern Flinders Ranges, Port Augusta, Woomera, Coober Pedy, Yulara, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas)
 The Field of Light Exhibition, Alice Springs Sightseeing Tour, Earth Sanctuary - Quandong Homestead
 Western MacDonnell Ranges, Devils Marbles, Tennant Creek, Mataranka, Katherine Hot Springs, Kakadu National Park
 Nourlangie Rock, Darwin City Tour - Wartime Darwin and  Litchfield National Park. 

CRUISES 
Katherine Gorge Cruise
Yellow Water Sunset Cruise
Adelaide River - Jumping Croc Cruise 

MULTIPLE NIGHT STAYS
2 nights in Coober Pedy, Yulara and Katherine
3 nights in Alice Springs​ and Darwin
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PRICE

​17 DAY FLY HOME OPTION

MONDAY 21ST JUNE TO WEDNESDAY 7TH JULY, 2021  

Twin Share Room First Tour: 
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours:
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours:
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours:
Single Room Supplement:
 
Deposit:
 


$8,855 per person
$8,755 per person
$8,705 per person
$8,655 per person
$1,790 per person

$200 per person upon booking
 

20 DAY GHAN HOME OPTION
MONDAY 21ST JUNE TO SATURDAY 10TH JULY, 2021 
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Twin Share Room First Tour: 
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 2 - 10 Tours:
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 11 - 20 Tours:
Twin Share Room Repeat Traveller 21+ Tours:
Single Room Supplement:
 
Deposit
$TBA per person
$TBA per person
$TBA per person
$TBA per person
$TBA per person

$200 per person upon booking
​​​We have limited cabins aboard the Ghan - please contact the office to register your interest.

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O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours will match single travellers who wish to twin share, with another single traveller of the same gender. 
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However, if this is not possible, you shall be provided with single accommodation at the twin share fare (no additional cost).
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Payment & Cancellation Policy
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
TOUR MAP
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ITINERARY
DAY 1: mondAY 21ST JUNE, 2021
MELBOURNE TO MILDURA
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After personal pick up from home, we travel via the Westgate Bridge to Ballarat for morning tea, with lunch at Donald. We continue across the Wimmera Plains and through the Victorian Mallee to Mildura for our first night away.   
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OVERNIGHT:  Best Western Chaffey International Motor Inn, MILDURA
day 2: tuesday 22ND JUNE, 2021
RIVERLAND, SOUTHERN FLINDERS RANGES

Today we drive along the Riverland from the Sunraysia to Renmark in South Australia to Morgan, once a very busy maritime port. Leaving the Murray, we head for the Southern Flinders Ranges calling at historic Burra (classified by the National Trust). This afternoon we take the scenic drive through the North Mount Lofty Ranges to Port Augusta. ​

OVERNIGHT:  Standpipe Golf Motor Inn, PORT AUGUSTA
DAY 3: wednesday 23RD JUNE, 2021
WOOMERA - COOBER PEDY

We start our journey north on the Stuart Highway to Pimba, before detouring to Woomera. Until 1982, Woomera was a prohibited area for travellers. These days, we are welcomed with an interesting Visitors Centre. The town was built by the British and Australian Governments as the headquarters for the Maralinga and Emu Field - nuclear rocket and atomic bomb test sites.  After lunch, we rejoin the Stuart Highway and drive to Coober Pedy to check into our two night’s accommodation.  
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OVERNIGHT:  Desert Cave Hotel, COOBER PEDY
DAY 4: thursday 24TH JUNE, 2021
COOBER PEDY

We start the day with an opal-cutting demonstration and town tour, including inspection of an opal mine, an underground house or “dug out” and a church. Did you know that the Coober Pedy Golf Course is the only golf course in the world with reciprocal rights to St Andrews in Scotland??!! We’ll also have time for some retail therapy for anyone interested in opals. We have time to purchase lunch before we head to the nearby “Kanku - Breakaways Conservation Park” - a stunning natural landscape that has featured in a number of movies such as Mad Max 3, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Ground Zero. Returning to town, we have some free time to relax, or perhaps some more opal shopping.
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Lunch at own arrangements and cost 
OVERNIGHT:  Desert Cave Hotel, COOBER PEDY
DAY 5: friday 25TH JUNE, 2021
YULARA & ULURU SUNSET STRIP

An early start for a travel day as we head for the border and into the Northern Territory. At Erldunda, we turn west onto the Lasseter Highway to Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park. There is an air of excitement in the coach as we are draw closer to Uluru. Upon our arrival, we check in to our accommodation before heading to Sunset Strip to enjoy the spectacle of the changing colour of Uluru as the sun sets behind us. Dinner will be a little later this evening at the Resort. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Voyages Desert Gardens, YULARA 
DAY 6: saturday 26TH JUNE, 2021
ULURU AND KATA TJUTA

We have a magical day in store. Uluru/Ayers Rock is located in the World Heritage Listed Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. It rises 348 metres from the desert floor and has a girth of 9.4km. It’s the world’s most famous monolith with at least two thirds of the Rock lying beneath the surface. We spend some time at the Cultural Centre and take a drive around the Rock, stopping for photo opportunities. Lunch today is available from the hotel or one of a number of restaurants and cafes in the Yulara Shopping Village. Early afternoon we visit the nearby Olgas, called by the Aboriginal people Kata Tjuta. Here we can take a walk into the beautiful and overwhelming Mount Olga Gorge.  Returning to the resort, we enjoy dinner, but our day isn’t over yet as we are in for a special treat – a unique outback experience. We will be seeing internationally acclaimed artist Bruce Munro’s once in a lifetime staging of The Field of Light. This is the biggest Field of Light exhibition to date and it is held at Uluru. We have the chance to wander through 50,000 slender stems crowned with frosted-glass spheres that will bloom as darkness falls over Australia’s spiritual heartland. This display is for a limited time, making the experience that much more memorable.

Lunch at own expense and arrangement
OVERNIGHT:  Voyages Desert Gardens, YULARA 
DAY 7: SUNDAY 27TH JUNE, 2021
YULARA TO ALICE SPRINGS

This morning you have the opportunity to view Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Yulara from the air. We reserve several planes for an unforgettable 40 minute Scenic Flight of the area. This flight is at patrons own expense and is highly recommended. After breakfast we say farewell to Uluru and rejoin the Lasseter Highway, through sand dune country, past Mt Connor to Erldunda where we stop for our lunch break. This afternoon, we head north crossing the Finke River and enjoy the ever-changing scenery as we near Alice Springs. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS 
DAY 8: monday 28TH JUNE, 2021
ALICE SPRINGS - CITY TOUR

Welcome to “The Alice”! We begin today with a view of Alice Springs from Anzac Hill.  From here we can see the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, the Stuart Highway, the Todd River, the Ghan Line and the prominent city buildings.  We take a virtual journey into 'The World's Largest Classroom' which will leave us enlightened and inspired as we visit the School of the Air, this year celebrating their 70th anniversary. The film and guide presentations reveal stories about the school and its students, sharing a distinctive history, outback lifestyle and world-renowned innovations of this uniquely Australian school. Next we visit Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). We hear the incredible history of one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations in the world. Using the latest aviation, medical and communications technology, the RFDS delivers extensive primary health care and 24-hour emergency service to those who live, work and travel throughout Australia. We enjoy some free time this afternoon to relax or go for a swim. We have a special evening planned tonight. Just 15 minutes out of Alice is Earth Sanctuary - a World Nature Centre at Quandong Homestead. We will enjoy a mouth-watering bush BBQ with music and entertainment and experience the spirit of the outback through stories of the aboriginal dreamtime. We will even learn how to cook a swagman’s damper! After dinner we can relax around the camp fire before heading back to the hotel.

OVERNIGHT:  Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS 
DAY 9: tuesday 29TH JUNE, 2021
WESTERN MACDONNELL RANGES

A great day is in store as we explore the majestic Western MacDonnell Ranges. The natural beauty in this area is outstanding!  After a walk through Standley Chasm with its towering walls, we continue the scenic drive to Glen Helen Gorge and Glen Helen Homestead.  This afternoon we have the opportunity to swim in the fresh waterhole at Ormiston Gorge or just relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this special place.  We also visit beautiful Simpsons Gap before returning to our accommodation. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Crowne Plaza Lasseters, ALICE SPRINGS 
DAY 10: wednesday 30TH JUNE, 2021
DEVILS MARBLES - TENNANT CREEK

After our break we depart Alice Springs and continue on the Stuart Highway calling at Ti Tree Creek and historic Barrow Creek.  Later this afternoon we spend some time at the “Devils Marbles” before arriving into Tennant Creek. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Bluestone Motor Inn, TENNANT CREEK
DAY 11: thursday 1ST JULY, 2021
TENNANT CREEK TO KATHERINE

We have an early start this morning as we begin travelling to what is termed the “Top End”. We lunch at Daly Waters Pub, a well-known spot for many of the air personnel who served in the Pacific during World War II. Our afternoon break is at Mataranka where we have plenty of time to enjoy the fantastic mineral pools - so bring your bathers! The last leg of our journey today is to Katherine where we settle into our accommodation. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE
DAY 12: friday 2ND JULY, 2021
KATHERINE HIGHLIGHTS

We have a more leisurely breakfast this morning before making our way to Katherine Gorge. We can look through the Visitors and Interpretive Centre before our cruise.  Within the Nitmiluk National Park are 13 separate gorges of the extended system through which Katherine River flows. Sheer walls of sandstone dotted with ancient Aboriginal rock art surround the crystal waters of the Katherine River where freshwater crocodiles can be seen along the banks with flowering orchids and lilies. This afternoon is at leisure - or perhaps an option is to visit to the Katherine Hot Springs. Sit back and relax in the beautiful thermal pools. The bubbling natural spring has a constant temperature of approximately 25-30 degrees Celsius. Used by many as a way of healing, we can let our muscles unwind after a hard morning of cruising!! ​

Lunch at own expense and arrangement
OVERNIGHT:  Knotts Crossing Resort, KATHERINE
DAY 13: saturday 3RD JULY, 2021
KAKADU - YELLOW WATERS CRUISE

Today we travel to the old gold mining town of Pine Creek then join the Kakadu Highway into the Kakadu National Park. At Cooinda, we enjoy a cold luncheon, then have some free time to relax before, late afternoon boarding our magical Yellow Water Sunset Cruise. Nowhere else will we see such a concentration of so many species of diverse wildlife than here, including Brolgas, Egrets, Jabiru and hopefully Crocs! Following our cruise, we return to the lodge for dinner. 

OVERNIGHT:  Kakadu Lodge Cooinda, KAKADU
DAY 14: SUNDAY 4TH JULY, 2021
KAKADU – DARWIN

Our touring this morning includes Nourlangie Rock. After our walk to view the aboriginal art, we drive to Jabiru for our morning break.  Here we have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the incredible escarpment and Kakadu National Park. This flight can be booked with your Tour Director who will have further details for you.  Please note optional flight is subject to availability and is at your own expense. We stop for lunch on the way to Adelaide River where we join the Jumping Croc Cruise for some close encounters with the resident salt water Crocodiles! We then drive into Darwin for our next three nights accommodation. Our day isn’t over yet though! This evening’s dinner will be aboard the “Spirit of Darwin”. It is a great way to see Darwin from the water. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN 
DAY 15: monday 5TH JULY, 2021
DARWIN CITY TOUR & WARTIME DARWIN

This morning we are joined by a local who will show us around Darwin. We will be taking a look at a couple of things relating to Australia’s involvement in World War ll and particularly the role played by Darwin. We drive along the Esplanade, past Darwin’s War Memorial and anti-aircraft gun sites. Then we head to Charles Darwin National Park to see the ammunition storage shelters built here in 1944 and take a walk to the lookout platform for views of Darwin’s harbour and city skyline. We also explore East Point Military Precinct, the site of Australia only wartime battleground. Here, we’ll see where anti- aircraft guns were positioned, along with the storage bunkers and observation tower that survived the WWll bombing of Darwin. It will be a really interesting tour!  We have the afternoon free to relax, swim in the pool or for some last minute souvenir shopping. Later we make our way to beautiful Cullen Bay where we enjoy our dinner whilst watching the sun set. 
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Lunch at own expense and arrangement
OVERNIGHT:  Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
DAY 16: tuesday 6TH JULY, 2021
LITCHFIELD NATIONAL PARK

We spend the day touring Litchfield National Park. This National Park is very understated and offers an unforgettable day out. We travel through Batchelor to Florence Falls and admire the Magnetic and Cathedral Termite Mounds, some standing 16 feet (5 metres) high. We enjoy lunch at the Litchfield Café and have some free time at nearby Wangi Falls. This is a most relaxing area, perhaps take a swim or a walk. Back at our hotel, we can freshen up for dinner and pack for our departure tomorrow. 
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OVERNIGHT:  Doubletree by Hilton Esplanade, DARWIN
DAY 17: WEDNESDAY 7TH JULY, 2021
DARWIN TO MELBOURNE or DARWIN TO KATHERINE 

After three wonderful nights in Darwin we farewell our fellow passengers who are flying home today. Passengers who have chosen the “Fly Home Option” will be transferred to Darwin Airport to join their flight to Melbourne. Upon arrival on home soil, O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours Chauffeurs will return you safely to your door.

Passengers who have chosen the “Ghan Home Option” will board The Legendary Ghan to begin our journey south across the continent. We arrive at Katherine in the afternoon and disembark. There are a series of unique tours available, with most of these tours included in our fare. Perhaps enjoy the Katherine Outback Experience which provides a unique window into the real Australian Outback and the inner workings of life on a cattle station through the sharing of stories and experiences, cattle dog demonstrations and live music performances. The ‘Stock Yards’ is where the action takes place, where we can enjoy a live demonstration of the art of horse-breaking, depicting the psychology between man and horse, watch the Riverboyne Dog Team working cattle, goats or ducks in harmony, before interacting with Bernie the Buffalo, Tin Shaker, the Brahman Steer and Legend the Trick Horse. There is even time to sit back and relax, listening to live music including some well-known Aussie Anthems and originals, often performed from atop a horse.

Please note: On tour with O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours, Day 12 includes the Katherine Gorge Cruise, so we suggest you choose one of the other sightseeing options for today.

Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight (Fly Home Option)
OVERNIGHT:  The Ghan, KATHERINE

DAY 18: THURSDAY 8TH JULY, 2021
KATHERINE TO ALICE SPRINGS
 
We arrive in Alice Springs early morning with the opportunity to choose one of many whistle stop tours available in Alice Springs. These are organised by Journey Beyond Rail (The Ghan) with many tours included in your fare, with some optional tours at your own expense. Up to date information and prices will be available on board The Ghan.

OVERNIGHT:  The Ghan, ALICE SPRINGS
  
DAY 19: FRIDAY 9TH JULY, 2021
ALICE SPRINGS TO COOBER PEDY

We will wake up and rub our eyes with disbelief as we pull into the middle-of-nowhere stop at Manguri. A friendly tour guide awaits ready to whisk us away for the day  returning to the sun-scorched opal mining capital of the work – Coober Pedy. Below the earth’s surface, we’ll enjoy a gourmet lunch in the most unique location. After an
eye-opening, action packed day – it’s back on board with plenty of time to ease into a slower gear and prepare ourselves for our final evening on board The Ghan. We dine in style in the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, meet and share stories with new friends in the Outback Explorer Lounge or simply head back to the privacy of our cabins to wind down, read a book and plan our next epic journey.
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OVERNIGHT:  The Ghan, COOBER PEDY
 
DAY 20: SATURDAY 10TH JULY, 2021
ADELAIDE TO MELBOURNE

Arriving in Adelaide mid-morning, we are greeted by a local representative and taken to the Adelaide Central Market to purchase lunch before being transferred to the Adelaide Airport for our flight to Melbourne. We will be met by our chauffeurs who will return us safely home with wonderful memories of our unique overland experience through the Heart of Australia and beyond.
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Lunch at own arrangements and cost / Refreshments on flight (Ghan Home Option)

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TOUR INCLUSIONS

Complimentary chauffeur driven transfers
Victorian passengers from Greater Melbourne, Bendigo, Torquay, Ballarat, Geelong, the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, Phillip Island and selected areas of Gippsland will be picked up from home in a private chauffeured vehicle by one of our professional drivers.  
For Victorian passengers not within this pick up zone, or our interstate passengers a quote can be provided for home pickup in extended areas. At the end of your tour, you will be safely returned home with memories of a sensational tour. 

Luxury Touring Coaches
Our full size 3 axle luxury coaches have only 34 -36 passenger seats allowing you even more personal space and huge leg room. Our coaches are fitted with comfortable reclining seats with aisle arm rests, foot rests, seat belts, panoramic windows with blinds, refrigerator for passenger use, Climate control air conditioning & Road Cam monitors which display the road ahead in real time. Each coach also has a second door for easier entry and exit and touchless hand sanitizer dispensers at each entry to help keep everyone safe. The coaches have full air suspension delivering a smooth and quiet ride which also allows us to lower the coach closer to the ground, making boarding and disembarking even easier. 
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Tour Director
Dedicated O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours coach crew (tour directors) on board to ensure
​your travel experience is memorable.

Best Available Quality Accommodation
Ensuite motel accommodation each night.

Attractions
All tours and interest venues as per itinerary.

Meals
Full cooked breakfasts, morning tea, most lunches and two course restaurant dinners daily.

No Hidden Extras
O'Shannessy's Quality Tours are fully inclusive.
  


“...be drawn to the spectacular sandstone country of Nitmiluk National Park and the majestic Katherine Gorge with cliffs that glow in the changing light...”
 


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northernterritory.com.au

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY

Balance due on invoice approximately 45 days prior to departure.
Deposit is fully refundable until 46 days prior to departure date.
Prices include GST and all taxes.

Cancellation 46 to 8 days before tour departure date, 20% Refund of Tour Cost
Cancellation within 7 days of tour departure date, No Refund
On or after tour date departure, No Refund

Travel Insurance is not compulsory, however we highly recommended you take out comprehensive travel insurance with a reputable insurer at the time you pay for your tour.

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​O'Shannessy's Quality Tours

If you have any questions regarding our products or services, please phone or email us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
​We look forward to hearing from you!
​
free call 1800 354 352
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

All our tours are fully inclusive, and we guarantee there will be no hidden entry fees, transfers, accommodation or meal costs whatsoever. 
 
O’Shannessy’s Quality Tours are famous for unparalleled levels of customer service, and that is why our customers come back time after time – we promise to strive to give you the highest level of comfort at all times. Travel by our own state of the art luxury coach. 
Features include comfy reclining seats for a maximum of 36 passengers with plenty of leg room to stretch out. Arm and foot rests, seat belts, panoramic windows with blinds, refrigerator for passenger use, Road Cam screens which display the road ahead in real time and an onboard rest room. A second door for easier entry and exit, a hands-free hand sanitizer dispenser onboard and full air suspension for a smooth, quiet ride.  


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​2121 Point Nepean Rd Rye, Victoria


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